Halong Bay catamaran cruise with kayaking and cooking class

Paddle into caves and cook lunch while the limestone cliffs rise around you

A day cruise through Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay on a catamaran with hammock nets suspended over the water, kayaking or bamboo boat access to Bright-Dark Cave, swimming at Frog Pond, and a cooking demonstration on board. The tour includes lunch, an English-speaking guide, and either round-trip transfer from Hanoi or direct boarding at Tuan Chau Marina.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ha Long Bay2h · entry included
2. Lan Ha Bay4h · entry included

Halong Bay Cruise and Activities

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels
• Drive to Halong Bay with a short break
• Board The Halong Catamaran at Tuan Chau Harbor
• Lunch on board while cruising Halong Bay
• Kayaking or bamboo boat to Bright-Dark Cave
• Visit Frog Pond and swim in Lan Ha Bay
• Cooking demonstration on board
• Sunset ceremony with tea and cakes
• Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina
• Limousine bus drive back to Hanoi
• Drop off at Hanoi Old Quarter hotels

The experience

The catamaran holds 99 passengers and features an open-air top deck for viewing, but the signature detail is the hammock-like loft nets strung between the two hulls. You sit suspended over the water with it rushing below. Boarding happens at Tuan Chau Harbor at 11:30 AM, and the boat heads straight into Halong Bay, crossing into the quieter Lan Ha Bay as lunch is served on deck. The route passes the limestone formations that make the bay recognizable, and the guide narrates in English throughout.

Between 2 PM and 3 PM, you kayak or take a bamboo boat into Bright-Dark Cave, a sea cave carved into the rock. After that, the boat anchors at Frog Pond in Lan Ha Bay for a 30-minute swim. At 4 PM, a cooking demonstration happens on board. You watch the crew prepare a dish, then sit down to eat it as part of the meal. The day ends with a sunset ceremony of tea and cakes before disembarking around 5:45 PM.

If you book from Hanoi, pickup runs between 7:30 and 8 AM from hotels in the Old Quarter, with a 2.5- to 3-hour drive to the marina and a short break on the way. The return journey leaves Tuan Chau around 5:45 PM and arrives back in central Hanoi between 8:30 and 9 PM. If you're already in Halong, you can skip the transfer and meet the boat at the marina at 11:10 AM.

What’s included

• Round-trip transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels and entrance fees to Halong Bay.
• an English-speaking guide for the full day.
• kayaking or bamboo boat access to Bright-Dark Cave.
• swimming time at Frog Pond.
• a cooking demonstration on board.
• a deluxe lunch with Vietnamese seafood.
• and a sunset tea and cakes ceremony.

Options for this experience

2 options

Departure from Halong at 11:10 AMGuide in English · 11:10Starting at Tuan Chau Marina: Please arrive at Tuan Chau Cruise Port on your own before 11:10 AM to meet and board the cruise (no later than that time). Transfer on request: Transfer from the Hanoi or Halong area is not included in this option; pay extra if you wish to book this service. Catamaran cruise or similar: 6 hours of cruising, with a water slide, trampoline, kayaking or local rowing boat, swimming, a cooking class and time to relax. Duration: 6 hours. Lunch and afternoon tea on board. Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay

Departure from Hanoi at 7:45 AMGuide in English · 07:45Round-trip limousine transfer with pickup: Pick-up and transfer from hotels or accommodations in the Old Quarter area, or from Hanoi Opera House if you are staying outside it. Catamaran cruise or similar: 6 hours of cruising, with a water slide, trampoline, kayaking or local rowing boat, swimming, a cooking class and time to relax. Duration: 12 hours. Lunch and afternoon tea on board. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:45 and 11:10

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Youth (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Authentic MAI CHAU

Is this one for you?Book from Hanoi if your hotel is in the Old Quarter and you want door-to-door service with no planning. Book from the marina if you're already in Halong and prefer to skip the long drive back to the city the same day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is Bright-Dark Cave like, and how do you get inside it?

Bright-Dark Cave is a sea cave carved into the limestone cliffs of Lan Ha Bay. You reach it by kayak or bamboo boat, spending about an hour exploring the cave and the water around it.

Is the cooking demonstration something I participate in, or do I watch?

You watch the crew prepare a Vietnamese dish on board, then eat it as part of your lunch. It's a demonstration, not a hands-on class.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The boat stops at Frog Pond in Lan Ha Bay for a 30-minute swimming break in the afternoon.

How long is the drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

The drive takes 2.5 to 3 hours from the Hanoi Old Quarter to Tuan Chau Marina, with one short break included.

Do I need to book transport from Hanoi, or can I meet the boat at the marina?

You can choose: book round-trip transfer from Hanoi hotels, or arrange your own way to Tuan Chau Marina and board at 11:10 AM. Both options are available at checkout.