Halong Bay: Cave Island Kayak Swim Day Trip with Buffet Lunch

Summary

Kayaking caves swimming Titop island lunch cruise Halong Bay

You’ll float through Halong Bay’s limestone towers by boat, explore Sung Sot Cave’s cool chambers, paddle your own kayak or ride a bamboo boat near Luon Cave, then swim or climb to panoramic views on Titop Island. A traditional Vietnamese lunch with fresh seafood is included before heading back—expect laughter, new friends, and moments you’ll remember long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound — engines humming low as we slipped away from Tuan Chau, but mostly just water lapping against the boat and that weirdly salty breeze. Our guide, Minh, handed out cold bottles of water and grinned like he’d done this a thousand times. He pointed at rocks shaped like dogs and dragons (I still can’t see the dog), and we all craned our necks until someone’s hat blew off. The limestone towers are bigger than they look in photos — you sort of feel small here, in a good way.

I didn’t expect the cave to be so cool inside. Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) is huge, echoey — you walk along these damp steps and suddenly you’re staring up at ceilings that look like melted wax. Minh told us stories about ancient fishermen hiding here during storms. There was this faint smell of wet earth and minerals; I touched one of the walls when no one was looking (probably not allowed?). After that, we kayaked near Luon Cave — paddling was easier than I thought, even though my arms felt it later. The water is green but clear enough to see little fish darting underneath.

Titop Island came next — you can swim or hike up to the top for views that honestly made me stop talking for a minute. The climb is sweaty but worth it; there’s this moment where the whole bay opens up below you and everything goes quiet except for distant boat horns. Some folks just lounged on deck chairs with coconuts instead (tempting). Lunch back on the boat was a blur of seafood and laughter — I tried something with chili that nearly knocked me out, but in a good way.

By late afternoon I was sunburned and tired in that happy way you get after swimming all day. Minh joked about our group photo looking like “seafood survivors.” I still think about that view from Titop Peak sometimes — how blue everything looked from up there, how small we felt drifting between those islands. If you’re thinking about a Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi or just want to kayak somewhere wild, this one sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Halong Bay cruise and island visits

• Arrive Tuan Chau island
• Check on boat and have lunch
• Cruise through limestone rocks
• Visit Sung Sot Cave
• Discover Luon Cave by kayak or boat
• Visit Titop Island
• Swim on Titop beach
• Hike to Titop peak for photos
• Relax on Titop beach

Top questions

How long does the Halong Bay day tour last?

The tour includes about 6 hours cruising on Halong Bay plus transfers from Hanoi's Old Quarter hotels.

Is kayaking included in the Halong Bay day trip?

Yes, kayaking or a bamboo boat ride near Luon Cave is included in the tour price.

What food is served for lunch on the boat?

A buffet lunch featuring traditional Vietnamese dishes and fresh seafood is served onboard.

Are hotel pickups available for this tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at hotels in Hanoi's Old Quarter are included.

Can I swim during the Halong Bay day trip?

Yes, there’s time for swimming at Titop Island’s organized beach area.

Is there hiking involved on Titop Island?

You can hike up to Titop Peak for panoramic views or relax on the beach if you prefer.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

All entrance tickets during the tour are included in your booking.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip hotel pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, all entrance fees throughout Halong Bay including Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island, kayaking or bamboo boat options at Luon Cave, a traditional Vietnamese buffet lunch with plenty of seafood onboard, bottled water during transfers, and guidance from an English-speaking local guide before returning comfortably in the evening.