Kayaking Halong Bay from Hanoi: Sung Sot Cave & Titop Island

Paddle through hidden caves and climb for panoramic views of Halong Bay

A full-day tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay combines a 6-hour boat cruise, kayaking or bamboo boat through Luon Cave, visits to Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island, and a Vietnamese seafood lunch on board. Hotel pickup in the Old Quarter is included, as are all entrance fees and an English-speaking guide. The day runs 12 hours total, with a 2.5-hour transfer each way on the highway.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ha Long Bay6h · entry included
2. Surprise Cave45m · entry included
3. Titop Island1h · entry included

Halong Bay Day Tour from Hanoi

• Pick up at Hanoi Old Quarter hotel
• Transfer to Halong Bay via highway
• Arrive Tuan Chau Port and board cruise
• Enjoy Vietnamese buffet lunch on cruise
• Cruise through limestone islands and rock formations
• Visit Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)
• Discover Luon Cave by kayaking or bamboo boat
• Relax or swim at beach on island
• Visit Titop Island for swimming and trekking
• Return to Hanoi Old Quarter hotel

The experience

The morning starts with pickup at your Hanoi hotel and a 2.5-hour drive to Tuan Chau Port via the express highway, with a brief stop for restrooms. Once you board at noon, the boat moves through the limestone formations (Incense Rock, Bunner Rock, Cock Fighting Rock), while you eat a Vietnamese lunch with seafood on deck. The water is calm enough that the bay itself becomes part of the meal.

At 1 p.m., you walk through Sung Sot Cave, the largest grotto in Halong Bay. By 2:45 p.m., you reach Luon Cave, where the real choice happens: kayak through the water cave yourself, take a bamboo boat, or stay on the main boat and relax. The kayaking route winds through hidden tunnels in emerald water, but it's optional. You pick what suits the day. Afterward, the beach on the island has deck chairs, fresh water showers and cool drinks if you want to sit still for a while.

At 3:45 p.m., you move to Titop Island. Swim on the beach or climb the peak. A trek that takes you to one of the best vantage points in the bay, where the limestone landscape spreads out in all directions. Most people do the climb and then cool off in the water. The boat leaves at 8:30 p.m., and you're back at your hotel by 9 or 9:30 p.m.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
• 6-hour boat cruise through Halong Bay.
• kayaking or bamboo boat option at Luon Cave.
• entrance fees to Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island.
• Vietnamese seafood buffet lunch on board.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• mineral water on the transfer bus.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English08:00

Guide in English08:00

Guide in English08:00

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (7 to 75 years) · Youth (6 years) · Child (5 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 70

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “If customer stay outside Hanoi Old Quarter Center, Please should be ready at our office at 07.40am to join the tour - Address : 33 Ngo Huyen Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hanoi Explore Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Halong Bay's limestone landscape and caves without renting a car or organizing the logistics yourself: the pickup, boat, guide and meals are all arranged. The kayaking option at Luon Cave is optional, so swimmers and hikers can both find their rhythm in the same day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 years); Child (5 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long is the drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

The transfer takes 2.5 hours each way on the express highway, with a short stop for restrooms on the way out. You leave your hotel in the Old Quarter early morning and return by 9 p.m.

Can I kayak if I've never done it before?

Kayaking is one of three options at Luon Cave. You can also take a bamboo boat or stay on the main boat. The water is calm and the route is designed for beginners, but it's not mandatory.

What is Sung Sot Cave like?

Sung Sot Cave is the largest and most visited grotto in Halong Bay. You walk through it on foot after lunch, exploring the limestone chambers carved by centuries of wind and water.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is it?

Yes, a Vietnamese buffet with seafood is served on the boat while you cruise. It's included in the tour price, along with a bottle of mineral water.

What should I bring for a full day on the water?

Bring a hat or umbrella, sunglasses, and water shoes or sandals. Sunscreen is essential. Cash is useful for personal expenses like drinks or souvenirs, as those aren't included.

Which option should I choose? Limousine bus, shuttle bus, or luxury cruise?

All three options follow the same itinerary and include the same activities and lunch. The difference is the vehicle for the Hanoi transfer and the boat's comfort level. Choose based on how much space and amenities matter for the 2.5-hour drive.