Halong Bay Cruise: Overnight Boat, Kayaking & Cooking Class

Summary

Halong Bay overnight cruise with kayaking Titop hike & local food

You’ll drift from Hanoi’s bustle to Halong Bay’s calm waters with hotel pickup included. Explore Sung Sot Cave’s cool chambers, kayak near Fairy Lake Cave, try your hand at making spring rolls onboard, and wake up surrounded by limestone peaks. It’s less about perfection — more about small surprises and real moments along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t realize how quiet the road out of Hanoi would get — just a slow drift from city noise into green fields and misty water buffalo. Our guide, Minh, kept pointing out funny details about village life (I still laugh thinking about his story of the rice paddy ducks). By the time we reached Tuan Chau harbor, my brain felt kind of rinsed clean. The boat itself was smaller than I pictured but in a good way — more cozy than fancy. We got a welcome drink that tasted faintly like jasmine and lime.

The first real “wow” for me was Sung Sot Cave (they call it Surprise Cave for a reason). It’s massive inside — cool air, dripping stone, echoes bouncing around. Minh showed us shapes in the rocks that supposedly look like dragons or turtles; maybe if you squint. Later on Ti Top Island, I tried to climb to the top for that famous Halong Bay view but had to stop halfway because my legs weren’t having it (still worth it though — there’s this salty breeze up there). Some people swam instead. Back on board, we fumbled through a spring roll cooking class; mine looked sad but tasted fine. Karaoke after dinner got weirdly competitive — let’s not talk about my attempt at “Yesterday Once More.”

Next morning was soft gray light over the water and strong coffee on deck. We paddled kayaks near Ho Dong Tien cave — the water was cold on my hands and there were these tiny silver fish darting under us. Lunch happened as we cruised back toward land; I remember picking at sweet pineapple while watching those limestone islands slide by outside the window. The bus ride back to Hanoi felt quieter somehow — everyone a bit sunburnt and sleepy, with Halong Bay still swirling around in our heads.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi to Halong Bay cruise

• Pick up from Hanoi hotel
• Drive to Halong Bay with break
• Arrive at Tuan Chau harbour
• Transfer to Fantasea boat and check in
• Enjoy welcome drink and lunch
• Cruise and visit Sung Sot Cave
• Visit Ti Top Island and hike
• Return to boat and join cooking class
• Have buffet dinner
• Enjoy karaoke and squid fishing

Day 2 — Halong Bay kayaking and return

• Have breakfast on boat
• Kayak at Ho Dong Tien cave
• Lunch while cruising back
• Drive back to Hanoi with break
• Drop off at Hanoi hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Halong Bay cruise?

Yes, round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi Old Quarter is included.

Do I sleep overnight on the boat during this tour?

Yes, you spend one night in a private cabin onboard Fantasea Cruise.

Are meals provided during the cruise?

All meals are included: lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two.

What activities are available on this Halong Bay cruise?

You can go kayaking near Ho Dong Tien cave, hike Ti Top Island, join a cooking class, swim or try karaoke and squid fishing.

How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

The drive takes about 4 hours each way with a short break en route.

Is kayaking included or extra?

Kayaking is included in the tour price.

Can I join if I have limited mobility?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are guides English-speaking?

Yes, English-speaking guides accompany you throughout the trip.

What’s included

Your trip covers round-trip shuttle bus transfers from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels, all admission fees and taxes for caves and islands visited along Halong Bay, an overnight stay in a twin or double cabin aboard Fantasea Cruise with insurance onboard, all meals from lunch on day one through lunch on day two (including a hands-on spring roll cooking class), bottled water plus welcome drink on arrival, kayaking equipment at Fairy Lake Cave if time allows—and an English-speaking guide who keeps things lively without being pushy.