Kayaking Halong Bay: Limestone caves and lunch from Hanoi

Paddle through emerald water between 12-meter limestone cliffs and into caves that open onto hidden lakes.

A full-day kayaking tour of Halong Bay departing from Hanoi with round-trip transfers, a four-hour cruise aboard the Dragonfly, and your choice of kayak or bamboo boat to explore Ba Hang village and its interconnected caves. The itinerary includes Heavenly Palace Cave, the distinctive Hon Ga Choi Island, fresh seafood lunch, and a guide in English or Vietnamese. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hon Ga Choi Island10m · entry included
2. Ha Long Bay45m · entry included

Halong Bay Day Tour with Activities

• Hotel pickup from Hanoi
• Drive via National Expressway to Halong Bay
• Board Dragonfly Cruise
• Cruise past limestone pillars and islets
• Visit Hon Ga Choi Island landmark
• Explore Heaven Palace Cave (Thien Cung Cave)
• Enjoy fresh seafood lunch on board
• Kayak or bamboo boat ride at Ba Hang village
• Return cruise to Tuan Chau Marina
• Drive back to Hanoi

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your Hanoi hotel and a drive to Tuan Chau Marina, the official gateway to Halong Bay. Once aboard the Dragonfly, you spend four hours cruising the UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing the towering limestone pillars and tiny islets that make the bay distinctive. The water is calm enough that the rock formations (some rising 12 meters and appearing to lean toward each other) cast clear reflections. You'll pass Hon Ga Choi Island, the pair of jagged karst islets that have become one of the bay's most photographed landmarks.

The kayaking or bamboo boat ride takes you to Ba Hang village, where the landscape shifts to something quieter. If you choose the kayak, you paddle through emerald water with limestone mountains on either side and the air noticeably cooler. If you take the bamboo boat instead, your hands stay free for photos and video. Either way, you can enter the three interconnected underground caves. When the water rises high enough, boats pass through the shoal and emerge into a lake that sits separate from the sea, surrounded by rocky mountains. Heavenly Palace Cave, visited earlier in the day, has distinctive cauliflower-shaped limestone growths alongside stalactites and stalagmites.

Lunch is fresh seafood served on the boat. The tour includes one free bottle of water, and the air-conditioned vehicle and onboard restroom mean you're not managing discomfort between stops. The full day runs ten hours from pickup to return. You can book as a join-in group tour departing Hanoi, or arrange a private cruise from Halong, a private car and guide from Hanoi, or a private combination of car, boat and guide: each option changes the pickup point and whether you travel with other guests.

What’s included

• Round-trip transfers from Hanoi in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• four-hour cruise aboard the Dragonfly through Halong Bay's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• kayak or bamboo boat ride to Ba Hang village and its caves.
• entry to Heavenly Palace Cave.
• fresh seafood lunch.
• one free bottle of water.
• onboard restroom.
• live guide in English or Vietnamese.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

4 options

Departing from Halong, on a private cruise.Guide in English or Vietnamese · 17 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 15:00Highlights of World Heritage: Visit Heaven Cave and spend 45 minutes by kayak or bamboo boat, with seafood lunch. Duration: 4 hours. Board the cruise at Tuan Chau Island, Halong, for your own tour. Seafood lunch: We serve local seafood lunch. For any special requests, please tell us in advance so we can arrange the best option. Highlights of World Heritage: Board a private cruise at Tuan Chau, visit Heaven Cave, and enjoy 45 minutes by kayak or bamboo boat, with seafood lunch. Private cruise: The cruise holds up to 48 passengers and has a restaurant on the first floor and a sundeck on the second floor. Pickup is included.

Day tour departing from Hanoi, joining in.Guide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Cave visit and kayak or bamboo boat: Visit Heaven Palace cave for 45 minutes, kayak or bamboo boat for 45 minutes. Pass Stone Dog, Fighting Cocks Island and Incense Burner. Duration: 10 hours. Seafood lunch: Tomato and cucumber salad, steamed fish, steamed shrimp, deep-fried seafood, spring rolls, fried egg roll, fried squid and fried chicken. Visit World Heritage Site. Highlights: Visit Heaven Cave (the most beautiful cave in Halong), kayak or bamboo boat for 45 minutes, Fighting Cocks or Incense Stick Burner islets. Luxury, comfortable, modern bus with modern comfortable transfer. Dragonfly Cruise visiting Halong Bay. Pickup is included.

Departing from Hanoi, with a private car and guide.Guide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Visit World Heritage sites: Explore the World Heritage sites of Halong, with 45 minutes at Heaven Cave and 45 minutes in a kayak or bamboo boat, with a private car and guide. Share boat: A private car and guide ensure a comfortable pace for the transfer and tour, and a shared boat in Halong Bay gives the best savings. Duration: 10 hours. Transfers by expressway, passing the World Heritage of Halong, with 45 minutes at Heaven Cave and 45 minutes in a kayak or bamboo boat. Seafood lunch: Local seafood lunch served on the cruise. For any special requests, please let us know in advance so we can arrange the best option. Comfortable private car and guide: A modern private car and guide give you the best transfer time during your tour. A shared cruise offers the best savings. Pickup is included.

Hanoi. Private Car/Boat/GuideGuide in English or Vietnamese · 7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00Private tour: Private car, cruise or guide for your tour. Duration: 10 hours. The private car, cruise or guide provides maximum comfort for your group visiting Halong, covering the best highlights of the World Heritage site. Seafood lunch: We serve local seafood lunch. For any special requests, please tell us in advance so we can arrange the best option. Highlights of World Heritage: A private car or guide picks you up from Hanoi, then you board a private cruise. Visit Heaven Cave and enjoy 45 minutes by kayak or bamboo boat, with seafood lunch. Private transfer: Depending on group size, we arrange the most comfortable transport for your trip. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day17 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

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.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

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Dragonfly Cruise

Is this one for you?Book the join-in group tour if you're traveling solo or want to meet other visitors and keep costs down. Choose a private option if your group prefers to move at your own pace and have the guide's attention focused on your questions about the limestone formations and the villages you pass.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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 24 h before the start.

What is Hon Ga Choi Island and why is it famous?

Hon Ga Choi Island is a distinctive pair of karst islets in the heart of Halong Bay, with jagged rock formations rising 12 meters above the water on narrow, weatherworn bases that appear to lean toward each other. The unusual shape has made it one of the bay's most memorable landmarks and among the most photographed attractions for cruise visitors.

What's included in the lunch, and can I request vegetarian or halal food?

Fresh seafood lunch is included on the boat. If you need vegetarian, halal or Muslim food, you must advise the operator in advance so they can arrange it. Drinks ordered separately are not included.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Hanoi, or is pickup included?

Round-trip transfers from Hanoi hotels are included in the join-in group tour and the private car options. If you book the private cruise departing from Halong, you arrange your own transport to the marina, or you can request pickup at an Airbnb, homestay or apartment. Contact the operator to confirm, as you may need to come to their office for the tour departure instead.