Halong Bay Day Cruise: Caves, Kayak & Titop Island Buffet

Summary

Halong bay cruise with caves kayaking titop island seafood lunch

You’ll ride from Hanoi to Halong Bay for a full-day cruise with cave exploring, kayaking through lagoons, climbing Titop Island for wild views, and sharing seafood lunch onboard. With hotel pickup and a local guide smoothing out every step, you’ll get both laughter and quiet—plus that sunset party feeling you might not forget soon.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed wasn’t the water or the limestone towers — it was the clatter of chopsticks and someone’s laughter echoing off the boat deck as we left Tuan Chau Harbor. Our guide, Minh, handed out little bottles of water and grinned like he knew something we didn’t. The bus ride from Hanoi had been sleepy and grey (it rained a bit), but suddenly everything felt lighter. I tried to say “xin chào” to Minh and he just smiled wider — probably heard that accent before.

Lunch came early, or maybe I lost track of time with all the names Minh rattled off for those weirdly-shaped islets — Cock Fighting Rock was my favorite, mostly because nobody could agree which one it actually was. The seafood was simple but fresh; I kept reaching for more fried squid while watching the color of the bay shift under clouds. At Titop Island, some folks swam but I went up the steps instead. My legs burned halfway up (should’ve stretched), but that view — haze over green water, boats dotting everywhere — I still think about it sometimes. Didn’t expect to feel so small in a good way.

The Surprising Cave was cooler than I thought (literally cool inside too), full of shapes that looked like sea monsters if you squinted right. Minh pointed out one rock that’s supposed to be a turtle; honestly, looked more like a loaf of bread to me but nobody argued. Afterward we tried kayaking near Luon Cave — got splashed by another couple who were definitely not steering straight. It smelled faintly mossy, almost sweet where the sun hit the water.

On the way back there was fruit and red wine on deck as everyone traded photos and stories in half-English, half-whatever else they spoke at home. The wind picked up just enough to make my hair stick everywhere. We watched the light change on those cliffs until Hanoi felt far away again. Not sure what I expected from a Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi, but it wasn’t this mix of quiet moments and noisy ones all jumbled together.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Halong Bay luxury cruise and sightseeing

• Pickup from Hanoi hotel
• Travel to Tuan Chau Island
• Board cruise and safety briefing
• Enjoy Vietnamese seafood lunch on board
• Visit Titov Island and climb Titov Peak
• Explore Surprising Cave and kayak in Luon Cave
• Relax and sunbathe on cruise deck
• Attend sunset party with wine and fruits
• Return to Tuan Chau Harbor
• Travel back to Hanoi hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Halong Bay day cruise?

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

How long is the Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi?

The tour lasts about 12 hours total including transfers—cruise time is over 6 hours.

What activities are included on this Halong Bay cruise?

You’ll visit Surprise Cave, kayak or take a bamboo boat at Luon Cave, swim or climb at Titop Island, enjoy lunch onboard, and join a sunset party.

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available on board?

Yes—just request in advance when booking your tour.

Is this Halong Bay cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes—the transportation options and ship are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants join this Halong Bay day trip?

Yes—infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Does the tour include entrance fees for caves and kayaking?

Yes—all entrance fees for caves and kayaking are included in your booking price.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, entry fees for Surprise Cave and Titop Island, kayaking or bamboo boat rental at Luon Cave, an onboard seafood buffet lunch with vegetarian options if you ask ahead, plus insurance on board—and fruit with red wine during the sunset party before heading back in comfort that evening.