Kayaking in Halong Bay: UNESCO limestone islands and cave

The cave entrance opens onto a fairytale interior lit by colored lights and draped in stalactites.

A full-day Halong Bay tour from Hanoi combines a traditional boat cruise, kayaking among limestone islands, and entry to Heaven Palace Cave, with seafood lunch and hotel pickup included. The day runs 11 hours door-to-door, starting with a 3–3.5 hour drive north through Vietnamese countryside. You kayak for 40 minutes in the Ba Hang area or take a bamboo boat instead, then return to Hanoi by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Halong Bay full day tour

• Hotel pickup in Hanoi
• Drive to Tuan Chau Harbour
• Short break during drive
• Board Halong Bay cruise
• Enjoy seafood lunch on board
• Cruise around limestone islands
• Visit Heavenly Palace Cave
• Kayaking or bamboo boat ride
• Return to harbour
• Break on return drive
• Drop off at Hanoi hotel

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at your Hanoi hotel between 7:45 and 8:30 am, then heads north through rice fields and rural villages toward Tuan Chau Harbour. After a midway break, you board a traditional cruise at the bay itself. Lunch (fresh seafood and Vietnamese dishes) arrives as the boat moves among the thousand islands, passing Dog Islet, Incense Burner Islet and Fighting Cock Islet on the way to the main stops.

Heaven Palace Cave sits on a remote island and lives up to its name: the interior is studded with stalactites and stalagmites, lit in colors that make the whole space feel otherworldly. After the cave, the boat anchors in the Ba Hang area for 40 minutes of kayaking (or a bamboo boat ride if you prefer to stay dry). You paddle among the same limestone formations you saw from the deck, close enough to touch the rock and feel the scale of the bay. The guide is English-speaking and travels with the group the whole day.

The return journey includes a restroom break around 4 pm, and you're dropped at your Hanoi hotel between 8 and 8:30 pm. All entrance fees, the guide, WiFi on board, and the round-trip transfer are included. Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and a long-sleeved shirt for the sun and cave damp.

What’s included

• All entrance fees to Halong Bay, Heaven Palace Cave and Ti Top Island.
• a professional English-speaking guide for the entire day.
• round-trip air-conditioned coach transfer from your Hanoi hotel.
• a 4-hour traditional boat cruise among the limestone islands.
• fresh seafood and Vietnamese lunch served on board.
• 40 minutes of kayaking or bamboo boat riding in the Ba Hang area.
• and WiFi access on the cruise.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:45

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vietnam Travel Top

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Hanoi and have a full day free. The 11-hour commitment includes 3–3.5 hours of driving each way, and kayaking is optional so non-swimmers can choose the bamboo boat instead.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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.

How far is Halong Bay from Hanoi, and how much time do I spend driving?

Halong Bay is in northern Vietnam near the Chinese border, about 3 to 3.5 hours' drive from Hanoi. You leave your hotel in the early morning and return by evening, with a midway restroom break on the drive north.

Do I have to kayak, or can I do something else instead?

Kayaking is optional. During the 40-minute water activity in the Ba Hang area, you can either kayak among the islands or take a bamboo boat ride if you prefer not to paddle.

What's included in the lunch, and when do we eat?

Lunch is fresh seafood and Vietnamese food, served on board the cruise around midday while the boat moves among the islands. Beverages and tips are not included.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, round-trip transfer by air-conditioned coach is included, with pickup between 7:45 and 8:30 am from your hotel in the Old Quarter or another provided address in Hanoi, and drop-off in the evening.

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

Bring long-sleeved clothes for sun protection, a hat or umbrella, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes. The cave can be damp, so avoid loose items that might fall into the water during kayaking.