Halong Bay kayaking and cave cruise with lunch
Paddle through limestone caves, then watch the sunset from the deck
A full-day cruise from Hanoi to Halong Bay with limousine bus pickup, buffet lunch on board, and guided stops at three of the bay's most visited sites. You kayak through Luon Cave, explore Sung Sot Cave on foot, and climb Ti Top Island for views across thousands of limestone peaks. The tour runs 13 hours door-to-door, with an English-speaking guide. Entrance fees are paid at the harbor before boarding.
Options for this experience
3 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Halong Bay luxury day cruise
- Pick up from Hanoi old quarter
- Transfer to Tuan Chau Marina Harbor
- Check-in onboard at 11:45 am
- Enjoy buffet lunch on cruise
- Visit Sung Sot Cave
- Kayak at Luon Cave
- Climb Ti Top Island for views
- Relax on sundeck with tea and coffee
- Enjoy sunset party on cruise
- Return to harbor and disembark
- Transfer back to Hanoi
- Hanoi Opera House passing by
- Ha Long Bay 5h
What’s included
- Round-trip limousine bus from Hanoi (with pickup from your hotel in the old quarter or a fixed stop between 7:40 and 8:20 AM).
- buffet lunch on board the 5-star cruise.
- English-speaking guide.
- complimentary bottled water and welcome drink.
- access to Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, and Ti Top Island.
Times
- Every day 07:45 11:30
Before you book
Operated by Vietnam tonkin cruise & Media JSC
Prices and times updated yesterday
Traveler reviews
The experience
The limousine picks you up from your hotel in Hanoi's old quarter between 7:40 and 8:20 AM, or from one of three fixed stops if you're staying elsewhere. The Opera House by 7:30 AM, Silk Path Hotel by 7:45 AM, or Embassy Hotel by 8:20 AM. The drive to Tuan Chau Marina takes roughly two hours. You board the 5-star cruise at 11:45 AM, check in with your guide, and lunch begins as the boat motors into the bay. The itinerary moves through three main stops: Sung Sot Cave (the largest in Halong Bay, visited around 1:30 PM), Luon Cave where you kayak (around 2:30 PM), and Ti Top Island where you can climb halfway up the mountain for a panoramic view of the bay (around 3:30 PM). The return to the cruise happens by 4:30 PM, and you spend the late afternoon on the sundeck with Vietnamese tea and coffee, watching the sunset as the boat heads back to harbor. Disembarkation is around 6 PM, with arrival back in Hanoi between 9 and 9:30 PM.
Kayaking at Luon Cave is the centerpiece activity. You paddle your own kayak (two people per kayak) through a narrow passage into a sheltered lagoon surrounded by limestone walls. This is optional and costs an additional 80,000 VND per person if you want to add it. Sung Sot Cave is explored on foot with your guide. It's a walk-through cavern, not a paddle. Ti Top Island involves a climb partway up the mountain, not a full summit, but high enough to see the whole bay spread below you. The cruise itself carries travelers from many countries, so you'll meet people from different backgrounds throughout the day.
Lunch is a buffet served on board while the boat cruises between stops. Complimentary bottled water and a welcome drink are included. The guide speaks English and will explain what you're seeing at each site. Note that entrance fees to the caves and island are not included in the ticket price and must be paid in cash at the harbor before you board. Ask your guide or the crew for the current amount. If you're arriving on a cruise ship, the tour can arrange a pickup from Halong International Cruise Port (about a 5-minute walk) or from Cai Lan port (about 20 minutes by taxi, with additional fees if you want the company to arrange it).
Is this one for you?Book the 8 AM pickup if your hotel is in Hanoi's old quarter and you want the company to handle your transport door-to-door. Choose the 11:30 AM option if you're staying outside the old quarter or arriving by cruise ship and prefer to make your own way to the marina. Kayaking is optional and costs extra, so add it only if you want to paddle. If you prefer to stay on the boat or explore the cave on foot, you can skip it.
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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: Youth (8 to 29 years); Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): 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.
What's the difference between the 8 AM and 11:30 AM pickup options?
The 8 AM option includes limousine pickup from your hotel in Hanoi's old quarter or one of three fixed stops, and you arrive at the marina by 11:45 AM. The 11:30 AM option means you make your own way to Tuan Chau Marina by that time. You'll need to send your passport information to the operator before 9 AM on the departure day, and you should contact them to confirm details in advance.
Is kayaking included, or do I have to pay extra?
Kayaking at Luon Cave is optional and costs an additional 80,000 VND per person (roughly $3–4 USD). Two people share one kayak. If you don't want to kayak, you can stay on the cruise or explore the cave area on foot with your guide.
What happens at Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island?
Sung Sot Cave is the largest cave in Halong Bay and you walk through it with your guide, who explains the formations and history. Ti Top Island is a small island where you can climb partway up the mountain (not a full summit) to see panoramic views of the entire bay and the limestone peaks surrounding it.
Are entrance fees to the caves and island included in the ticket?
No. Entrance fees are paid in cash at Tuan Chau Marina before you board the cruise. Ask your guide or the crew for the current cost when you arrive. The operator does not list a fixed price in advance.
What should I bring on this day trip?
Bring a hat or umbrella, lightweight long-sleeved shirt (sun protection), swimming suit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, and a water bottle. Sandals or water shoes are useful for kayaking and island climbing. In winter, bring a light jacket. Avoid glass bottles. Bring a reusable water bottle instead. Small cash is helpful for tips or snacks, though tipping is not expected.
How crowded is Halong Bay, and will I see garbage?
Halong Bay is very popular and gets crowded every day, especially in summer and on weekends. Vietnamese tourists often fill the bay during peak season. Occasionally, debris washes into the bay from tidal changes and other sources. The government and local operators work to clean it, but it can be visible on some days.
Halong Bay kayaking and cave cruise with lunch
6h–13h · EN +1
from US$ 35 per person
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