Halong Bay Day Cruise with Caves, Kayaking & Beach Stop

Summary

Explore caves kayak calm waters climb Titop for bay views

You’ll sail through Halong Bay’s iconic limestone pillars with a local guide, explore Sung Sot Cave’s cool chambers, paddle quietly at Luon Cave or ride a bamboo boat, then climb or swim at Titop Beach before sunset on deck. Expect small surprises and honest moments along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the soft clang of ropes against the boat as we set off from Ha Long International Cruise Port. There was this salty breeze that made my shirt stick to my back, but in a good way — like you’re really out there. Our guide, Minh, grinned as he pointed out the Stone Dog islet. He said locals see different animals in the rocks depending on their mood. I tried to spot the dog’s nose but honestly just saw a lumpy potato. Minh laughed and said that’s normal.

We drifted past these wild shapes — Incense Burner islet (it’s actually on the 200,000 dong note, which Minh showed us), then Fighting Cock islet. The water was this weird green-grey color that looked fake in photos but real up close. When we reached Sung Sot Cave, it felt cooler inside right away — damp stone under my hand and echoes bouncing everywhere. The cave’s huge; you could lose your group if you wander off staring at the ceiling (I almost did). Lunch came after: simple Vietnamese dishes, nothing fancy but somehow perfect after all that walking.

I didn’t expect to love kayaking at Luon Cave so much. The water was glassy and quiet except for our paddles dipping in — sometimes a bird would call from somewhere above the limestone cliffs. Minh told us about monkeys here but we didn’t see any, just some dragonflies skimming by. At Titop Beach, some people swam but I climbed up for the view instead. My legs were jelly by the top but looking out over Halong Bay — all those islands scattered like someone dropped them by accident — I just stood there catching my breath and trying to take it in before heading back down.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ha Long Bay Day Cruise Exploration

• Welcome at Ha Long International Cruise Port
• Check-in on boat
• Start sailing to Ha Long Bay
• Pass Stone Dog, Incense Burner, Fighting Cock islets
• Pass Thumb and Swan islets
• Visit Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave
• Have lunch on boat
• Stop at Luon Cave for kayaking or bamboo boat
• Stop at Titop Beach for swimming or hiking
• Enjoy sunset on sundeck while sailing back
• Arrive at Ha Long International Cruise Port

Top questions

Is lunch included on the Halong Bay day cruise?

Yes, a Vietnamese set menu lunch is served on board during the cruise.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Ha Long International Cruise Port?

No, port pickup and drop-off are included in your tour booking.

Can I kayak during this Halong Bay day trip?

Yes, there’s time for kayaking or taking a bamboo boat at Luon Cave.

How long does the Halong Bay day cruise last?

The tour starts around 9:00am and ends about 4:30pm.

Are entrance fees included in this Halong Bay cruise?

All tickets and entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary are included.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

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

What are some highlights of this Halong Bay cruise?

You’ll visit Sung Sot Cave, kayak at Luon Cave, relax or hike at Titop Beach, and pass famous islets like Stone Dog and Fighting Cock.

What’s included

Your day includes port pickup and drop-off at Ha Long International Cruise Port, all entrance tickets as listed in the itinerary, an English-speaking local guide who shares stories along the way, plus a Vietnamese set lunch served onboard before returning in the afternoon.