Kayaking Halong Bay from Hanoi: Titop Island & Sung Sot Cave

Paddle through limestone karsts and pick your own pace at the island

A day trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay combines bus transport, a guided cruise, kayaking around Luon Cave, exploration of Sung Sot Cave, and time at Titop Island where you choose to hike to the peak or swim on the beach. The itinerary runs 12 hours door-to-door with Vietnamese lunch, an English-speaking guide, and a sunset gathering on deck included. Three purchase options vary the boat class and whether return transport is included.

Options for this experience

3 options

From US$ 40 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Standard boat, transfer not included 08:30 Guide in English Pickup and drop-off are not included with this option; no shuttle bus from Hanoi is provided. We will collect you at Tuan Chau Island at 11:45 am.

Standard boat with two-way bus 08:30 Guide in English Shuttle bus pickup and drop-off from all hotels or homestays in Hanoi Old Quarter; pickup is included

Premium boat with pool and two-way bus 08:30 Guide in English Buffet lunch featuring Vietnamese and Western dishes (vegetarian options available). Comfortable bus with pickup and drop-off at all hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter; pickup is included

None of these options right for you? See 5 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Halong Bay day trip with activities

• Bus pickup from Hanoi hotel
• Travel to Tuan Chau Island
• Board cruise and have seafood lunch
• Visit Surprising Cave
• Kayak or bamboo boat at Luon Cave
• Hike or swim at Titop Island
• Enjoy sunset party on cruise
• Return to Tuan Chau harbor
• Bus transfer back to Hanoi
• Arrive and drop off at hotel

What’s included

• Round-trip bus pickup from your Hanoi hotel.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• Vietnamese lunch with seafood (vegetarian available).
• entry to Sung Sot Cave.
• kayaking or bamboo boat at Luon Cave.
• time at Titop Island with your choice of hiking or swimming.
• sunset party with fresh fruit, cake and drinks on deck.
• bottled water.
• all park fees and taxes. The Premium Boat option adds a swimming pool on the vessel.

Times

• Every day 08:30

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 40

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (10 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems

Operated by Hanoi Green Travel

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

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The experience

The bus picks you up at your Hanoi hotel between 8:45 and 9:00 am and drives you to Tuan Chau Island on the new highway, arriving around noon. Once aboard, you eat Vietnamese seafood lunch while the boat cruises past Incense Burner Islet and Fighting Cock Islet, then head to Sung Sot Cave, one of Halong Bay's largest, where you walk through chambers of stalagmites and stalactites. The cave visit takes about an hour, and the guide explains what you're looking at as you move through.

At 3 pm you reach Luon Cave for the kayaking. You paddle around the limestone formations in the bay's quieter reaches, either in a kayak or a bamboo boat if you prefer not to paddle yourself. This is the part where you control the pace and the direction: no fixed route, just you and the water for about 30 minutes. By 3:30 pm you're at Titop Island. The choice here is yours: hike to the peak for a panoramic view of the entire bay, or stay on the beach and swim. Most people split the time between both.

At 4:45 pm you return to the boat for the sunset party on the sundeck with fresh fruit, cake and wine or soft drinks. The boat heads back to harbor by 5:45 pm, and you're dropped at your Hanoi hotel by 9 pm. The guide speaks English throughout, and vegetarian lunch is available if you request it when booking. Water and all park fees are included. The standard boat and premium boat with pool are the two main options, and you can add or remove the return bus transfer depending on your plans.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): 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.

Can I choose between kayaking and something else at Luon Cave?

Yes. At Luon Cave you can kayak or take a bamboo boat instead if you'd rather not paddle. Both options let you explore the same area. The bamboo boat is a gentler alternative.

What happens at Titop Island? Do I have to hike?

No. At Titop Island you choose: hike to the peak for views across Halong Bay, or swim and relax on the beach. Most travelers do both during the time you have there.

Is the bus ride from Hanoi to the bay very long?

The drive is on the new highway and takes roughly three hours each way. You're picked up at your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter area between 8:45 and 9:00 am and dropped back by 9 pm.

What's included in the lunch?

Vietnamese lunch with seafood is served aboard while you cruise. Vegetarian meals are available if you let the operator know when you book.

Does the sunset party include alcohol?

The sunset gathering at 5 pm includes fresh fruit, cake, wine and soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages beyond what's offered are not included.

What if I don't want the bus transfer back to Hanoi?

One of the three purchase options is the Standard Boat without Transfer, so you can book the tour and arrange your own way back to the city if you prefer.