Ha Long Bay: Full Day Cruise & Sung Sot Cave from Port

Eight Hours in Ha Long Bay: Limestone Caves & Kayak Stops Between Ship Calls

You board at the cruise port, spend eight hours on a full-day Ha Long Bay cruise that includes Sung Sot Cave, kayaking or bamboo boat through Luon Cave, swimming at Titop Beach, and a Vietnamese lunch on board. Port pickup and drop-off are included, and an English-speaking guide is with you the whole time. The schedule is timed so you're back before your ship leaves.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Halong Bay cruise tour

• Meet at Ha Long International Cruise Port
• Check in on boat
• Start Halong Bay visit
• Explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave
• Have set menu lunch on boat
• Kayak or bamboo boat at Luon Cave
• Cruise to Titop Beach
• Swim, sunbathe, or climb at Titop Beach
• Enjoy sunset on sundeck
• Return to Ha Long Cruise Port

The experience

The boat leaves the cruise port at 9am, which sounds straightforward until you realize the morning involves a 08:30 check-in procedure and you're still half-asleep from the ship. But once you're on deck, the limestone pillars start rising out of the water (1,600 of them scattered across the Gulf of Tonkin), and the reason you booked this becomes obvious. The first stop is Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest in Ha Long Bay at over 10,000 square meters, and you walk through it with an English-speaking guide who points out the rock formations that locals say look like animals or faces. It's the kind of cave that feels bigger the deeper you go, and the light changes as you move through different chambers.

Lunch happens on the boat around midday: a Vietnamese set menu served family-style, six people per set, which means you're eating with other cruise passengers and the conversation tends to be easier than you'd expect. After that, the itinerary splits: you can either kayak through Luon Cave or take a bamboo boat, depending on what you want that afternoon. The kayaking option is quieter, just you and the water and the rock walls, while the bamboo boat moves slower and lets you sit back. Either way, you're in the water for maybe an hour, and then the cruise heads to Titop Beach, where you can swim, sunbathe, or climb to the peak for a panoramic view of the whole bay. The climb takes about fifteen minutes and the view is the kind you actually remember.

By 3pm you're back on the sundeck watching the sunset while the boat cruises back to port, and at 4:30pm you're stepping off at Ha Long International Cruise Port. The whole thing is built around cruise ship timing, so the return is planned tight. You won't miss your re-boarding, which is the whole point of booking a shore excursion instead of trying to arrange something yourself.

What’s included

• Your day includes port pickup and check-in at Ha Long International Cruise Port, a full-day cruise through Ha Long Bay with stops at Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave (with your choice of kayaking or bamboo boat), and Titop Beach for swimming and optional peak climbing.
• Vietnamese set lunch is served on board, an English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout, and all entry fees, taxes, and port drop-off are included.
• The boat departs at 09:00am and returns by 4:30pm, timed to your ship's re-boarding schedule.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Maximus Travel Vietnam

Is this one for you?Book this if you're docked at Ha Long and want the main sights (caves, kayaking, beach time) without arranging a private boat or worrying about missing your ship. The fixed return time is what makes it work for cruise passengers.

Traveler reviews

4.90★★★★★★★★★★

130 verified traveler reviews

5 ★118

4 ★11

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What time does the tour start and end?

Check-in is at 08:30am at Ha Long International Cruise Port, the boat departs at 09:00am, and you return to port by 4:30pm.

Is lunch included?

Yes, a Vietnamese set menu lunch is served on the boat. The set is shared among six people.

Do I need to choose between kayaking and the bamboo boat?

Yes, you choose one or the other at Luon Cave. Both are included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera. The climb at Titop Beach is optional but the view is worth it.

Is this suitable for people with mobility concerns?

The tour includes cave walking, beach swimming, and an optional peak climb. If you have spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or mobility limitations, check with the operator before booking.

What if my ship is delayed or I need to re-board early?

At booking, you must provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time. The tour is scheduled to get you back in time, but confirm these details when you reserve.

Is the guide English-speaking?

Yes, an English-speaking tour guide is with you throughout the trip.

What's included in the price?

Vietnamese lunch, all entry fees and taxes, kayaking or bamboo boat, port pickup and drop-off, and the English-speaking guide.