Kayaking Halong Bay: Full-day cruise with Titop Island hike

You kayak around the mountains instead of watching them from the boat deck.

A full-day kayaking and hiking tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay includes hotel pickup, cruise, lunch, guide, entry to Surprise Cave and Titop Island, and time in the water. You kayak among the karst peaks, hike to the island's viewpoint, and swim on the beach. The route is popular on weekends and in summer, so weekday departures tend to be less crowded.

Step-by-step itinerary

Halong Bay full day tour

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter hotel
• Cruise depart from Tuan Chau harbour
• Have lunch on the boat
• Visit Halong Bay by boat
• Kayaking or local sampan boat ride
• Visit the biggest cave in Halong Bay
• Visit Titov Island for swimming or hiking
• Drop off at Hanoi Old Quarter hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Hanoi Old Quarter hotel around midday, then a drive by air-conditioned bus to Tuan Chau Harbour where the boat departs around noon. Once on the water, you cruise through Halong Bay's limestone landscape, have lunch served on board with Vietnamese dishes, and then move into the activities. You can kayak or take a local sampan boat around the karst mountains: the kayaking puts you at water level among the peaks instead of viewing them from the deck. The guide speaks English throughout.

Titop Island is where the hiking happens: 420 steps lead to the peak for a panoramic view of the bay, or you can skip the climb and swim and play on the white sand beach below. Surprise Cave, the largest cave in Halong Bay, is a separate stop on the route. All entry fees to the cave, island, and kayaking are included, along with sunset tea, cake and fruit in the afternoon. The bus returns you to your hotel or accommodation in the Old Quarter by evening.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you stay in Hanoi's Old Quarter area. You'll need to provide your hotel details at least one day before departure. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, the Night Market closes many Old Quarter streets to vehicles, so you may walk the final stretch to your hotel instead. The timeline can shift due to traffic. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes and a swimsuit. Two bottles of water per person are provided on the bus. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them at booking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return drop-off in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
• air-conditioned bus transport to and from Tuan Chau Harbour.
• full-day cruise on Halong Bay.
• lunch with Vietnamese dishes on the boat.
• kayaking or sampan boat ride among the karst mountains.
• entry to Surprise Cave.
• access to Titop Island with the choice to hike 420 steps to the peak or swim on the beach.
• sunset tea with cake and fruit.
• English-speaking guide.
• two bottles of water per person on the bus.

Options for this experience

3 options

Departure from Tuan Chau HarbourGuide in English or Vietnamese · 11:30Departing from Tuan Chau Harbour: Visit Sung Sot Cave, kayaking or sampan boat, hiking Titop Peak or swimming at Titop Island, and a sunset party if the weather permits. Duration 6 hours, lunch included. The sunset party depends on the weather. Halong Bay boat trip; be ready at the Tuan Chau International Marina by 11:30 AM.

Departure from Hanoi via highwaysGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:30Departing from Hanoi: Visit Sung Sot Cave, kayaking or sampan boat, hiking Titop Peak or swimming at Titop Island, and a sunset party if the weather permits. Deluxe level. Duration 12 hours with lunch. Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi, saving 1 hour each way: pickup between 8:30 and 9:20 AM, return around 8:30 PM. Pickup is included.

Jade Sails - the first luxury cruiseGuide in English or Vietnamese · 07:00, 08:30 and 11:30Less touristic and more comfortable: the top first luxury day tour. A luxury cruise with a pool, sailing through Halong and Lan Ha Bays in one day, visiting less crowded areas, with a tea break and cooking class. Duration 12 hours, spending about 7 to 8 hours on the bay. Pickup at around 7 AM, lunch included. Halong Bay to Lan Ha Bay: limousine transfer on the expressway, speedboat through Halong Bay, kayaking, swimming, bamboo boat, and a cooking class in Lan Ha Bay, in a luxury van and on a luxury cruise. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:30 and 11:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (9 to 75 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 48

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

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

Cancellation and refundsFree 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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Asia Vacation Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to be on the water among the peaks rather than viewing them from a tour bus or cruise deck. The kayaking and swimming are what set it apart from a standard sightseeing route, and the full-day format means you see the cave, the island viewpoint and the beaches without an overnight stay.

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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: Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 3 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.

What's the difference between kayaking and taking the sampan boat on this tour?

Kayaking puts you in your own boat among the karst mountains at water level. The sampan is a traditional local boat where you sit as a passenger. Both options are included, and you choose which one suits you on the day.

How long does the hike on Titop Island take?

The hike to Titop Peak involves 420 steps and leads to a panoramic viewpoint of Halong Bay. If you don't want to hike, you can swim and relax on the beach at the island's base instead.

What time does the boat leave Tuan Chau Harbour?

The cruise departs around noon from Tuan Chau Harbour after you're picked up from your hotel and driven to the port.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

Lunch is included and served on the boat with Vietnamese dishes. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when you book.

What happens if I'm staying outside Hanoi's Old Quarter?

The standard pickup and drop-off are from hotels in the Old Quarter area. If you're staying elsewhere, that option is available at checkout but may involve different arrangements.

How crowded is this route?

Halong Bay's most popular route, it draws larger crowds on weekends and during Vietnamese school holidays in summer. Weekday departures are typically less busy.