Halong Bay Kayaking Cruise: Sung Sot Cave & Lan Ha

Two nights on the water, kayaking through limestone karsts, cooking spring rolls, watching the sunset from the deck

A 3-day cruise from Hanoi through Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay with two nights in a private cabin, English-speaking guide, and all meals on board. The itinerary includes kayaking in both bays, visits to Sung Sot Cave and other limestone formations, a cooking class, and a sunset party. Hotel pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter is included in the Hanoi option. Travelers joining from Halong Bay arrive at Tuan Chau port by 11:30 am. Children from age 4 are welcome.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 235 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

From Halong Bay, no transfer 11:30 Guide in English Start and finish at Halong Bay: please make your own way to Tuan Chau Cruise Port by 11:30 AM at the latest to meet the group and board the cruise. Transfer on request: please pay extra if you need a transfer with pickup and drop-off from Hanoi Old Quarter. Fantasea Cruises or similar: private classic room with standard quality and a standing shower bathroom on the first floor. Duration: 3 days, 2 nights on the boat to explore Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Meals on the boat as per the program. Itinerary: Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay. Starting point: Heritage Westlake Apartment, 677 Đ. Lạc Long Quân, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam.

From Hanoi with shuttle bus 08:00 Guide in English Pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter at 8:00–8:30 AM, in the Old Quarter area, at Hanoi Opera House, or at the Local Tours Vietnam office if you are outside. Round-trip shuttle bus with standard quality and a large group on the bus. Fantasea Cruises or similar: private classic room with standard quality and a standing shower bathroom on the first floor. Duration: 3 days, 2 nights on the boat to explore Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Meals on the boat as per the program. Itinerary: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi to Halong Bay cruise

• Pick up from Hanoi hotel or meet at Opera House
• Drive 3 hours to Halong Bay with break
• Arrive Tuan Chau harbour and board Fantasea boat
• Welcome drink and check in cabin
• Lunch while cruising past rock formations
• Visit Sung Sot Cave
• Kayak around Trong cave area
• Join cooking class for spring rolls
• Enjoy sunset party and buffet dinner
• Overnight on boat

Day 2: Lan Ha Bay exploration and cruise

• Breakfast on boat
• Visit Sung Sot Cave again
• Transfer to Lan Ha Bay for kayaking and swimming
• Visit Pearl Farm if time permits
• More kayaking in Lan Ha Bay
• Relax on boat and meet new group
• Dinner on upper sundeck if weather permits
• Overnight on boat

Day 3: Halong Bay to Hanoi return

• Early wake to enjoy Halong Bay sunrise
• Discover Me Cung cave if tide permits
• More activities in Halong Bay
• Lunch on boat while cruising back to harbour
• Finish cruise at Tuan Chau Port
• Transfer back to Hanoi or end tour at port

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter (if booked from Hanoi) or direct boarding at Tuan Chau port (if booked from Halong Bay).
• two nights in a private cabin with en-suite bathroom.
• seven meals on board including Vietnamese seafood lunches and buffet dinners.
• English-speaking guide throughout.
• kayaking in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
• visits to Sung Sot Cave, Me Cung cave, and limestone formations.
• cooking class to make fresh spring rolls.
• sunset party.
• welcome drink and one bottle of water per person.
• entrance fees for all sightseeing.
• swimming and hiking in designated areas.
• karaoke and squid fishing available on request.

Times

• Every day 08:00 11:30

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Before you book

Group Up to 30

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 (9 and older) · Youth (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start. Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Local Tours ASIA

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Traveler reviews

4.25 ★★★★★ Very good 8 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The first day starts with a three-hour drive from Hanoi to Tuan Chau port (or you board directly there at 11:30 am if you're already in Halong Bay). Once aboard the Fantasea boat, you check into your cabin, then cruise while eating Vietnamese seafood lunch among the limestone rocks. The afternoon takes you to Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest in the bay, followed by kayaking around Trong cave area. Back on deck, you join a cooking class to learn how to make fresh spring rolls, then gather for the sunset party and a buffet dinner. Karaoke and squid fishing are available if you want them.

Day two is the full exploration of Lan Ha Bay: the less-visited side of the region. After breakfast, a transfer boat takes you to kayak and swim in Van Boi area or around Dark and Light caves, with a pearl farm visit if weather and timing allow. You paddle more in the afternoon before returning to the boat for dinner on the upper sundeck (weather permitting) and a second night in your cabin.

The final morning starts early to catch the sunrise over Halong Bay. You visit Me Cung cave if the tide permits, then have lunch on board as the boat returns to port around 11:30 am. If you booked from Hanoi, the three-hour drive back deposits you at your hotel in the Old Quarter by mid-afternoon. If you joined from Halong Bay, your cruise ends at Tuan Chau port.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What's included in the meals during the 3-day cruise?

Seven meals total: three lunches, two dinners, and two breakfasts, all served on board. The first day includes a Vietnamese seafood lunch while cruising and a buffet dinner; the second day has breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the third day includes breakfast and lunch before you leave the boat.

Can I book this cruise if I'm already in Halong Bay, or do I have to start from Hanoi?

You can join from either location. The Hanoi option includes round-trip bus transfer and hotel pickup from the Old Quarter. The Halong Bay option has no transfer, and you arrive at Tuan Chau Cruise Port by 11:30 am to board. Both options cover the same three-day itinerary once you're on the boat.

What happens during the kayaking? Is it guided, and how much experience do I need?

Kayaking is included on both day one (around Trong cave area) and day two (in Lan Ha Bay around Van Boi area and Dark and Light caves). The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and your English-speaking guide leads the activities. No prior kayaking experience is required.

Are there activities beyond kayaking and sightseeing?

Yes. You learn to make fresh spring rolls in a cooking class, join a sunset party on deck, and can participate in karaoke and squid fishing on request. Swimming is also available in designated areas, and you have time to relax on the boat between activities.

What's the cabin like, and do I share it with other travelers?

You get a private cabin with an en-suite standing bathroom for both nights. The boat has two vessels in the Fantasea system (one with 14 cabins and one with 9), so cabins are standard rooms, not luxury suites, but they're yours alone for the duration.