Ha Long Bay Day Cruise from Hanoi: Kayaking, Cave & Beach

Six hours on the water: Ha Long Bay's caves, islands and kayak routes in one day from Hanoi

You get picked up at your Hanoi hotel, transferred to Tuan Chau Marina, and spend six hours cruising Ha Long Bay with stops at Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island for swimming and hiking. Lunch, kayaking or bamboo boat rowing, and a sunset return are included. The bus drops you back at your hotel by evening, so you don't arrange transport, book separate cave entry, or figure out the day's timing yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hanoi Old Quarterpass by
2. Ha Long Bay6h · entry included
3. Lan Ha Bay7h · entry included

Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay cruise tour

• Pick up guests in Hanoi Old Quarter
• Transfer to Tuan Chau Harbor
• Short break during transfer
• Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor
• Board cruise and safety briefing
• Enjoy lunch on the boat
• Explore caves and floating village
• Kayaking or bamboo boat rowing
• Visit Ti Top Island or Ao Ech area
• Swimming and hiking or relaxing on beach
• Cooking demonstration (Taliya Cruise only)
• Sunset party on the boat
• Return to Tuan Chau Marina
• Transfer back to Hanoi and drop off

The experience

The bus pulls away from Hanoi Old Quarter around 8am, and two and a half hours later you're stepping onto Tuan Chau Marina. The air shifts: salt, diesel, the sound of boats knocking against the dock. Your cruise departs at 11:30am, and the moment you board, the limestone cliffs start rising around you. This is Ha Long Bay, and you're about to spend the next six hours moving through it: swimming where the water sits still between islands, kayaking into caves, climbing to viewpoints that show you the whole bay at once.

Lunch arrives on the boat (Vietnamese seafood and rice dishes, nothing fancy but filling), and then you're in a kayak or bamboo rowboat heading into Sung Sot Cave, one of the most visited caves in the bay because the walk inside is short and the formations are real. After that comes Ti Top Island, where most people swim off the beach or hike up the path to the summit if they have the legs for it. The climb takes maybe twenty minutes and the view from the top is the kind of thing you'll look at in photos later and wonder why it doesn't look the same. By late afternoon the boat turns back toward the marina, and you catch the sunset party on deck, which is mostly people standing around with a drink, but the light on the water makes it worth the time. You're back at Tuan Chau by 5:30pm, and the transfer bus gets you back to your Hanoi hotel around 8:30pm.

If you want something quieter, there's the Taliya Cruise option, which runs seven hours and heads into Lan Ha Bay instead: fewer tourists, a cooking demonstration on board, and time in Ao Ech area for kayaking and swimming in a cove with better light. That one departs at 9:45am from the same marina. Both options include an English-speaking guide or cruise manager, so you're not figuring out the day on your own, and both include the transfer from Hanoi if you book that add-on. The standard cruise is the more popular choice because it hits the famous spots and gets you back at a reasonable hour. The Taliya is better if you want to move slower and see fewer boats.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi Old Quarter area (if you book the transfer option), express bus transport to Tuan Chau Marina, six-hour cruise in Ha Long Bay with an English-speaking guide or cruise manager, entry to Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island, Vietnamese and seafood lunch on the boat, kayaking or bamboo boat rowing, and a sunset return to the marina.
• If you book the Taliya Cruise instead, you get seven hours in Lan Ha Bay, a cooking demonstration, and swimming at Ao Ech area.
• Private car transfer is available as an upgrade.

Options for this experience

8 options

Standard cruise departing from HalongGuide in English · 11:30Transfer from Hanoi on request. Please note the transfer from the Hanoi/Halong area is not included in this option and must be paid extra if you use it. Starts at Tuan Chau, Halong: please arrive at Tuan Chau International Marina before 11:30 AM to board the cruise (no later, or you will miss it). Important: please confirm the tour with us by email or WhatsApp before 10:00 AM. Duration: 6 hours. Standard day cruise on a standard traditional boat, including set lunch, entrance fees, tour guide, cave, island, kayak or bamboo raft, and relaxing time with a standard set lunch. Halong Bay route: Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave), Titop Island (swim or hike) and kayaking at Luon Cave.

Express bus plus standard cruiseGuide in English · 08:00Tour departing from Hanoi Old Quarter with pickup and roundtrip transfer by shuttle bus, with standard-quality seats. Duration: 12 hours. Economy standard cruise on a standard traditional boat. Includes express bus from Hanoi, lunch, entrance fees, tour guide, cave, island, kayak or bamboo raft, and a standard set lunch. Halong Bay route: Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave), Titop Island (swim or hike) and kayaking at Luon Cave. Pickup is included.

Cruise from Halong, deluxe classGuide in English · 11:15Start and finish at Halong Bay: please make your own way to Tuan Chau Marina by 11:30 AM for the meeting point and boarding (no later). Transfer on request: please note the transfer from the Hanoi/Halong area is not included in this option and must be paid extra if you use it. Deluxe cruises from Halong Bay on Dragon King, Sky Cruise, Hercules and so on. Duration: 6 hours. Includes deluxe lunch and a sunset party. Halong Bay route: Surprising Cave (Sung Sot Cave), Titop Island and Luon Cave (small cave).

See 5 more options

Express bus plus deluxe cruiseGuide in English · 08:00Tour departing from Hanoi Old Quarter with pickup and roundtrip transfer by shuttle bus, with standard-quality seats. Deluxe cruise from Hanoi on Alova Premium or a similar vessel if unavailable. Duration: 12 hours. Includes deluxe lunch and a sunset party. Halong Bay route: Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave), Titop Island (swim or hike) and kayaking at Luon Cave. Pickup is included.

Limousine bus plus DELUXE cruiseGuide in English · 08:00Tour departing from Hanoi Old Quarter with pickup and roundtrip transfer by limousine bus, with better-quality seats. Deluxe cruise from Hanoi on Alova Premium or a similar vessel if unavailable. Includes deluxe lunch and a sunset party. Duration: 12 hours. Halong Bay route: Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave), Titop Island (swim or hike) and kayaking at Luon Cave. Pickup is included.

Limousine plus luxury cruiseGuide in English · 08:00Pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter: we will collect all guests from the Hanoi Old Quarter area, or from Hanoi Opera House if outside it, between 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM. Limousine Thaco transfer. Luxury cruise from Hanoi on Sonata Cruise or a similar vessel if unavailable. Duration: 12 hours. Includes buffet lunch and a sunset party. Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi. Pickup is included.

Taliya cruise departing from HalongGuide in English · 09:45Start from Halong Bay: please make your own way to Tuan Chau Harbor by 10:00 AM for the meeting point and boarding (no later). Transfer on request: please note the transfer from the Hanoi/Halong area is not included in this option and must be paid extra if you use it. Luxury day cruises in Halong on the Taliya cruise or similar. Duration: 7 hours. Includes premium lunch and a sunset party. Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay.

Private car plus Taliya cruiseGuide in English · 07:00Private car from Hanoi, joining a group on the Taliya cruise with premium lunch. Duration: 12 hours. Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (9 to 90 years) · Youth (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

Live guideEnglish

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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by LOCAL TOURS VIETNAM

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're based in Hanoi and want the main Ha Long Bay sights (caves, islands, swimming) without arranging your own transport, cave tickets or timing. The fixed schedule and included pickup handle all three, which is what makes a full day on the water possible without a rental car.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

How long is the transfer from Hanoi to the marina?

About 2 to 2.5 hours by express bus. There's a short break of 10–15 minutes on the way, though you can skip it if you're tight on time.

What's included in the lunch?

Vietnamese and seafood dishes served on the boat. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when you book.

Can I kayak instead of taking the bamboo boat?

Yes. You can choose kayaking or local rowing boat. Both are included, and you pick which one when you board.

What's the difference between the standard cruise and Taliya?

The standard cruise (6 hours) visits Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island in Ha Long Bay. Taliya (7 hours) goes into Lan Ha Bay, which has fewer tourists, and includes a cooking demonstration and swimming at Ao Ech area.

Is the transfer from Hanoi included?

It depends on which option you book. You can choose with transfer (pickup at Old Quarter or Opera House) or without transfer (meet at Tuan Chau Marina). Check the options when you book.

What time do I get back to my hotel?

Around 8:30–8:45pm if you booked the transfer. The boat returns to the marina by 5:30–6pm, and the drive back takes about 2.5 hours.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Let the operator know at booking. Vegetarian meals are available, and they can note other dietary needs.