Kayaking in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay: Luxury Cruise Day Trip

Paddle through limestone karsts and caves in one morning, then float back to the ship for lunch and a cooking class.

The Taliya 5-star cruise is a 7.5-hour day trip through Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay departing from Tuan Chau marina, combining sightseeing, kayaking, swimming and cultural activities in one itinerary. You arrive at the marina, board with a welcome drink and safety briefing, then transfer by speedboat into the bay for cave exploration by bamboo boat, paddling and swimming in Lan Ha's protected waters, a Vietnamese cooking demonstration, and a sunset gathering on deck. Lunch, guide, activities and sightseeing fees are included. Pickup is available from Old Quarter or you can start directly at Tuan Chau Port.

Step-by-step itinerary

Luxury cruise through Halong and Lan Ha Bay

• Arrive at Tuan Chau marina
• Welcome drink and cruise briefing
• Check in Taliya Cruise
• Start cruising Halong Bay
• Enjoy Vietnamese fusion lunch onboard
• Explore Dark and Bright Cave by bamboo boat
• Kayak and swim in Ao Ech, Lan Ha Bay
• Join cooking demonstration for spring rolls
• Attend sunset party on sundeck
• Return to Tuan Chau Harbour

The experience

You arrive at Tuan Chau marina in the morning and board the Taliya with a welcome drink and safety briefing. The cruise then heads into Halong Bay (one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature) by speedboat, moving through the limestone landscape for the next 7.5 hours. The itinerary unfolds in stages: first comes the Dark and Bright Cave, where you glide through by bamboo boat past stalagmites and hidden lagoons surrounded by rock formations. Then the boat anchors in Ao Ech, a quiet area of Lan Ha Bay, where you paddle a kayak yourself through the clear water and swim in the bay.

Lunch is a Vietnamese fusion buffet served in an air-conditioned restaurant on the boat, with views of the limestone mountains from the dining room. After eating, you join a cooking demonstration where the crew teaches you to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls: a hands-on moment rather than a lecture. The day closes with a sunset party on the sundeck, where you can relax, watch the light change across the water, or meet other guests. A Jacuzzi is available on deck if you want to soak while the sun sets.

The guide speaks English or Vietnamese throughout the day. Children from age 4 are welcome. If you choose Old Quarter pickup, the driver collects you from your hotel and brings you to Tuan Chau marina. If you prefer to start at the port itself, you can meet the boat there instead. The trip is suitable for all fitness levels, though kayaking and swimming are optional activities you can skip if you prefer to stay aboard.

What’s included

• English or Vietnamese-speaking guide for the full day.
• welcome drink and safety briefing at boarding.
• speedboat transfer into Halong Bay.
• bamboo boat exploration of Dark and Bright Cave.
• kayak and swimming time in Lan Ha Bay.
• Vietnamese fusion buffet lunch served on the boat.
• hands-on cooking demonstration teaching spring rolls.
• sunset party on the sundeck with access to the Jacuzzi.
• sightseeing fees for the group tour.

Options for this experience

2 options

Departs from Tuan Chau PortGuide in English or Vietnamese · 09:30Departs from Tuan Chau Port

Pickup from the Old Quarter is availableGuide in English or Vietnamese · 06:30This option includes pickup from Hanoi's Old Quarter

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:30 and 09:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 199

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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Authentic HALONG

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want hands-on activities (kayaking, swimming, and a cooking class) woven through the day rather than passive sightseeing from the deck.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

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

What is the Dark and Bright Cave like, and how do you get inside it?

The Dark and Bright Cave is a system of stalagmite caves and hidden lagoons carved into the limestone. You reach it by bamboo boat (a small, traditional vessel that glides silently through the water), so you can see the rock formations and cave openings up close without the noise of a motorboat.

Do I have to kayak and swim, or can I stay on the boat?

Kayaking and swimming are included activities, but they are not mandatory. You can choose to skip them and remain on the Taliya while other guests paddle and swim in Lan Ha Bay's clear water.

What time does the cruise leave and return to the marina?

The cruise departs Tuan Chau marina in the morning and runs for 7.5 hours total, so you return to the marina in the late afternoon. If you book Old Quarter pickup, the driver collects you from your hotel before the departure time.

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

Lunch is included: a Vietnamese fusion buffet served in the boat's air-conditioned restaurant with panoramic views of the bay. The meal is part of the package and eaten aboard while you cruise.

What happens during the cooking demonstration?

You learn to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls with the crew in a hands-on session. It is a short class, not a full cooking course, and takes place after lunch as part of the day's activities.