Halong Bay private boat tour with caves and islands

See the limestone karsts and hidden caves on your own private boat

An 8-hour private boat tour of Halong Bay departing from Halong city includes a professional guide, lunch, and round-trip hotel pickup. The itinerary covers Surprise Cave, a kayaking excursion in the Pearl Farm, Ba Hang Fishing Village, Kissing Rock (Hon Ga Choi Island), and Titop Island, where you can hike to a hilltop tower for panoramic views of the bay. The tour ends with a sunset party on the sundeck.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ha Long Bay6h · entry included
2. Surprise Cave50m · entry included
3. Titop Island1h · entry included
4. Hon Ga Choi Islandpassing by

Halong Bay 8-hour boat tour

• Meet at Halong International cruise port
• Check in and start boat trip
• Visit Ba Hang Fishing village
• See Incense Burner rock
• Pass by Kissing rock (Hon Ga Choi)
• Kayak in Pearl Farm
• Cruise quiet part of Halong Bay
• Visit Surprise Cave
• Hike Titop Island hill tower
• Enjoy sunset party on sundeck

The experience

The boat leaves Halong International cruise port at either 8:00 AM or 10:00 AM, giving you two departure windows to fit your schedule. Your guide meets you at the harbor and handles all the logistics: pickup from your hotel or cruise ship, port fees, and the boat itself are included. Because the boat is private to your group, you set the pace and can linger at stops without waiting for other travelers.

Surprise Cave is a giant limestone cavern in the middle of the bay, and you'll explore it on foot before returning to the boat. The Pearl Farm kayaking happens in a quieter section of the bay where you paddle among the limestone formations. You'll also cruise past Ba Hang Fishing Village, see the Incense Burner rock (the one on the 200,000 Vietnamese dong note), and pass Kissing Rock, the most photographed island in Halong Bay. At Titop Island, you can hike up the hilltop tower yourself to see the panoramic view or stay on the beach. The choice is yours.

Lunch is served on board. The day wraps with a sunset party on the sundeck before the boat returns you to the port. A professional guide in your chosen language travels with you the entire time. If you need a guide in Spanish, Italian, French, Mandarin or another language, you can arrange that at booking.

What’s included

• Round-trip private transfer from your hotel or cruise ship.
• lunch on board.
• port pickup and drop-off.
• professional guide for the full day.
• private boat for your group only.
• all taxes and cruise harbor fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

8-hour private boat and guide onlyGuide in 6 languages · 07:00Enjoy a private boat and guide serving only your group for 8 hours on Halong Bay, with a high standard of service. Lunch is included. Tours start at 7:00 AM or 9:30 AM at the Tuan Chau Cruise Harbor ticket room. Pickup is included.

All inclusiveGuide in 6 languages · 07:00Choose the all-inclusive package and enjoy Halong Bay with the highest standard of service. Lunch is included. Tours start at 7:00 AM or 9:30 AM every day from your cruise pier. 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 dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (9 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Asia Pearl Travel Day Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to move at your own pace without coordinating with other travelers. The private boat means you control how long you spend at each stop. The two departure times let you fit the tour around your ship's schedule or your hotel checkout.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4): 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 is Surprise Cave like when you get there?

Surprise Cave is a giant limestone cavern set in the middle of the bay. You enter on foot and explore the interior before returning to the boat.

Can you kayak on this tour, or just look at the water?

Kayaking is included in the Pearl Farm section of the bay, where you paddle among the limestone formations in a quieter part of the water.

Do I have to climb Titop Island, or can I stay on the beach?

Titop Island has both a beach and a hilltop tower with a panoramic view. You choose whether to hike up or stay at sea level.

What time does the boat leave, and how do I get to the port?

Departures are at 8:00 AM or 10:00 AM. Round-trip pickup from your hotel or cruise ship is included. Your guide meets you at the Halong International cruise port.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary needs?

Lunch is served on board. Let the operator know any dietary requirements when you book so they can prepare accordingly.