Kayaking Halong Bay: Limestone islands and hidden lagoons

Paddle past limestone cliffs into lagoons fishermen sheltered in during typhoons.

A full-day kayaking and cave tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay includes hotel pickup, a traditional cruise around the bay's limestone islands, a choice between kayaking or a rowboat through Ba Hang's hidden lagoons, lunch with seafood, and entry to Heavenly Paradise Grotto. The tour departs at 8:30 a.m. and returns around 6 p.m., with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned transport both ways. You choose between a private cruise with your own car and guide, or a shared cruise with shared transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ha Long Bay1h · entry included
2. Hon Ga Choi Island10m · entry included

Halong Bay private day tour

• Pick up from Hanoi hotel
• Drive to Tuan Chau Marina
• Check in on cruise boat
• Cruise around Halong Bay islands
• Stop at Hon Ga Choi Island for photos
• Photo stop at Incense Burner Island
• Explore Ba Hang Village lagoon
• Choose kayaking or bamboo boat ride
• Visit Thien Cung Cave
• Return to marina and drive back to Hanoi
• Drop off at Hanoi hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Hanoi hotel at 8:30 a.m. A 2.5-hour drive on the express highway takes you through rice fields, fruit gardens and the port city of Hai Phong to Tuan Chau Marina, the official gateway to Halong Bay. From there, you board a traditional-style cruise and head into the bay's 2,000 islands: a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 with towering limestone pillars and wind-carved grottoes rising from emerald water.

The cruise makes several stops. You'll pass Hon Ga Choi Island, a pair of jagged rock formations leaning toward each other and rising 12 meters above the water: one of the bay's most photographed landmarks. The boat stops at Incense Burner Island, a sacred limestone formation in the middle of the bay whose image appears on Vietnam's 200,000 dong banknote. Then comes Ba Hang, a former fishing village where you choose your own path: kayak through the lagoon at your own pace, paddling past limestone cliffs and into the serene water where fishermen once sheltered during typhoons, or take a rowboat through three interconnected caves that open onto a secluded lake ringed by rocky mountains. Seafood lunch happens onboard, and you can request vegetarian food or other dietary arrangements in advance.

After lunch, the boat heads to Heavenly Paradise Grotto, discovered in 1993 by a fisherman. You hike up steps into the cave's huge chambers, where stalactites and stalagmites fill the space, and views of the bay open up from above. The return drive to Hanoi takes another 2.5 hours, and you arrive back at your hotel around 6 p.m. The tour includes two free bottles of water during the car ride, and children under 5 ride free, sharing lunch and transport with their parents.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi.
• round-trip transport by air-conditioned car or van.
• entry to Halong Bay and Heavenly Paradise Grotto.
• a traditional cruise around the bay's limestone islands.
• your choice of kayaking or a rowboat through three hidden caves at Ba Hang.
• seafood lunch onboard (vegetarian options available with advance notice).
• an English-speaking guide.
• two free bottles of water during the drive.

Options for this experience

6 options

Pickup from Halong Private CruiseGuide in English or Vietnamese · 10 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 14:00Pickup from Halong: Select this if you are already in Halong or your cruise docks at Halong Marina. No transfer from Hanoi is required. Activities: Visit Heavenly Palace Cave; kayak or take a bamboo boat through hidden lagoons; pass by Incense Burner and Fighting Chicken. Large private cruise: Enjoy exclusive use of a large private cruise featuring a restaurant, kitchen, two restrooms, a spacious sundeck and a professional crew. Duration: a 4-hour cruise through thousands of islands, peaceful waters and famous landmarks, with plenty of great photo stops. Lunch: A delicious seafood lunch is served; meat and vegetarian options are available on request. Please tell us in advance about any dietary restrictions. Private cruise route: Enjoy a private route away from crowded group tours, exploring the quieter areas and hidden lagoons of Halong Bay. Meeting point: Our guide will collect you from Halong International Port, where your cruise ship docks, or from your hotel in Halong City. Private cruise: A private cruise for your group only. No shared boat, just comfort, privacy and complete flexibility throughout. Pickup is included.

PickupFromHalongShareCruiseGuide in English or Vietnamese · 07:30, 08:00, 11:30 and 12:00Pickup from Halong: Select this if you are already in Halong or your cruise docks at Halong Marina. No transfer from Hanoi is required. Activities: Visit Heavenly Palace Cave; kayak or take a bamboo boat through hidden lagoons; pass by Incense Burner and Fighting Chicken. Large private cruise: Enjoy exclusive use of a large private cruise featuring a restaurant, kitchen, two restrooms, a spacious sundeck and a professional crew. Duration: a 4-hour cruise through thousands of islands, peaceful waters and famous landmarks, with plenty of great photo stops. Lunch: A delicious seafood lunch is served; meat and vegetarian options are available on request. Please tell us in advance about any dietary restrictions. Private cruise route: Enjoy a private route away from crowded group tours, exploring the quieter areas and hidden lagoons of Halong Bay. Meeting point: Our guide will collect you from Halong International Port, where your cruise ship docks, or from your hotel in Halong City. Pickup is included.

6-hour private boat with pickup from HanoiGuide in English or Vietnamese · 8 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:30Large private cruise: We use a large private cruise with a restaurant, kitchen, two restrooms, a spacious sundeck and a professional crew. Activities: Enjoy 6 full hours on the bay, 2 hours longer than our standard cruise, to go further and see more islands. Untouched areas: Visit further islands such as Duck Island and Finger Island, plus more caves such as Wooden Cave. Enjoy the sunset if the weather permits. Duration: 12 hours, including a 6-hour private cruise on Halong Bay and a 2.5-hour transfer each way between Hanoi and Halong Bay. Lunch: A delicious seafood lunch is served; meat and vegetarian options are available on request. Please tell us in advance about any dietary restrictions. Private cruise route: Enjoy a longer private route away from crowded group tours, exploring the quieter areas, outer islets and hidden lagoons. Transportation: A comfortable air-conditioned car or minivan will be arranged to suit your group size. Total duration: 12 hours. Hotel pickup in Hanoi is around 7:30 AM, with return around 7:30 PM. An earlier pickup means an earlier return to Hanoi. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

6-hour private boat with pickup from HalongGuide in English or Vietnamese · 10 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 13:30Pickup from Halong: Select this if you are already in Halong or your cruise docks at Halong Marina. No transfer from Hanoi is required. Activities: Enjoy 6 full hours on the bay, 2 hours longer than our standard cruise, to go further and see more islands. Large private cruise: Enjoy exclusive use of a large private cruise featuring a restaurant, kitchen, two restrooms, a spacious sundeck and a professional crew. Duration: 6 hours. Untouched areas: Duck Island, Finger Island and more caves such as Wooden Cave. Enjoy the sunset if the weather permits. Lunch: A delicious seafood lunch is served; meat and vegetarian options are available on request. Please tell us in advance about any dietary restrictions. Private cruise route: Enjoy a private route away from crowded group tours, exploring the quieter areas and hidden lagoons of Halong Bay. Meeting point: Our guide will collect you from Halong International Port, where your cruise ship docks, or from your hotel in Halong City. Private cruise: A private cruise for your group only. No shared boat, just comfort, privacy and complete flexibility throughout. Pickup is included.

1. Private cruise, car and guideGuide in English or Vietnamese · 10 departure times: the first at 05:30, the last at 12:00Large private cruise: We use a large private cruise with a restaurant, kitchen, two restrooms, a spacious sundeck and a professional crew. Activities: Visit Heavenly Palace Cave; kayak or take a bamboo boat through hidden lagoons; pass by Incense Burner and Fighting Chicken. Services: Dedicated and friendly staff. Enjoy a fully private experience tailored exclusively to your group. Duration: 9 hours, including a 4-hour private cruise on Halong Bay and a 2.5-hour transfer each way between Hanoi and Halong Bay. Lunch: A delicious seafood lunch is served; meat and vegetarian options are available on request. Please tell us in advance about any dietary restrictions. Private cruise route: Enjoy a private route away from crowded group tours, exploring the quieter areas and hidden lagoons of Halong Bay. Transportation: A comfortable air-conditioned car or minivan will be arranged to suit your group size. Total duration: 9 hours. Hotel pickup in Hanoi is around 8:30 AM, with return around 6:30 PM. A pickup at 5:30–6:00 AM means an earlier return to Hanoi. Pickup is included.

2. Private car and guide, shared boatGuide in English or Vietnamese · 09:00This is a shared cruise, though private in terms of transfer: round-trip Hanoi–Halong transfer and guide are included. If you are the only booking, you may be offered a private cruise. Activities: Visit Heavenly Palace Cave; kayak or take a bamboo boat through hidden lagoons; pass by Incense Burner and Fighting Chicken. Services: Dedicated and friendly staff. Enjoy a fully private experience tailored exclusively to your group. Duration: 9 hours, including a 4-hour private cruise on Halong Bay and a 2.5-hour transfer each way between Hanoi and Halong Bay. Lunch: A delicious seafood lunch is served; meat and vegetarian options are available on request. Please tell us in advance about any dietary restrictions. Private cruise route: Enjoy a private route away from crowded group tours, exploring the quieter areas and hidden lagoons of Halong Bay. Transportation: A comfortable air-conditioned car or minivan will be arranged to suit your group size. Total duration: 9–10 hours. The tour starts at your Hanoi hotel between 8:30 and 9:00 and finishes back in Hanoi between 18:30 and 19:00. 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 day18 departure times: the first at 05:30, the last at 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (5 to 6 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Love Vietnam Travel

Is this one for you?Book the private cruise if you want your own car, guide and boat: ideal when you're traveling with family or prefer not to share the experience. The shared cruise works well if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want to keep costs down. The stops and activities stay the same either way.

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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 (5 to 6 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What's the difference between kayaking and the bamboo boat option at Ba Hang?

Kayaking lets you paddle through the lagoon at your own pace, navigating the emerald waters and limestone cliffs yourself. The bamboo boat (a rowboat) is a guided drift through three interconnected caves that emerge onto a hidden lake: a more relaxed option if you prefer not to paddle.

How long is the drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

The drive takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes each way on the express highway. You leave your hotel at 8:30 a.m. and return around 6 p.m., so the full day is roughly 9 to 11 hours including the cruise and cave time.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi, round-trip transport by air-conditioned car or van, entry to Halong Bay and Heavenly Paradise Grotto, a traditional cruise around the bay, kayaking or a bamboo boat ride at Ba Hang, seafood lunch onboard, and an English-speaking guide. Two bottles of water are provided during the drive.

Can I choose between a private cruise and a shared one?

Yes. You can book a private cruise with your own car and guide, or a shared cruise with shared transport and a guide. The itinerary and stops are the same. The difference is whether you travel alone or with other guests.

What if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

If poor weather forces a cancellation, the operator will offer you a different date or a full refund. The tour requires good weather to operate safely.

Is Heavenly Paradise Grotto difficult to reach?

You hike up some steps to enter the cave, but the site is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The cave chambers are large and accessible once you reach the entrance.