Kayaking Ha Long Bay from Hanoi: Luon Cave & Surprising Cave

What makes a day cruise different from a speedboat is the time to actually paddle: kayak into caves instead of watching them pass.

A full-day cruise from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay with kayaking, cave exploration, island climbing and onboard meals. The itinerary moves through three named stops: Luon Cave (kayaking), Surprising Cave (guided walk) and Titop Island (mountain climb), with lunch, a sunset party and Jacuzzi access on the boat. An English-speaking guide leads the day, and hotel pickup from Hanoi's Old Quarter is included in the Hanoi option. The cruise-only option departs from Tuan Chau Port. Children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Halong Bay luxury day cruise

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter hotel
• Transfer to Tuan Chau Port
• Check in and board cruise
• Enjoy welcome drink
• Cruise through Halong Bay islands
• Buffet lunch on board
• Kayak at Luon Cave
• Visit Surprising Cave
• Stop at Titop Island and climb mountain
• Relax at sunset party on sundeck
• Return to Tuan Chau Harbour
• Transfer back to Hanoi Old Quarter hotel

The experience

The day starts with either a hotel pickup in Hanoi's Old Quarter (a 2.5-hour drive to the port) or a direct arrival at Tuan Chau Harbour, where you board the Amethyst and get a welcome drink before the cruise departs at 10:00. The first stretch passes limestone islands (Fighting Cock, Incense Burner and others) as the boat heads toward Luon Cave. Lunch is a buffet of seafood and Vietnamese dishes served between 11:00 and 12:00.

At Luon Cave, you leave the boat and kayak for about 30 minutes, paddling into the cave entrance and through the water-filled chamber. After kayaking, the cruise moves to Surprising Cave, the largest in Ha Long Bay. A guide leads a 60-minute walk through the interior before you return to the boat. The next stop is Titop Island, where you can climb halfway up the mountain for a panoramic view of the bay, or stay on the beach. At 16:00, the boat returns and hosts a sunset party on the sundeck with Vietnamese tea, cakes, fresh fruit and snacks. A Jacuzzi pool is open for use. The cruise arrives back at Tuan Chau Harbour between 17:15 and 17:30. If you booked the Hanoi transfer option, the return drive takes 2.5 hours and drops you at your hotel in the Old Quarter between 20:15 and 20:30.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide on board.
• entrance fees and sightseeing at all three stops.
• kayaking at Luon Cave.
• guided cave walk at Surprising Cave.
• access to Titop Island.
• buffet lunch with seafood and Vietnamese dishes.
• sunset party with tea, cakes, fresh fruit and snacks.
• Jacuzzi pool access.
• hotel pickup from Hanoi's Old Quarter (if booked with transfer option) and return transfer to Hanoi.

Options for this experience

2 options

Halong Bay cruise onlyGuide in English · 09:45Without transfer: an extra charge applies if you need a transfer to or from the Hanoi City meeting point at Tuan Chau. Please make your own way to Lot 27 Tuan Chau Marina, Halong Bay, and check in for the cruise before 9:45 AM at the latest. Duration: 7 hours, Tuan Chau Port to Halong Bay on a 7-hour cruise and back to Tuan Chau Port. Amethyst Cruise: a luxury 5-star cruise in Halong Bay. If it is full, we will arrange another vessel offering the same service and itinerary. Includes a buffet lunch, a sunset party, a jacuzzi pool and onboard amenities.

Cruise with pickup from HanoiGuide in English · 06:45Cruise with pickup included. We collect all guests from the Hanoi Old Quarter area between 6:45 and 7:15 AM by limousine bus, roundtrip. Join the group on the Amethyst Cruise; if it is full, we will arrange another vessel with the same service and itinerary. Duration: 12 hours, Hanoi to Tuan Chau Port, then Halong Bay on a 7-hour cruise, back to Tuan Chau Port and Hanoi. Includes a buffet lunch, a sunset party, a jacuzzi pool onboard and the Halong Bay route, with pickup included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:45 and 09:45

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · 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 level

Operated by Authentic Hanoi Homestay & Travel

Is this one for you?Book with the Hanoi transfer if your hotel is in the Old Quarter and you want the drive handled. Book cruise-only if you're already near Ha Long Bay or prefer to arrange your own way to Tuan Chau Port. The full day (seven hours on the water plus travel time) suits anyone who wants to move through multiple sites without rushing, though the island climb is optional if you prefer to stay on the boat.

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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 kayaking at Luon Cave?

Kayaking at Luon Cave lasts about 30 minutes. You paddle into the cave from the water rather than walking through it on foot like at Surprising Cave.

What's included in the lunch on the cruise?

Lunch is a buffet served between 11:00 and 12:00 with a variety of seafood and Vietnamese traditional dishes. The sunset party later includes tea, cakes, fresh fruit and snacks.

Do I need to book the transfer from Hanoi, or can I meet the boat at the port?

You can choose either option at checkout: book the cruise with pickup from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter (2.5-hour drive included), or book the cruise only and arrive at Tuan Chau Port 30 minutes before departure.

Is there time to swim during the day?

The itinerary includes kayaking, cave exploring and island climbing. Swimming is not listed as a scheduled activity, though the Jacuzzi pool is available on the boat during the sunset party.