Kayaking Halong Bay from Hanoi: Surprise Cave & Titop Island

Paddle into Luon Cave, climb Titop Island, and watch the sunset over limestone karsts

A full-day cruise from Hanoi to UNESCO-listed Halong Bay combines kayaking or bamboo boat rides through Luon Cave with visits to Surprise Cave and Titop Island. You paddle the lagoon yourself, swim at the island beach, then return to the boat for lunch, a sunset party with tea and cake, and the drive back to Hanoi. Round-trip shuttle from Hanoi Old Quarter is included.

Options for this experience

3 options

From US$ 55.90 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

From International cruise No fixed time Guide in English or Vietnamese Departure point: Ha Long International Cruise Port, X334+F4X, Thương Cảng, Bãi Cháy, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam

Shuttle bus from the Hanoi Old Quarter No fixed time Guide in English or Vietnamese Bamboo boat or kayaking ticket: the bamboo boat costs about 80,000 VND (around USD 3.5) per person and is included. The shuttle bus picks you up and drops you off directly at your hotel. Ha Long Bay entrance fees are around USD 13.50, payable in advance before check-in (₫330,000.00 per person), and are included. Pickup is included.

Limousine transfer from the Hanoi Old Quarter No fixed time Guide in English or Vietnamese Bamboo boat or kayaking costs about 80,000 VND (around USD 3.5) per person and is included. The VIP limousine collects you directly from your hotel and returns you there. Ha Long Bay entrance fees, around USD 13.50, must be paid in advance before check-in and are included. Pickup is included.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Halong Bay full-day cruise and activities

• Depart Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
• Enjoy welcome drink on cruise
• Have seafood and Vietnamese lunch
• Explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave
• Kayak or bamboo boat in Luon Cave
• Visit Titop Island and beach
• Sunset party with tea and snacks
• Return to pier and bus back to Hanoi

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Surprise Cave Entry included 1h
2. Titop Island Entry included 1h

What’s included

• Round-trip shuttle bus from Hanoi Old Quarter (on the 8:30 AM option).
• English-speaking guide.
• welcome drink on arrival.
• lunch with seafood and Vietnamese dishes.
• entry to Surprise Cave.
• kayaking or bamboo boat in Luon Cave.
• visit to Titop Island.
• sunset party with Vietnamese tea, coffee, fresh fruit and cake.
• all sightseeing fees and cruise itinerary.
• onboard restroom.

Times

• Every day No fixed time

Before you book

Group Up to 60

Live guide English and Vietnamese Another language? ›

Audio guide English and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Ages Adult (11 to 80 years) · Youth (9 to 10 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby Not recommended with heart problems Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Vietnam Daily Tourist

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

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The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Hanoi hotel or the office at 76 Hang Bong Street in Hoan Kiem district, then a drive to Halong Bay. Once the cruise departs, you pass limestone formations (Dog Rock, Duck Rock, Thumb Rock), on the way to a seafood lunch with Vietnamese dishes. The route itself is the sightseeing. The bay's scale and the rock formations are what frame the stops.

Surprise Cave (Sung Sot) is the largest stalactite cave in Halong Bay, filled with shimmering stalactites and stalagmites you walk through on foot. After the cave, you get into a kayak or bamboo boat and paddle into Luon Cave to explore a lagoon surrounded by karsts. This is the part you operate yourself, not a guided paddle but your own pace through the water. Titop Island comes next: a beach shaped like a crescent moon, where you can swim in the blue water or climb the island for a panoramic view of the bay.

Back on the cruise, the sunset party serves Vietnamese tea, coffee, fresh fruit and cake while the boat passes Hoa Cuong, one of the bay's most scenic spots. An English-speaking guide is with you throughout. The return journey to Hanoi takes the evening. You arrive back at the pier and board the shuttle bus for the drive home. The full day runs eleven to twelve hours from pickup to drop-off.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 10 years); 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's the difference between kayaking and the bamboo boat option in Luon Cave?

Luon Cave offers a choice: you can paddle your own kayak through the lagoon or ride in a bamboo boat. Both access the same cave and lagoon. The kayak gives you the paddle, the bamboo boat is a seated ride. The operator lists both as included, so you pick at checkout or on the day.

Can I swim at Titop Island, or is it just for climbing and viewing?

Titop Island has a beach where you can swim in the bay. You can also climb the island to reach the panoramic viewpoint. The time there is yours to split between the two.

What does the sunset party include?

The sunset party serves Vietnamese tea, coffee, fresh fruit and cake on the cruise as you watch the sunset over the bay and pass Hoa Cuong area. It happens on the return journey before you head back to Hanoi.

Is the round-trip shuttle from Hanoi included in every booking option?

Round-trip shuttle from Hanoi Old Quarter is included if you book the 8:30 AM departure option. Other options (Limousine pickup or departure from the International cruise pier) have different arrangements. Check which option you select at checkout.