Kayaking in Ha Long Bay: Limestone caves and hidden lagoons

Paddle into limestone caves that open onto lagoons you can't reach any other way

A full-day cruise through Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay with kayaking through stalagmite caves, local rowing boat exploration, swimming, a cooking demonstration and sunset party. Depart from Hanoi with hotel pickup and bus transfer, or join the cruise directly from Halong. An English-speaking guide leads the day, which runs seven to twelve hours depending on your departure point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ha Long Bay3h · entry included
2. Lan Ha Bay4h · entry included

Halong and Lan Ha Bay luxury cruise

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter
• Transfer to Halong Bay by high quality bus
• Check in at Tuan Chau Marina
• Welcome drinks and safety briefing onboard
• Start cruising Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay
• Enjoy Vietnamese fusion cuisine lunch
• Local rowing boat at Bright Cave
• Kayaking and swimming at Ao Ech area
• Cooking demonstration of Vietnamese spring rolls
• Sunset party onboard
• Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbour
• Transfer back to Hanoi and drop off at hotel

The experience

The cruise picks you up in Hanoi's Old Quarter or at Opera House (or you can meet the boat at Tuan Chau Marina at 9:45 am if you're already in Halong). The drive from Hanoi takes about two and a half hours on the new expressway, with a short break on the way. Once aboard the Taliya Cruise, you get a welcome drink, safety briefing and seven and a half hours exploring the limestone maze of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay with an English-speaking guide.

The water time starts after lunch. You'll kayak through Bright Cave and its stalagmite passages into hidden lagoons, then paddle to Ao Ech area for swimming in a quiet cove backed by limestone cliffs. A local rowing boat option is available if you prefer not to paddle. Between the water, the chef leads a short cooking class showing you how to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls, and the day ends with a sunset party on deck before the return to Tuan Chau Marina at 5 pm.

The boat itself carries a restaurant with air conditioning and expanded windows overlooking the bay, a swimming pool and mini golf onboard. Premium Vietnamese fusion lunch is included, along with entrance fees and the guide. If you booked transfer from Hanoi, the return drive gets you back to your hotel around 8:30 to 9 pm.

What’s included

• Roundtrip transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter or Opera House (if you book the transfer option).
• kayaking and local rowing boat access.
• entrance fees for all sightseeing areas.
• premium Vietnamese fusion lunch.
• cooking demonstration.
• sunset party.
• free use of the swimming pool and mini golf onboard.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Options for this experience

3 options

From Halong, cruise only, departing 9:45Guide in English · 09:45Starting and finishing at Halong Bay: please make your own way to Block 36B Tuan Chau Marina on Tuan Chau Island, Halong City, no later than 9:45 AM. Transfer from Hanoi is available on request. Taliya Cruise or a similar vessel: if Taliya Cruise is fully booked, we will arrange another cruise with a similar itinerary and the same level of service. Duration: 7 hours, running Tuan Chau Port, Taliya Cruise, Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, then back to Tuan Chau Port. Premium lunch served onboard in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

From Hanoi, by bus, departing 6:15 AMGuide in English · 07:00Hotel pickup is offered only within the Old Quarter area, by a high-quality bus from Hanoi. Taliya Cruise or a similar vessel: if Taliya Cruise is fully booked, we will arrange another cruise with a similar itinerary and the same level of service. Duration: 12 hours, running Hanoi, Tuan Chau Port, Taliya Cruise, Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Tuan Chau Port, then back to Hanoi. Premium lunch served onboard in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

From Hanoi, by private car, departing 7:00 AMGuide in English · 07:00Pickup from anywhere in Hanoi City by private car. This is the best choice for families or groups of friends who prefer not to share transfers with others. Join the group on Taliya Cruise, or a similar vessel if it is unavailable. Duration: 12 hours, running Hanoi, Tuan Chau Port, Taliya Cruise, Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Tuan Chau Port, then back to Hanoi. Premium lunch served onboard in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 09:45

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Local Tours SAPA

Is this one for you?Choose the group bus transfer from Hanoi if you want the simplest pickup and don't mind sharing the ride. Book the private car if your group wants to leave on its own schedule and skip the group departure time. If you're already staying in Halong, the cruise-only option saves the drive and lets you start at 9:45 am instead.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

What's the difference between kayaking and taking the local rowing boat?

Kayaking lets you paddle yourself through the caves and lagoons at your own pace. The local rowing boat is an alternative if you'd rather not paddle, and someone else rows you through the same areas.

How much of the day is actually on the water kayaking or swimming?

Kayaking and swimming happen in the afternoon at Ao Ech area after lunch, with the local rowing boat stop at Bright Cave earlier in the day. The full cruise runs seven and a half hours on the water, though not all of it is active paddling or swimming.

Do I have to book the transfer from Hanoi, or can I meet the boat in Halong?

You can choose: book the cruise only and arrive at Tuan Chau Marina by 9:45 am on your own, or add roundtrip transfer from Hanoi by group bus or private car, which departs early morning and returns you to your hotel in the evening.

What's included in the cooking demonstration?

The chef teaches you how to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls during a short class onboard. It's a hands-on introduction, not a full cooking course.