Ha Long Bay day cruise · Tuan Chau Marina
The most booked boat tour on the bay: lunch on deck, the Surprise Cave, a kayak or bamboo boat through Luon Cave and a swim or a climb on Ti Top island. Pick it for the classic Ha Long Bay route in a single day, with the Hanoi bus there if you want it.
This cruise stays in Ha Long Bay itself and boards at Tuan Chau Marina, the day-cruise harbor on Tuan Chau island. The from-price of $40 is the harbor option: you make your own way to the marina and meet the guide at 11.15am. Coming from Hanoi? The Old Quarter bus is an option, about US$10 per person extra per the listing. Pickup runs from 7.20am to 8.20am, the drive takes around 2.5 hours on the expressway, and there is a 25-minute stop at a pearl shop near the port. Bus guests are back in the Old Quarter by 9pm, so it is a long day, most of it on the water from late morning to sunset.
Lunch comes first: a Vietnamese set menu (vegetarian on request) as the boat slides out among the karsts. At 1.30pm you climb into Sung Sot Cave, the Surprise Cave on Bo Hon island. Vietnam News says the French found it in 1901, named it the Grotte des surprises, and that its chambers cover about 10,000 square meters. At 2.45pm it is Luon Cave, a tunnel through the rock into an enclosed tidal lake, by kayak (2 people per kayak) or on a bamboo boat. At 3.45pm the boat reaches Ti Top island: swim off the crescent beach or trek to the summit for the view over the bay. Then back on deck for the sunset party, with tea, fruit and light food. All three stops sit on Itinerary 2 of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, the bay's classic day route.
Included: an English-speaking guide, the cruise, lunch, the kayak or bamboo boat, the entrance fees for the itinerary, the sunset party and mineral water on the bus. Not included: other drinks, the optional speedboat (arranged on site), the New Year surcharge, travel insurance and tips. Plastic bottles are not allowed on board, per the listing. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it before you leave. A friendly tip: take the kayak at Luon Cave if you came on the bus. After 2.5 hours in a seat, paddling under that rock arch is the stretch of the day you will remember.
With the bus option, pickup in the Old Quarter, then about 2.5 hours on the expressway with a 25-minute pearl-shop stop.
Harbor guests meet at Tuan Chau Marina at 11.15am. Lunch is served as the boat heads out among the islands.
A walk through the Surprise Cave and its stalactites, high in the rock of Bo Hon island.
Paddle a kayak for two, or sit back in a bamboo boat, through the arch into the lagoon.
Swim at the beach or climb to the summit for the panoramic view of the bay.
Tea, fruit and light food on deck as the boat returns. Bus guests reach the Old Quarter by 9pm.
★★★★★We had an amazing day trip around Ha Long Bay on a day cruise coming from Hanoi. [...] Mike was outstanding as our tour guide and deserves the highest praise, very helpful, and entertaining. [...] I believe one day should be sufficient for your first time in Ha Long Bay.
★★★★★Luca is an excellent guide, very friendly and attentive to tourists.
★★★★★Thank you to Thang for being a great guide ! Really appreciated the experience
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From $40 per person on GetYourGuide for the harbor option, meeting at Tuan Chau Marina. The Hanoi Old Quarter bus is about US$10 per person extra, per the listing. Entrance fees are included, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
The classic day route: Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave and Ti Top island. The Ha Long Bay Management Board lists all three on its Itinerary 2.
About 2.5 hours each way on the expressway, per the listing, plus a 25-minute pearl-shop stop. Pickup is 7.20am to 8.20am and you are back in the Old Quarter by 9pm.
Yes. The swim is at the beach on Ti Top island, around 3.45pm, or you trek to the summit instead. Bring swimwear and a towel.
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The most booked Ha Long Bay boat tour: caves, kayaking and Ti Top island in a day, from the harbor or Hanoi.
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