Island hopping · SEA CAVE AND LAGOON TRIPS IN HANOI
Good sea cave and lagoon trips in Hanoi sell out weeks ahead in high season and the early departures go first. Below: the 8 to book now, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend a full day on Ha Long Bay with Dragonfly Cruise, a seafood lunch, Thien Cung Cave, and 45 minutes of kayaking or bamboo boating. English and Vietnamese guides such as Harry, Benjamin, Linh, and Hoi lead the day. Expect a long road trip, but excellent value if time is short.
“A great day visiting Ha long bay. Harry is a great guide!”
Travel by coach from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Ha Long Bay for a full day on the water. You’ll visit Surprise Cave, kayak or take a bamboo boat through Luon Cave, climb Ti Top Island, and eat a set seafood lunch. Guides such as Tony, Toan, Max, and Nam are often assigned to this route.
“The trip was great. The one exception was that I believe both my son and me got sick from the food served on the boat. The rest was very good.”
This full-day Ha Long Bay trip combines a Hanoi hotel pickup, scenic boat cruise, seafood lunch, Surprise Cave, Titop Island, swimming, hiking, and optional kayaking. Guides such as Phong, Long, Ken, and Phuong lead groups of up to 40 people. Expect a long day, busy stops, and strong value.
“This excursion surpassed our expectations! First, we were impressed with the lunch on our boat ride. We expected sandwiches but, instead, got a 7-8 course lunch including several salads, grilled fish, soup, chicken stir fry and more…so Read more”
Spend about 10 hours from Hanoi exploring Halong Bay by boat, with a seafood lunch, a 45-minute visit to Heaven Palace Cave, and kayaking or a bamboo boat at Ba Hang. Pickup covers Hanoi’s Old Quarter hotels, while Airbnb and apartment guests meet at 31 Lo Su.
“It was a pleasant day trip to Ha Long Bay. I enjoyed the kayaking to go and see the caves outside. The internal caves was pretty good also. Lots of photo taking and pleasant cruising.”
Spend one night aboard a private-cabin cruise from Hanoi, sailing through Halong and quieter Lan Ha Bay. Expect kayaking, swimming, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, sunset views, spring-roll making, squid fishing, Tai Chi, and attentive service from Tom, Andrew, and Tung.
“Amazing and friendly staff, beautifully appointed and gorgeous cabin. Mr Tom and his crew made our visit to Halong Bay a wonderful experience.”
Spend two days aboard a Halong Bay cruise with an English-speaking guide, private cabin, meals, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, kayaking, swimming, a pearl farm, and a spring-roll cooking class. Hanoi Old Quarter pickup is available for the 8:00 to 8:30 AM departure.
“The ship is old and falling apart. No Wi-Fi No heat , heaters were broken, it was very cold I don’t like communal dining Other than our guide no one spoke English”
Spend one night aboard a traditional wooden junk boat in Halong Bay, with kayaking, Titop Island, Surprise Cave, sunset and sunrise views, four meals, and an English-speaking guide. Hanoi pickup is available, but check the transfer option carefully before booking.
“Everything was very good except the room. The facilities in the room needed maintenance or upgrades but the staff were great and the food was excellent.”
Spend one night aboard a traditional boutique cruise in Halong Bay, with Hanoi pickup, full meals, kayaking, Surprise Cave, Titop Island, swimming, and sunrise views. The group is limited to 22 people, and guides such as Andrew help keep the busy schedule moving.
“We had a horrible experience with the tour operator. After pick up during the first rest area stop our tour guide 'Pink!' told us that the boat initially booked was full and we would be moved to a different boat, which we thought would be for everRead more”
By hull, by landing, by how long you want to be out.
