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3-day tour in Ha Long, taking in Travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Board the boat at Tuan Chau Marina and Kayak at Luon Cave. Run by Phoenix Cruise, booked direct rather than through a reseller.
Highlights
- Travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
- Board the boat at Tuan Chau Marina
- Kayak at Luon Cave
- Relax on the boat at sunset
- Runs 3 days
- English-speaking guide
Halong Explorer 3-Day Deluxe Cruise: Key Facts
| Price | From $383.5 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Guided Tour |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
Full description
This is a 3-day experience in Ha Long, built around Travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Board the boat at Tuan Chau Marina and Kayak at Luon Cave. It is run by Phoenix Cruise, an operator we book with directly rather than through a reseller, which is why we can hold your place with them before we treat your booking as final.
Nagoya is Japan's fourth city and the gateway to the Ghibli Park at Nagakute, opened in 2022 with timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead, to Nagashima Spa Land and its rollercoasters, and to Inuyama, whose castle is one of the twelve original keeps. Nagoya Castle's golden dolphins and the Toyota Commemorative Museum are the city's own sights, and hitsumabushi grilled eel and miso katsu are its food. The Ise Grand Shrine, Shinto's most sacred site, rebuilt every twenty years, is 90 minutes south.
The price covers guide, Entrance fees, International standard sit-on-top kayaks, Kayaking instructions by an expert guide and Spring roll making demonstration. It does not cover Personal drink orders from the bar, Single supplement fee of $50 per night, Surcharge of $35 per person for Gala dinner on December and Tips, so budget for those separately. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.
Phoenix Cruise sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed. We need at least one day's notice, and we confirm the date with Phoenix Cruise before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
Start with pickup from Hanoi by shuttle bus with air conditioning. Travel to Ha Long Bay by highway.
Board the boat at Tuan Chau Marina
At Tuan Chau International Marina, a boat will take you to your cruiser. A refreshing welcome drink is served and you can check into your cabin.
Begin to cruise Ha Long Bay and enjoy lunch
Get settled in your cabin as the boat starts to cruise out to the center of the World Heritage Site. Your lunch at the boat’s restaurant will be served with fresh local seafood.
Cruise past Dog Head, Swan Islands, and Ba Hang
From the marina area, pass by Dog Head and Swan Islands, and Ba Hang floating village.
Kayak at Luon Cave
Allow your guide to lead you into this striking cave as you paddle along.
Explore Ti Top Island
Continue to Ti Top Island for one hour for swimming, sunbathing, or hiking to the panoramic view on the island's peak.
Relax on the boat at sunset
As the sun sets over the bay, head back to the boat to relax for the evening. Coffee, tea, and fruits will be available on the sundeck, or you can order your favorite drink while the boat cruises to the night’s anchorage area.
Enjoy dinner and spend the night on the boat
Dinner will be served with local seafood. After dinner, you may choose to enjoy drinks from the bar or top deck or experience night squid fishing before heading to bed.
Admire the Bright Cave area
Enjoy the morning views of beautiful landscapes with a cup of coffee or tea. Have breakfast in the fresh air.
Travel by small boat to southern Halong Bay
Hop on a bamboo boat to head to the southern part of Halong bay. This route takes you by some famous islands like the Frog and Chop Stick islands.
Kayak and relax in Halong Bay before lunch
Enjoy a kayaking trip to explore the hidden corners of Ha Long Bay, passing through many islands. After paddling for about 2 hours, take some time to relax, followed by lunch.
Stop by a pearl farm
After lunch, visit a pearl farm where you can learn about pearl culture, before heading back to the cruiser for dinner and relaxation onboard.
Eat dinner and sleep on board in Ha Long Bay
Unwind as you eat dinner, then rest on the boat.
Visit Sung Sot (Surprising) Cave
After breakfast, you will visit the impressive Cave of Halong Bay, known as Sung Sot (Surprising Cave).
Cruise through Ha Long Bay landmarks
Check out of your cabin as the boat begins cruising back to the harbor. Experience more views of Ha Long Bay such as Fighting Cocks Island, Incense Burner, and Stone Dogs Islands.
Join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration
Enjoy a cooking demonstration on board that shows you how to make authentic Vietnamese spring rolls.
Eat lunch on board
Lunch will be served during the journey back towards the harbor.
Return to Tuan Chau Marina
Head back to the Tuan Chau International Marina, where you then board the bus for your return journey to Hanoi by the new highway.
Ride the bus to Hanoi
Arrive at your hotel in the mid-afternoon, between 3:00 and 3:30 PM.
Detailed Itinerary
Travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay: Start with pickup from Hanoi by shuttle bus with air conditioning. Travel to Ha Long Bay by highway
Board the boat at Tuan Chau Marina: At Tuan Chau International Marina, a boat will take you to your cruiser. A refreshing welcome drink is served and you can check into your cabin
Begin to cruise Ha Long Bay and enjoy lunch: Get settled in your cabin as the boat starts to cruise out to the center of the World Heritage Site. Your lunch at the boat’s restaurant will be served with fresh local seafood
Cruise past Dog Head, Swan Islands, and Ba Hang: From the marina area, pass by Dog Head and Swan Islands, and Ba Hang floating village
Kayak at Luon Cave: Allow your guide to lead you into this striking cave as you paddle along
Explore Ti Top Island: Continue to Ti Top Island for one hour for swimming, sunbathing, or hiking to the panoramic view on the island's peak
Relax on the boat at sunset
Enjoy dinner and spend the night on the boat: Dinner will be served with local seafood. After dinner, you may choose to enjoy drinks from the bar or top deck or experience night squid fishing before heading to bed
Includes
- English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees
- International standard sit-on-top kayaks
- Kayaking instructions by an expert guide
- Spring roll making demonstration
- 2 bottles of drinking water per cabin
- Meals as indicated (2 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 2 x dinner)
- Round-trip transfer between Hanoi and Ha Long Bay by air-conditioned vehicle
Excludes
- Personal drink orders from the bar
- Single supplement fee of $50 per night ($100 for 2 nights in total)
- Surcharge of $35 per person for Gala dinner on December 24th and 31st
- Tips (recommended at the end of the tour)
Important information
Meeting point
Phoenix Cruise sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.
Weather
This runs outdoors, so the operator can call it off for rain, wind or sea conditions, and that decision is usually made on the day. If they cancel, you choose: another date, or your money back in full. We do not keep a booking fee on a tour that did not run.
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
The staff on the ship was very kind and helpful. They really did take care about us. They wanted us to feel happy everytime. The lunch and the dinner was way more than enough. They prepared us 6-7 different types of food with paying attention to food allergies. On the first day the Ti Top Island and the cave was very crowded because of the tourists. The second day was much better. We went to kayaking to see some caves then went to swimming. Then we visited a pearl farm with guidance. It was very interesting. On the third day we went kayaking again but it was also too crowded and then our guide
Food and Staff are EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD. Facilities are average and look better in the pictures. Beds are clean and comfortable. All the day trips were great. Would have loved a little more time for relaxing and enjoying seeing Ha Long Bay. Ovet all 9/10
This was a really good tour. I went as a solo traveler and met a lot of great people. The boat was very comfortable. And despite the weather I enjoyed the tours and activities. My only 2 complaints would be that everything feels very rushed. With that being said, I think it is best to stay a minimum of 2 nights so you get the most out of the experience. My other complaint was the single supplement. It was never mentioned until after I had already booked the trip.
This was the last few days of my holiday and I am so glad I booked this. Stunning scenery, great food & staff where very accommodating. I enjoyed the day trips and then back to our cruise boat for food & relaxation...with a bit of karaoke & cocktails. Such fun :-)
Dan and Sei were fantastic guides. very positive and enthusiastic. Sadly the weather wasn't great but we still thoroughly enjoyed our 2 nights on the boat. We had to move boats for the second night but it was all efficiently done and was no problem. the food was amazing on the boat, the best we've had so far. The morning starts about 6.45am for breakfast so be aware there are no lie ins! we enjoyed all the trips and the different options if we didn't want to go.
We had a great trip! The first day there were a lot of people but the 2nd day was very quiet, 3rd day more people again. The food was exceptional and very generous amounts. Our guide, Dan, was great - very helpful and friendly.
The tour was amazing - friendly staff, delicious food, and also cool activities. We especially enjoyed the second day since we went further into the south with a small group to do kayaking and to explore caves - definitely a highlight of our trip!! The cruise is one of the smaller ones which we thoroughly enjoyed since it was quiet at night and we only shared the boat with a few other people. Only negative thing was that we didn't have the spring roll making demonstration on the last day without anyone telling us why - other than that it was a great trip and would always do it again!
We really loved the trip. Especially day 2 because we went to less crowded places, a lovely beach, we had nice sights and activities. We would definitely advice everyone to book two nights, so you see more of the bay. The real Ha Long Bay experience!
The itinery was great and the crew including the guide very helpful and friendly.
Great fun. I recommend the 3 days 2 nights. If you only do one night you are with all the tourists group. Very crowded beaches and sights. The extra day gives you access to a more calm experience and a private beach trip
All went smoothly, the food on the boat was amazing, and so much of it too! Drinks weren’t expensive either. The boat is pretty good, a little dated in places but otherwise fine. The pace of it is perfectly fine too, only thing we would say is that we visited a pearl farm twice, once is more than enough! And doing kayaking twice is a little odd too, would genuinely be nicer to actually ‘cruise’ around on the main boat taking in more of the islands rather than being docked in the same location the whole time (this is what every boat does, not just this company)
Amazing experience. Good balance of relaxation and activity. Loved the small boat and Luxurious rooms. Enjoyed the cave exploration and the Pearl Farm. courteous and attentive staff. Excellent food and drinks.