The 15 Best Cave Boat Tours in Hanoi

1.Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,384 reviews · from $33Our pick

Travel from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, and Mua Cave with an English-speaking guide such as Sunny, Viet, or Linh. The day combines temples, a 1.5-hour bamboo boat ride, optional village cycling, buffet lunch, and a steep climb to Tam Coc views.

“This was probably one of the main highlights of our Hanoi trip. It was so nice to turn off our brain and let Sunny guide us through Ninh Binh. Sunny was an awesome tour guide and hilarious. He kept us entertained and we learned so much about the history of Hanoi through his hilarious pop culture references. Literally had another tour guide after this trip and I said “I miss Sunny!””

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2.Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,512 reviews · from $48

Spend 11 to 12 hours traveling from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by shuttle bus, then cruise for 5 to 6 hours with guide-led visits to Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, and a kayaking or bamboo-boat stop. Guides such as Minh, Tim, Duc, and Max are often praised for clear communication.

“This was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Everything—from the pickup in Hanoi to the drop-off—was well organized. The places we visited along the way were beautiful, and ending the trip with a sunset in Halong Bay was truly Read more”

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3.Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu-Trang An/Tam Coc-Mua Cave-Cycling-Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,886 reviews · from $43

Spend a full day outside Hanoi cycling around Hoa Lu, riding through Trang An’s caves, and climbing roughly 500 steps at Mua Cave. Guides such as Liam, Max, Tim, James, and Jason have earned strong praise for clear English and lively commentary. Expect a busy schedule and a group of up to 32.

“Our trip was terrible. Fist is started with unexpected stop in some bamboo factory where they tried to sell us overpriced things and had us sit through a presentation of things. This all took 30 minutes, we could've depart 30min later if we hadRead more”

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4.Hanoi: Islands & Caves Ha Long Cruise with Lunch & Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,317 reviews · 4 - 13 hours · from $34

Spend a full day traveling from Hanoi to Halong Bay, with a seafood lunch aboard the Dragonfly Cruise, a guided visit to Thien Cung Cave, and 45 minutes by kayak or bamboo boat. English and Vietnamese guides such as Harry, Benjamin, and Linh have helped make this a friendly, well-paced choice.

“It was a very well organized tour. Benjamin our tour guide was very funny and informative. It was a lot of fun and you felt well looked after. Thanks. 🤗”

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5.Halong Bay Day Tour By Diamond Era Cruise,Titop,Sung Sot & kayak

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,301 reviews · from $48

Spend a long day from Hanoi on Diamond Era Cruise, sailing Halong Bay with stops at Sung Sot Cave, Hang Luon, and Titop Island. You get expressway transport, buffet lunch, kayaking or a bamboo boat, a guide, and sunset tea. Guides such as Richie, Johnny, Tom, and Andy have earned especially warm praise.

“Loved the trip. Pickup to drop off. All the activities, lunch and tea. It was a bit crowded for me. But I guess it will be as I went on Dec 25th.”

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6.Best seller Halong Bay Day Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,233 reviews · from $37

Spend about 12 hours traveling from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Halong Bay by coach and boat. Visit Sung Sot Cave, swim or climb Titop Island, and choose kayaking or a bamboo boat at Luon Cave. Lunch, an English-speaking guide, towel, and return transport are included, but entrance and kayak fees are extra.

“Great experience Organised very well, thoroughly enjoyed the tour, good value for money Highly recommend the tour.”

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7.Ninh Binh Day Trip: Bai Dinh-Trang An-Mua Cave, Buffet, Boat, Bus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,183 reviews · from $55

Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by limousine bus, visit monumental Bai Dinh Pagoda, eat a Vietnamese buffet, row through Trang An caves, and climb nearly 500 steps at Mua Cave. An English-speaking guide, sightseeing fees, lunch, water, and round-trip transport are included.

“Pick up, transport to and between activities, conduct of activities and drop off at the conclusion of the tour were efficient.”

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8.PRIVATE TOUR HALONG BAY ONE DAY with Cave, Kayaking, Bamboo Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,007 reviews · from $160

Leave Hanoi at 8:30 for a 9 to 11-hour Halong Bay trip with an English-speaking guide, seafood lunch, cave visit, kayaking or bamboo boat ride, and a private car. Guides include Hai, Robert, Gam, Jacky, and Lyn. The route aims for quieter lagoons and striking limestone islands.

“My husband and I had a fantastic time on this private boat and I would definitely recommend the experience. I felt it was a great value for the money to have an entire 48-person boat (plus staff!) for just me and my husband for 4 hours. We alRead more”

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9.Halong Pandora 5 Star Cruise 2D1N-All Inclusive, cave, transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 796 reviews · from $160

You’ll travel from Hanoi to Halong and Lan Ha Bay for one night in a private ocean-view cabin. Expect meals, kayaking, a cave visit, cooking class, Tai Chi, squid fishing, and sunset drinks. Guides such as Lee, Kevin, Cody, and Tao have earned strong praise, though boat quality and cruise assignments can vary.

“The cruise was not luxurious at all. The vessel was old, not nice and dirty. The tap in my bathroom was broken. The toilets were blocked. The food was not fresh, I got sick and I threw up. The crew on boat is not professional. The staff doesn't know the manners how to welcome and serve the customers. I am very disapppointed about this cruise.”

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10.From Hanoi: Tam Coc Boat Trip and Hoa Lu & Mua Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 733 reviews · 1 day · from $43

Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh for Hoa Lu’s royal temples, Mua Cave’s 500-step viewpoint, and a two-hour Tam Coc boat ride through limestone caves. English or Vietnamese guides lead the day, with past guides including Thomas, Loi, Brian, and Tony.

“Had a great time, Brian was our guide and was lovely. He gave us historical information at the sites we visited and was very detailed in explaining where to go and what we were doing at each stop. Nicely arranged day and relaxing”

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11.Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night Traditional Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 710 reviews · from $98

Spend one night on a traditional Halong Bay boat with guide support, shared twin or triple cabin, meals, Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, and Luon Cave. The small maximum group is 25 people. Check whether the 660,000 VND entrance and kayaking charge is included before departure.

“From the get go a bad experience. We were picked up late and made to sit away from each on a full bus. We were picked up last. Then we were given the wrong rooms on the boat.. we needed 3 singles.. instead the guide Mickey gave iRead more”

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12.All-Inclusive 2 Day/1 Night Halong Luxury Cruise, Meals, Cave, Kayaking,Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 668 reviews · from $50

Spend one night aboard a small-group Halong Bay cruise with an ocean-view cabin, meals, cave visits, kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, cooking, and squid fishing. Guides such as Sunny, Alex, Tom, and Tung have earned strong praise, but check the transfer fee and exact ship before booking.

“The time we spent on the boat was one of our favorite days of our honeymoon and our life. (This review is worth the read; we had some major learning moments) // The good: The staff was incredible- warm, inviting, completely on top of tRead more”

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13.All-Inclusive 3 Day/2 Night Halong Luxury Cruise Meals, Cave, Kayaking, Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 346 reviews · from $290

Spend two nights aboard a 5-star Halong Bay cruise with meals, cave visits, kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, cooking, and a day boat excursion. Pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter is offered. Staff names associated with departures include Kenny, Ha, Chinh, Gin, and Tim, while Ivy handles booking support.

“What a brilliant 3 days full of activities, food was gorgeous crew where so happy and friendly. Kenny the tour guide was outstanding, not forgetting the lovely ivy that helped with my booking and kept in touch with me about transport and timings absolutely fantastic.”

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14.2D1N Halong Bay 6-Star Cruise: Fine Dining, Cave & Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 41 reviews · from $239

Spend one night in a Premier or Royal Suite aboard a 6-star Halong Bay cruise, with a private balcony, bathtub, fine dining, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, Luon Cave, kayaking, cooking class, and sunrise Tai Chi. The cruise runs in English from Tuan Chau Marina and costs $239 per person.

“Great trip! We all enjoyed the cruise. The cruise manager Dan and his crew were very accommodating, the activities were all on time and the food was very nice! I would recommend.”

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15.Hanoi: Halong Bay Cruise, Amazing Cave, Titov Island & Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 39 reviews · from $42

Spend a long day cruising Halong Bay from Hanoi, with hotel pickup, a seafood buffet, Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave by kayak or bamboo boat, and Titov Island. Guides such as Andy, Linh, Harry, and Lee have earned praise, though food and drink prices can be uneven.

“The bay and caves were beautiful and I’m pleased we went on this trip. Once we got on the boat however, I was a little disappointed. We booked a luxury boat but the food was poor. Many seafood and chicken dishes which should have been hot were served only warm. Also there was no free drinking water readily available. The boat staff were constantly trying to upsell drinks, especially beers and cocktails pushing their ‘happy hour’. We were approached 6 times to buy (expensive) drinks from the bar which became intrusive. Our coach guide (Long) was excellent though, as was the transport to the bay. Mr ‘Strong’ on the cruise…”

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