How much does a Halong Bay day cruise cost in 2026?

Our day cruises start from about US$58 to US$100 per person (October 2026), before any Hanoi transfer. Compare them in the table on this page or in our budget cruise list.

How long is a Halong Bay day cruise?

About 4–7.5 hours on the water, or 10–12 hours door to door from Hanoi.

What time does a Halong Bay day cruise start and finish?

Most board between 11:00 and 12:30 and return to port between 16:30 and 18:00; Hanoi pick-ups are usually 07:30–08:30. See Amethyst for an early start.

How far is Halong Bay from Hanoi?

About 160–180 km, or 2.5–3 hours by expressway each way. Plan the route with our Halong Bay travel guides.

What does a Halong Bay day cruise visit?

Most follow route VHL2: Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave and Ti Top Island.

Is lunch included on a Halong Bay day cruise?

Yes, every day cruise includes lunch; drinks are usually extra. Some ships serve Indian vegetarian menus, such as Halong Apollo.

Is the Hanoi transfer included in a Halong Bay day cruise?

On most ships it is extra; some include a shuttle. Ask us via our contact page for a quote with transfer.

Can you kayak on a Halong Bay day cruise?

Yes, most ships offer kayaking or a bamboo boat at Luon Cave, depending on tide and local rules.

Can you swim on a Halong Bay day cruise?

Yes, at Ti Top Island beach from about May to October; some ships have a pool or jacuzzi, such as La Casta Daily.

Which Halong Bay day cruise is best for families?

La Casta Daily, Vera and Dolphin suit families with children.

Is a Halong Bay day cruise suitable for elderly travellers?

Yes with care; Ambassador has a lift, and Sung Sot Cave has many steps that can be skipped.

Can I do a Lan Ha Bay day cruise from Ha Long?

Yes, Hera Luxury sails from Tuan Chau to Lan Ha Bay; read our Lan Ha Bay guide.

Day cruise or overnight cruise: which should I choose?

Overnight if you can; compare them in day cruise vs overnight cruise.

What is the best time for a Halong Bay day cruise?

March–May and late September–November. See our best time to visit guide.

What happens if a Halong Bay day cruise is cancelled due to weather?

When the port authority closes the bay, you are rescheduled or refunded under the cruise's policy. More in our Halong Bay FAQs.

Are Halong Bay day cruises safe?

Yes with licensed operators; rules were tightened after a 2025 accident. We only sell ships from the official ports, listed on this Halong Bay day cruises page.

Do I need to tip on a Halong Bay day cruise?

Tips are optional; small amounts for the guide and crew are appreciated. See our FAQs for typical amounts.

Are there halal Halong Bay day cruises?

No day cruise is halal-certified; see halal Halong Bay cruises for overnight options.

How do I book a Halong Bay day cruise?

Choose a ship below or message us on our contact page; every booking includes our Best Price Guarantee.

Halong Bay Day Cruises

Halong Bay Day Cruises 2026: Compare Ships, Routes, Prices and How a Day Trip Works

A Halong Bay day cruise is a 4–7.5 hour sightseeing trip on a modern cruise ship, departing Tuan Chau or Ha Long International Cruise Port around midday and returning the same afternoon. Most follow official route VHL2 to Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave and Ti Top Island, include lunch and entrance fees, and are listed on our site from about US$58 to US$100 per person in October 2026. From Hanoi, expect a 10–12 hour day door to door.

Updated October 2026: Prices below are the "from" rates shown on each cruise page and change by date and season; the live calendar on each page is final. Day boats sail between 05:00 and 20:00 in summer (05:30–19:00 in winter) under Quang Ninh's Decision 43/2024, and every trip is cancelled when the port authority closes the bay for storms. Kayaking depends on current local permissions and the tide.

Halong Bay Day Cruises at a Glance

Ships compared	Every day cruise we list, from small boutique boats to ships for 600 guests
Price from	About US$58–100 per person (listed October 2026), before any Hanoi transfer
Time on the water	About 4–7.5 hours; a few ships run lunch or dinner cruises of about 4 hours
Total day from Hanoi	10–12 hours, including about 2.5–3 hours' drive each way
Main route	VHL2: Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Ti Top Island
Other options	Lan Ha Bay day trip (Hera Luxury); scenic lunch and dinner cruise without cave stops (Paradise Delight)
Departure ports	Tuan Chau International Marina and Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay)
Usually included	Lunch, sightseeing tickets, guide, kayak or bamboo boat at Luon Cave on many ships
Usually extra	Drinks, Hanoi transfer (on most ships), tips, spa or jacuzzi on some ships
Best months	March–May and late September–November

Is a Halong Bay day cruise worth it? Yes if you only have one day: you will see the bay's three most famous sights. But you spend about half the day on the road and visit at the busiest hours. If you can spare one more night, an overnight cruise is the better experience.

Aerial view of Ambassador Day Cruise on Halong Bay — A large day cruise ship on Halong Bay; modern day boats carry from a few dozen to several hundred guests

How a Halong Bay Day Cruise Works

Almost every day cruise follows the same rhythm. Times vary by ship, so check the itinerary on each cruise page.

Time (typical)	What happens
07:30–08:30	Pick-up in Hanoi’s Old Quarter by shuttle or limousine (if booked)
10:30–11:45	Check in at the cruise lounge in Tuan Chau or Ha Long International Cruise Port
11:30–12:30	Board, safety briefing, sail out while lunch is served
13:00–14:30	Sung Sot Cave, the largest cave on the route (about 45–60 minutes, with steps)
14:30–15:30	Kayak or bamboo boat at Luon Cave
15:30–16:30	Climb or swim at Ti Top Island (order varies by ship)
16:30–17:45	Afternoon tea or fruit as you sail back; disembark
20:00–21:00	Back in Hanoi

Want more time on the water? Amethyst and La Casta Daily offer about 7.5 hours; Omkara is the shortest at about 5 hours.

Compare All 19 Halong Bay Day Cruises

Sorted by the lowest price shown on our site in October 2026. Prices are per person and change by date.

Cruise	From (USD)	Time on bay	Route	Port	Best for
Halong Heritage Luxury	58	About 6 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	Couples and families wanting a calm, mid-size ship
Diamond Era	58	About 6 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	A new ship at a value price
Halong Heritage Signature	62	About 6 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	Indian food lovers and first-time visitors
Ambrose	62	About 6 h	VHL2	Ha Long Intl Cruise Port	Couples and families who want a swim on board
La Casta Daily	62	About 7.5 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	Families with young children
Queen	66	About 7 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	Photo lovers; Chinese-speaking groups
Halong Phoenix Day	68	About 6 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	Budget travellers and students
Alova Premium	68	About 6 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	Travellers who dislike crowds
Vera	68	About 7 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	Families and birthday celebrations
Halong Apollo	69	About 6 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	Indian vegetarian families
Amethyst	72	About 7.5 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	The most time on the bay in one day
Hera Luxury	76	About 7 h	Halong – Lan Ha Bay	Tuan Chau	Active travellers who want Lan Ha Bay
Paradise Delight	76	About 4 h	Scenic loop, no caves	Tuan Chau	Foodies; lunch or dinner cruise
Carnival	78	About 7 h	VHL2	Tuan Chau	Couples and small groups; boutique boat
Pamela	81	About 7 h	VHL2	Ha Long Intl Cruise Port	Couples who want a swim on board
Iris	85	About 6 h	VHL2	Ha Long Intl Cruise Port	Stylish, intimate boat
Ambassador	95	About 7 h	VHL2	Ha Long Intl Cruise Port	Large groups, elderly travellers (lift on board)
Dolphin	99	About 7 h	VHL2	Ha Long Intl Cruise Port	Resort-style facilities, families
Omkara	100	About 5 h	VHL2	Ha Long Intl Cruise Port	Indian, vegetarian and Jain travellers

Day Cruise Routes: Where Each Ship Goes

Route VHL2: the classic loop (17 of 19 ships)

Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave and Ti Top Island, all within a few kilometres of each other around Bo Hon Island. The route ticket costs 250,000 VND per person on the official 2025 fee list and is included in day cruise prices. Read more in our Halong Bay guide.

Kayaking Experience & Boat Rowing in Luon Cave Halong Bay Vietnam — Kayaks and bamboo boats at Luon Cave, a standard stop on route VHL2

Halong Bay to Lan Ha Bay (Hera Luxury)

Hera Luxury sails south into Lan Ha Bay for Dark and Bright Cave and the calm water of Ao Ech. Lan Ha is quieter, but in late 2025 local authorities suspended kayaking in the Cat Ba bays, so activities depend on the rules in force on your date.

Scenic lunch and dinner cruises (Paradise Delight)

Paradise Delight sails past Thien Cung and Dau Go islands and famous rocks without stopping at caves, focusing on food and views. It suits short stays in Ha Long or travellers with limited mobility.

What day cruises do not reach

Day cruises do not visit Bai Tu Long Bay, Vung Vieng or Cat Ba’s Viet Hai Village. For those, choose an overnight cruise. Thien Cung and Dau Go caves are on route VHL1, visited mainly by short local boats.

Halong Bay Day Cruise Prices 2026

Tier	Price from (per person)	Cruises
Value	US$58–60	Halong Heritage Luxury, Diamond Era
Mid-range	US$61–75	Halong Heritage Signature, Ambrose, La Casta Daily, Queen, Halong Phoenix Day, Alova Premium, Vera, Halong Apollo, Amethyst
Premium	US$76–100	Hera Luxury, Paradise Delight, Carnival, Pamela, Iris, Ambassador, Dolphin, Omkara

What changes the price: ship size and age, time on the water, menu (set menu, buffet or Indian vegetarian), onboard extras such as a jacuzzi or pool, weekends and Vietnamese holidays, and whether the Hanoi transfer is included. Compare categories in our budget cruise list or read the Halong Bay FAQs.

What Is Included and What Is Not

Usually included	Usually extra
Lunch (buffet or set menu) and drinking water	Soft drinks, beer, wine and cocktails
Sightseeing tickets for the route	Hanoi shuttle, limousine or private car (included on some ships)
English-speaking guide	Tips for guide and crew
Kayak or bamboo boat at Luon Cave (on many ships)	Kayak on some ships; spa, jacuzzi or massage
Life jackets and insurance on board	Travel insurance; personal expenses

Each cruise page lists its exact inclusions. Ask us if anything is unclear before you book.

How to Choose the Right Day Cruise

Most time on the bay: Amethyst or La Casta Daily
Families with small children: La Casta Daily, Vera or Dolphin
Elderly travellers or wheelchairs: Ambassador (lift on board) or the cave-free Paradise Delight
Indian or vegetarian food: Halong Heritage Signature, Halong Apollo or Omkara
Lowest price: Halong Heritage Luxury, Diamond Era or Halong Phoenix Day
Small, quiet boat: Iris, Carnival or Alova Premium
Lan Ha Bay instead of the classic route: Hera Luxury
Halal food: no day cruise is halal-certified; see halal Halong Bay cruises (overnight)

360-degree panoramic view of Halong Bay from Ti Top Island summit at 110 meters — thousands of limestone karsts rising from emerald water, Vietnam — The view from Ti Top Island, the last stop of most day cruises

Safety on a Halong Bay Day Cruise

Sudden summer thunderstorms are the main risk. In July 2025 the day boat Vinh Xanh 58 capsized in a squall with heavy loss of life. Since then Quang Ninh has added round-the-clock rescue patrols, required AIS tracking and radio contact before boats may leave port, and stepped up inspections of life-saving equipment and crew certificates.

We only sell licensed ships operating from the official ports
Listen to the safety briefing and wear a life jacket when told
Accept a cancellation when the bay is closed: your cruise will be rescheduled or refunded under its policy
Book flexible dates from July to October, the storm season

Day Cruise or Overnight Cruise?

	Day cruise	Overnight cruise (2D1N)
Time on the water	About 4–7.5 hours	About 22–24 hours
Road time from Hanoi	About 5–6 hours return, same day	Same, split over two days
Sights	Sung Sot, Luon, Ti Top	Same plus sunset, sunrise, other bays
Crowds	Peak hours	Quieter early and late
Price from	About US$58–100	About US$116 and up

Our view: choose a day cruise if your schedule allows only one day; otherwise one night on the water is worth the extra cost. Full comparison: day cruise vs overnight cruise.

Best Time for a Halong Bay Day Cruise

Months	Weather	Notes
March–May	Mild, 20–28 °C, some mist	Very good; calm water
June–August	Hot, thunderstorms	Swimming at Ti Top; storm cancellations possible
September–November	Clear and pleasant	Best overall; typhoons possible until October
December–February	Cool, 15–20 °C, grey	Fewest boats; bring a jacket

Month-by-month details are in our best time to visit Halong Bay guide.

La Casta Daily Cruise sundeck pool area surrounded by Halong Bay limestone karsts — Sundeck and pool on a modern Halong Bay day cruise

Local Expert Tips

These tips come from more than a decade of arranging Halong Bay trips for international travellers; times and rules follow Quang Ninh’s published regulations.

Book a ship with a lounge at the port if you arrive early or travel with children
Wear trainers for Sung Sot Cave’s steps and bring swimwear from May to October
Carry small Vietnamese banknotes for drinks and tips
If you get seasick, choose a larger ship; the bay is usually calm but wind can raise a chop

Plan Your Halong Bay Day Trip

Tell us your date, group size and diet on WhatsApp +84 886 261 368 and we will recommend the right ship and transfer. Every booking includes our Best Price Guarantee. Browse the full list of day cruises below.