Halong Bay Day Cruise: What is Itinerary and Timings?

Where to go, when to start, and what to do are all important information you need to know to plan a smooth and enjoyable trip to Halong Bay. It not only helps you be proactive in all preparation but also enhances your experience. Let’s break down what a typical Halong Bay day cruise looks like via the itinerary and timings in the following.

Timings​

(Photo by @amethystcruise)

Halong Bay day cruises have 3 most popular durations which are 4, 6, and 8 hours. These are the total time onboard and do not include the transfer time from Hanoi to the cruise pier. No matter the long or short duration you choose, each is well planned and organized to ensure all the activities are provided and the tour finishes as scheduled. Currently, two piers for day cruises are Halong International Cruise Port (Bai Chay City) and Tuan Chau International Cruise Port (Halong City).

• 4-hour cruises: Morning cruises start from 8:00 to 12:00 and afternoon ones start from 12:00 to 16:00. 

• 6-hour cruises: Start at 12:00 and end at 18:00

• 8-hour cruises: Start at 9:00 - 10:00 and end at 17:00 - 18:00.

Detailed itinerary

4-hour cruises

(Photo by @halong.bay via Instagram)

Morning cruises: These cruises have very early check-in (7:45 - 8:00 am), hence it is more suitable for private charter day cruises or those who stay in Halong the previous night. Upon arrival at the port, you get on board and start cruising to the bay. This trip includes a visit to Thien Cung Cave at Dau Go Island - one of the most beautiful caves in Halong. After a 1-hour visit, the cruise continues sailing to iconic attractions like Cho Da Islet, Dinh Huong Islet, or Trong Mai Islet before getting back to the pier. This tour ends at around 12:00 pm.

Afternoon cruises: If you book the transfer service from Hanoi, the bus will pick you up at your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter area. If you are staying outside this area, you can come to the most convenient location to be picked up. After collecting all the passengers, the bus starts a 2.5-hour drive on the new highway to Halong. There may be a quick rest at halfway for the coffee break or restroom. After arriving at the port, cruise staff escort you to check in onboard, enjoy a welcome drink, and have lunch while the boat starts sailing to the bay. Stop at Dau Go Island. Here you have around 1 hour to visit Thien Cung Cave with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. back to the vessel and enjoy the magnificent sunset over the bay. Trip ends at around 16:00.

6-hour cruises

(Photo by @pamela_cruises via Instagram)

Tour guide picks you up from Hanoi Old Quarter between 8:00 - 9:00 am and starts a 2.5-hour drive to Halong. Upon arrival at noon, you check in onboard and start cruising to the bay. A hearty lunch will be served to provide you with full energy for the whole day. While savoring lunch, guests have a chance to witness majestic limestone island and stunning landmarks.

In the afternoon, there will be 2 - 3 excursions depending on each schedule. For Lan Ha Bay day cruises, you will visit Dark and Bright Cave by kayak or sampan boat or swim at Frog Pond Area. For Halong Bay day cruises, climbing to Sung Sot Cave, swimming at Titov Beach/hiking to the top of mountain, and kayaking/taking a sampan boat at Luon Cave will be included. Each excursion lasts for around 45 minutes. After excursions, a fun cooking class with the traditional spring rolls or sunset party with tea and snacks will be the highlight of the program. You disembark at around 18:00. If you book a transfer service, get on the bus back to Hanoi and arrive in Hanoi at around 20:30.

8-hour cruises

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Sunset on the bay (Photo by @maysenyen)

In the morning, guests need to get ready at 6:00 - 7:00 am for the pick up if using the shuttle bus service. 8 hours is the longest duration for day cruises so it requires an earlier check-in time (9:00 - 10:00 am). After a 2.5-hour drive on the new highway, you gather at the pier, check in onboard and enjoy a welcome drink. The vessel starts cruising to the bay. Guests can relax on the deck and admire breathtaking rocky islands before savoring a hearty lunch.

In the afternoon, you can join a bunch of activities like exploring the giant cave with million-year-old stalactites and stalagmites, sunbathing on a sandy beach, climbing to the top to get a panoramic view, or kayaking through a water cave and witnessing a tranquil lagoon. Thanks to the long duration, each excursion lasts for around 1 hour, so you will have more time to enjoy the bay. Back to the cruise and enjoy a sunset party and cooking demonstration by a talented chef. Guests will disembark between 17:00 - 18:00. Guests using drop-off service will arrive in Hanoi center at 19:30 - 20:00.