Ha Long Bay Cruises: Day Trips & Overnight Sailings (2026)

Compare the fleet

59 boats, side by side.

Cruise	Bay	2D1N	3D2N	Cabin grades	Departs from	Known for
Alisa Premier Cruise	Ha Long Bay	Yes	Yes	5	Tuan Chau Marina, Ha Long	Five-star luxury and classic Ha Long Bay sights, in two unhurried days.
Amour Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	6	Tuan Chau	Private Balconies and Ocean-View Bathtubs in Lan Ha Bay
Aqua Elegance Cruise	Ha Long Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau International Harbour, Ha Long	2 Days, 1 Night in Ha Long Bay
Aqua Luxury Cruise	Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	5	Tuan Chau International Marina, Ha Long	New-Generation Boutique Luxury in Lan Ha Bay
Aqua of the Sea Cruise	Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau International Port, Ha Long	A five-star metal-hull super yacht across Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay.
Athena Premium Cruise	Ha Long Bay	Yes	Yes	8	Ha Long International Cruise Port	Ha Long Bay's First Onsen Luxury Cruise
Athena Royal Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	Yes	5	Ha Long International Cruise Port	Twenty-Two Balconies on the Quiet Side of the Bay
Calista Cruise	Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	7	Tuan Chau	A 225m² Infinity Pool and a Lift Between Decks
Calypso Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	5	Tuan Chau	A Steel-Hulled Indochine Classic on the Lan Ha Route
Capella Cruise	Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	6	Tuan Chau International Marina, Ha Long	The most playful five-star cruise, a waterslide, pool and mini-golf on Lan Ha Bay.
Catherine Cruise	Ha Long Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau	The Ha Long Ship Built for Muslim Travellers
Celina of The Sea Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	3	Tuan Chau International Port, Ha Long	2 Days, 1 Night in Lan Ha Bay
Cozy Bay Grand Cruise	Ha Long Bay	Yes	-	7	Tuan Chau	Seventeen Cabins, and a Brunch Instead of a Rush
Cycad Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	Yes	2	Ha Long International Cruise Port (Sun World Harbour), Bai Chay	A new 6-star Indochine escape into the quiet of Bai Tu Long Bay.
Diana Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	6	Tuan Chau	A brand-new 6-star superyacht, the newest standard of luxury on the bay.
Doria Cruise	Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	5	Tuan Chau Marina, Ha Long	2 Days, 1 Night in Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay
Doris Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	6	Tuan Chau	The Pool Deck of Lan Ha Bay
Dragon Legend Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	Yes	3	Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay)	Bai Tu Long Bay - Where Vietnamese Charm Meets Hidden Beauty
Du Yen Cruise	Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau International Port, Ha Long	2 Days, 1 Night in Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay
Emperor Cruises	Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau	Ten Suites in the Style of the Last Emperor
Erina Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	6	Tuan Chau Marina, Ha Long	2 Days, 1 Night in Lan Ha Bay
Garden Bay Legend Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	Yes	6	Ha Long International Cruise Port	Ten Cabins on a Wooden Junk in Bai Tu Long
Garden Bay Peak Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	Yes	3	Ha Long International Cruise Port	Eight Suites and a Pool, on the Quiet Bay
Genesis Regal Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	1	Tuan Chau	The Largest Sundeck in the Bay
Grand Pioneers Cruise	Ha Long Bay	Yes	Yes	8	Tuan Chau International Marina, Ha Long	2 Days, 1 Night in Ha Long Bay
Halora Nova Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau Marina, Ha Long (Waiting Lounge No 29, Tuan Chau International Port)	2 Days, 1 Night in Lan Ha Bay
Harmony Boutique Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau	A New 28-Suite Ship, Sailing from November 2026
Heritage Bình Chuẩn Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	3	Tuan Chau	Vietnam’s First Boutique Cruise, Named for a Steamship
Hermes Cruise	Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	8	Tuan Chau	Eighteen Cabins and a 600m² Sundeck
Indochine Grand Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau International Port, Ha Long	2 Days, 1 Night in Lan Ha Bay
Indochine Premium Cruise	Ha Long Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau	The Largest Sundeck in Ha Long Bay
La Muse Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	-	-	-	Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay)	The quiet bay, away from the crowds
La Pandora Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	1	Tuan Chau	Twenty-Four Balcony Cabins on a Quiet Lan Ha Route
La Regina Classic Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	-	4	Ha Long International Cruise Port	Twenty-Two Cabins on the Quiet Bay
La Regina Royal Cruise	Ha Long Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau	Twenty Suites, a Jacuzzi Tub in Every One
Larissa Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Ha Long International Cruise Port	Twenty-Eight Balcony Cabins, Every One of Them
Lyra Grandeur Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	11	Tuan Chau	Waterslide, Sauna and Mini Golf on Six Decks
Maia Cruise	Ha Long Bay	-	-	-	Tuan Chau	A 5-star day on Ha Long Bay
Mon Chéri Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	7	Tuan Chau	European Elegance and a Halal Kitchen in Lan Ha Bay
Nostalgia Cruise	Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau	Ten Cabins Dressed in Nguyen Dynasty Style
Nostalgia Sails Cruise	Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	3	Tuan Chau	A 26-Cabin New Build, Sailing from October 2026
Orient Legacy Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau	Five Decks of 1930s Indochina, New in 2026
Oriental Sails Cruise	Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	2	Ha Long International Cruise Port	A Wooden Junk in a Bay of Steel Ships
Paradise Legacy Cruise	Ha Long Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Tuan Chau	Heritage Journeys of Distinction, Ha Long Bay
Red Dragon Junk	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	Yes	2	Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay)	2 Days, 1 Night in Bai Tu Long Bay
Renea Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	Yes	2	Ha Long International Cruise Port	A Fourteen-Cabin Wooden Junk in Bai Tu Long
Rita Cruise	Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	5	Tuan Chau	2 Days, 1 Night Adventure in Ha Long Bay
Rosy Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	5	Tuan Chau	2 Days, 1 Night in Lan Ha Bay
Scarlet Pearl Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	4	Ha Long International Cruise Port	Five-star pearl-inspired luxury through the quiet beauty of Lan Ha Bay.
Sena Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	5	Tuan Chau	Boutique Wooden Cruise - Lan Ha Bay
Starlight Cruise	Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	6	Ha Long International Cruise Port	Mini Golf on the Sundeck, Thirty-Two Cabins Below
Swan Cruise	Bai Tu Long Bay	Yes	Yes	3	Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay)	2 Days, 1 Night in Bai Tu Long Bay
Taliya Cruise	Ha Long Bay	-	-	-	Tuan Chau	7.5 Hours of Pure Bliss on the Water
The Halong Catamaran	Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay	-	-	-	Tuan Chau	The only luxury catamaran in Northern Vietnam
Tulip Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	11	Tuan Chau	Elegant, Romantic & Quietly Luxurious - Lan Ha Bay
Velar of the Sea Cruise	Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	3	Tuan Chau	Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay Luxury Cruise
Venezia Cruises	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	2	Ben Beo (Cai Beo) Harbour, Cat Ba, Hai Phong	A Peaceful 2-Day Escape Across Lan Ha Bay
Venus Cruise	Lan Ha Bay	Yes	Yes	3	Tuan Chau International Port, Ha Long	2 Days, 1 Night in Lan Ha Bay
Vera Cruise	Ha Long Bay	-	-	-	Ha Long International Cruise Port	The classic Ha Long Bay day, done well

Cabin grades is the number of different cabin types on board, not the number of cabins. Departure harbour is shown where the boat's own itinerary names it - ask us for the rest, and we confirm the pick-up in writing before you travel.

Choosing a Ha Long Bay cruise

A Ha Long Bay cruise is the classic way to see the bay, and the choice comes down to four things: how long you sail, which bay you sail in, the boat itself, and the cabin. Get those right and the rest looks after itself. Most travellers spend either a single night or two nights aboard, cruising among the limestone karsts with kayaking, a cave or two, a cooking class and sunset from the deck. A day cruise is the lighter option when time is short. Whichever you pick, the bay is the star, and the boat is how comfortably you meet it.

There is no single right answer, only the one that fits your trip. Below we set out how to weigh the length, the bay and the boat, what a cruise should include, and when to go. When you are ready, browse the fleet above, take our cruise quiz, or let us match you to the right boat as part of a wider trip. As private planners we sail these boats ourselves, so the advice is about the trip rather than a sale.

Day trip, one night or two nights

The length of your cruise shapes the whole experience. A day cruise gives you four to six hours on the water with lunch, a cave and usually a kayak, and has you back on land by evening, which suits a tight itinerary or anyone prone to seasickness. A one-night cruise is the sweet spot for most first-timers: you get sunset and sunrise over the karsts, the bay at its calmest after the day boats leave, and time for the headline activities without a rush. A two-night cruise goes further into the quieter reaches, adds more kayaking, swimming and smaller excursions, and is the most relaxed way to see the bay.

As a rule of thumb, one night is enough to feel you have properly been, and two nights is the one to choose if you have the time and want to slow right down. Our day cruises, two-day one-night cruises and three-day two-night cruises each set out what to expect, and our guide to how many nights in Ha Long Bay talks it through if you are still deciding.

Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long

The cruises here sail three connected bays, and which one you choose changes the feel of the trip. Ha Long Bay is the famous one, the busiest, and home to the biggest caves and the classic postcard views. Lan Ha Bay, to the south off Cat Ba island, has the same drama with a fraction of the boats, more little beaches and better swimming, and is where many of the newer boats now sail. Bai Tu Long Bay, to the east, is the quietest of the three, with fewer boats and a more remote, wild feel.

If it is your first visit and you want the headline sights, Ha Long Bay delivers. If you would rather trade a little fame for more space and calmer water, Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long are the ones to ask about. Many of the boats in the fleet above sail Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long for exactly this reason, and we are happy to steer you to the bay that suits how you like to travel.

What's included, and what to check

Cruises vary in what the headline covers, so it is worth checking a short list before you book: return transfers from Hanoi and whether they are private or a shared shuttle; the cabin type and whether it has a balcony or a bay view; meals and which drinks are included; the activities on the itinerary, such as kayaking, caves, a cooking class or squid fishing; and the group size, as a small boat and a large one make for very different days. The cheaper the cruise, the more of these tend to sit outside the headline.

This is the part we take off your hands. As private planners we lay out exactly what is and is not included before you commit, match the boat to how you actually like to travel, and handle the transfers and timings so the day joins up. We are rated five out of five on Tripadvisor and plan each trip end to end, from arrival to departure, so the cruise slots neatly into the rest of your Vietnam trip rather than sitting apart from it.

The best time to cruise Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay sails year-round, but the seasons shape the trip. The cooler, drier months from October to April give the most reliable clear views and calm water, and are the busiest as a result. May to September is hot and green with warm water for swimming, the odd heavy downpour, and a small chance of a summer storm closing the bay for a day, which is worth leaving a little slack around. The Tet holiday in late January or February brings big domestic crowds and higher demand.

Whenever you come, the bay is at its best under clear skies and calm seas, and an overnight cruise lets you catch it early and late when the day boats have gone. We keep an eye on the season when we plan your dates, and if weather ever forces a change we rearrange rather than lose the day. Our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam sets the wider picture.

How to choose your boat

Once the length and bay are settled, the boat is the last and most personal choice. Smaller boats feel intimate and reach quieter corners; larger ones have more space, more facilities and a steadier ride. Cabins range from cosy to generous, and a private balcony over the water is worth it for many people. Think about the style you want, whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group, and how much you value a small-group feel over a full range of facilities.

That is exactly the match we make every day. Browse the fleet above, take our cruise quiz, or tell us how you like to travel and we will put you on the boat we would choose for our own clients, then fold it into a complete private Vietnam itinerary so the cruise is one seamless part of the whole trip.

Ha Long Bay cruises - common questions

Should I do a day cruise or an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay?

A day cruise is a taster - a few hours on the water after a fair bit of transfer time. An overnight cruise is the one people remember: you sail in the afternoon, watch the sun set over the karsts, sleep at anchor and have the bay quiet in the morning before the day boats arrive.

Is a 2-day/1-night or 3-day/2-night cruise better?

A 2-day/1-night cruise suits most first trips and slots neatly in after a couple of days in Hanoi. A 3-day/2-night adds a second, quieter night, often over in Lan Ha Bay, with more kayaking, swimming and a slower pace - worth it if you have the days to spare.

What is included on a Ha Long Bay cruise?

Usually your cabin, meals on board and activities such as kayaking, a cave visit and a cooking demonstration, plus a set pick-up point or transfer. Drinks and a few optional excursions tend to be extra. We confirm exactly what each boat includes before you book, so there are no surprises.

When is a good time to cruise Ha Long Bay?

October to April is generally cooler and reliable. Summer is warm and good for swimming but can bring the odd storm. We keep an eye on conditions and will move a sailing if the weather looks poor rather than send you out in it.

What if I get seasick?

The bays are sheltered and the water is usually calm, so seasickness is rare. If you are prone to it, we can point you to the steadier, larger boats and a cabin nearer the middle of the ship.

How does a cruise fit into a wider Vietnam trip?

We slot the cruise into your itinerary at the right point, handle the transfers both ways, and line it up with your Hanoi days and onward travel - so it is one seamless trip, not a separate booking you have to coordinate yourself.

How many days do you need for a Ha Long Bay cruise?

Most travellers choose a one-night cruise, which is enough to see the headline sights, catch sunset and sunrise, and enjoy the bay after the day boats leave. Two nights is the relaxed choice if you have the time and want to go further into the quieter reaches. A day cruise works when time is short or you would rather not stay overnight.

Is a 2 day 1 night Ha Long Bay cruise enough?

For most first-time visitors, yes. A two-day one-night cruise gives you an afternoon and a full morning on the water, time for kayaking, a cave and a cooking class, and the calm of the bay early and late. Choose two nights only if you want to slow right down and reach the quieter corners.

Which is better: Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long?

Ha Long Bay has the famous views and the biggest caves but the most boats. Lan Ha Bay, off Cat Ba, has the same scenery with far fewer boats, more beaches and better swimming. Bai Tu Long is the quietest and most remote. For headline sights choose Ha Long; for space and calm, Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long.

Ha Long Bay Cruises