Best Halong Bay cruise day tour – Review Top 10 (Update 2025)
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay Vietnam is a breathtaking spectacle of nature. Its emerald waters reflect a mesmerizing panorama of limestone, while traditional wooden junk boats add a touch of timeless charm to the island-studded seascape. If you are looking for a Halong Bay cruise day tour, this is exactly what you need. In this article, Ha Long Bay Cheers Tours is going to review the top 10 best Halong Bay 1-day cruises in detail.
1. What is Halong Bay Cruise Day Tour?
A Halong Bay day cruise offers a condensed version of the classic Halong Bay experience, allowing visitors to explore the stunning natural beauty of the area within a single day.
Even with a limited time frame of 4, 6, or 8 hours, a Halong Bay day tour provides a valuable experience. You’ll witness the bay’s most impressive caves, enjoy a brief kayaking adventure, and take a refreshing swim. This efficient approach is perfect for travelers who want to experience Halong Bay but with a tight schedule.
Duration: Halong Bay Cruise Day Tour typically ranges from 4 to 8 hours.
Itinerary: Day cruises usually focus on visiting some of the most iconic Halong Bay attractions, such as:
- Caves (Thien Cung Cave, Sung Sot Cave)
- Islands (Titop Island)
- Floating villages
- Areas suitable for kayaking or bamboo boat rides (e.g., Luon Cave)
Activities: Outdoor activities include:
- Cave exploration
- Kayaking or bamboo boat rowing
- Swimming
- Hiking to viewpoints
- Enjoying onboard meals
- Relaxing on the sundeck.
Halong 1 day tour is suitable for:
- Travelers with a tight schedule.
- People looking for a more budget-friendly Halong Bay experience.
- Those who prefer not to stay overnight on a cruise.
Halong Bay Cruise Day Tour typically ranges from 4 to 8 hours
2. What is the difference between day cruise and overnight cruise?
Here is brief comparison between Halong Bay day cruise and overnight cruise:
| Feature | Day Cruise | Overnight Cruise |
| Duration | Day Trip (4-6-8 hours) | 1 night (2-day trip) or 2 nights (3-day trip) |
| Price | More affordable (45$ – 100$/ person) | More expensive (135$ – 500$/person/night) |
| Activities |
|
|
| Scenery | Daytime views. Some sunset views on longer day cruises. | Daytime, sunset, and sunrise views. |
| Accommodation | Not included (stay in Hanoi hotels/homestay) | Included (spacious cabin on board like a hotel room) |
| Suitability | Budget-minded travelers, tight schedules, prone to seasickness. | Travelers seeking a deeper relaxation and experience, enjoying whole evenings on Halong bay. |
In comparison with a day cruise, an overnight cruise in Halong Bay offers a more immersive experience. You will have more than 24 hours on the cruise, allowing you to witness the beauty of Halong bay at different times of the day. Whether it’s the golden hues of sunrise or the brooming colors of sunset, an overnight cruise ensures you can’t miss out on these magical moments.
However, if you’re short on time, a Halong bay cruise day trip might be your only option. Furthermore, day cruises are significantly cheaper, suitable for budget-minded travelers.
Comparison of Ha Long Bay cruise day tour vs overnight cruise
3. Why choose Ha Long Bay tour 1 day?
Budget-Friendly
Halong Bay cruise day tour is generally more affordable than overnight cruises. This makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers who still want to witness the stunning scenery of Halong Bay. Day tours sometimes include lunches and sunset parties, lowering the cost of eating in Halong Bay.
A day excursion to Halong Bay presents a cost-effective alternative, eliminating the need for overnight cruise accommodation. This allows travelers to return to Hanoi and enjoy more affordable lodging choices.
Suitable for time-limited visitors
For travelers with tight schedules, a 1-day tour offers a convenient way to experience the iconic beauty of Halong Bay without sacrificing too much time. If you’re on a short trip to Vietnam or have a packed itinerary, this option allows you to see the highlights in a single day.
Experience the iconic wonders of Halong Bay
Halong Bay cruise day tour features visits to iconic sites like Titop Island, Sung Sot Cave, and Luon Cave, allowing travelers to capture stunning photographs of these renowned landmarks. Despite time constraints, these tours offer a chance to witness the breathtaking beauty that has solidified Halong Bay’s global reputation.
Halong bay cruise day tour will take you to the iconic wonders
Have a quick glimpse
If you’re unsure whether you’ll enjoy a longer cruise, a 1-day tour provides a quick glimpse into the bay’s wonders. It can serve as a “taster” experience, allowing you to decide if you’d like to return for a longer stay in the future.
Avoiding motion sickness
Some people are prone to motion sickness when traveling on a boat. Halong Bay cruise day tour minimizes the time spent on the water, reducing the risk of discomfort.
Convenience
Halong Bay cruise day tours are often well-organized and include transportation from Hanoi, making them a hassle-free option. This is especially beneficial for some solo travelers or those unfamiliar with the Halong Bay area.
4. Top 10 best Halong Bay cruise day tour from Hanoi
A day cruise is a fascinating option for those who are looking for an amazing journey when it comes to admiring the majestic beauty of Halong Bay. In this part, we will give reviews of the top 10 Halong Bay cruise day tours for an excellent decision for you.
4.1. Heritage Luxury Day Cruise
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 59$/pax
- Starting time: 07:00 am
- Transportation: Limousine Bus
- Pick up: Hanoi Old Quarter/Tuan Chau Harbour
Heritage Luxury Day Cruise is 5-star international standard, with luxurious equipments, sophisticated lines of the Renaissance. This day cruise is the best luxury steel cruise in Halong Bay Vietnam in recent years, not only about the quality but also about the food, service and itineraries of the cruise ship.
Heritage Luxury Day Cruise guarantees that every moment matters with a duration of up to 6 hours. It transports you across the most breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay, including stops at popular locations such as Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, and Titop Island.
Moreover, you will have a chance to attend a sunset party, complimentary variety of fresh fruits, cakes, juices, tea, enjoy the sunset while the cruise returns to Tuan Chau port. These gorgeous activities guarantee remarkable experiences that will stay with you for years.
Heritage Luxury Day Cruise is 5-star international standard
4.2. Hercules Luxury Cruise
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 59$/pax
- Starting time: 08:00 am
- Transportation: Limousine Bus
- Pick up: Hanoi Old Quarter/Tuan Chau Harbour
Hercules Luxury Cruise offers a spacious, luxurious space with modern equipment, helping you relax and enjoy your trip to Ha Long to the fullest. You will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with more than 30 culinary specialties and fresh seafood.
The Hercules Luxury Cruise will take you to the most beautiful places in Halong Bay in just 1 day such as: Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, Luon Cave. In addition, when you join Hercules Luxury Cruise, you will have:
- Unique experiences with exciting activities: Kayaking, swimming, trekking, visiting caves and enjoying a sunset party in the middle of the bay.
- Professional service, optimal schedule: The itinerary is designed to help you make the most of your exploration time while still being comfortable and relaxing.
- Limousine pick-up and drop-off: A closed itinerary, ensuring convenience and saving travel time.
Hercules Luxury Cruise will take you to the most beautiful places
4.3. Serenity Explorer Cruise
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 58$/pax
- Starting time: 08:00 am
- Transportation: Limousine Bus
- Pick up service: Hanoi Old Quarter/Cai Beo Harbour
Short on time but craving the magic of Halong Bay? The Serenity Explorer Cruise 1-day tour is your perfect escape. This cruise day tour captures the essence of Lan Ha Bay, offering a whirlwind of breathtaking sights and unforgettable experiences.
Serenity Explorer Cruise offers a range of activities, including:
- Kayaking: Exploring lagoons and caves
- Swimming: Enjoying the emerald waters
- Visiting local villages: Cai Beo Floating Fishing Village, Viet Hai village, often including bike tours
- Waterslides and floating pools
- Enjoying fish massage
- Sunset party on sundeck with wine, fruits and cakes.
Glide through emerald waters, kayak among towering limestone karsts, and explore hidden caves, all within a single, action-packed day. Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch onboard, relax on our comfortable sundeck, and capture stunning photos of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t let limited time hold you back – experience the beauty of Halong Bay with Serenity Explorer’s efficient and captivating day tour.
Halong Bay cruise day tour – Serenity Explorer Cruise
4.4. VDream Cruise
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 55$/pax
- Starting time: 08:00 am
- Transportation: Modern Limousine/Shuttle Bus
- Pick up service: Hanoi Old Quarter/Halong International Harbor
VDream Cruise is one of the luxury cruises with two main types of tours: 4-hour tour and 6-hour tour to visit Halong Bay. The cruise has a luxurious design with a capacity of up to 99 guests, bringing visitors the most unique experience of visiting Ha Long Bay. VDream Cruise is also designed with many modern facilities such as a spacious swimming pool, jacuzzi, sundeck and luxury restaurant with a diverse menu.
VDream Cruise offers a range of activities, including:
- Visit Sung Sot Cave – TiTop Island – Luon Cave (6h route)
- Visit Cho Da Islet, Dinh Huong Islet, Ga Choi Islet, Thien Cung Cave (4h route)
- Jacuzzi, swimming pool
- Sunset party on sundeck with wine, fruits and cakes.
Turn your Halong Bay dreams into reality with the VDream Cruise, your gateway to an extraordinary voyage through one of the world’s most stunning natural wonders. Discover the magic of emerald waters and towering limestone formations as you embark on a journey of exploration and relaxation with Halong Bay cruise day tour.
VDream Cruise is one of the luxury cruises in Halong Bay
4.5. Pamela Cruise
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 61$/pax
- Starting time: 08:00 am
- Transportation: Shuttle Bus
- Pick up: Hanoi Old Quarter/Tuan Chau Harbour
Pamela Cruise explores Halong Bay in a day with many convenient services along with modern design and comfortable, luxurious equipment that will help you have an interesting tour with their loved ones. With a maximum capacity of 99 guests, the cruise will bring you a feeling of comfort, with 3 main decks and 2 luxurious restaurants.
Pamela Cruise offers a range of activities, including:
- Admire the landscape and many symbols of Ha Long City: Bai Chay Bridge, Bai Tho Mountain, Sun Wheel, Lighthouse, Bai Chay Beach, etc.
- Visit Sung Sot Cave – TiTop Island, Luon Cave
- Kayaking or bamboo boat rowing
- Lunch buffet with wide range of dishes made from fresh seafood
- Sunset party on sundeck with wine, fruits and cakes.
Pamela Cruise explores Halong Bay in a day with many convenient services
4.6. Vera Cruise
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 55$/pax
- Starting time: 08:00 am
- Transportation: Limousine
- Pick up: Hanoi Old Quarter/Tuan Chau Harbour
Vera Cruise was launched in September 2024, one of the first 99-seat steel-hulled ships with 5-star standards in Ha Long Bay. Vera Cruise currently provides high-class day cruise services combined with a lunch buffet, meeting the needs of visiting Halong Bay with luxury standards while still ensuring reasonable prices. Vera Cruise is also committed to protecting the ecological environment and promoting sustainable development for Halong Bay, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world recognized by UNESCO.
Vera Cruise offers a range of activities, including:
- Visit Sung Sot Cave – TiTop Island – Luon Cave
- Enjoy swimming pool, Jacuzzi
- DJ playing music and a stage for performances.
- Sunset party on sundeck with wine, fruits and cakes.
Vera Cruise provides high-class day cruise services
4.7. Olympus Luxury Cruise
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 50$/pax
- Starting time: 08:00 am
- Transportation: Modern Limousine/Shuttle Bus
- Pick up: Hanoi Old Quarter/Tuan Chau Harbour
The Olympus Luxury Cruise 1 day tour of Halong Bay will give you memorable experiences. With the beautiful scenery of majestic limestone mountains like being lost in a fairyland that does not exist on earth, you will have unforgettable moments when participating in exciting activities on Olympus Luxury Cruise, enjoying special seafood dishes and immersing yourself in the beauty of wild nature.
Olympus Luxury Cruise offers a range of activities, including:
- Visit Surprising Cave to see stalagmites with different shapes of sea lives
- Kayaking or bamboo boat rowing in Luon Cave area
- Visit Titov Island with sandy beach to the towering limestone mountain and climb up Titov Peak for a panoramic view of the bay like paradise.
- Enjoying a sunset party with fruits, tea, cakes and sunbathing on the upper deck with chilling music.
You will have unforgettable moments with Olympus Luxury Cruise
4.8. Amethyst Day Cruise
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 52$/pax
- Starting time: 08:00 am
- Transportation: Limousine
- Pick up: Hanoi Old Quarter/Tuan Chau Harbour
With a wide range of exciting activities for guests to enjoy, including kayaking, swimming, hiking and sunbathing, Amethyst Day Cruise is a great opportunity to get close to the natural beauty of the bay and create unforgettable memories. Moreover, this Halong Bay cruise day tour offers a selection of Asian – European dishes and cocktails to ensure you have an enjoyable dining experience.
While on this cruise you will experience:
- Buffet lunch with more than 35 dishes including seafood and Vietnamese traditional food.
- Kayaking in Luon Cave
- Discovering Surprising Cave and swimming at Titop Island
- Relaxing in the Jacuzzi and enjoying a Sunset Party with tea, cakes, fresh fruits and snacks on the sundeck.
With impeccable services, modern facilities and exciting itineraries, Amethyst Day Cruise promises an unforgettable journey in one of the world’s most stunning natural wonders.
Amethyst Day Cruise is one of the best Halong Bay day tours
4.9. Sunlight Grand Cruise
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 61$/pax
- Starting time: 08:00 am
- Transportation: Modern Limousine/Shuttle Bus
- Pick up: Hanoi Old Quarter/Tuan Chau Harbour
If you are looking for a quality trip with a classy cruise experience on Halong Bay without staying overnight, Sunlight Grand Cruise – a Halong Bay cruise day tour is the perfect choice for guests who want to visit one of the World Natural Heritages.
Sunlight Grand Cruise offers a range of activities, including:
- Visit Sung Sot Cave and Surprising Cave – the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay
- Kayaking or taking a bamboo boat ride in Luon Cave area
- Swimming on the white sand beach of Titop Island
- Enjoy a Sunset Party with tea, fresh fruits and snacks on the sundeck.
Sunlight Grand Cruise is a good choice for Halong Bay day tour
4.10. Cozy Bay Cruise (Sea Lion)
- Duration: 1 Day
- Price: From 59$/pax
- Starting time: 08:00 am
- Transportation: Modern Limousine/Shuttle Bus
- Pick up: Hanoi Old Quarter/Tuan Chau Harbour
Cozy Bay Cruise (Sea Lion Halong Cruise) brings a completely new experience for tourists. The cruise was just launched in October 2024 with high-class equipment and interior, maximum capacity 99 passengers. This is the leading luxury Halong bay cruise day tour with a spacious swimming pool, seafood buffet lunch with many delicious dishes, and a modern limousine pick up from your hotel in Hanoi.
The journey will take you to visit the most prominent landmarks of Ha Long Bay, from mysterious caves such as Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, to poetic beaches such as Titop Island. Cozy Bay Cruise offers a range of activities, including:
- Have a Buffet Lunch with more than 30 dishes made from fresh seafood
- Do kayaking or bamboo boat in Luon Cave to admire the beautiful lagoon
- Visit Titop Island with white sandy beach to the towering limestone mountain
- Relax with family and friends in the Jacuzzi
- Enjoy a Sunset Party on the sundeck with Vietnamese special tea, fresh tropical fruits and snacks.
When you go on a Halong Bay cruise day tour, you should bring your swimming suits, sun glasses, and insect repellent to enjoy to the fullest.
Cozy Bay Cruise brings a completely new experience to tourists
5. Is a day trip to Halong Bay worth it?
When it comes to experiencing a Halong Bay cruise, visitors sometimes face a dilemma: Should I go for a day trip? Is a day trip to Halong Bay worth it? The answer is a Halong Bay day tour from Hanoi is absolutely worthwhile for several reasons.
Firstly, renowned for its breathtaking natural splendor, Halong Bay showcases thousands of limestone karsts amidst emerald waters, offering an awe-inspiring and truly memorable experience.
Secondly, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its geological and cultural significance, Halong Bay offers an immersive journey into its captivating history, vibrant traditions, and enchanting legends.
Moreover, a Halong Bay day trip provides a wealth of engaging activities, from kayaking and swimming to the unique experience of squid fishing. Explore enchanting caves and floating villages, offering an authentic glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle.
Additionally, even with a tight schedule, you can easily experience Halong Bay’s beauty through a convenient day trip from Hanoi. Depart in the morning and return by evening in order to maximize your time.
A Halong Bay cruise day tour from Hanoi is absolutely worth it
In conclusion, for travelers with limited time, a Halong Bay day cruise from Hanoi offers a valuable glimpse into this UNESCO World Heritage Site. With those top 10 best Halong Bay cruise day tours, we hope you enjoy a full day of luxury experiences.
6. FAQ
Which is the best 1-day cruise itinerary for first-time tourists?
Overall, the Ha Long Bay tour 1 day on cruise offers an ideal 6-8 hour experience. For first-time tourists, this is the best 1-day cruise itinerary: Harbour - Sung Sot cave/Luon Cave - Titop Island - Sunset Party on board.
How much for a day cruise in Halong?
A day cruise in Halong Bay starts from 50 - 70 USD/pax. You can check online on Ha Long Bay Cheers Tours website with a wide range of cruises from classic 3-star to luxury 5-star with the best offer. Halong Bay cruise day tour is waiting for you to explore!
Can I do a day trip from Hanoi city to Halong Bay?
Yes, you can do a Halong Bay cruise day trip from Hanoi with modern limousines or shuttle bus pick up at Old Quarter or Tuan Chau port.
How much is the entry fee to enter Halong Bay?
Halong Bay entrance fee ranges from 10 - 15 USD/person, depending on which routes you'd like to take, but the entrance fee is included in the Halong Bay cruise day tour price.
Get the best cruise tours deals with us!
Ha Long Bay Cheers Tours is a trustworthy booking cruises website specializing in Halong Bay Vietnam. As you visit our website, get ready for a virtual adventure through hundreds of luxury cruises, such as:
We offer the BEST cruise deals with many special gifts, such as:
- Free car service to the airport
- High speed sim card internet,
- Well-designed T-shirts. Furthermore
Our qualified staff, who have worked with travellers from different nationalities, cultures, ages, genders and interests will give you recommendations so that you can make the best of your holiday.
Contact us 24/7 via Whatsapp +84 926782368 or chat directly on https://halongbay.tours/ and have all your questions answered!
