Most day cruises are traditional wooden ones with decent amenities. However, there are also some ultra-luxurious day cruises with top-of-the-range facilities of larger ships. In addition, itinerary options are also various and usually come to the most popular destinations on Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. The article below will help you to figure out the 11 best day cruises.

1. Jade Sails

Jade Sails Cruise

Cruise type: Metal

Year operated: 2018

Itinerary:Tuan Chau Marina – Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Light Cave – Beach Area

Activities:A local bamboo rowing boat gently glides above jade-green water through the magical Dark & Light water cave. You’ll see amazing stalagmites, wonderful rock formations, and a hidden lagoon. Get close to nature with a short excursion to a tranquil, pristine beach area to try swimming & kayaking.

Photo: @ottoilmailija – Lan Ha Bay

Highlights:

• Jade Sails is the newest and most luxurious day cruise with a unique modern yacht style on Halong Bay.
• It takes only a 2-hour drive by the limousine from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Marina on the new highway instead of 4 hours.
• The ship offers the longest 7-hour day tour program deeply exploring Lan Ha Bay.
• Join the exciting cooking demonstration, sunset party, and Happy Hour on the boat.

2. Genesis Day Cruise

Genesis Day Cruise

Cruise type: Wooden

Year operated: 2017

Itinerary:Tuan Chau Marina –Luon Cave – Sung Sot Cave

Activities: Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina at noon then embark on Genesis Day Cruise. After lunch, you’ll get on a kayak to admire the peaceful natural scenery of Luon Cave. Continue to explore Sung Sot Cave – the largest cave on Halong Bay with extremely magnificent stalactites and stalagmites.

Photo: @vie13 – Tuan Chau Marina

Highlights:

• The comfort new limousine van transfers tourists on the new highway to reduce half of the traveling time (2 hours).
• Genesis Day Cruise offers a 5.5- hour day itinerary that goes to as many destinations as overnight cruises.
• The audio guide system is equipped to support non-English speaking tourists.
• Enjoy a tea break with fruits, snacks, and drinks before disembarking the ship.

3. Estella Premium Day Cruise

Photo: @originalexplorer.com – Estella Premium Day Cruise

Cruise type: Wooden

Year operated: 2018

Itinerary:Tuan Chau Marina – Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Bright Cave – Beach Area

Photo: @tripzozo – Kayaking at Bright cave

Activities: you have an opportunity to visit Dark & Bright Cave and hidden lagoons by a kayak or a bamboo boat. Have a glimpse of the traditional floating houses and take a dip under crystal clear water in the Lan Ha Bay pristine beach area.

Highlights:

• Only 2.5 hours driving on the new highway Hanoi – Halong.
• Estella Premium is a brand-new 4-star day cruise with contemporary amenities and a large sundeck.
• The ship offers a long 7-hour day tour program visiting the best-known attractions of Lan Ha Bay.
• The cruise always keeps you entertained with exciting onboard entertainment programs such as cooking class, sunset party.
• Kayaking and bamboo boat ride are included.

4. Amazing Sails

Photo: @amazingsails.com – Amazing Sails

Cruise type:Wooden

Year operated: 2019

Itinerary:Halong International Cruise Port – Halong Bay – Tien Ong Cave – Cua Van Floating Village

Photo: @globaltripping365 – Cua Van Floating Village

Activities: Stopover Tien Ong Cave, a natural karst cave to take photos and learn more about the cave’s cultural and historic values. Discover Cua Van Floating Village with traditional houses on a kayak or a bamboo boat.

Highlights:

• Formerly an overnight cruise, this newly-renovated day cruise standouts with a large sundeck, a spa & massage, and a gym.
• Tourists, especially families with children can take a nap in the comfortable cabins.
• Amazing Sails has first-hand knowledge and experiences about Halong Bay.
• The off-the-beaten-track itinerary allows tourists to avoid the crowd and get to know more interesting destinations.

5. Paradise Luxury Day Cruise

Photo: paradisecruise.com – Paradise Day Cruise

Cruise type: Metal

Year operated: 2019

Itinerary: Halong Bay – Sung Sot Cave – Titop Island – Luon Cave

Activities:This 1-day program of Paradise Luxury Day Cruise is well-suited adventurous travelers looking for challenges and fresh experiences. You can discover the biggest cave on Halong Bay; enjoy swimming or hiking to the top of Titop Island; and kayak around Luon Cave – the best kayaking paradise of Halong Bay.

Highlights:

• Paradise Luxury Day Cruise offers a new level of grandeur with spacious cabins, hi-end services, and superior amenities.
• Guests can relax with a full range of spa treatments, chill on the large sundeck, and savor the best meal in the top-notch bar & restaurant.
• The day itinerary is as exciting as overnight ones with excursions to Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, and Luon Cave.
• Indulge in a 30- 60-minute foot mixology treatment in Le Parfum Spa.

6. Orchid Day Cruise

Photo: orchidcruisehalongbay.com – Orchid Day Cruise

Cruise type: Wooden

Year operated:2018

Itinerary: Got Pier – Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Bright Cave – Tra Bau area

Photo: @nedsdaughter – Kayaking at Lan Ha Bay

Activities: a local bamboo boat glides through Dark & Bright water cave so you can witness beautiful rock formations; try your hand at kayaking in Tra Bau Area and breeze fresh air.

Highlights:

• Orchid Day Cruise is the newest day cruise departing from Got Pier, Hai Phong.
• The interior is filled with luxurious decoration and facilities such as a restaurant & bar, sundeck with chairs.
• The ship offers a 2-hour transfer from Hanoi – Halong on the new highway.
• The 6-hour program takes you to many less-visited places on Lan Ha Bay.
• An action-packed journey that you have an opportunity to explore the majestic water cave on a bamboo boat, kayak at Tra Bau area, and sometimes see White Head Langurs – a rare animal in Cat Ba National Park.

7. L’azalee Day Cruise

Photo: Summer Escape – L’azalee day cruise

Cruise type:Wooden

Year operated: 2013

Itinerary: Tuan Chau Marina – Halong Bay – Sung Sot Cave – Luon Cave

Activities: Have lunch while the ship passes through multiple famous sites such as Fighting Cock Island, Ba Hang Floating Village, and Dog Island. Stop at Sung Sot Cave, an amazing cave with hundreds of stone steps, then kayak at Luon Cave.

Photo: @nois7 – Ha Long Bay

Highlights:

• Round trip shuttle bus on the new Hanoi – Halong Highway to save half of the transfer time.
• The boat has many years of experience in operating the day tour program on Halong Bay.
• The 5.5-hour tour visits several prominent attractions like Sung Sot Cave and Luon Cave.
• L’Azalee Day Cruise is well-appointed with a restaurant & bar and a lounge.
• Enjoy leisure time with spa & beauty services (optional with charges).

8. Alova day cruise

Cruise type:Wooden

Year operated: 2017

Itinerary:Tuan Chau Harbor – Thien Cung Cave

Activities: participate in kayaking activity at Thien Cung Cave

Photo: @sarah.thuy – Thien Cung Cave

Highlights

• Alova day boat is relatively spacious, suitable for families and small groups.
• The wooden Asian junk features the classic style design while ensuring a high safety level.
• The extraordinary itinerary sails you to Thien Cung Cave, a lesser-known attraction than Sung Sot Cave.
• Activities are flexible, you can choose to kayak or simply relax at the destination.

9. Phoenix Day Cruise

Phoenix Day Cruise

Cruise type: Wooden

Year operated:2012

Itinerary:Tuan Chau Marina – Ba Hang Floating Village – Thien Cung Cave

Activities:Admire the thousand-year-old stalagmites and stalactites inside Thien Cung Cave; a bamboo boat ride in Ba Hang Floating Village.

Photo: @nhuhuynh_ – Ba Hang Floating Village

Highlights:

• Phoenix Day Cruise is designed in a Vietnamese traditional wooden junk style with a capacity of up to 48 guests.
• The ship offers a compact 4-hour itinerary to visit Thien Cung Cave, one of the most gorgeous caves on Halong Bay.
• A sumptuous seafood lunch is served (vegetarian meals available).
• You have a chance to take stunning photos of the Fighting Cock Island, Incense Burner, and Stone Dog Islet.

10. Sen Day Cruise

Photo: Halongsencruises.com – Sen Day Cruise

Cruise type:Metal

Year operated: 2017

Itinerary:Tuan Chau Harbor – Hoa Cuong Area – Ba Hang Floating Village – Thien Cung Cave

Activities: Visit Thien Cung Cave, kayak or bamboo rowing boat at Ba Hang Floating Village (45 minutes).

Highlights:

• Sen Day Cruise’s design is a perfect combination of modernity and traditional touches. You can see the images of the lotus flower on the boat.
• The boat provides a unique 5-hour sailing route to Thien Cung Cave and Ba Hang Floating Village.
• Take a glance at famous sites including Fighting Cocks Islet, Incense Burner Islet, Duck Islet.
• Join the cooking class and sample Vietnamese lotus tea to understand more about Vietnamese culture.

11. Estella Day Cruise

Photo: originalexplorer – Estella Day Cruise

Cruise type: Wooden

Year operated: 2019

Itinerary: Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Bright Cave – floating village & fishing farm.

Photo: @manishasilveiradsouza – Floating Village on Ha Long Bay

Activities:explore the water cave and well-hidden lagoons by a kayak or bamboo boat; go swimming and sightseeing around the floating village & fishing farm.

Highlights:

• Only 2 hours driving on the new highway to reach Hai Phong.
• Estella Day Cruise is one of the newest day cruises on Lan Ha Bay.
• The ship offers the longest 8-hour program so that you can thoroughly marvel at the idyllic beauty of Dark & Bright Cave and floating village.
• Have fun at the cooking class, sunset party, and enjoy a tea break.