Luon Cave, Ha Long Bay: Kayak or Bamboo Boat?
Luon Cave is a wet cave you cross by kayak or bamboo boat into a hidden lagoon. How the two options differ, when cruises visit, what to wear and which suits you.
By AmGo Travel5 min read
On almost every Ha Long Bay cruise, one stop asks you to make a choice: at Luon Cave you either paddle through the cave yourself in a kayak, or sit back while a local boatman rows you through on a bamboo boat. Both end in the same place, a hidden lagoon enclosed by cliffs. This guide explains what Luon Cave is, how the two options differ, when cruises visit and which one suits you, from the AmGo Travel team in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
What is Luon Cave?
Luon Cave is not a dry cave that you walk through, like Sung Sot. It is a wet cave: a low natural tunnel through a limestone island, carved over millions of years by wind, tide and water. The tunnel is short and opens under a stone arch onto a lagoon closed in on all sides by streaked cliffs and tree-topped peaks. Inside the lagoon the water is still and the noise of the boats outside disappears, which is why many visitors remember it as the quietest moment of their cruise.
Because the tunnel is low and the water is shallow, cruise ships cannot go in. Everyone transfers to a kayak or a small bamboo boat at the cave entrance.
Kayak or bamboo boat: the difference
Both options follow the same route, through the tunnel into the lagoon and back. What changes is who does the work and how close you get.
Kayak
- You paddle yourself, usually two people to a kayak, at your own pace.
- You can stay longer in the lagoon, move close to the cliffs and stop wherever you like for photos.
- It is more active: expect to get your hands, arms and probably your legs wet.
- On many cruises the kayak is included. On some ships it is an extra, so check the program.
Bamboo boat (sampan)
- A local boatman or boatwoman rows you, usually a few passengers to a boat.
- You sit and look around, with your hands free for a camera or phone.
- It is calmer and drier, and suits children, older travellers and anyone who is not confident on the water.
- It is sometimes included and sometimes paid with a small public ticket on the spot.
Which one should I choose?
- Choose the kayak if you enjoy being active, want time and freedom in the lagoon, and don't mind getting a little wet. It is the best way to feel how quiet the place is.
- Choose the bamboo boat if you are travelling with young children, have never paddled before, want to keep a good camera dry, or simply want to relax and let someone who knows the water do the rowing. The rower's rhythm also gives you a glimpse of how people in the bay have always moved around.
Couples and families often split: one person kayaks, another takes the bamboo boat, and they meet in the lagoon.
When do cruises visit Luon Cave?
Luon Cave is on the classic Ha Long Bay route, so day cruises and overnight cruises both stop here, at different times of day:
- Day cruises from Hanoi. On a day cruise such as Alina Cruise 99, Luon Cave is one of three stops, together with Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island. The order of the stops can change on the day.
- Overnight cruises, on the morning of day 2. Many 2-day ships visit after an early Tai Chi session and a light breakfast, typically between about 7:30 and 9:00. On L'amour Cruise the visit is from 8:00 to 9:00.
- Overnight cruises, in the afternoon of day 1. Some ships go in the afternoon instead, around 14:30 to 16:45, after lunch on board.
Morning visits are often calmer, with softer light on the cliffs. Afternoon visits leave the next morning free for other activities.
What to expect on the water
- Life jackets are handed out before you get into a kayak or boat.
- Time at the cave is usually about an hour in cruise programs, including getting in and out of the boats.
- Monkeys are sometimes seen on the cliffs around the lagoon. Watch them from a distance and don't feed them.
- Weather. Kayaking and swimming can be cancelled in bad weather or strong wind, and some ships do not refund services that are not used, so read the conditions of your cruise.
What to wear and bring
- Quick-drying clothes, or a swimsuit under light clothes, if you kayak.
- Sandals or shoes that can get wet.
- A dry bag or a waterproof pouch for your phone.
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses; the water reflects the sun.
- A small towel. Most cruises provide towels, but it is useful in the kayak.
Luon Cave in Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay
If you are comparing cruises, note that Luon Cave is in Ha Long Bay. Cruises in neighbouring Lan Ha Bay go to different spots, such as the Dark & Bright Cave, which you also enter by kayak or bamboo boat, and Tra Bau, where Kong: Skull Island was filmed. If Luon Cave is on your list, choose a Ha Long Bay cruise. To combine it with a walk through a big dry cave, read our Sung Sot Cave guide.
FAQ
Can I go inside Luon Cave on the cruise ship? No. The tunnel is too low, so everyone changes to a kayak or a bamboo boat at the entrance.
Is kayaking at Luon Cave difficult? No. The water is calm and the route is short. Beginners manage fine, especially in a two-person kayak.
Is the kayak or bamboo boat included in the cruise? It depends on the ship. On many cruises the kayak is included and the bamboo boat needs a small public ticket; on a few, the kayak is an extra. The tour page of each cruise shows what is included.
Can children do it? Yes. Young children usually go on the bamboo boat with a parent, which is the safer choice.
Is Luon Cave visited on a day cruise? Yes. Day cruises from Hanoi stop at Luon Cave as well as Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island.
Where can I book a Ha Long Bay cruise that visits Luon Cave? AmGo Travel, a Vietnamese team of trip planners and guides with an office at 61 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, books day cruises and overnight cruises in Ha Long Bay that include Luon Cave by kayak or bamboo boat. You can book at amgotravel.com or message the team on WhatsApp.
Ha Long Bay cruises with AmGo Travel
See all Ha Long Bay tours, or message AmGo Travel on WhatsApp and a local trip planner will help you choose a cruise that visits Luon Cave at the time of day you prefer.
