Last updated 6 October 2026 by the Ava Travel team in Hanoi. Timetables are taken from the boats we sell; the typical times come from all 96 of them.
The short answer: on a 2 day 1 night Halong Bay cruise you leave Hanoi at about 08:00, board at about 12:00, have lunch as the boat sails out, kayak or visit a cave at about 15:00, watch the sunset and eat dinner at about 19:00. Next day: tai chi at 06:00, a morning excursion, brunch, back at the pier at about 11:00 and in Hanoi by about 15:00. What you visit depends on the bay.
The typical timetable
These are the most common times across the 96 boats we sell; nearly all are within 30 minutes.
| Day 1 | |
|---|---|
| 08:00 | Hotel pickup in Hanoi (with the transfer) |
| 11:30 | Pier lounge, check in |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Board, welcome drink, safety briefing |
| 13:00 | Lunch as the boat sails |
| 15:00 | Afternoon excursion: kayaking, a cave, a swim |
| 17:30 | Sunset on deck, cooking class |
| 19:00 | Dinner |
| 21:00 | Squid fishing, bar, or a quiet deck |
| Day 2 | |
|---|---|
| 06:00 | Tai chi at sunrise |
| 06:30 – 07:00 | Breakfast |
| 07:30 | Morning excursion |
| 09:30 | Check out, brunch as the boat returns |
| 11:00 | Back at the pier |
| About 15:00 | Back at your Hanoi hotel |
Example 1: Halong Bay (L’amour Cruise)
- Day 1: board at Tuan Chau 12:00, lunch 13:00, Sung Sot Cave 14:30, Luon Cave by bamboo boat or kayak 15:30, sunset party or cooking class 17:00, dinner 19:00, squid fishing 21:00.
- Day 2: sunrise exercise 06:00, breakfast 06:30, Titop Island viewpoint climb or swim 07:30, check out 09:30, brunch, bus to Hanoi 11:15, arriving 15:00 to 15:30.
This is the classic route: 35 of the 37 Halong Bay boats we sell visit Sung Sot Cave, and 28 stop at Titop. See L’amour Cruise.
Example 2: Lan Ha Bay (Peony Cruise)
- Day 1: lounge at Tuan Chau 11:30, board by support boat 12:00, seafood lunch 13:00 sailing south to Lan Ha, kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau 15:30, spring roll class or sunset 17:30, dinner 19:30.
- Day 2: tai chi 06:00, breakfast 06:45, Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island 07:30, brunch 09:30, disembark 10:30 to 11:00.
Lan Ha days are more about the water: 38 of the 49 Lan Ha boats include kayaking and 33 a swim. See Peony Cruise.
Example 3: Bai Tu Long Bay (Dragon Pearl)
- Day 1: lounge at Halong International Port 11:30, board 12:30, lunch 13:15, Thien Canh Son Cave 14:30, kayaking 15:00, sunset cruise 16:15, cooking class 17:15, dinner 19:00.
- Day 2: breakfast 07:00, Vung Vieng fishing village by bamboo boat 07:45, check out 09:45, lunch, back at the port 11:30.
The quietest of the three, with a real floating village. See Dragon Pearl.
Tips to get the most from 2 days
- Sleep early, wake for sunrise. 06:00 on deck is the most beautiful hour of the trip.
- Do the kayaking. It is the best way to get close to the islands.
- Plan an evening flight on day 2, not a morning one; boats are back around 11:00.
- Leave the big luggage in Hanoi and take a small overnight bag.
Frequently asked questions
What time does a Halong Bay cruise start and end?
Most boats board between 12:00 and 12:30 and are back at the pier between 10:30 and 11:30 the next day. With the transfer, you leave Hanoi at about 08:00 and are back at about 15:00.
Do all boats follow the same itinerary?
The timing is very similar, but the stops depend on the bay and the boat’s route. Each boat page shows its own day by day itinerary.
Book your 2-day cruise
Choose a boat from all 2 days 1 night cruises, add the Hanoi transfer and pay securely online; we confirm your cabin and pickup within one hour. Want a longer stay? Compare 2-day vs 3-day cruises.
