Ha Long Bay is no longer an unfamiliar destination for travelers who love to explore the majestic beauty of this world natural heritage. Whenever Ha Long Bay is mentioned, many people immediately think of a bay with thousands of limestone islands of various shapes and sizes. Inside these mountains lies a world of splendid caves adorned with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Unlike other caves in Ha Long Bay, Luon Cave is a unique cave that is no less attractive than others. If you have the opportunity to visit Ha Long Bay, don’t miss the chance to visit this wonderful place.
Location of Luon Cave
Luon Cave, an attractive destination on route 2 of the Ha Long Bay tour, is located on Bo Hon Island, in the southern part of Ha Long Bay. With coordinates 20°50′41″N 107°05′26″E, the cave is about 13km from Tuan Chau International Passenger Port and about 11km southeast of Ha Long Port, equivalent to a 20-minute boat ride.
This is a natural cave formed by the process of seawater erosion and corrosion of limestone mountains over millions of years. Luon Cave is a typical example of a unique karst toad-mouth cave structure: the cave floor lies below sea level, while the cave ceiling rises above the water.
Luon Cave is about 100m long, 4m wide and about 3m high (depending on the tide). The cave has the shape of a flooded tunnel, connecting to a large lake of approximately 1.2km², surrounded by steep cliffs. Because of this feature, visitors can only access the lake by “sneaking” through the cave on bamboo boats or kayaks, and that’s how the name Luon Cave (meaning “Sneaking Cave”) came to be.
One of the highlights of Luon Cave is its relatively diverse and rich ecosystem of flora and fauna, with the steep cliffs covered in green vegetation. In particular, Luon Cave is also home to the golden monkey species (Macaca mulatta) with a population of several hundred individuals divided into many different groups. They often appear and live in this area from the foot of the island to the mountainside. The lively presence of the monkey groups has attracted the attention and curiosity of visitors. Additionally, if lucky, visitors may also encounter dolphins here.
How to explore Luon cave?
To fully explore Luon Cave, you can book a private cruise or join a group cruise on route 2 of the Ha Long Bay tour. However, please note that not all cruises on route 2 pass through Luon Cave, as the itinerary depends on the type of cruise and the departure port.
If departing from Ha Long International Passenger Port in Bai Chay area, cruises on route 2 will pass through attractions such as Sung Sot Cave – Luon Cave – Titop Island in about 6 hours. On the other hand, if departing from Tuan Chau International Passenger Port, the cruise will only pass through attractions such as: Fighting Cocks Islet – Incense Burner Islet – Dog Rock – Sung Sot Cave – Titop Island, without stopping at Luon Cave. The reason is that Luon Cave is closer to Ha Long Port and farther from Tuan Chau Port, while the visit takes at least 1 hour. Therefore, if departing from Tuan Chau Port, if the group tour includes this stop, the journey time will be extended to 7-8 hours, which is not suitable for the common 48-seater group cruises.
However, if you book a private cruise and arrange in advance, cruise companies can still arrange a suitable itinerary. Alternatively, you can choose a 5-star cruise like Vitamia Queen, Lacasta… with an 8-hour itinerary, these cruises will take you to visit Luon Cave during the journey.
Due to the characteristics of Luon Cave, cruise ships will stop outside the cave. Visitors will choose 1 of 2 ways to visit:
- Bamboo boat: Suitable for families with elderly people and children, each boat carries 4-6 people and is operated by experienced fishermen.
- Kayak: An adventurous sport, suitable for adults who love sports activities and exploration. Each kayak can only carry 2 people and visitors will paddle themselves, so good health is required.
The entrance fee for bamboo boats or kayaks is 50,000 VND/person. If you don’t want to participate, you can stay on the main cruise ship. The best time to visit Luon Cave is from February to June and from September to October. The weather in Ha Long Bay is quite pleasant during these months, making your trip more enjoyable. If you want to swim, your journey should start on a sunny day with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius.
Service Price List
| Service | Price (VNĐ/person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 48-seater group cruise | 490.000 | Includes bay entrance fee and cruise |
| Private cruise rental (excluding tickets) | 3.500.000/route | Price for the whole trip, excluding bay entrance fee. Visitors purchase their own entrance tickets according to regulations. |
| Kayak | 50.000 | 1 – 2 people per boat |
| Rowboat | 50.000 | 4 – 6 people per boat |