Jade Sails is a premium day cruise with a real Lan Ha route, but at USD 119 plus 10% VAT, sold only direct with tiered cancellation fees, it costs more than twice the platform price of the bigger Taliya ship on a very similar route. Book it if you want a smaller, quieter boat and your dates are fixed.
Our scores
- Route
- 4/5Dark and Bright Caves and Ao Ech in Lan Ha, after crossing from Ha Long
- Boat
- 4/5Two restaurants, lounge bar, sundeck, spa and gym on one boat
- Value
- 3/5USD 119 + VAT; limousine, lunch and fees included, drinks not
- Transparency
- 4/5Price, inclusions, child policy and terms all published
- Booking flexibility
- 2/5No platform listing; fees from 20 days out, 100% in the last 3 days
Pros
- Genuine Lan Ha stops in the afternoon
- Limousine from Hanoi included in the price
- Clear published price, inclusions and terms
- Spa, gym and two restaurants for a day boat
Cons
- 10% VAT on top of USD 119, plus card fees
- Strict cancellation, no free 24-hour option
- Not bookable on GetYourGuide, Klook or Trip.com
- Kayaking depends on the official suspension
Jade Sails Halong Bay: the boat
Jade Sails ("Original Explorer") is a Hanoi-based company that also sells transfers and tours, with offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long and Hoi An. Its day cruise uses one boat, named "JadeSails", which the company calls a sailboat. It has two restaurants, a lounge bar and café, a sundeck, a swimming bar, a spa and a gym.
It is sometimes described as a catamaran; the official site does not say so. Launch year and passenger capacity are not published. If hull type or group size matter to you, ask before you pay.
It is usually sold as a "Halong Bay" cruise, which is half right: it starts in Ha Long, but the stops that count are in Lan Ha. Our Lan Ha vs Ha Long guide explains the difference.
Route: from Tuan Chau to the Dark and Bright Caves
Jade Sails boards at Tuan Chau Marina, Lot 24, in Ha Long, has lunch while crossing, and reaches Lan Ha in the early afternoon:
- Dark and Bright Caves (hang Sáng – hang Tối): by local rowing boat or kayak.
- Ao Ech (Frog Lake): a swim stop.
Kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been under an official suspension since November 2024, re-confirmed in late 2025. Some ships offer it only in a designated area or replace it with a bamboo boat, tender or swim. Ask the operator in writing. A cruise-company report from mid-2026 says kayaking at the Dark and Bright Caves is no longer permitted, so expect the rowing boat. Background: https://vnexpress.net/dung-cheo-kayak-tren-vinh-lan-ha-4818664.html
- 1Tuan Chau International MarinaPierDirections ↗
- 2Dark & Bright caveCaveDirections ↗
- 3Lan Ha lagoons (approximate)SightDirections ↗
A day aboard Jade Sails
Hotel pickup in the Hanoi Old QuarterPickup 07:00–07:15; the driver waits 10 minutes at most
Board at Tuan Chau, Lot 24About 2 hours by limousine
LunchWhile cruising into Lan Ha
Dark and Bright CavesBy local rowing boat or kayak
Swim at Ao EchLan Ha
Cooking demoOn board
Sunset partyCruising back
Back at Tuan Chau17:20–17:30
Hanoi drop-offAround 19:30
That is about 8 hours on the water and 12–13 hours door to door. Life jackets are compulsory for every passenger on Lan Ha boats from boarding to the end of the trip.
Jade Sails price and what it includes
The official price is USD 119 per person, including:
- the Hanoi limousine both ways
- the 8-hour cruise and entrance fees
- lunch and the sunset party
- 2 bottles of water, kayak or rowing boat, life jacket, dry bag, towels and an English-speaking guide
The rate includes a 5% service charge but excludes 10% VAT. Card payments add 3.85% and PayPal 5%. Extra charges apply on 24 and 31 December, at Tết (Lunar New Year) and on 30 April – 1 May.
Children under 4 travel free when sharing a seat, ages 4 to under 10 pay 70%, and 10 and over pay the adult fare.
Jade Sails has no listing on GetYourGuide, Klook or Trip.com, so there is no platform price to compare. The closest platform alternative on the same route is Taliya:
| Platform | Listing | Rating | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trip.com | Taliya Day Cruise to Halong Bay & Lanha Bay (Transfer included) | 4.8 (12) | $40 Lowest | See on Trip.com |
| Klook | Taliya Day Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Day Tour | 4.9 (310) | $43 | See on Klook |
| GetYourGuide | Taliya Day Cruise - Lan Hạ Bay: Kayaking, Swimming & Cave | 4.8 (811) | $53 | See on GetYourGuide |
Lowest adult price per person in USD, checked on October 16, 2026. Cabin type, dates and what is included differ between listings: open each one before you pay.
Taliya is a much larger ship (199 seats) with a pool. Jade Sails is the quieter, more expensive day. Other Tuan Chau and Cat Ba day cruises:
GetYourGuideDay trip
Taliya Day Cruise - Lan Hạ Bay: Kayaking, Swimming & Cave
4.8 (811)
from $53Check dates
KlookDay trip
Taliya Day Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Day Tour
4.9 (310) · 5K+ booked
from $43Check dates
KlookDay trip
Tropical Day Cruise: Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island, Trung Trang Cave
4.9 (1,916) · 10K+ booked
from $38Check dates
KlookDay trip
Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Day Tour by Serenity Grandeur Cruise
5.0 (390) · 3K+ booked
from $41Check dates
Prices checked on October 16, 2026
What travelers should check
We do not have a reliable summary of guest reviews for Jade Sails. Before you book:
- The total: USD 119 plus 10% VAT plus the card fee.
- Kayak or rowing boat at the caves on your date.
- Your hotel's location: pickup is from Old Quarter hotels, and the driver waits only 10 minutes.
- Holiday dates: surcharges on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, Tết and 30 April – 1 May.
How to book and cancel
You book on jadesails.com or by email. The cancellation terms are strict:
| When you cancel | Fee |
|---|---|
| More than 20 days before | Free, minus the transaction fee |
| 15–20 days | 30% |
| 7–15 days | 50% |
| 4–7 days | 75% |
| 3 days or less | 100% |
No changes are accepted within 2 days of the cruise. Compare that with GetYourGuide, where most day cruises can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before. In storm season, sailing is stopped by the port authority, not by the operator; check the terms for weather cancellations before paying. More: how to book a Lan Ha cruise.
Alternatives to Jade Sails
- Same route, lower price, flexible booking: Taliya Cruise from $40 on platforms.
- Land on Cat Ba as well: Cozy Bay's Tropical day boat stops at Gia Luan for Trung Trang cave; see the Cozy Bay review.
- Staying on Cat Ba: Serenity Cruises leave from Ben Beo and stay in Lan Ha all day.
- Every option compared: Lan Ha Bay day cruises.
How much is Jade Sails cruise?
USD 119 per person including the Hanoi limousine, lunch and entrance fees, plus 10% VAT and any card fee.
Where does Jade Sails depart from?
Tuan Chau Marina, Lot 24, in Ha Long. Hanoi pickup is at 07:00–07:15 and the boat returns to Tuan Chau around 17:30.
Is Jade Sails a catamaran?
The company calls its boat a sailboat. The official site does not describe it as a catamaran.
Does Jade Sails go to Lan Ha Bay?
Yes. After lunch it visits the Dark and Bright Caves and swims at Ao Ech, both in Lan Ha.
Can I book Jade Sails on GetYourGuide or Klook?
No. It is sold directly by Jade Sails. The closest platform alternative on the same route is Taliya Cruise.
