How many caves are in Halong Bay? With 59 registered caves and countless hidden wonders, Halong Bay offers travellers a mesmerising journey through ancient limestone chambers, shimmering waters, and rich legends. Follow this guide to explore the bay’s most breathtaking caves by cruise or kayak.
How Many Caves Are There in Halong Bay?
Halong Bay isn’t just a sight to behold — it’s a treasure chest of secrets, waiting to be uncovered by the curious and the brave.
Today, Halong Bay proudly boasts 59 officially registered caves, each one sculpted by the patient hand of nature. And the magic doesn’t stop there. Twenty-three of these caves have been discovered only recently, adding fresh wonder to this legendary landscape.
Yet, experts believe that many more caves still lie hidden, tucked away among misty cliffs and lush, jungle-draped islands. Halong Bay is truly a story still being written by time itself.
But what makes these caves so extraordinary?
The answer lies beneath your feet. Over millions of years, rain, wind, and waves have carved and chiselled the bay’s spectacular limestone karst formations, creating a wonderland of caverns, tunnels, and secret chambers.
Each cave in Halong Bay whispers its own story — of ancient rivers, ocean tides, and the timeless dance between water and stone. Standing amidst these geological marvels, it’s impossible not to feel the ancient pulse of the Earth echoing all around you.
Formation and Types of Caves in Halong Bay
Karst Topography and Geological Evolution
When you look out across the magical landscape of Halong Bay, it's easy to be swept away by its timeless beauty. But few realise that what we see today has been sculpted by nature over a staggering 500 million years.
Long ago, during the ancient Paleozoic era, this area was submerged beneath a shallow tropical sea. Over countless millennia, the remains of marine life piled up on the seafloor, compacting into vast layers of limestone — some reaching over 1,000 metres thick.
Later, powerful tectonic forces thrust these limestone beds above sea level. Exposed to the elements, they faced relentless attacks from rain, wind, and the sea. Imagine it: gentle rain transforming into carbonic acid, seeping into cracks, dissolving the stone grain by grain, while ocean waves carved away at the cliffs with patient fury.
Particularly during the Quaternary and Holocene periods, rising sea levels flooded valleys and intensified marine erosion. It’s this slow, persistent process that gave Halong Bay its iconic look — a surreal world of limestone towers, hidden valleys, and secret caves.
Today, standing here, you are witnessing the breathtaking result of nature’s masterpiece: a complex karst landscape, alive with mystery and wonder.
Natural Processes Leading to Cave Formation
The caves you see today in Halong Bay were not made overnight. They are the patient work of four major natural forces:
- Chemical weathering: Rainwater, carrying carbon dioxide, transformed into a mild acid that slowly dissolved limestone along cracks and fractures.
- Mechanical erosion: Waves and tidal currents battered the cliffs, hollowing out caves and tunnels.
- Tectonic activity: Earth's inner forces shifted rocks, creating faults and pathways for water to carve deeper underground.
- Sea level changes: As seas rose and fell, caves were submerged, connecting into mysterious underwater labyrinths.
These forces combined to create an extraordinary labyrinth of caves — many of which still hold underground lakes, intricate stalactites, and ancient mineral formations shaped by centuries of dripping water.
Main Types of Caves in Halong Bay
Halong Bay’s caves aren’t all the same. They come in three fascinating types, each shaped by different natural processes:
|
Cave Type |
Formation Process |
Notable Example |
|
Old Phreatic Caves |
Formed by ancient underground rivers below the water table. Found at higher elevations today. |
Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave |
|
Karstic Foot Caves |
Created by the chemical dissolution and wave erosion at the base of cliffs. |
Common across limestone towers |
|
Marine Notch Caves |
Formed at sea level by wave action, leaving notches and tunnels. |
Visible along many island shores |
Each type adds its own magic to the bay’s stunning scenery — from lofty chambers high in the cliffs to secret tunnels brushing the water’s edge.
Exploring Halong Bay is like stepping into a living museum, where every cave and crevice whispers a story written by rain, sea, and stone over unimaginable time.
The Most Famous and Must-Visit Caves in Halong Bay
Beyond the glistening emerald waters and towering limestone pillars, Halong Bay hides a secret world beneath its surface — a magical realm of caves that seem to whisper the ancient tales of time.
Each cave has its own personality, carved by nature’s delicate hand and steeped in legend. Let’s step inside and explore some of the bay’s most iconic and breathtaking caves.
Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave
If there’s one cave you simply cannot miss, it’s Sung Sot Cave — the largest and perhaps the most spectacular in Halong Bay.
Covering an astonishing 12,200 square metres, Sung Sot feels like a vast underground cathedral. Hidden away on Bo Hon Island, about 15 kilometres from Tuan Chau Ferry Terminal, the journey to its entrance is an adventure itself, with a short but thrilling climb of stone steps leading up through lush greenery.
Inside, the cave reveals two mesmerising chambers. The first soars skyward with ceilings over 30 metres high, adorned with shimmering stalactites and mysterious rock formations. The second chamber feels more intimate but dazzles with shapes that ignite the imagination — including a natural sculpture that looks remarkably like a giant dinosaur.
Legend even says that Saint Giong’s horse left footprints here, now reflected in small pools across the cave floor. And when you step outside onto the summit, the panoramic view of Halong Bay simply takes your breath away.
Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace) Cave
Prepare to be enchanted the moment you set foot into Thien Cung Cave, also known as the Heavenly Palace.
Tucked away on Dau Go Island, this cave is a true fantasy brought to life. Inside, the space is divided into three glowing chambers, each filled with glittering stalactites and stalagmites that seem to dance and swirl like mythical creatures.
Every corner of Thien Cung tells a story — from dragons and phoenixes to ancient legends whispered through stone. Its ethereal beauty has earned it the name "celestial palace", and it’s easy to see why. Walking through this natural wonder feels like stepping into a world that blurs the line between reality and dream.
Dau Go Cave
Steeped in history and cloaked in natural splendour, Dau Go Cave offers visitors a glimpse into Vietnam’s heroic past.
Located just 3 kilometres from Tuan Chau Ferry Terminal, this ancient cave — believed to be over 2 million years old — once played a role in Vietnam’s legendary victory over Mongol invaders. Wooden stakes, hidden here centuries ago, gave the cave its evocative name: "Wooden Stakes Cave."
Inside, you’ll find yourself awestruck by hundreds of colossal stalactites hanging from the cavernous ceiling, like a grand natural cathedral. Soft moss, ferns, and a refreshing coolness fill the air, making Dau Go feel almost sacred — a perfect blend of history, mystery, and untamed beauty.
Other Notable Caves Worth Visiting
Halong Bay’s charm doesn’t end with its big-name caves. Scattered across the bay are hidden gems, each offering its own slice of wonder:
- Luon Cave: A peaceful water tunnel perfect for kayaking. Paddling through Luon feels like gliding into a secret world, surrounded by lush cliffs and shimmering waters.
- Me Cung Cave: Step back in time at this ancient archaeological site. Beyond its mysterious chambers, you’ll find a hidden lake embraced by coral reefs and rocky walls — a true sanctuary.
- Trinh Nu and Trong Caves: A love story carved into stone. Facing each other across the waters, these caves are entwined with a touching legend of eternal devotion, with fascinating formations and haunting drum-like echoes inside.
- Kim Quy, Tien Ong, and Cap La Caves: Each of these caves showcases the bay’s staggering geological diversity. Tien Ong, in particular, dazzles with its delicate stalactites and ancient atmosphere, while Kim Quy and Cap La offer thrilling adventures for those seeking raw, untouched beauty.
Every cave in Halong Bay holds a piece of the region’s soul — a place where nature, myth, and history converge to create experiences that leave an everlasting imprint on every traveller's heart.
Where Are the Caves Located in Halong Bay?
Woven between Halong Bay’s emerald waters and towering limestone pillars lies a hidden network of caves — each more enchanting than the last.
If you’re wondering how many caves are in Halong Bay and where they hide, let me guide you through the bay’s most magical corners.
Most caves are scattered across three breathtaking regions, each offering its own charm and mystery:
- Bo Hon Island Cluster:
Right in the heart of Halong Bay, this cluster is home to showstoppers like Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave. Here, soaring limestone formations and dramatic chambers await those ready to climb a few stone steps for unforgettable views. - Cat Ba Archipelago Area:
To the southwest, near the lively Cat Ba Island, you’ll find untouched gems like Hoa Cuong Cave. Some caves here are accessible by peaceful boat rides, others invite a short trek through wild, lush trails. - Bai Tu Long Bay Edges:
For travellers seeking serenity, Bai Tu Long offers secret treasures like Thien Canh Son Cave. Nestled away from tourist crowds, this area promises tranquil cave explorations framed by gentle, undisturbed landscapes.
But discovering these wonders isn’t limited to standing on deck.
Many caves can be easily reached through cruise tours, a popular and effortless way to weave through Halong Bay’s maze of islands.
Stops often include the awe-inspiring Sung Sot Cave, the celestial Thien Cung Cave, and the historic Dau Go Cave.
For the more adventurous souls, kayaking opens a whole new world.
Gliding across mirror-like waters, you can paddle right into serene places like Bo Nau Cave and the dreamy Luon Cave — where limestone arches and emerald lagoons make every stroke feel like a journey through a living painting.
Whether you’re sailing smoothly aboard a cruise or skimming the waters by kayak, Halong Bay’s caves are never out of reach — they’re waiting, just beyond the mist, to tell you their ancient stories.
Now that you know how many caves are in Halong Bay, the only thing left is to experience their magic for yourself.
From the grandeur of Sung Sot Cave to the serene beauty of Luon Cave, each cavern promises a journey into nature’s most extraordinary wonders.
Ready to uncover Halong Bay’s hidden marvels with a trusted local expert?
Visit Quang Thắng Cát Bà today and let us guide you through an unforgettable adventure among ancient caves, emerald waters, and timeless legends!
