Cham Islands: the best day trip from Hoi An in 2026

The Cù Lao Chàm archipelago sits about 18 km offshore — a marine protected area that UNESCO recognised as a biosphere reserve in 2009. Only one island, Hòn Lao, is inhabited; the other seven are forest fringed with reef. From March to August you can go every day. From September to February the sea turns rough and the boats usually stop running, so it is not a trip to plan for those months.

• Cửa Đại pier (Cảng Cửa Đại): Speedboat departure point from Hoi An — 260,000 VND (~$10)
• Bãi Chồng beach (Bãi Chồng): Main beach, cafés, facilities
• Bãi Xếp beach (Bãi Xếp): Quiet beach, snorkelling spot
• Bãi Làng village (Bãi Làng): Fishing village, morning seafood market

Getting there from Hoi An and Da Nang

Every boat leaves from Cửa Đại pier, 7 km from central Hoi An. Getting to the pier is a 15-minute taxi or Grab ride (30,000–50,000 VND, ~$1.20–2).

Most visitors take the speedboat — fast, comfortable and less prone to seasickness. The wooden boat is for the adventurous: it rolls, it splashes, but it is authentic and a quarter of the price.

The return boat usually leaves around 14:00–15:00. If you are travelling independently, check the schedule in advance so you don't get stranded.

What the trip costs

On top of the boat fare, add the compulsory island fees:

These fees fund the marine reserve. On a group tour they are usually already bundled in — worth confirming when you book.

Comparing your options

The group tour is better value than it looks. A lunch of fresh seafood is included — grilled shrimp, squid and fish. Going solo doesn't save much, because you still pay for the mask and lunch on the island. The downside of the group format is the crowd: several boats dock at the main beach at once. If you want quiet, take a private tour or stay overnight on the island.

Prices current as of July 2026 (~25,000 VND = $1).

Snorkelling and diving

The corals and reef fish are the whole reason to come. Underwater visibility runs 8 to 15 metres, best in June–August. The water warms to 27–29 °C.

Where to swim

The main snorkelling spots are off Hòn Tai island and along the west side of the main island. On group tours the guide takes you to two or three spots, hands out a mask, snorkel and vest, and you swim 30–40 minutes at each.

Reef fish in dozens of species, starfish, sometimes turtles. The coral is battered in places by typhoons and people, but there are plenty of living patches.

Diving

Cham Island Diving Center is the main operator. Two dives with full gear and an instructor start from ~$70 (about 1,750,000 VND). It suits both beginners (discovery dive) and certified divers.

The island beaches

Hòn Lao has four main beaches, each with its own character.

Bãi Chồng is the main beach by the jetty. Cafés, shade, loungers. Every group tour lands here, so it gets busy at peak season — but it also has the best facilities on the island.

Bãi Xếp is quieter and less crowded. A good entry into the water, with a snorkelling spot right off the shore. The pick if you want some peace.

Bãi Ông is long, sandy and shallow-shelving. Good for families with kids — you can stand waist-deep 30 metres out.

Bãi Bắc is the far, wild beach, reachable only by boat. Almost no one around, clear water — but zero facilities.

What to see on land

If you have had enough of the sea (or want to stretch your legs after snorkelling), there is plenty to do on the island.

Bãi Làng village is a working fishing village. A morning seafood market, narrow streets of stone houses, fish-drying racks. This is where you feel the island as it is without the tourists.

Hải Tạng temple is an old Cham temple on a hill. A quiet spot with a sea view, almost always empty. Free.

The lighthouse trail is a walking route through the forest to the top of the island. Two hours round trip, a moderate climb. From the top, a view over the whole archipelago.

When to go, and when not to

Season: March to August. Peak is June–August: warm water, top visibility for snorkelling, settled weather.

Avoid:September to February. The northeast monsoon whips up the waves, boats cancel their runs and the island is effectively cut off. Even if you find a boat, the seasickness and murky water aren't worth it.

March and September are shoulder months: the sea is calm more often than not, but cancellations happen in bad weather. Check the forecast the day before you go, and book a tour that lets you reschedule.

Practical tips

• No plastic bags. Single-use plastic is banned on the islands — it is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Bring a reusable bag and a water bottle.
• Book your tour ahead in peak season (June–August). Spots on the morning boats fill up.
• Bring: reef-safe sunscreen (no oxybenzone, which kills coral), a dry bag for your phone, trainers for the lighthouse trail.
• Carry cash. There are no ATMs on the island, and cafés and shops take VND only — no cards.
• Beach litter is, sadly, a problem. In the rainy season plastic washes in from the mainland.
• Staying over is possible in the Bãi Làng guesthouses (from 200,000 VND, ~$8 a night), but choice is limited. Most people go as a day trip.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to the Cham Islands from Hoi An?

A speedboat from Cửa Đại pier takes 20–25 minutes and costs 260,000 VND (~$10). The pier is a 15-minute taxi ride from central Hoi An. A local wooden boat also runs in the morning for 50,000–100,000 VND (~$2–4), but the crossing takes 90 minutes.

How much does a Cham Islands tour cost?

A group day trip with a speedboat, snorkelling and lunch runs 800,000–1,200,000 VND (~$32–48). Add a compulsory 100,000 VND in fees. A private tour starts around 2,000,000 VND (~$80). Doing it yourself (boat plus fees) is about 360,000 VND (~$14).

Can you stay overnight on the Cham Islands?

Yes — Bãi Làng village has guesthouses from about 200,000 VND (~$8) a night. Rooms are basic: simple bedrooms with a fan or air-con. There are only a few restaurants, but the seafood is fresh. The reason to stay is catching sunrise without the crowds and snorkelling early.

When is the best time to visit the Cham Islands?

The season runs March to August: calm sea, warm water, visibility up to 15 metres, with June to August the peak for snorkelling. From September to February the northeast monsoon brings rough seas and boats are usually cancelled — the islands are effectively closed. Check the forecast the day before you go.

What can you not bring to the Cham Islands?

Single-use plastic bags are banned across the islands, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Bring a reusable bag and water bottle, and choose reef-safe sunscreen (no oxybenzone) so you do not harm the coral.

Are the Cham Islands worth it?

If you are in Hoi An between March and August, absolutely. In a single day you get snorkelling, a seafood lunch, a beach and a fishing village — the best-value day trip out of town. Just do not expect world-class reefs: the coral is patchy and group tours can get crowded. If you are chasing serious diving, other Vietnamese islands (Con Dao, Phu Quoc) go deeper.

Data current as of July 2026. Prices and conditions can change — check before you travel.