Hoi An · island day trip

Cham Island, Hoi An

The Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham) are eight granite islands about 15 km off Hoi An, with clear water, coral and a marine reserve. Boats run from Cua Dai pier in 20 minutes to 1½ hours, and the best months are March to September.

What are the Cham Islands, and how do you get there?

The Cham Islands are eight small granite islands in the South China Sea, about 15 km east of Hoi An. Hon Lao is the largest and the only one with permanent villages, mainly Bai Lang and Bai Huong. The usual route is a speedboat from Cua Dai pier, taking 20 to 30 minutes on a calm day. Most visitors take a day tour from Hoi An or Da Nang, with snorkelling. UNESCO recognised the islands as a biosphere reserve in 2009, and the waters are a marine protected area.

Getting to the islands

Boats leave from Cua Dai pier, with some from An Hoi in the old town. In September 2026, a public boat from Cua Dai took about 1½ hours and cost around 100,000₫, a speedboat took 20 to 30 minutes at about 250,000₫ one way, and a private boat for around five hours cost 5 to 9 million₫. Day tours bundle the transfer, the entry fee, lunch and snorkelling for roughly 500,000 to 1,100,000₫.

Bring a passport or ID, because it may be checked at the pier. Hoi An’s old town is about 4 to 5 km from the pier. See Cua Dai Beach for what the area looks like after the 2025 storms.

Entry fees and costs

  • Entry fee: 70,000₫ per adult over 1.4 m (September 2026), valid for the whole stay.
  • Bicycle or scooter transport on the island: about 50,000₫.
  • Day tour with lunch and two snorkelling stops: 500,000 to 1,100,000₫.

Prices change, and the operator will tell you what is included.

Best time to go

March to September is the best window, with calm seas and clear water. From mid-October to February the sea is rough, many dive operators stop, and boats can be cancelled. Mornings are calmer, and the wind often picks up in the afternoon. Visitors have been stranded for a week or more, so don’t plan an overnight right before a flight.

What to do

Snorkel and dive

The reserve has coral, fish and shellfish in clear water. Beginners can snorkel from a boat with a guide, and dive operators from Hoi An run courses and trips in season. Diving runs in the calm months only.

Walk and swim

There is a road linking Bai Lang and Bai Huong that is safe to walk, with forest above. Forest trails off the road are not officially sanctioned or well maintained, so stay on the road. The beaches at Bai Chong and Bai Huong are small and quiet.

Visit the village

Bai Lang has the main village, a few restaurants, a small museum and the Hai Tang Pagoda, built in 1758. There is an old Cham well, a reminder that the islands were part of the Cham kingdom that traded through Hoi An. The history of Hoi An and the Cham sanctuary at My Son are the same story.

What to expect

Facilities are simple. A few restaurants serve fresh seafood, and in the smaller village you can find a coffee shop or two. There is little shopping. The islands have grown busier since the early 2000s, when the government forecast large visitor numbers, but they remain far quieter than the mainland beaches.

Practical tips

  • Book early in the dry season, and have a back-up plan if the sea is rough.
  • Take sun cream and reef-friendly habits: don’t stand on coral or take shells.
  • Use a licensed operator, who will have the permits for diving and snorkelling.
  • Hoi An and Cua Dai are now part of Da Nang city, since 1 July 2025.

For where to stay and the town itself, see the Hoi An guide and Da Nang.

FAQ

Questions travellers ask us

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

Take a boat from Cua Dai pier, about 4 to 5 km from the old town. A speedboat takes about 20 to 30 minutes and public boats take 1½ to 2½ hours. Most people book a day tour that includes the transfer, the entry fee, lunch and snorkelling. Passports or ID are checked at the pier.

How much does a Cham Islands trip cost in 2026?

Listings in September 2026 gave a 70,000₫ island entry fee for adults, about 250,000₫ one way by speedboat, and day tours at roughly 500,000 to 1,100,000₫ with meals and snorkelling. Public boats are much cheaper but slower. Prices vary by operator and season.

When is the best time to visit the Cham Islands?

March to September, when the sea is calmest. Dive operators typically stop from mid-October to February, and boats can be cancelled at short notice. Visitors have been stranded on the island for days when the sea turned rough, so leave slack in your plans.

Is it worth going to the Cham Islands?

Yes, for snorkelling and a quiet island day, in the right months. It is less so in the wet season, when visibility drops and boats can be cancelled. Most of the island is simple, with a few villages and seafood restaurants rather than resorts.

Can you stay overnight on the Cham Islands?

Yes. Homestays and small guesthouses operate in Bai Lang and Bai Huong on Hon Lao, the main island. Overnighters see the island once the day boats leave, but the sea can strand you, so check the forecast before booking.