Cham Islands Day Trip from Hoi An

What you'll see on a Cham Islands day trip

The Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham) are a cluster of eight small islands off the Hoi An coast, protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2009. Most day tours visit only one — Hon Lao, the largest — and follow the same script:

1. Hotel pick-up in Hoi An around 7.30am, then a 20-minute drive to Cua Dai or Cam Thanh pier.
2. Boat crossing — 25 minutes on a speedboat, 90 minutes on a traditional wooden boat.
3. Snorkel stop 1 at a shallow reef off Hon Dai or Hon Mo. 30–40 minutes in the water with basic mask and snorkel.
4. Bai Lang village walk — a 45-minute stroll past the fish market, Hai Tang Pagoda, and the 200-year-old ancient well.
5. Seafood lunch on Bai Chong or Bai Ong beach — usually grilled mackerel, squid, morning glory, and rice.
6. Beach time and snorkel stop 2 — another hour of swimming or lounging before the boat back.

How to book

• Group speedboat tour — the default. Book at any Hoi An travel agent or online a day ahead for 600,000–900,000 VND ($25–38). You'll share the boat with 20–30 others.
• Group wooden-boat tour — cheaper at 450,000–600,000 VND, but you lose two hours to the crossing. Only worth it if you specifically want the slow-boat experience.
• Private charter — $180–250 for a speedboat seating up to 8. The only way to skip the Bai Chong lunch scrum.
• Self-guided — take the public passenger ferry from Bach Dang pier (departs 8am, returns 11.30am from the islands) for 150,000 VND return. Doable but tight, and you'll miss the snorkel stops.

When to go

The sea around the Chams is only reliably calm between April and September. May, June, and July have the clearest water and lowest rainfall. August and September can be hot but still swimmable. October through March the islands are effectively closed — the marine park authority suspends tourist boats when swells exceed 2 metres, which happens most weeks.

On shoulder-season days (early April, late September) ask your tour operator at 6am whether the trip is confirmed. Cancellations are common and refunds are usually quick.

Typical cost breakdown

• Speedboat group tour with lunch: 600,000–1,050,000 VND ($25–45)
• Marine park entrance fee: 70,000 VND (usually included)
• Snorkel gear rental: 50,000 VND if not included
• Optional jet ski or parasailing at Bai Ong: 400,000–600,000 VND
• Tips for boat crew: 50,000 VND is standard

Lunch portions on group tours are modest. If you're hungry, order extra grilled squid at the beach restaurant — it's charged separately at around 200,000 VND a plate.

Is a Cham Islands day trip worth it?

Worth it, with caveats. The boat ride itself is pleasant, the village is genuinely charming, and the seafood lunch is better than most beach-tour fare in Vietnam. But don't go expecting Phu Quoc or the Philippines — the snorkelling is mediocre, the main beach gets crowded by 11am, and anyone who's done island-hopping elsewhere in Southeast Asia will find it underwhelming.

Go if: you're in Hoi An for four-plus days and want a break from the Old Town, or you like boats and seafood more than coral. Skip if: you have limited time and haven't yet done My Son Sanctuary or a cooking class.