Hoi An / Da Nang ⇄ Cham Island
Cham Island Tour & Transfer from Hoi An / Da Nang
Spend a full day on Cù Lao Chàm — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve just off the coast of Hoi An.
This private transfer and joining tour combines a speedboat ride, snorkeling in clear coral waters,
a fresh seafood lunch on the island, and a relaxed afternoon on the beach before returning to your hotel.
Available as a day trip from Hoi An or with a pickup transfer from Da Nang.
- 24/7 support: +84 905 989 702
- Local operator: Minh Vu Travel
- Suitable for: couples, families, snorkelers, and first-time island visitors
Is a day trip to Cham Island worth it from Hoi An or Da Nang?
Yes — and it is one of the easiest island escapes you can do from central Vietnam without overnight stays.
- Distance from Hoi An: roughly 18 km by sea — about 20 minutes by speedboat
- Distance from Da Nang: around 30 km — car transfer to Hoi An pier, then speedboat
- Best season: March to September when the sea is calm and visibility is excellent
- Not available: October to February due to rough weather and restricted boat access
The island itself is quiet, forested, and genuinely beautiful. Because the Vietnamese government limits visitor
numbers and bans plastic bottles on the island, it stays cleaner than most beach destinations in the region.
A full day is enough to snorkel, swim, eat well, and still feel unhurried.
Overview
A full-day island tour with snorkeling, seafood lunch, beach time, and a private transfer option from Da Nang.
This Cham Island day tour departs from the pier at Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An by speedboat.
Guests travelling from Da Nang are picked up by private car and transferred to the pier before joining the boat.
The tour includes a guided snorkeling session at the coral reef, free time at the beach, a fresh seafood lunch
at a local restaurant on the island, and a return speedboat transfer to Hoi An in the afternoon.
This is a joining tour with a small group — not a private charter — which keeps the price reasonable
while still offering hotel pickup and a well-organised schedule. Private boat options are also available on request.
What Is Included
Everything that comes with the standard Cham Island day tour price.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hoi An (or private car transfer from Da Nang — see prices)
- Return speedboat from Cua Dai pier to Cham Island
- Guided snorkeling session at the coral reef with equipment
- Free swimming and beach time at Bai Chong or Bai Huong
- Fresh seafood lunch at a local island restaurant
- Life jackets and basic safety equipment on board
- English-speaking boat guide
Not Included
- Island entrance fee (~60,000 VND/person — paid on arrival)
- Drinks, extra snacks, and personal expenses on the island
- Private car transfer from Da Nang (optional add-on — see prices)
- Travel insurance
Suggested Itinerary (Full Day)
Sample schedule — exact times confirmed at booking based on your hotel location.
- 07:30–08:00: Hotel pickup in Hoi An (Da Nang guests: car pickup from ~06:30)
- 08:00–08:15: Board speedboat at Cua Dai pier
- 08:35–09:00: Arrive at Cham Island — snorkeling briefing and equipment fitting
- 09:00–10:30: Guided snorkeling at the coral reef
- 10:30–12:00: Free time at the beach — swimming, exploring the village, or relaxing
- 12:00–13:30: Seafood lunch at a local island restaurant
- 13:30–14:30: Afternoon free time — optional walk or second swim
- 14:30–15:00: Board speedboat for return to Cua Dai pier
- 15:00–15:30: Drop-off at your hotel in Hoi An (or car back to Da Nang)
Travel Tips
Small things that make a real difference on this trip.
- Bring a reusable water bottle. Plastic bottles are prohibited on the island — refill stations are available at the pier and on the island.
- Book early in peak season (May to August). Boat capacity is limited and tours fill up fast on weekends.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen if you can — the reef here is genuinely healthy and worth protecting.
- The speedboat can be bumpy on the open sea. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication before departure.
- Bring cash in Vietnamese dong for the island entrance fee, extra drinks, and any fresh seafood you want to add to your lunch.
- Cham Island is best from April to August for flat seas and excellent underwater visibility.
Joining Tour vs Private Boat Charter
Which option fits your group?
- Joining tour (small group): most popular option — fixed schedule, lower price per person, shared speedboat with a small group, great for solo travellers, couples, and families
- Private charter: you hire the entire boat — ideal for groups of 8 or more, or travellers who want total flexibility on snorkeling spots and timing
- Da Nang add-on: guests from Da Nang can add a private car transfer to Hoi An pier and join the same boat — no need to arrange separate transport
Contact us on WhatsApp to ask about private charter pricing for your group size.
Prices & Booking
Prices per person for the joining tour. Private charter rates available on request.
| Service | Adult | Child (5–11) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cham Island Day Tour (from Hoi An) | 500,000 VND | 350,000 VND | Includes speedboat, snorkeling, seafood lunch, hotel pickup in Hoi An |
| Da Nang → Hoi An Pier (private car, add-on) | 300,000 VND | 300,000 VND | Per car (4-seater), one way to pier; return car also available |
| Da Nang → Hoi An Pier → Da Nang (return car) | 550,000 VND | 550,000 VND | Per car (4-seater), round trip from Da Nang hotel to pier and back |
| Island entrance fee | 60,000 VND | 60,000 VND | Paid on arrival at the island — not included in tour price |
Children under 5 travel free. Prices are per person for the tour, and per car for the Da Nang transfer add-on.
Private boat charter pricing available on request for groups of 8 or more.
What to Expect
Why this is one of the most popular day trips from Hoi An.
Cham Island has some of the healthiest coral in central Vietnam. The snorkeling here is genuinely worth the trip, even for people who have snorkeled across Southeast Asia.
Lunch is served at a local family restaurant overlooking the sea. Grilled fish, prawns, squid, and rice — caught the same morning and cooked simply.
Visitor numbers to Cham are capped by regulation. It stays quieter, cleaner, and more rewarding than many beach destinations in the region — and it is only 20 minutes from Hoi An by speedboat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions most travellers ask before booking.
When is the best time to visit Cham Island?
The best months are April through August, when the sea is calm, the water is clear, and snorkeling visibility is at its best. The island is officially closed to tourist boats from around October to February due to stormy weather and rough seas.
Can I visit Cham Island from Da Nang?
Yes. The easiest way is to add a private car transfer from your Da Nang hotel to Cua Dai pier in Hoi An, then join the same speedboat tour. We can arrange the car and the boat in one booking so you do not have to coordinate separately.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Mask, snorkel, and fins are included in the tour price. Life jackets are provided on the boat and at the snorkeling site. You do not need to bring your own equipment, though you are welcome to if you prefer.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer to join?
No. The snorkeling area is calm and relatively shallow, and life jackets are available. Most guests with basic water confidence can take part. Children who are not confident swimmers can still enjoy the beach and the boat trip without snorkeling.
Is the seafood lunch included for everyone?
Yes, a set seafood lunch is included in the tour price for all passengers. It is served at a local restaurant on the island and typically includes grilled fish, squid or prawns, rice, and vegetables. Vegetarian options can usually be arranged — please let us know when booking.
Can I bring plastic bottles to the island?
No — plastic bottles and single-use plastic items are banned on Cham Island. This is a genuine conservation rule, not just a guideline. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it at the pier before departure. Refill water is available on the island as well.
What is the difference between the speedboat and the traditional wooden boat?
The speedboat takes about 20 minutes each way and is the standard option for this tour — it is faster, more comfortable, and runs to a tighter schedule. The traditional wooden boat takes around 45 to 60 minutes and suits travellers who prefer a slower, more atmospheric crossing. Contact us if you would like the wooden boat option and we can check availability.
Quick Booking
Send your travel date, number of adults and children, hotel name, and whether you need a Da Nang pickup —
and we will confirm availability within a few hours.
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