Cham Islands Day Trip Guide 2025: Snorkeling, Tips & Best Tour Prices

18/10/2025 Paul Lee

If you love the ocean, swimming, and a little adventure, a Cham Island day trip should be at the top of your traveling list. This hidden jewel near Hoi An and Da Nang offers crystal blue water, colorful coral reefs, and peaceful island life.
Whether you're traveling from Hoi An or Da Nang, a Cham Island tour offers the perfect blend of nature, culture, and underwater adventure.

Join VIET DOVE Travel in our search to discover how your Cham Island trip from Hoi An can be full of excitement and inexpensive in 2025.

Table of Contents

Why Visit Cham Islands?

Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm) are one of the best beach areas in Central Vietnam, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for untouched nature and colorful sea life as well.
The islands are a wonderful family escape, couples retreat, or solo trip, especially for people who enjoy the beauty of islands without the crowds.
The islands are easily reached, about 20 km from Hoi An, just about an hour ride from Da Nang, and are perfect for a half-day trip.
Compared to other islands in Central Vietnam, Cham Islands offer a more peaceful, eco-tour experience, ideal for those who want to disconnect from crowds and reconnect with nature.

Cham Island Day Trip Itinerary

A group trip can be easily booked for 600,000 VND (≈24 USD/person), which includes high-speed canoe transfer, entrance, lunch, and snorkel. The best value possible.

Getting from Cua Dai Port

I took a 30-minute ride from Hoi An to get to Cua Dai Port. Then I took a fast canoe to the main island, which took me about 20 minutes.
💡 Travel Tip: As an adventurous person, I liked to sit in the front of the canoe, which was delightful! The waves were well-placed to make it like a roller-coaster ride in the sea.
If you prefer a safe ride, be sure to sit in the back.

Map Driving from Hoi An to Cua Dai Pier.

Bai Lang Village

Bai Lang is the main island where the locals live. What impressed me most about the island is the cleanliness and eco-friendliness of the place. For example, no one uses plastic bags, and this is a good thing, as it helps to protect the sea turtles which sea turtles might mistake for jellyfish.

Cua Dai Pier Departure Point to Cham Island.

Visit main attractions:

Marine Museum: My first stop here was the Cham Island Marine Museum, which is a small but interesting place, since it contains exhibits of local marine creatures, species of coral, and the famous stone crab, special to the island.
Champa Ancient Well: It is amazing to find a source of fresh water here in the middle of the sea. The water is fresh and cool, and clear; the natives say it gives good luck.
Hai Tang Pagoda: This temple was built to honor the Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian religions, and so gives evidence of the religious equality of the islanders. It's 250 years old.
Local Market: At the small market here, close to the pier, we could find fresh seafood: lobsters, crabs, squid, etc.

Snorkeling and seeing colorful corals.

At 12:00, our canoe took us to a small island quite close to it, about a five-minute ride, for snorkeling. The staff provided life vests and masks, and soon I was floating above vibrant coral reefs filled with tropical fish.
The snorkeling experience in Cham Islands was surprisingly vibrant. I could see coral reefs, small clownfish, and even a sea cucumber!

I wondered why we snorkeled during midday, and this seemed reasonable! The sunlight at this time gives you the clearest underwater view of the corals.
⚠️ Note: Be careful not to touch the corals as they are sharp and easily damaged

Tourists Snorkeling to See Coral at Cham Island.

Luncheon and Leisure.

After about one hour of swimming, we returned to another island for lunch, where meals were served with local dishes.
I spent the afternoon under the coconut trees, watching the swells, and learning to appreciate the locals.

Cham Island Beach with Coconut Forest and Pagoda View.

Conclusion.

My trip to Cham Island was short, but truly memorable: full of sunshine, adventure, and natural beauty. It’s a perfect choice for families, couples, and nature lovers.
If you’re planning your Cham Island day trip from Hoi An, make sure to go with VIET DOVE Travel for a smooth, fun, and eco-friendly experience.

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