Hoi An to the Cham Islands: How to Go and When

Speedboats, fees, snorkeling and the season that matters most: a practical guide to Cu Lao Cham, the islands off Hoi An.

Published Oct 2026 • Updated Oct 2026 • By the Vietnam Private Tours planning team, reviewed by Van Anh (Founder & Chief Executive Officer)

Quick answer

Take a speedboat from Cua Dai pier, about 5 km from Hoi An's Old Town: the crossing takes 20–30 minutes and a return ticket costs roughly 300,000–450,000 VND. The visitor fee is 70,000 VND (from June 2026; under-16s free). Go between March and August; from September to February the sea is often too rough for boats.

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Cham Islands at a glance

Where	A group of eight small islands off Hoi An; the main island is Hon Lao. Now part of Tan Hiep commune, Da Nang (Hoi An and Quang Nam joined Da Nang in July 2025)
Getting there	Speedboat from Cua Dai, 20–30 minutes
Visitor fee	70,000 VND per person per visit (from June 10, 2026); under-16s free
Speedboat	Roughly 300,000–450,000 VND return, usually including the fee
Best season	March – August
Often no boats	About September – February, when the sea is rough
Protected status	Marine protected area; part of the Cu Lao Cham–Hoi An UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve since 2009

What to do on the islands

Snorkel or dive over the coral around the islands; the water is clearest from May to August.
Relax on the beaches of Hon Lao, such as Bai Chong and Bai Ong.
Walk through Bai Lang village, the island's fishing village, with its market, an old Cham-era well and Hai Tang Pagoda.
Eat seafood at the village restaurants; lunch is included on most tours.

The islands have long refused single-use plastic bags. Bring a reusable bag and take your rubbish back with you.

Day tour or on your own?

A day tour is simplest: hotel pick-up in Hoi An or Da Nang, the speedboat, snorkeling gear, lunch and the fee, back by mid-afternoon. Going on your own means buying a speedboat ticket at Cua Dai and planning your day on the island. A private boat lets you leave early, before the tour groups, and choose quieter beaches.

We arrange the Cham Islands as part of private Hoi An stays, with the weather in mind: in the rough-sea months we plan an alternative day so nothing is wasted. Plan your Hoi An days with us.

Sources

Báo Văn Hóa: Cu Lao Cham visitor fee of 70,000 VND from June 10, 2026 (Vietnamese)
Chàm Discovery: speedboat fares to Cu Lao Cham (Vietnamese)
Top Driver: Cu Lao Cham fares, tours and the rough-sea season (Vietnamese)

Frequently asked questions

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

By speedboat from Cua Dai, about 5 km east of Hoi An's Old Town. The crossing takes about 20–30 minutes. Most visitors go on a day tour that includes the transfer from the hotel, the boat, snorkeling and lunch; you can also buy a boat ticket at the pier.

How much does it cost to visit the Cham Islands?

The visitor fee is 70,000 VND (about US$3) per person, set by Da Nang in June 2026; under-16s are free. A return speedboat ticket costs roughly 300,000–450,000 VND, usually including the fee. Full-day tours with snorkeling and lunch start at around 550,000 VND.

When is the best time to visit the Cham Islands?

From March to August, when the sea is calm and clear for snorkeling. From about September to February, the sea is often rough and boats are frequently not allowed to sail, so trips may be canceled at short notice.

Is the Cham Islands day trip worth it?

Yes, if the sea is calm and you like snorkeling and quiet beaches. The islands are part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, with coral, a small fishing village and an old well and pagoda. It is a busy day trip in summer; go early or stay overnight for a quieter visit.

Can you stay overnight on the Cham Islands?

Yes, in simple homestays in the village on the main island, Hon Lao. Facilities are basic, but evenings are quiet once the day-trippers leave. Bring cash; there are few card machines.

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