Cham islands from Hoi An: How to come from Hoi An to Cham islands
Cu Lao Cham is a cluster of islands located off the coast of Hoi An city. This is a must-see destination for domestic and international tourists when visiting the Central region of Vietnam. With pristine beaches, clear blue water and a rich marine ecosystem, this island promises to bring you unforgettable experiences. To fully explore the beauty of Cu Lao Cham, choosing a means of transportation from Hoi An is an important factor to make your trip more convenient. We provide detailed instructions on how to travel to Cham islands from Hoi An, helping you easily plan this exciting journey.
Overview of Cu Lao Cham
Cu Lao Cham is known as the precious gem of Quang Nam, located about 20km from Hoi An ancient town. This island cluster is an ideal destination for those who love wild nature and learn more about island culture. Located in the World Biosphere Reserve system recognized by UNESCO, Cu Lao Cham consists of 8 large and small islands, giving visitors a completely different experience from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Cham islands attract many tourists because of its wild beauty, clear blue sea, long stretches of white sand and especially its rich marine ecosystem. There are diverse preserved coral reefs here, a great place to explore the ocean through activities such as scuba diving.
Not only does it have natural landscapes, Cu Lao Cham also bears a long-standing cultural imprint. Local people live in harmony with nature, with many traditional customs and practices that have been maintained through many generations. Visitors can visit historical sites such as Hai Tang Pagoda, the ancient Cham well, and participate in traditional festivals, discovering the typical lifestyle of coastal people. These things have created a beautiful, rustic, simple but equally attractive Cu Lao Cham, attracting visitors to explore and experience.
How to travel to Cham islands from Hoi An
To travel from Hoi An to Cham islands, visitors need to travel 2 stages. First, travel from Hoi An city center to Cua Dai port, then from Cua Dai port to Cu Lao Cham.
Travel from Hoi An center to Cua Dai port
From Hoi An city center, you will need to move to Cua Dai port – where high-speed boats and canoes depart to Cu Lao Cham. The road to Cua Dai port is very convenient and there are many means of transport to choose from:
- Taxi: This is a quick and convenient option. In addition to traditional taxi companies, you can use technology taxis such as Grab or Xanh SM. These applications help you easily book a car and estimate the cost of travel.
- Motorbike taxi: If you want to save more money, motorbike taxi is a good choice. You can use ride-hailing applications such as Xanh SM to easily find a car and know the price in advance. This is a quick and convenient way to get to the port.
- Self-driving car: If you rent a car to explore Hoi An, driving to Cua Dai port is also very easy. The port has a safe parking area, giving you peace of mind throughout your trip to Cu Lao Cham.
Travel from Cua Dai port to Cu Lao Cham
Once you arrive at Cua Dai port, you have two options for transportation to Cu Lao Cham: speedboat and wooden boat.
Travel by speedboat
Speedboats are the most popular means of transport and are chosen by many tourists thanks to their fast speed and exciting experience at sea. The travel time is very fast, only about 15-20 minutes. You will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of surfing on the waves.
- Cost: About 350,000 VND/person/trip.
- Schedule: Speedboats usually depart in the morning, from 08:30 to 09:00 and return from Cu Lao Cham around 14:00 to 14:30 in the afternoon.
Travel by wooden boat
If you want a slower and more relaxing experience, the wooden boat is the right choice. This is a traditional means of transport and brings a sense of peace while drifting on the sea. The travel time is longer (about 90 minutes), suitable for tourists who love the quiet and have the opportunity to enjoy the sea view on the journey. The ticket price is cheaper than the speedboat.
- Cost: About 150,000 VND for Vietnamese tourists and 200,000 VND/person for international tourists.
- Schedule: Wooden boats usually depart from Cua Dai port at around 8:30 am.
Note: Wooden boats are currently limited to carrying people, mainly carrying goods with accompanying passengers.
Read more: Cham islands snorkeling β Explore the beauty under the ocean
What month should I travel to Cu Lao Cham?
With its pristine scenery, clear blue water and rich ecosystem, Cu Lao Cham offers visitors a different experience from the ancient space of Hoi An. However, as an island destination, choosing the time to visit Cu Lao Cham depends a lot on weather conditions.
The most ideal time to travel to Cu Lao Cham is from March to August. During this time, Cu Lao Cham has little rain, clear blue skies, calm seas and warm sunshine, very favorable for recreational activities on the sea. Visitors can freely participate in activities such as diving to see corals, kayaking, or simply swimming and enjoying the cool air. At this time, the sea is clear and visibility is clear, very ideal for exploring the beauty of the ocean floor.
On the contrary, from September to February, Cu Lao Cham is often affected by storms. Due to the harsh weather conditions, storms can cause rough seas, which can be dangerous for visitors. During this time, boats to Cu Lao Cham are often banned or operate on a limited basis, which can disrupt your itinerary and pose safety risks.
Therefore, if you are planning to visit Cu Lao Cham, choose the time from March to August to have the best experience.
So, if you are planning to visit Cu Lao Cham, choose the time from March to August to have the most complete and wonderful experiences in this island paradise.
Read more: Must-try Cham island activities for your next adventure
Some notes when starting a trip to Cu Lao Cham
When starting a trip to Cu Lao Cham, visitors need to note some important points to have a smooth and meaningful tour.
Travel time
To fully enjoy the beauty of Cu Lao Cham, visitors should depart early, ideally in the morning. Departing early will give you more time to visit, avoid the harsh midday sun and optimize your time on the island.
Prepare before the trip
- Bring personal items: Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, hats, jackets, and swimsuits to protect your skin from the sun and to comfortably participate in water activities. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare anti-seasickness medicine to ensure your health on the journey.
- Check the weather: Before departure, you should check the weather forecast because the East Sea can have big waves, especially during the rainy and stormy season. Knowing the weather in advance will help you plan better and avoid unexpected situations.
Entrance fee to Cu Lao Cham
In addition to the cost of transportation from Cua Dai port to Cu Lao Cham, visitors need to prepare additional entrance fees. Entrance tickets to Cu Lao Cham cost 70,000 VND/person. In addition, you also need to pay 20,000 VND/person for environmental protection and security fees on the island. These fees are necessary to protect and maintain the Cu Lao Cham nature reserve.
Environmental protection
Cu Lao Cham is a nature reserve, so environmental protection is very important. Visitors need to comply with regulations such as not bringing plastic bags to the island and not littering. Preserving the landscape and ecosystem on the island is the responsibility of each person so that Cu Lao Cham always retains its wild and fresh beauty.
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