How to get to Cham islands: A complete guide for all visitors
Cu Lao Cham (Cham islands) – a beautiful island located off the coast of Hoi An is an ideal destination for those who love the beauty of nature and want to experience the simple life on the island. With clear blue water, pristine beaches and rich marine ecosystems, Cu Lao Cham has become a destination not to be missed when traveling to Hoi An. However, how to get to Cham islands, visitors need to know the appropriate means of transportation. We will show you how to get to Cu Lao Cham so that you can plan your trip in the most convenient way.
General information about Cu Lao Cham
Cham island is a famous tourist destination located in Tan Hiep island commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam. This archipelago is about 18km from Cua Dai beach, attracting many tourists because of its pristine natural landscape and rich marine ecosystem. Cu Lao Cham includes 8 small islands: Hon Lao, Hon La, Hon Kho Me, Hon Dai, Hon Tai, Hon Mo, Hon Ong. Of these, Hon Lao is the largest island, with the majority of the population. The total area of ββthe entire area is 13.82kmΒ² and there are currently about 3,000 people living on the islands. Because Cham island is recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve, visitors need to buy entrance tickets as well as ecological protection tickets. The entrance fee is 70,000 VND/person, and there is an additional environmental and security fee of 20,000 VND. In particular, children under 12 months old are free of charge, while children under 8 years old are 50% off.
The travel time to Cu Lao Cham by boat from the mainland takes about 15 to 20 minutes. This is the ideal time for visitors to enjoy the feeling of relaxation on the sea before setting foot on the island.
Regarding the weather, summer in Cu Lao Cham is very suitable for outdoor tourism activities such as swimming, diving to see coral and exploring nature. However, from September to February, the weather is often rainy, and the waves are high, so boats are often not operating during this period, limiting travel to the island.
History of Cu Lao Cham
Cu Lao Cham is a place with a rich and diverse history, having been known by many different names over the periods, such as Puliciam, Chiem Bat Lao, and Tien Bich La. This island is famous for its natural beauty and is closely associated with the development of the commercial port of Hoi An, one of the busiest commercial ports in Southeast Asia from the 7th to the 15th century. During this period, Cu Lao Cham was located on an important sea trade route, connecting Southeast Asian countries with the Middle East. On ancient Western maps, Cu Lao Cham was called Campello, showing the importance of the island in international trade.Β
Starting from the 17th century, Vietnamese immigrants moved here to live more and more, creating a stable community. Cu Lao Cham is also a land that preserves many important cultural relics of the Sa Huynh, Champa and Dai Viet cultures. The ancient architectural works of the Cham and Vietnamese people on the island are hundreds of years old, reflecting the cultural exchange between the ethnic groups over many centuries. With a rich marine ecosystem, Cu Lao Cham was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2009. This is a place to store and preserve more than 950 aquatic species, contributing to the protection of the marine environment and the development of sustainable tourism. Diverse historical and natural factors have helped Cu Lao Cham become an attractive tourist destination.
How to get to Cham islands
How to get to Cham islands? Visitors can choose between two main means of transport: canoe and wooden boat.
Travel to Cu Lao Cham by canoe
Canoes are a popular means of transport for many tourists due to their speed and convenience. The ticket price for a trip by canoe is 350,000 VND/person, including fees such as:
- 260,000 VND for canoe fee.Β
- 20,000 VND for environmental and security fee.Β
- 70,000 VND for sightseeing fee.
The travel time by canoe is only about 15 to 20 minutes, helping you quickly reach Cu Lao Cham and have more time to explore the island.
Canoe schedule:
- Departure time: 8:30am to 9:00am.Β
- Return time: 2:00pm to 2:30pm.
Travel to Cu Lao Cham by wooden boat
Wooden boats are a good choice for those who want to experience the feeling of traveling by traditional boat, however, this means of transport is currently mainly used to transport goods and serve local people. The travel time is longer, about 1.5 to 2 hours, but will give you a slow, peaceful experience in the middle of the sea. Ticket price for traveling by wooden boat:
- 150,000 VND for Vietnamese.Β
- 200,000 VND for foreign tourists.
Wooden boat schedule:
- From Bach Dang Wharf (Hoi An): departs at 7:30 am.
- From Cua Dai Wharf: departs at 8:30 am.
Depending on your needs and preferences, visitors can choose the appropriate means of transport to answer βHow to get to Cham islands?β, where nature and the sea blend together, creating a beautiful and peaceful scene.
The ideal time to visit Cu Lao Cham
To fully enjoy the trip, choosing the right time is very important. The ideal time to visit Cu Lao Cham usually lasts from March to August every year. During this period, the weather is stable, with many favorable conditions for tourism and exploration activities.
Ideal weather from March to August
From March to August, Cu Lao Cham enters the dry season, the weather is very pleasant. This is the time when the sea is calm, the sky is clear, the sun is mild, creating perfect conditions for sightseeing, diving, swimming and exploring the diverse marine ecosystem. Days with clear blue sky and calm sea will make it easy for visitors to travel to the island by canoe or wooden boat, ensuring a safe and comfortable trip. In particular, you will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as coral diving, kayaking and experiencing the life of local fishermen.
Avoid stormy and rough sea months
On the contrary, from September to February, the weather in Cu Lao Cham begins to change to the rainy season, with the possibility of big waves, storms and rough seas. This has a significant impact on tourism activities, and sometimes boats are limited or completely stopped to ensure safety. Therefore, visitors should avoid visiting the island during these months to avoid unnecessary risks.
Therefore, if you are planning a visit to Cu Lao Cham, prioritize choosing the time from March to August to have the best experience with ideal weather.
Read more: Duc An old house: The most beautiful ancient house in Hoi An captivates tourists
Hotel to stay when traveling to Cu Lao Cham
Cu Lao Cham is a beautiful and peaceful island, but due to its offshore location, visitors will not have many options for accommodation. The island mainly has small, simple homestays, serving the needs of short-term stays. Homestays on the island often bring a feeling of closeness to nature, suitable for those who want to experience the simple life of the locals. However, if you need a more luxurious and convenient resort to enjoy the most comfortable vacation, you can consider choosing hotels on the mainland.
Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness is an ideal choice when you want to find a high-class resort near Cu Lao Cham. This hotel is located right on the beach, offering visitors a beautiful sea view and convenient, high-class services. Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness has 135 high-class rooms with 6 different room types, meeting the diverse needs of visitors from simple, cozy rooms to luxurious rooms with beautiful sea views. In addition, this resort is also convenient for traveling to famous tourist attractions in Hoi An, helping you easily combine your schedule to explore the ancient town and experience sea tourism in Cu Lao Cham.
