As a hotel host, I often pose this question to my European guests during check-out: “What did you enjoy most in Hoi An?” To my surprise, the frequent answer I receive is “Cham Island.” Intrigued by these responses, I decided to spend two days exploring the island myself to see if it truly lives up to the hype.
1 – What is Cham Island and How to Get There?
Understanding Cham Island
According to Wikipedia, Cham Island, known in Vietnamese as Cù Lao Chàm, is a collection of eight small islands situated in Quảng Nam province. These islands are part of the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, a UNESCO-recognized World Biosphere Reserve located in the South China Sea (East Sea) of Vietnam. Accessible from Cửa Đại beach, Cham Island is also acknowledged as a national scenic site in Vietnam.
Getting to Cham Island
To embark on your journey to Cham Island, your first destination should be Cua Dai Pier, approximately 12km from Hoi An’s city center. Here are some transportation options to consider:
Taxi Service Departing from Hoi An, you can opt for the dependable taxi services offered by Hoi An Fairy Tour. They provide direct rides to Cua Dai Pier, ensuring a comfortable and straightforward trip to Cham Island.
Motorbike Rental For those who prefer flexibility, renting a scooter is an excellent choice. You can park it at the pier and enjoy the freedom to explore the island at your own pace. If you’re planning to spend just one night on Cham Island, this is undoubtedly the most economical option. Let’s do a quick calculation: renting a motorbike costs around 150,000 VND for 24 hours, and the parking fee is approximately 20,000 VND per day. This means you can save about 120,000 VND compared to taking a taxi both ways, which costs around 300,000 VND. Hoi An Fairy Tour offers scooter rentals; you can find more details on their website.
Choosing Your Mode of Transportation
Once you’ve arrived at Cua Dai Pier, you have several options to reach Cham Island, each providing a unique experience tailored to your preferences:
Speed Boat or Slow Boat
- Speed Boat: Departing around 8 AM or 9 AM, speed boats offer a quick and exhilarating journey to Cham Island, with return trips scheduled in the early afternoon. It’s advisable to book your tickets in advance through Hoi An Fairy Tour to secure your spot. The round-trip fare is approximately 400,000 VND per person. (For speed boat ticket, click here)
- Slow Boat: For a more leisurely cruise, slow boats depart from Cua Dai Pier and take you to Cham Island at a relaxed pace. Tickets can be purchased directly at the pier for about 60,000 VND per person one way.
Guided Tours
- Organized Tours: If you prefer a hassle-free experience, opting for a guided tour is a great choice. These packages typically include hotel pickup around 7 AM, departure to Cham Island by 9 AM, and return by 3 PM. You can explore various tour packages and pricing options on the Hoi An Fairy Tour website.
2 – When to Visit Cham Island?
For a truly memorable experience in Hoi An’s Cu Lao Cham, the optimal time to visit is between March and August. During this period, the weather is exceptionally pleasant, featuring warm sunshine, calm seas, and minimal rainfall—perfect conditions for discovering the island’s natural allure.
If you’re a first-time visitor, consider planning your trip during the summer months to witness the mesmerizing cornflower season. During this time, the island’s roads are adorned with vibrant red blossoms, creating a captivating and picturesque landscape.
However, if a summer visit isn’t feasible, traveling to Cham Island in February or March also has its advantages. As a beach enthusiast who appreciates serene and less crowded shores, I found visiting at the end of February to be an excellent choice. You can practically have the beach to yourself, allowing you to revel in the solitude and even shout out in joy. You might wonder, “Is the water cold?” Initially, it can feel a bit chilly, but you quickly acclimate and enjoy the refreshing swim.
3 – Where to Stay on Cham Island?
Cham Island offers a variety of homestays for visitors. I chose to stay at Trường Kép Homestay, conveniently located near the port, costing 400,000 VND per night. This homestay is just 100 meters from Tân Hiệp Market and 200 meters from the ancient well, making it an ideal spot for easy access to local attractions. The front area boasts a charming swing and a bougainvillea trellis, providing a serene and relaxing view both in the morning and evening. Enjoying a cup of tea on the balcony while overlooking the sea was truly delightful.
The homestay manager reached out to me in advance and greeted me at the port upon arrival. You can easily spot the Trường Kép sign from the boat. Since it was the low season, I was able to check into my room immediately without waiting until noon. The room was clean and modern, equipped with a fan, air conditioning, and provided shampoo packets. The bed was comfortable, at least in the room I stayed in. Additionally, the homestay offers assistance with arranging snorkeling trips, motorbike rentals (150,000 VND for 24 hours), and meal orders with a provided price list. If you purchase your own seafood, they charge 100,000 VND per kilogram for cooking services.
4 – What to Do on Cham Island?
- Bãi Làng: Located about 500 meters from the port, this small beach serves as a docking area for local boats. It’s more suited for leisurely sand play rather than swimming. I let the kids play in the sand until they were exhausted and then headed back around 10:00 AM.
- Bãi Ông: This is a well-developed tourist beach featuring restaurants, clean restrooms, and changing facilities. At Bãi Ông, you can order a drink and relax under the shade of coconut trees. A coconut here costs 50,000 VND, and they don’t charge extra for the beach chairs. Comparatively, in Đà Nẵng, I’ve paid 40,000 VND just for a chair and 30,000 VND for a coconut at Mỹ Khê Beach. If you’re part of a tour group, this is likely the beach you’ll visit.
- Bãi Xếp: This was my absolute favorite spot. Bãi Xếp is stunningly beautiful and remains untouched by commercial development. It features a very relaxing swing and offers an ideal setting for snorkeling. The water is crystal clear with gentle waves, making it perfect for swimming. It’s also the best location to watch the sunset, offering such breathtaking views that you won’t want to leave.
- Bãi Chồng: Following the signs for about 1.6 km from Bãi Xếp, you’ll arrive at Bãi Chồng. Unlike Bãi Ông, there are no stairs here, just a pathway leading down to the beach. It boasts coconut groves and a few small shops, but the sand isn’t as smooth or gentle as at Bãi Xếp, making it less suitable for children.
- Bãi Bắc: This area remains undeveloped, and access requires permission from the local authorities.
- Snorkeling: You can join a snorkeling group for 100,000 VND per person or opt for deep diving with an oxygen tank for 800,000 VND per person. The canoe takes you to another island and provides necessary instructions. During my visit, despite the sunny weather, the water was still cold. The snorkeling spot is about 5-7 meters deep. I entered the water from the back of the canoe and swam around but didn’t see much coral. Some fellow swimmers ventured too close to the rocks and got scratched, so be cautious. While some enjoyed the swim despite the cold, I chose to get out early. After snorkeling, the canoe brought us back to Bãi Ông.
- Watching the Sunrise: Early in the morning, we set out to catch the sunrise at Eo Gió. My husband, eager after reading some reviews, woke up at 4:00 AM and waited until 6:00 AM, but unfortunately, the sun was obscured by dark clouds. It appears that late February isn’t the best time for sunrise viewing. However, we still cherished the beautiful sunset from the previous day. In the morning, you might encounter monkeys near the beach, but be cautious as they can appear quite aggressive.
5 – Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
- 6:30 AM: Depart from the hotel to Cửa Đại Port.
- 7:30 AM: Arrive at Cửa Đại Port and wait for the canoe.
- 8:00 AM: Board the canoe to Cham Island.
- 8:30 AM: Arrive at Cù Lao Chàm, check into the homestay, and enjoy the balcony view.
- 9:00 AM: Visit the ancient well and Bãi Làng, and go crab hunting.
- 10:30 AM: Head to Bãi Ông to join a snorkeling group.
- 12:30 PM: Return to Bãi Ông for lunch and relax under the coconut trees (most tour groups depart back to the mainland around this time).
- 2:00 PM: Return to the homestay for a nap.
- 3:00 PM: Rent a motorbike and visit Bãi Xếp and Bãi Chồng, stay to watch the sunset.
- 5:30 PM: Return to the homestay, shower, have dinner, and enjoy the nighttime sea view.
Day 2
- 4:30 AM: Attempt to watch the sunrise at Eo Gió.
- 7:00 AM: Have breakfast with Bánh bèo chén and buy some seafood.
- 8:00 AM: Go swimming at Bãi Xếp.
- 10:00 AM: Have lunch.
- 1:00 PM: Board the canoe back to the mainland.
6 – What to Eat?
- Lunch: I enjoyed a set meal at Bãi Ông for 150,000 VND. The owner was generous enough to provide extra food for my 4-year-old without additional charges, which was very kind.
- Dinner: Since Cham Island is small and lacks street lighting at night, it’s advisable not to stay out too late. I ordered seafood from the homestay’s menu for dinner. The prices were reasonable: shrimp for 500,000 VND per kilogram, squid for 400,000 VND per kilogram, and sea urchin for 80,000 VND each. After dinner, we took a leisurely walk along the island’s only road. The area was quiet with only a few people around, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the serene atmosphere of the sea, sky, and mountains. Life on the island is peaceful, with only a handful of shops open after 7:00 PM. We treated ourselves to some ice cream while sitting by the shore, gazing at the sea and the distant lights from fishing boats.
- Breakfast: I had Bánh bèo chén for breakfast, costing 150,000 VND, along with a cup of coffee for 10,000 VND. The Bánh bèo chén was delicious, but quite filling. Given the low number of guests, the homestay owners kindly allowed us to stay until our canoe departure time at 1:00 PM and even helped carry our luggage to the boat. Their hospitality was truly heartwarming.
Conclusion
After spending two days on Cham Island, I can confidently say that the praises it receives are well-deserved. The island offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, serene beaches, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a glimpse into local life, Cham Island has something to offer. I highly recommend adding it to your travel itinerary when visiting Hoi An.
From Vincent – the Author
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