Just off the coast of Hoi An, the Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham) are a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve with clear water and some of the best-preserved coral reefs in central Vietnam. This full-day trip for diving and snorkeling at Cham Island picks you up at your hotel, takes you to two sites in the marine park and ends with lunch and free time on a beautiful beach. Choose snorkeling, a try dive with no experience needed, or fun dives if you are already certified.
| Activity | Snorkeling, try dive or fun dive (2 sites) |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 8 hours (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) |
| Departure | Cua Dai Harbor, Hoi An, with hotel pick-up |
| Price | From $52 (snorkeling) |
| Included | Pick-up, dive or snorkel equipment, guide, beach lunch, marine park fee |
| Language | Vietnamese and English |
Who Is Snorkeling at Cham Island For?
- Anyone who loves unspoiled islands, clear water and coral.
- Travellers who want a convenient, professional trip with door-to-door pick-up, run by experienced divers who put safety first.
- Snorkelers and divers of all levels, from complete beginners to certified divers.
Snorkeling at Cham Island: Packages and Prices
| Package | Who it’s for | Price | Dives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snorkeling | Everyone who can swim | $52 / person | 2 snorkel sites |
| Try dive, 1 tank | Beginners, no certificate needed | $76 / person | 1 guided dive |
| Try dive, 2 tanks | Beginners, no certificate needed | $96 / person | 2 guided dives |
| Fun dive, 1 tank | Certified, experienced divers | $68 / person | 1 dive |
| Fun dive, 2 tanks | Certified, experienced divers | $88 / person | 2 dives |
What’s included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Hoi An
- Imported equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, and for divers BCD, tank and weight belt
- English-speaking guide
- Lunch on the beach (drinks not included)
- Water, coffee, tea and fruit on the boat
- Marine park entrance fee
Itinerary
- 7:30 – 8:30 AM: pick-up from your hotel in Hoi An.
- 8:45 AM: the boat leaves Cua Dai Harbor for the Cham Islands.
- Morning: two dive or snorkel sites, at least one hour at each, exploring the marine park.
- 12:30 PM: lunch at Chong Beach, then free time to relax and swim in the bay.
- 3:00 PM: leave the beach.
- 4:00 PM: back at your hotel in Hoi An (approximately).
Underwater Life at Cham Island
The Cham Islands are a group of eight small islands, protected as a marine park and recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. The reefs are among the best preserved in Vietnam, with branching and boulder corals, reef fish from small damselfish to larger groupers, crustaceans and molluscs. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a sea turtle.
Snorkeling or diving?
Snorkeling only needs a mask, snorkel and fins, and the shallow, calm sites make it easy for confident swimmers. A try dive is the perfect introduction to scuba: an instructor guides you through the basics and stays with you underwater, no certificate required. Certified divers can book fun dives to explore the coral gardens more deeply.
Best Time for Snorkeling at Cham Island
The Cham Islands are best visited in the dry season, roughly from March to August, when the sea is calm and visibility is at its best. Boats to the marine park can be cancelled in rough weather, especially from October to December. If the conditions are not safe on your date, we will let you know and help you choose another day for snorkeling at Cham Island.
Tips for Snorkeling at Cham Island
- Bring reef-friendly sunscreen and a rash guard or T-shirt for extra sun protection.
- Take motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive on boats; the crossing from Cua Dai Harbor can be bumpy.
- Don’t touch the coral. The reefs are protected, and every touch damages them.
- Tell us your level. Certified divers should mention their certification and last dive when booking.
Snorkeling, Try Dive or Fun Dive?
If you have never tried scuba, snorkeling at Cham Island is the easiest way to see the reef, and it suits families and confident swimmers. A try dive is the next step: an instructor teaches you the basics on the day and stays with you underwater, no certificate needed. Certified divers get the most out of the fun dives, which explore the coral gardens at depth.
All-inclusive day: snorkeling at Cham Island includes hotel pick-up, all equipment, a guide, beach lunch, drinks and fruit on the boat, and the marine park fee.
How to Book Diving and Snorkeling at Cham Island
To book snorkeling at Cham Island, tell us your date, your package and, for fun dives, your certification level using one of the options below. Your confirmation is issued within 15 minutes.
Contact the organizer directly
Leave your name and how to reach you. The organizer's contact and QR code will appear right away, so you can message them about diving and snorkeling at Cham Island.
Contact person
Phone / WhatsApp / Line / Zalo
Let Hoi An Fairy Tour contact you
Not sure yet? Tell us your plan and our local team will reach out with free advice, prices and availability.
Thank you! We've got your request.
Our team usually replies within 15 minutes (8am – 10pm Vietnam time) via the app you chose.
Payment options: pay directly, by domestic bank transfer, or by PayPal (3% transaction fee).
Plan Your Cham Island Trip
- Our full Cham Island travel guide.
- Going independently? Read how to go to Cham Island.
- Closer to Da Nang: snorkeling in Son Tra Peninsula.
- Two days at sea: Ly Son Island from Hoi An.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is diving and snorkeling at Cham Island?
Snorkeling at two sites costs $52. A try dive for beginners is $76 (1 tank) or $96 (2 tanks). Fun dives for certified divers are $68 (1 tank) or $88 (2 tanks).
Can I dive without a certificate?
Yes. The try dive is designed for people with no experience: an instructor explains the basics and guides you underwater.
What is included in the Cham Island trip?
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Hoi An, all equipment, an English-speaking guide, beach lunch, water, coffee, tea and fruit on the boat, and the marine park entrance fee.
What time does the trip start and finish?
Pick-up is between 7:30 and 8:30 AM, the boat leaves Cua Dai Harbor at 8:45 AM, and you are back at your hotel around 4:00 PM.
From Vincent – the Author
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