What tourists should know in Cham Island

Cham Island is in Tan Hiep Commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam Province, 15 km from Cua Dai beach. This island was recognized by UNESCO as Biosphere Reserve of the world in 2009. Tourism of Cham Island has recently attracted many visitors because of beautiful wild beaches, good and stable tourist services. If you are going to plan for traveling to Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An, you should arrange one day for visiting Cham Island.

General information of Cham Island

Cham Island is a historical and cultural relic being associated with the formation and development of Hoi An ancient town. In the past, this area played an important role in the international maritime map in The East Sea. This commercial port had been a familiar stopover of business ships from many countries in the East and the West with shipping routes on the sea along the way of aromatherapy, silk, pottery.

Cu Lao Cham is a region with great biodiversity. There are many rare marine species and colorful coral reefs are preserved in the best environment that makes Cham Island become an ideal destination for tourists who love pristine nature. The specialty of this place is beaches with nice white sand and blue sea water that can look through to the seabed.

When should you travel to Cham Island?

The most appropriate time for travelling to Cham Island is from March to August of year because this time always has good weather, sunny sky and calm sea. The rest of year has bad weather with rough sea and storms. Boats is almost impossible to go to the island, the island became an isolated area.

If you want to combine your trip with joining in The Lantern Festival of Hoi An, you should travel in time of the full moon day every month in lunar calendar. But please note that on 14th streets are more sparkling than on 15th.

How to go to Cham Island

From Hoi An city, you can go to Cham Island by canoes and wooden ships.

If you choose canoes, moving time will only take about 20 minutes but more expensive than wooden ship, the price is 150,000 VND / person. This one is suitable for people who like adventure and thrills. Canoe trip has few departure times in the day from Cua Dai beach. You can buy ticket at the dock or at a travel agent in Hoi An ancient town.

If you choose wooden ship, you can save money. The ship is slower than canoe but the feeling of sailing is quite adventurous. Ships depart from Bach Dang dock at 8am (you should arrive earlier to get seat), the fare is 50,000 VND / each Vietnamese and 100,000 VND/ each foreigner. On Cham Island dock, ships come back at 13:00 pm. Ship’s owner phone number is +84 985 686 465 (Mr Bon).

Accommodation on Cham Island

Cham Island has no hotel or resort, only homestay is available and many tourists feel interesting to stay in this room style. Price of homestay services range from 50,000 VND-100,000 VND / person or 150,000 VND / room for 2 people. Homestays concentrate in Ong beach, Lang beach and Huong beach.

You can contact some addresses as:

Tam Hien guest house

Address: Ong beach, Cham Island, Quang Nam

Phone: 0120 618 3516

Bich Van guest house

Address: Ong beach, Cham Island, Quang Nam

Phone: 01695007779

Huynh Van Tri guest house

Address:  Lang beach, Cham Island, Quang Nam

Phone: 0974994189

Nhu Trang guest house

Address: Lang beach, Cham Island, Quang Nam

Phone: 0985237941

Ms. Lan

Address: Huong beach, Cham Island, Quang Nam

Phone: 0510 3863822

Ms. Hiep

Address: Huong beach, Cham Island, Quang Nam

Phone: 0986651448

The homestay is not only offering accommodation service, but also offering: catering services, laundry, car rental, tour guide, boat rental, diving … People are very gentle, friendly and enthusiastic to help traveler.

What should you do on Cham Island

 Beaches for swimming: Bac beach, Ong beach, Lang beach, Xep beach, Chong beach, Bim beach, Huong beach.

Spots for visiting: Cham Island ocean museum, Cham old well, Hai Tang pagoda, Tan Hiep market, Yen temple.

Food for enjoying: squid, crab, snail, abalone, wild vegetables, rice cake….

Snorkeling or scuba diving to see coral: Most of Cham Island tours offer activities including snorkeling. You can buy tickets at the pier or asking receptionist of guest house for buying. Ticket price is 150 000 VND / person with all equipment: life jackets, boats take you to diving area … and also the instructor comes with you. However, the number of tourist in Cham Island has recently raised that creating pressure and seriously effects on coral reefs. Coral reefs recover slowly causing serious impacts to marine ecosystems on Cham Island. So if you do diving to see coral, you should not break coral or bring coral to the mainland.

Boat trip for sightseeing islands: There are 8 Island around here, so if you want you can rent a boat to these islands. If you rent a boat in the morning of in the afternoon, price is 600 000 VND / boat, carrying about 10 people. If you go alone or having few people in your group, you should invite a few other group for saving money. With this price, the boat’s owner will take you to visit Ba Island, Yen Island, scuba diving or snorkeling (not include fee) and swimming at Bìm Beach.

Renting a motorbike and doing a circle around the island:  Cham Island is endowed with a rich forest ecosystem. It will be very sorry for you if you come here without spending your time to drive motorbike to the end part of this beautiful island. Small way is difficult with holes and bumpy area. The interesting thing of driving motorbike is you can stop on the way to enjoy the white sand beach and admire beautiful island from above. Additionally, you may get on the top of Cham Island Mountain to see panoramic view of the island from above. In the sunny day, you can see the mainland.