Snorkeling at Cham Island from Hoi An: Coral reefs and lunch

Dive into coral reefs and eat lunch on the beach without arranging the boat or the ride

Snorkeling at Cham Island from Hoi An is a six-hour activity that starts with hotel pickup, includes a boat ride to the Cham Island Nature Reserve, and puts you in the water at coral reefs, the Marine Protected Area and traditional fishing grounds. The tour bundles transport from Hoi An, snorkeling gear, a seafood lunch on the island and a live guide who speaks English or Vietnamese; you choose pickup from Hoi An city center or add a surcharge for Da Nang.

The Experience

The day starts at your hotel in Hoi An, where a driver picks you up and takes you to Cua Dai Port. From there a boat carries you across to Cham Island and the Cham Island Nature Reserve, a protected marine zone where the coral and fish populations are still intact. You'll snorkel at multiple stops—the Marine Protected Area, the Boat Shelter, and waters near the Traditional Fishing Village—with time to swim between sites. The guide handles the route and the timing; you handle the snorkel and the fins, which are provided.

Lunch is a seafood meal served on the island, usually at Bai Ong Ecological Zone or Bai Chong Beach, so you eat where you've been swimming rather than heading back to town. The afternoon includes a visit to Hai Tang Pagoda and time at Lang Beach before the boat returns you to Cua Dai Port and your hotel in Hoi An. The whole loop takes six hours from pickup to drop-off.

A live guide in English or Vietnamese travels with the group and manages the snorkeling stops, the boat schedule and the lunch arrangements. Children from age four are welcome. If you have dietary restrictions—vegetarian, vegan or allergies—note them when you book and the kitchen will adjust the lunch. Pickup is included from Hoi An city center; if you're staying in Da Nang, a surcharge applies.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Hoi An or Da Nang.
• round-trip boat transfer to Cua Dai Port and Cham Island.
• snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel).
• access to the Marine Protected Area and multiple snorkeling sites.
• seafood lunch on the island.
• a live guide in English or Vietnamese.
• clean water throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Authentic Travel VIETNAM

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Hoi An and want a full-day snorkel without the drive eating into your schedule; Da Nang guests pay extra for the longer transfer but get the same water time.

Top questions

What's the water like for snorkeling at Cham Island?

Cham Island sits inside a marine protected area where the coral reefs and fish populations are actively managed, so the underwater life is healthier than in many snorkeling spots. The water is clear enough to see the reef structure and the fish moving through it, and you'll snorkel at several different sites—the Marine Protected Area itself, the Boat Shelter area, and the waters near the Traditional Fishing Village—so you're not staying in one spot all day.

How long is the boat ride from Hoi An to Cham Island?

The boat ride is part of the six-hour total, which includes hotel pickup, the transfer to the port, the crossing to the island, snorkeling stops, lunch and the return to your hotel. The crossing itself is a scenic ride but not a long one; most of the day is spent on the island and in the water.

Is snorkeling gear included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included—mask, fins and snorkel are provided. You don't need to bring gear or rent it separately.

Can I book this if I'm staying in Da Nang instead of Hoi An?

Yes, pickup from Da Nang city center is available, though a surcharge applies. The boat still departs from Cua Dai Port near Hoi An, so the Da Nang option includes the longer transfer to the port as part of the day.

What does lunch include, and can you handle dietary needs?

Lunch is a seafood meal served on the island at one of the beaches. If you're vegetarian, vegan or have allergies, note your requirements when you book and the kitchen will prepare an alternative so you're not eating around the meal.

What's the age requirement for children?

Children are welcome from age four. Younger children cannot participate in snorkeling activities.