Cham Islands Snorkeling: Seafood Lunch & Hoi An Pickup

Summary

Cham Islands group tour with snorkeling lunch and local guide

You’ll feel the sea breeze as you step onto Cham Islands, snorkel among bright fish at Huong Beach, explore ancient pagodas with your local guide, and share fresh seafood by the shore. With hotel pickup from Hoi An and everything arranged for you, it’s a day full of small moments you’ll remember long after you’re back on land.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed stepping off the speedboat at Cham Islands was the salt in the air — sharp and clean, almost sweet. Our guide, Minh, waved us over with a grin and pointed out the eight little islands scattered like green stones in the water. He told us about Cu Lao Cham being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, but honestly, I was distracted by the way sunlight bounced off the granite rocks and how some local kids were already splashing each other near Bai Lang Beach. I tried to say “Xin chào” to one of them; he just giggled and ran off.

We wandered up to Hai Tang Pagoda next — it’s older than it looks, tucked behind trees that smelled faintly of incense even outside. Minh explained how fishermen still come here for blessings before heading out. The inside was quiet except for someone softly sweeping (the sound stuck with me for some reason). After that we stopped at Ong Temple, where a woman selling coconuts gave me a look that said she knew I wasn’t from around here — but she smiled anyway when I bought one.

I’d been looking forward to snorkeling since booking this Cham Island day trip from Hoi An. The water at Huong Beach was cooler than expected but clear enough to see flashes of yellow and blue darting between corals. My mask kept fogging up (user error), but even so — floating there with schools of fish weaving past my hands felt oddly peaceful. Minh called us back after half an hour; I could’ve stayed longer if hunger hadn’t kicked in.

Lunch was grilled seafood right on Ong Beach — smoky clams, something spicy I couldn’t name, rice that tasted faintly of lemongrass. We all sat together under a tarp while someone’s radio played old V-pop songs in the background. It wasn’t fancy but somehow perfect after swimming all morning. On the boat ride back to Hoi An, hair still salty and skin warm from the sun, I kept thinking about how easy it is to forget time out there. Still do sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cham Islands Day Tour

• Hotel pickup in Hoi An
• Travel to Cua Dai Quay
• Speedboat cruise around Cham Islands
• Visit Au Thuyen
• Visit Hai Tang Pagoda
• Visit Ong Temple
• Swim at Huong Beach
• Snorkel and explore coral reefs
• Relax and sunbathe at Ong Beach
• Enjoy grilled seafood and local dishes

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Cham Islands tour?

Yes, round-trip hotel transfers within Hoi An city center are included.

How long do we spend snorkeling during the day trip?

The snorkeling activity lasts around 30 minutes at Huong Beach.

Is lunch provided on this Cham Island day trip?

Yes, lunch featuring grilled seafood and local dishes is included.

Are entrance fees covered in this group tour?

All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary are included in your booking.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling equipment?

No, life jackets and snorkeling equipment are provided for you.

Can vegetarians be accommodated for lunch?

You can skip some dishes if vegetarian; however, menu changes aren’t possible.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with health issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular conditions.

Which attractions will we visit on Cham Islands?

You’ll visit Au Thuyen, Hai Tang Pagoda, Ong Temple, Huong Beach, and Ong Beach.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup from Hoi An city center, speedboat transfers to Cham Islands, entry fees for all stops like Hai Tang Pagoda and Ong Temple, use of life jackets and snorkeling gear at Huong Beach, plus a relaxed lunch of grilled seafood before heading back in an air-conditioned vehicle.