Cham Islands Snorkeling Tour from Hoi An: Wooden Boat & Coral

Snorkel above living coral without arranging the boat or the timing.

A full-day snorkeling trip from Hoi An City to Cham Island, a UNESCO biosphere reserve in Da Nang, aboard a traditional wooden boat with an English-speaking guide. The boat departs from Cua Dai wharf after hotel pickup, carries you across the water for just over an hour, and anchors at Hon Nhon for two hours of snorkeling in protected marine habitat. Lunch, towels, mask and fins are included; children from age 5 are welcome, and the return journey lands you back at your hotel by late afternoon.

The Experience

The wooden boat leaves Cua Dai wharf after pickup from your hotel, and the crossing to Cham Island takes one hour and ten minutes. Coffee waits on board. When you arrive at Hon Nhon, you have two hours in the water — mask, fins and goggles provided by the guide, who stays with you to point out schools of tropical fish and the living coral colonies below. Cham Island sits inside a UNESCO-recognized marine protected area, which is why the marine life is still there to see.

After snorkeling, towels and fresh water are ready for a rinse. You'll head to Bai Chong beach, where the afternoon opens up: a hammock, lunch (Vietnamese seafood at a jungle restaurant on the island), and time to sunbathe on sand that most day-trippers never reach. The boat departs around 2:30pm for the return crossing, and you're dropped at your hotel as the day ends.

The tour runs seven hours total. Your guide speaks English; other languages are available if you request them at booking. A minimum of two people per booking is required, and children must be at least 5 years old. The wooden boat is shared, though you can arrange a private pickup from either Hoi An or Da Nang if you prefer to travel alone or with your group.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your accommodation.
• wooden boat transfer to and from Cham Island.
• snorkeling mask, fins and goggles.
• English-speaking guide (other languages available on request).
• two hours of snorkeling time at Hon Nhon.
• Vietnamese seafood lunch at a jungle restaurant on Bai Chong beach.
• towels and fresh water for rinsing after snorkeling.
• all marine protected area fees and Bai Chong beach fees.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by SeaTrek VietNam

Is this one for you?Book the shared boat to join other travelers for the full day, or choose private pickup if you're traveling with a group and want to set your own departure time from Hoi An or Da Nang.

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Top questions

How long is the boat ride to Cham Island?

The crossing from Cua Dai wharf to Hon Nhon takes one hour and ten minutes aboard the wooden boat. The return journey is the same length, so you spend roughly two and a half hours traveling and about two hours in the water snorkeling.

What's actually underwater at Cham Island?

Cham Island is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a marine protected area, so the coral colonies and tropical fish populations are still intact. Your guide points out the living coral and schools of fish as you snorkel — the protection is why they're there to see.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the wooden boat transfer, snorkeling gear (mask, fins, goggles), an English-speaking guide, lunch at a jungle restaurant on Bai Chong beach, towels, fresh water, and all marine area fees are included. Mineral water is available on the boat.

Can I book this for just my family, or is it a big group?

The standard option uses a shared wooden boat with other travelers. You can upgrade to a private pickup from Hoi An or Da Nang at checkout, which lets you control the group size — a minimum of two people is required for any booking.

Is this safe for children?

Children are welcome from age 5 onward. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with younger children, though the tour itself is not recommended for children under 2. The snorkeling happens in shallow, protected water with your guide present.

What should I bring or wear?

Wear swimwear under your clothes, and bring a towel and sunscreen — towels are provided on the boat, but having your own is useful. The guide supplies mask, fins and goggles. Wear shoes you can get wet for the boat and beach, since you'll be moving between sand and water.