Cham Islands
A day trip by boat from Hội An to coral reefs, forested hills and fishing villages on eight small islands.
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The Cham Islands are a group of eight small islands in the South China Sea, under the municipality of Da Nang. They sit about 16 km from the coast by sea and about 19 km east of Hội An ancient town, and they are part of the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park. The largest island, Hòn Lao, rises to about 517 metres and has two fishing villages, Bãi Làng and Bãi Hương. Activities include camping, swimming and scuba diving.
Cham people are said to have settled the islands about 3,000 years ago. Later they served as an anchorage for seafarers and a transhipment point to the mainland, and goods moved through Hội An. Fishing is the main work today, and coral reefs and marine life draw visitors. Boats leave from Cửa Đại beach near Hội An and take about three hours by canoe or half an hour by speedboat from the nearest mainland point. Sea conditions set the timing, so check the boat schedule before you plan the day.
Cham Islands in five
- Go early and come back late, or stay a nightThe main landing at Bai Lang can get busy with day-trip groups. Stay a night, or go out on the first boat and return late, for a calmer shoreline.
- Visit Bai Huong for quietThe national tourism site points to Bai Huong, a fishing village southeast of the main port, as the place for peace and quiet. Ask your guesthouse about walking routes.
- Check the sea before you bookBoats stop in storm weather, and Hoi An's rain and storms run from October to January. Book flexible tickets and keep a spare day on the mainland.Best time to visit Vietnam
- See the Cham legacyThe islands are named for the Cham people, who built the Hindu temples across central Vietnam. Hon Lao, the only inhabited island, still has Cham residents, so ask before photographing houses.
- Protect the reefThe islands lie in a marine protected area. Do not touch coral or take shells, use mineral sunscreen if you can, and carry your rubbish back with you.Hoi An travel guide
Things to do in Cham Islands
See all attractions in Cham IslandsNeed to know
- Airport
- Da Nang (DAD), then road and boat via Hoi An
- Getting there
- Boat from the coast near Hoi An; speedboats are quicker
- Getting around
- On foot or bicycle; small boats between bays
- Best base
- Bai Lang for services; Bai Huong for quiet
- Time needed
- 1 day; 1 night for a quieter shore
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°Cool, rough seaJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 191 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rough sea
- FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°MildFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Warm, calmMarchRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Calm, sunnyAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm, sunny
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, calmMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, calm
- JuneRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°Hot, calmJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, calm
- JulyRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°HotJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot
- AugustRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°HotAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot
- SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Rains startSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 335 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- OctoberRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Storm riskOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 658 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Storm riskNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 532 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- DecemberRain25 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°Rough seaDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 430 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rough sea
Average daily high and low in Hoi An, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Cham Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 87%
Cham Islands
03:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°26°87%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Wed28°26°37%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Thu29°26°59%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Fri29°26°66%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 66%.
- Sat29°26°63%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Sun29°26°71%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Mon29°24°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 11:48 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Bai Langmain landing on Hon LaoThe largest town and port, busy with day groups at midday.
- Bai Huong fishing villageshort ride from the main portA quieter fishing village southeast of the landing.
- Snorkeling and diving stopsboat from the main bayReef sites inside the marine protected area; go with a licensed operator.
Before you go to Cham Islands
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Cham Islands, checked
- Check whether you need a visa or e-visa for Vietnam on the immigration department's e-visa portal before you book.Source
- Declare cash and goods above the legal limit on the arrival form. Check current limits with Vietnam Customs before you fly.
- Do not take coral, shells or live animals out of the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park. Some species here are listed as endangered.
- Dial 113 for police, 114 for fire and 115 for an ambulance anywhere in Vietnam.
Plan around Cham Islands
The old town and the boat departure area
Read the guideAn Bang BeachHoi An's beach for a calm half day
Read the guideCentral VietnamHue, Da Nang and the coast road
Read the guideDa Nang travel guideThe nearest airport
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamDry and stormy months by region
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideCham Islands FAQ
Are the Cham Islands worth visiting?
Yes, for a calm boat day with reef and village life, especially March to June. Skip them if rain is forecast or the sea is rough, because boats stop and the day can be lost.
How do you get to the Cham Islands from Hoi An?
By road to the coast near Hoi An, then a boat to the main landing at Bai Lang. Speedboats are quicker and wooden boats slower. Many tours include the transfer, so compare what is covered.
Can you stay overnight on the Cham Islands?
Yes, on Hon Lao, in small guesthouses and homestays. A night gives you a quieter shore once day groups leave, but facilities are simple and boat schedules depend on the weather.
When is the best time to visit the Cham Islands?
March to June is the usual calm window. Rain and storms run from October to January, and boats can stop in rough seas, so book flexible tickets.
What is there to do on the Cham Islands?
Snorkeling and diving in the marine area, walking to Bai Huong, visiting the temples and eating seafood. Half a day is enough for the main bay and a swim.