Cham Islands From Da Nang: Boat, Fees and Season (2026)

Take a speedboat or wooden boat from Cua Dai Port in Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City. The Cu Lao Cham board's reference speedboat fare already covers the VND 70,000 and VND 20,000 per-person fees. Plan around the weather: from September to February, speedboats or boats may not operate consistently.

Every trip to the Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham) starts at Cua Dai Port (Cang Cua Dai) in Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City, where you choose between a wooden boat and a speedboat (high-speed canoe). The port sits opposite Vinpearl Hoi An. Budget VND 350,000-400,000 per person for the speedboat round trip, which already includes the VND 70,000 entrance fee and the VND 20,000 environmental fee.

If you are planning the trip for September to February, the islands stay open to visitors, but this is the rainy and stormy season. Rough seas and unstable weather may affect transport then, especially by boat, and speedboats or boats may not operate consistently.

Cham Islands boat crossing, times and fees

Crossing by speedboat or wooden boat

The Cu Lao Cham Nature Reserve Management Board (the board) publishes the usual times for both boats. You get ranges for the speedboat and single times for the wooden boat.

The speedboat’s times depend on peak or low season. The wooden boat leaves at 8:00 and returns at 12:00.

Entrance and environment fees

On top of the boat fare, two fees apply per person: a Cham Islands entrance fee of VND 70,000 and an environmental protection and security fee of VND 20,000. The entrance (sightseeing) fee has been VND 70,000 per person per visit since 10 June 2026. The board’s reference fare below already includes both fees.

The board’s reference fare

Budget VND 350,000-400,000 per person for the speedboat round trip, depending on when you travel; this is the board’s reference fare as of 26 January 2026. That total already covers the VND 70,000 entrance fee and the VND 20,000 environmental fee.

What to see on the Cham Islands

Bai Lang hamlet

Bai Lang is an old fishing village at the foot of Hon Lao, home to more than 1,000 people. They live mainly from fishing and gathering mountain and sea produce, and tourism services have recently begun to develop there.

Bai Lang is one of the compact areas where the sights sit close together. From the village you can walk to the Communication Center, the old Champa well, Hai Tang Pagoda, Tan Hiep market and the Cu Lao Cham boat shelter.

Hai Tang Pagoda and the Communication Center

Hai Tang Pagoda was built in 1758, moved to its present site in 1848 and ranked a national relic in 2006. The Cu Lao Cham Nature Reserve Communication Center, 50 m from the old Champa well, presents the marine and forest ecosystem, biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Beaches and staying overnight

Hon Lao has 9 beaches: Bai Bac, Bai Ong, Bai Lang, Bai Xep, Bai Chong, Bai Bim, Bai Huong, Bai Tra and Bai Nan.

Bai Ong is about 550 m long and more than 50 m wide, with a row of shady coconut trees. It is a favorite stop for visitors, with restaurants and fresh-water bathing services, and it is the starting point for water sports such as coral diving.

Staying overnight is possible at Bai Huong. There you sleep in a homestay, a small house that reflects the daily life of the island’s sea folk.

Who a Cham Islands day trip suits (and who should skip it)

For beach swimmers, the board’s one-day itinerary includes swimming and relaxing at Bai Ong or Bai Chong. Divers and water-sports fans have Bai Ong as their starting point for water sports such as coral diving.

History and culture visitors get Hai Tang Pagoda, ranked a national relic in 2006. Half-day visitors can plan around the speedboat, which goes out in the morning (8:00-10:00) and comes back at 13:30-14:00, depending on season.

If a cancelled crossing would ruin your plans, avoid September to February, as speedboats or boats may not operate consistently. A sea ban in July 2026 left more than 300 visitors stranded on the island, so skip the trip if you cannot risk that. Unsure riders should skip renting a motorbike, as island roads are fairly narrow, with many sharp bends.

How to get to the Cham Islands

To reach the island, make your way to Cua Dai Port in Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City. Open the departure point in Google Maps (opens in a new tab) and the islands in Google Maps (opens in a new tab). The islands lie about 15 km from the Cua Dai coast and about 18 km from Hoi An Ancient Town.

From Hoi An, follow Tran Hung Dao Street to Cua Dai, then turn right into Au Co. From Da Nang, plan on about 45 km to the port along the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa coastal road. Dana Bus route LK02 runs between Viet Han University in Da Nang and the Cua Dai Port area, in both directions.

Getting around on the island

Walking, a rented motorbike or a motorbike taxi service run by local residents will all get you around the island. In Bai Lang your feet are enough, as the sights are within walking distance of each other.

When to go and how long

Aim for March to August, the ideal time, when the weather is stable, the sea is calm and the skies are clear. Even then crossings can stop: on 16-17 July 2026, south-west wind led authorities to enforce a sea ban on the Cua Dai - Cu Lao Cham route. More than 300 visitors were stranded on the island.

The forecast for 16 July 2026 called for south to south-west wind force 4-5, gusting force 6. The Da Nang Maritime Port Authority also decided to temporarily suspend vessels of the VR-SB class.

On the board’s one-day group-tour format, you depart about 8:00-8:30 and finish about 13:30-14:00. For more time on the island, pick the speedboat, which returns at 13:30-14:00 depending on season, while the wooden boat heads back at 12:00.

Nearby and how to combine it

Your afternoon stays free for the old town, as the speedboat comes back around 13:30-14:00, depending on season. For tickets, see Hoi An Ancient Town ticket price from Da Nang, and keep in mind that the port is in Hoi An Dong Ward.

For a half-day plan, take a morning crossing, walk around Bai Lang and swim at Bai Ong or Bai Chong, the stops in the board’s sample itinerary. Then ride the speedboat back and head on to Hoi An Ancient Town.

For more on weather and the sea here, read:

• Da Nang typhoon season: what to expect
• Is it safe to swim in Da Nang? Beach flags, hours and rip currents

Before you go

Leave plastic bags at home, and wear a life jacket while swimming, snorkeling and travelling by boat. Pack a personal water bottle too, and keep single-use plastic to a minimum.

In strictly protected areas, do not step on, exploit or harvest coral and marine species. If you eat stone crabs, choose only ones labeled with eco-certification. At cultural and religious sites, wear appropriate attire.

Budget VND 350,000-400,000 per person for the speedboat round trip, the board’s reference fare that varies with the date, with the VND 70,000 and VND 20,000 fees already in it. On the board’s one-day group tour, reach the meeting point at least 15 minutes before departure.

When you stay overnight, ask your host about the weather and rules. During the 16-17 July 2026 sea ban, the island commune (Tan Hiep) asked lodging owners to inform visitors.

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Not confirmed: Whether children, students and older visitors are exempt from the per-person fees. What happens to your ticket if a crossing is cancelled. First and last LK02 bus times and fare.

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