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

Boats to the Cham Islands leave from Cua Dai Port in Hoi An, by high-speed canoe or wooden boat. On top of the boat, the portal lists an entrance fee of VND 70,000 and a VND 20,000 environment and security fee. From September to February, canoes or boats may not operate consistently.

VVincent Nguyen

On a page dated 18/08/2025, the Da Nang tourism portal says the Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm) remain open to visitors from September to February. It calls this the rainy and stormy season, when rough seas and unstable weather may affect transport, especially by boat. Canoes or boats may not operate consistently in those months.

Visitors go through Cua Dai Port (Cảng Cửa Đại) in Hoi An, and from there can choose a wooden boat or a high-speed canoe.

Cham Islands boat crossing, times and fees

Crossing by high-speed canoe or wooden boat

The board’s how-to page gives one set of times for each boat type.

• High-speed canoe: about 20-25 minutes, with a morning trip (8:00-10:00) and a return in the afternoon (13:30-14:00), depending on peak or low season.
• Wooden boat: about 50-60 minutes, with a morning trip at 8:00 and a return at 12:00.

Entrance and environment fees

The portal page dated 18/08/2025 lists a Cham Islands entrance fee of VND 70,000 per person, in addition to the canoe or wooden boat fare. It lists an environmental protection and security fee of VND 20,000 per person on top of that.

A press report dated 10/06/2026 says a Da Nang People’s Council resolution sets the sightseeing fee at VND 70,000 per person per visit from 10 June 2026. That is the same amount the portal lists.

The board’s reference fare

The board gives a reference canoe fare of VND 350,000-400,000 per person round trip, and labels it as depending on the time. It says this fare already includes the VND 70,000 sightseeing fee and the VND 20,000 environmental sanitation fee.

The board labels it a reference figure. The portal describes the two fees as in addition to the boat fare, so the two pages differ on this point.

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 who live mainly from fishing and gathering mountain and sea produce. Tourism services have recently begun to develop there.

From Bai Lang, visitors can walk between the Communication Center, the ancient Champa well, Hai Tang Pagoda, Tan Hiep market and the Cu Lao Cham boat harbour.

Hai Tang Pagoda and the Communication Center

Hai Tang Pagoda was built in 1758 and moved to its present site in 1848. It was ranked a national relic in 2006.

The Cu Lao Cham Nature Reserve Communication Center presents the marine and forest ecosystem, biodiversity and conservation efforts. It is in Bai Ong hamlet, 50 m from the ancient Champa well.

Beaches and staying overnight

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

Bai Ong beach is about 550 m long and more than 50 m wide, with fine white sand and a row of shady coconut trees. The portal says Bai Ong is a favorite stop with restaurants and fresh-water bathing services, and the starting point for water sports such as coral diving.

At Bai Huong, the board says visitors can stay overnight in a homestay in a small fishing family house.

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

• Beach swimmers: the board’s one-day itinerary includes swimming and relaxing at Bai Ong or Bai Chong.
• Divers and water-sports fans: Bai Ong is the starting point for water sports such as coral diving.
• History and culture visitors: Hai Tang Pagoda was ranked a national relic in 2006.
• Families with a settled plan: the one-day itinerary departs about 8:00-8:30 and ends about 13:30-14:00.
• Skip it if you cannot risk a cancelled crossing from September to February, when canoes or boats may not operate consistently.
• Skip renting a motorbike if you are unsure on bends, as island roads are quite small and narrow with many sharp bends.

How to get to the Cham Islands

To reach the island, visitors must go to Cua Dai Port, in Da Nang City. Open the departure point in Google Maps and the islands in Google Maps.

• From Hoi An: about 18 km, via Tran Hung Dao Street, Cua Dai, then turn right into Au Co.
• From Da Nang: about 45 km along the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa coastal road.
• By bus: the board lists Dana Bus route LK02 from Viet Han University in Da Nang to the Cua Dai Port area and back.

The board describes the crossing as about 15 km off Cua Dai coast.

Getting around on the island

Visitors can walk, rent a motorbike, or use a motorbike taxi service run by local residents. In Bai Lang, the sights are within walking distance of each other.

When to go and how long

The portal gives March to August as the ideal time, when the weather is stable, the sea is calm and the skies are clear.

Nhan Dan reported a sea ban in July, inside that window. On 16-17 July 2026, because of south-west wind, authorities enforced the ban on the Cua Dai - Cu Lao Cham route. More than 300 visitors were stuck on the island.

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

The board’s one-day itinerary departs about 8:00-8:30 and ends about 13:30-14:00, from and to Cua Dai Port. The wooden boat’s return is at 12:00, so pick the canoe if you want the full day.

Nearby and how to combine it

After a return to Cua Dai Port at about 13:30-14:00, Hoi An is about 18 km from the port. That leaves the afternoon for the old town in Hoi An Ancient Town ticket price from Da Nang, since boats leave from Hoi An.

A half-day plan: take the 8:00 boat, walk Bai Lang, swim at Bai Ong, return in the early afternoon, then head to Hoi An.

See also:

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

Before you go

• Do not bring plastic bags to the island, and wear life jackets while swimming, snorkeling and travelling by boat.
• Bring a personal water bottle and limit single-use plastic.
• Do not step on, exploit or harvest coral and marine species within strictly protected areas.
• Only consume stone crabs labeled with eco-certification.
• Wear appropriate attire when visiting cultural and religious sites.
• Ask the boat seller whether the VND 70,000 and VND 20,000 fees are included in your fare, since the portal and the board differ.
• Be at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before departure. If you stay overnight, ask your host about weather conditions and rules, as the island commune asked owners to inform visitors.

Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Cham Islands on Google Maps) by @Angela, @Nhan Nguyen..

Not confirmed: The exact dates when boat service is suspended, and where the daily notice is published, are not confirmed; the portal only says September to February is the stormy season. Whether children, students and older visitors are exempt from the VND 70,000 sightseeing fee, and from what age, is not confirmed. Whether the VND 70,000 and VND 20,000 fees come on top of the boat fare or are included in it is not confirmed, because the portal and the board differ. The Dana Bus LK02 timetable and fare are not confirmed, so the first and last bus are unknown.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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