Discover the top things to do in Cham Island

Cham Island also known as Cu Lao Cham, is a beautiful small island located about 15 km from Hoi An. It offers a picture of the wild beauty of nature and unique cultural experiences. Cham Island is recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, with its wild beauty and rare diverse ecosystem. Let’s explore things to do in Cham Island with Hoi An taxi and turn your trip into a memorable adventure.

Discover things to do in Cham Island

Cham island is a wonderful destination with countless interesting things to explore. Here are the things you definitely cannot miss when coming to this beautiful island:

Coral Diving – things to do in Cham island not to be missed

When coming to Cham Island, you cannot miss the experience of diving to see corals, this is definitely the most favorite experience of tourists when coming here. With clear water and rich marine ecosystem, Cham Island is one of the most beautiful diving spots in Central Vietnam.

• Snorkeling: Whether you are a beginner or experienced, snorkeling is the easiest way to admire the beauty of the seabed. You will be equipped with diving goggles, snorkel and life jacket, then gently lower yourself into the water, surrounded by colorful coral reefs and schools of fish swimming around.
• Scuba Diving: For those who want to explore deeper, scuba diving will bring you closer to the magical ocean world. Under the guidance of professional divers, you will have the opportunity to admire giant coral reefs, meet unique marine creatures that are rarely seen from above the water. Hon Lao, Hon Dai, Hon Mo are the most popular diving spots.

Swimming and Having Fun on the Soft White Sand Beach

Cham Island is famous for its pristine beaches, clear blue water and white sand. After diving, things to do in Cham Island that you cannot miss are soaking in the cool water or relaxing under the golden sunshine.

• Bai Chong: Famous for its cool coconut trees and long sandy beach, Bai Chong is an ideal place to swim, relax and take beautiful photos.
• Bai Xep: A quiet and less crowded beach, suitable for those looking for tranquility.
• Bai Ong: A place with many recreational activities and an ideal stop for day trips. You can rent umbrellas and enjoy fresh seafood right here.

Visit Hai Tang Pagoda and Cham Ancient Well

Hai Tang Pagoda is an ancient pagoda located in the center of Bai Lang, built in the 18th century. The pagoda is not only a place of worship but also a unique architectural work, bearing the mark of ancient Vietnamese architecture. Next to the pagoda is Cham Ancient Well (Xom Cam Well), a freshwater well that never dries up all year round, which is believed by local people to be able to cure diseases and bring luck. Visiting these places helps visitors understand more about the history and beliefs of the islanders. These are destinations with high cultural and historical value among the things to do in Cham Island.

Explore the Primitive Forest and the Ancient Lighthouse

For those who love exploring and trekking, Cham Island also has trails through the primeval forest that are challenging but equally attractive. You can rent a motorbike or walk through the winding small roads, breathe in the fresh air and listen to the birds singing. Don’t forget to conquer the Cham Island lighthouse, where you can have a panoramic view of the green island and the vast ocean. The majestic view from the lighthouse at dawn or dusk will be one of the unforgettable things to do in Cham Island.

Visit Au Thuyen and Cu Lao Cham Museum

Au Thuyen is the anchorage of hundreds of fishing boats, reflecting the daily life of local fishermen. Here, you can witness the bustling seafood trading scene in the early morning or watch the boats going out to sea and coming to shore.

Cu Lao Cham Museum, although small, is a place to display many artifacts and images about the history of the formation, development and diverse ecosystem of the island. This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about Cham Island before starting your journey of discovery.

Unique Culinary Experience

Coming to Cham Island, one of the things to do in Cham Island that cannot be missing from your list is to enjoy fresh specialties with a strong taste of the sea.

• Enjoy fresh seafood: Seafood is one of the highlights of Cu Lao Cham cuisine. With a rich and fresh source of seafood that has just been caught, you can enjoy all kinds of shrimp, crab, squid, snails, fish… processed into many attractive dishes such as grilled, steamed, hot pot or salad. You can buy fresh seafood at Bai Lang market and ask restaurants to process it or enjoy it at coastal eateries. Dried squid, snails, abalone or stone crab are dishes you must try.

• Discover unique local dishes: In addition to seafood, Cu Lao Cham also has other unique local dishes that you should try. Banh it la gai, banh nam or Cu Lao Cham wild vegetables are dishes that have the typical flavors of the island. These dishes are not only delicious but also demonstrate the ingenuity and creativity of the local people.

Useful Tips For The Perfect Trip

To have a perfect trip in Cham Island, here are some useful tips you should not miss:

The Best Time to Visit Cham Island

The best time to visit Cham Island is from March to September every year. This is the dry season, the weather is sunny, the sea is calm, very favorable for sightseeing, swimming and diving. During the rainy season (from October to February), the sea is often rough and tours to the island may be canceled due to unsafe weather conditions.

How to Get to Cham Island

You travel to Hoi An from Da Nang or Hue, then you can travel from Hoi An to Cham Island by speedboat or wooden boat.

Speedboat:

• Advantages: This is the fastest way to get to Cu Lao Cham, taking only about 20-30 minutes. Speedboats are great for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time traveling. You’ll experience the feeling of surfing fast and arriving at the island in no time.
• Disadvantages: Ticket prices are usually higher than wooden boats. In rough sea conditions, speedboats can cause seasickness for some people.

Wooden boat:

• Advantages: Traveling by wooden boat offers a more peaceful and slower experience, allowing you to enjoy the seascape and fresh air. Travel time is about 1.5 – 2 hours. Wooden boats are also a more affordable option, suitable for travelers on a budget. This is also a traditional means of transportation for local people.
• Disadvantages: Travel time is longer and may not be suitable if you want to save maximum time.

Da Nang airport to Hoi An by private car Hue to Hoi An by car via Hai Van pass and many stops along the way

Places near Cham Island

When visiting Cham Island, visitors cannot miss exploring nearby places, especially Hoi An Ancient Town – a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, just a few minutes away from Cua Dai beach, the departure point for Cham Island.

• Discover Hoi An Old Town: Hoi An Ancient Town is the perfect starting point for your journey to explore Cu Lao Cham. Before you board the boat to experience things to do in Cham Island such as diving to see corals or enjoying fresh seafood, take some time to immerse yourself in the peaceful and quiet space of Hoi An. Walk through the streets of colorful lanterns, admire the unique ancient architecture, the hundred year old Japanese Bridge, or the assembly halls with strong Chinese culture. You can rent a bicycle to explore every corner, feel the slow and simple pace of life of the people here.

• Visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village and Tra Que Vegetable Village: Located not far from the old town center, these two traditional craft villages offer an insight into the culture and life of the local people. In Thanh Ha, you can make your own pottery, while in Tra Que, you will learn about the process of growing clean vegetables and enjoy a meal with fresh vegetables.

Read more: Things to do in Hoi An

Cham island offers the perfect combination of pristine natural beauty, exciting discovery experiences and unique culture. With countless things to do in Cham Island, from diving to see corals, relaxing on the beach, exploring the primeval forest to enjoying unique cuisine, Cu Lao Cham will definitely be a destination that will not disappoint you.