Cham Island Travel Guide
Set in the South China Sea, Cham Island is 21kms from the ancient town of Hoi An. It belongs to the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, which comprises eight islands and is home to 155 species of coral and over 200 species of fish, making it a terrific destination for diving and snorkeling.
The primary reason to visit Cham Island is for the fantastic coral reefs alongside the coast. These are all easily accessible by snorkeling, making it unnecessary to spring for the diving in order to spot the sea creatures. For certified divers looking for adventure, however, the island provides a great variety of dives, including drift and night dives.
Since permits are needed to set foot on Cham Island, which is still controlled by the army, the easiest option is to book your trip with a travel agency in Hoi An. A daytrip includes morning and afternoon snorkeling; however, you can decide on an afternoon tour to the 1758 Hai Tung Pagoda and the delightful fishing village, a small, isolated spot where electricity is provided by generators. It is also possible to stay overnight camping out in tents or lodging at Viet Y Guesthouse.
Scuba and snorkeling are offered by two companies in Hoi An, Cham Island Diving Center and Rainbow Divers. Both outfits are run by expatriates, but Cham Island seems to get the more positive feedback; it is run by a talkative Italian named Ludivico and an international staff of qualified dive masters. Ludivico owns a home on the island as well as the Viet Y Guesthouse.