If you’re planning a trip to the Cham Islands, Vietnam’s small cluster of islands off the coast of Hoi An, most people see them on a day trip: boat over, snorkel, eat lunch, boat back before dinner. We stayed the night instead, and the honest version of this post is that there isn’t much to do on Cham Islands. There’s no nightlife, no real attractions beyond a pagoda and a market, and the accommodations are basic.
What you get instead is a slower pace, quiet beaches once the day-trippers leave, and a couple of really good seafood dinners. If that sounds appealing, here’s exactly how we spent our two days (which, thanks to the weather, actually turned into three; more on that below).
How to get to Cham islands
We took a taxi from Da Nang to Cua Dai Pier, about a 50-minute ride. We hadn’t pre-booked anything; we’d arranged the ferry through our hotel the day before, which cost 400,000 VND. We left Da Nang around 11:45 for a 1pm boat, so plan for roughly an hour of buffer between leaving your accommodation and the boat’s departure once you account for traffic and check-in at the pier.
One thing we skipped without realizing it: there’s sometimes an island eco fee charged separately from the boat ticket. We weren’t charged one, but it’s worth asking when you book your ticket so you’re not caught off guard either way.
At a quick glance
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🛏 We stayed at:
- Monkey Homestay for €14. Right in town and delicious food!
- Nhà Waratah if you’re looking for a little more luxury.
⛵️ Taking a day trip instead?
💡 We were happy to have:
- We love our compression packing cubes
- A travel adapter
- Airalo e-SIM for internet access
Cham Islands Vietnam itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival
The boat pulls in at Bai Lang, the main village, and it’s a proper small island arrival; fishing boats on the sand, a handful of homestays and little restaurants along the waterfront, narrow lanes you can walk end to end in minutes. It immediately slows you down, which is kind of the point.
We checked into Monkey Homestay, which came to about 14 euros for the night. Clean and simple; as most homestays are on the island.
The rest of the afternoon we just wandered, swam at Bai Ong Beach as the light went down, and didn’t stress about making the most of our time. That feeling of “what should we do next?” that follows you everywhere on a mainland itinerary? Not a thing here.
Dinner was at Nhà hàng hải sản Ốc Đảo, a seafood restaurant. Whatever was caught that day is what you’re eating, which is exactly how it should be!
The Weather Problem (aka Why We Stayed Three Days)
Here’s the part most Cham Islands guides skip: the ferries get cancelled when the weather turns, and it can happen without much warning. We woke up on day two to find our return boat wasn’t running, and ended up staying an extra day.
This isn’t a horror story, we actually made good use of the extra time (which we had), but it’s a real risk worth knowing about. The island has no ATMs, so come with enough cash for meals, accommodation, and any unexpected extra nights. Check the weather forecast for both your arrival and departure days, not just your arrival. And if you have a train, bus, or flight booked right after your return ferry: don’t. Give yourself a buffer day on the mainland.
Our homestay host was very up to date on whether the boats would run than any app did, so just ask your accommodation directly.
Day 2 (The Bonus Day): Scooters and Bai Chong Beach
Because we knew we had a full extra day rather than a checkout at 11 and a ferry home, we rented two scooters (200,000 VND each ) and actually explored the island properly. You can’t really do that on foot. The island is mountainous, and we found our little scooter couldn’t get both of us up the hills, so either rent 2, or get one with a better motor!
The roads loop around the coastline and cut through patches of jungle, and riding them is genuinely one of the best parts of the trip. You pass little fishing coves, empty stretches of beach, and the kind of scenery that doesn’t make it into any itinerary because you can only really find it by just riding around.
We spent most of the day at Bai Chong Beach; snorkeling, swimming, doing nothing in particular, with a drink in our hands. The water is clear and it’s noticeably quieter than the beaches near the main village. If snorkeling is on your list, this is the one to go to!
Dinner was at Nom Restaurant, another solid no-fuss seafood spot. This was run by a lovely family that plied us with drinks and desserts and was just so sweet and funny.
What It Cost Us
Here’s a rough breakdown for two people:
- Ferry tickets (round trip, arranged through our hotel): 400,000 VND
- Monkey Homestay: ~14 EUR per night
- Scooter rental: 200,000 VND each for the day
- Meals: budget for casual seafood dinners, pricing is reasonable across the board
Cham islands Vietnam: what to know before you go
A few things good to know:
No ATMs on the island. Bring enough cash from the mainland to cover everything including a backup night if needed.
Check the weather for both directions. Not just when you’re going over: the return trip is the one that can strand you.
Book accommodation ahead. Options are limited and it fills up, especially in peak season. A week or two in advance is safe.
The scooter situation. Technically, foreign visitors need a valid licence for the type of bike rented. In practice, homestays organise rentals all the time and it’s how most people get around the island. You’ll have to make your own call on that one.
Power can cut out at night in some accommodations. Don’t count on charging everything while you sleep.
Is Cham islands Worth the Overnight?
If you’re ticking boxes, no. There’s not enough to fill a traditional sightseeing itinerary. But if you want a couple of days of genuinely slow travel; good seafood, clear water, no agend, then yes, absolutely. We went in planning one night and came back having spent three days almost completely unplugged. Honestly, not a bad outcome at all.
Check out our guide on the best places to stay in Da Nang here!
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