Cham Island offers a stunning UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where crystal-clear waters reveal a vibrant world of over 135 coral species and diverse tropical fish, making it a premier spot for snorkeling and diving. Further south, Phu Quoc Island stands out as an underwater paradise in the Gulf of Thailand, celebrated for its accessible shallow reefs and unique sea-walking experiences that bring you face-to-face with exotic marine life. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will let you know the better one between Cham Island and Phu Quoc (and reasons why!).
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• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Cham Islands Vietnam
– Location: Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam, Vietnam
– Name of islands: Hon Lao (‘beach sheoak island’), Hon Dai (‘long island’), Hon Mo (‘tomb island’), Hon La (‘leaf island’), Hon Kho Me (‘dry island the mother’ or ‘big dry island’), Hon Kho Con (‘dry island the baby’ or ‘small dry island’), Hon Tai (‘ear island’), Hon Ong (‘uncle island’)
– Other name(s): Hoi An Islands,
– Name’s meaning: ‘islands of Cham people’ (Cham people lived here before 14th century)
– Area: 16,16 km2
– Population: 2,300 people
– Ticket price: 70,000 VND/adult & children above 1,3m, 35,000 VND/children from 1 to 1,3m, free for smaller kids
– Extra fee: ecological fee (20,000 VND/person), boat transfers, tour, food & drink, shopping
– Reason(s) to visit: beautiful beaches, one of the best snorkeling/diving place in Vietnam
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-islands-travel-guide
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Recognition(s): national marine park (2003), Unesco world biosphere reserve (2009)
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: yes available
Cham Islands Vietnam on Map
Cham Island vs Phu Quoc: Which is Better for Underwater Activities?
Cham Island vs An Thoi Islands Introduction
Both Cham Islands and Phu Quoc Island are designated as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO and marine protection area (MPA) by Vietnam’s government. Phu Quoc, the biggest island in the country, is part of the larger Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve.
The best place for underwater activities in Phu Quoc is the An Thoi Islands. For that reason, in this article, we focus on the comparisons between Cham Island and An Thoi Islands.
Nestled near the vibrant coast of Hoi An, Cham Island is a premier destination for underwater exploration in Vietnam. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve boasts crystal-clear waters and a thriving ecosystem featuring over 280 species of reef fish and rare corals. Whether you are snorkeling in shallow lagoons or scuba diving at deeper sites, the incredible marine biodiversity offers an unforgettable adventure for every nature lover.
To go to Cham Islands, visitors need to take a flight to Da Nang International Airport (DAD). After that, go to Cua Dai Port in Hoi An (near Thu Bon River’s estuary) to take boat.
An Thoi Islands, a pristine archipelago scattered off the southern tip of Phu Quoc, serve as the ultimate tropical playground for sun-seekers and marine enthusiasts alike. This cluster of islets boasts some of the region’s most secluded, postcard-perfect beaches, where powdery white sands meet incredibly calm, turquoise waters. Beneath the surface lies a vibrant underwater world, offering world-class snorkeling and diving opportunities amidst flourishing coral reefs and diverse marine life. Whether you are basking on a hidden shore or exploring the depths of a marine park, An Thoi captures the untouched, adventurous essence of a true island paradise.
To go to An Thoi Islands, visitors need to take a flight to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) or local ferry from the mainland. After that, move to the port in An Thoi town on the southern part of Phu Quoc by car or motorbike. From there, it’s possible to take boat to reach the islands.
Why Cham Island is Better than An Thoi Islands?
Here are some reasons why Cham Island is better than An Thoi Islands:
– From March to August, Cham Islands is absolutely better than An Thoi Islands to visit. In this period, it’s sunny and the sea is calm in Cham Islands, but in Phu Quoc, it’s rainy and stormy. The peak season in An Thoi is from November to April.
– Cham Islands have a better conservation status when there are no plastic bags allowed to bring into it. Tourism activities and number of visitors a day are also controlled properly in Cham Islands.
– About the beaches, both Cham Island and An Thoi Islands have beautiful beaches where visitors can go swimming, take perfect photos and many chairs/hammocks to relax. However, the best time of the year at each island is different, therefore it’s needed to check the weather forecast carefully before decide which one to go. So, from March to August, Cham Island is better due to sunny weather and vice versa. Because it’s possible to stay overnight on this island, those who like a long stay on the beach, can find his/her own place easily here (like Bai Xep Beach, Bai Chong Beach,…).
– About snorkeling and scuba diving, the marine ecosystem and coral reefs in Cham Islands have better status at the moment thanks to long-term tourism management strategies. Due to resort and infrastructure contructions now in Phu Quoc, the visibility and integrity of the underwater life are not better than Cham Island. See more information about snorkeling and diving in Cham Islands Hoi An Vietnam.
– Going to Cham Islands is quicker than Cham Island. From Da Nang, visitors need 40-45 minutes to the Cua Dai Port and from Hoi An, it’s only 15-30 minutes. After that, the speed boat ride to the islands is just around 20 minutes. Meanwhile, the boat ride to An Thoi Islands alone is 45 minutes.
– Visitors can stay overnight on Cham Islands and then have more time for beaches and water activities,….Meanwhile, the only place on An Thoi Islands that tourists can stay, is Hon Thom Island. However, it’s not really cheap to book resorts there.
Cham Island wins because it offers balance. By capping daily visitors and enforcing strict eco-policies, Cham Island has preserved its soul. When you visit Cham Island, your day trip seamlessly blends a clean, uncrowded beach, highly regulated and safe underwater walking, and thriving coral reefs—all wrapped in the authentic charm of a local Vietnamese fishing community that hasn’t been displaced by mega-resorts.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours to Cham Islands with boat, snorkeling and beach.
Details of the tour from Da Nang: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-da-nang/
Details of the tour from Hoi An: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-hoi-an/
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com.
Things to Do in Cham Islands Besides Underwater Activities
– Beaches: Bai Ong Beach, Bai Chong Beach, Bai Xep Beach, Bai Lang Beach, Bai Bac Beach, Bai Bim Beach.
– Islands: Hon Lao Island, Hon Dai Island, Hon Mo Island, Hon Tai Island, Hon La Island, Hon Kho Me Island, Hon Kho Con Island, Hon Nhon Island, Hon Ong Island.
– View points: Eo Gio
– Others:
+ Bai Lang (fishing village): Hai Tang Pagoda, Tan Hiep Market, Xom Cam Well, Tinh Xa Ngoc Tuyen (Buddhist temple), Au Thuyen (typhoon shelter),…
+ Bai Huong (fishing village): Mieu To Nghe Yen (Ancestral Temple of Swallow Nest Gatherers), Tinh Xa Ngoc Huong (Buddhist temple),…
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours to Cham Islands with boat, snorkeling and beach.
Details of the tour from Da Nang: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-da-nang/
Details of the tour from Hoi An: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-hoi-an/
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com.
Cham Island Self-Guided Itinerary for First Timers
Here are recommended itineraries in Cham Islands for first time visitor:
– Cham Island 1-day itinerary: Cua Dai Port (8:00) – Bai Lang Village (8:30) – Bai Xep Beach or Bai Ong Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Hon Dai Island (snorkeling) – Bai Lang Village (13:00) – Cua Dai Port (13:30). Visit An Bang Beach if need one more beach for the day. See details in https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-without-tour/
– Cham Island itinerary for 2 days 1 night:
+ Day 1: Cua Dai Port (8:00/9:00) – Bai Lang Village (8:30/9:30) – Bai Xep Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Bai Chong Beach and Bai Huong Village if have time. Dinner in Bai Lang.
+ Day 2: Eo Gio (watching sunrise) – Tan Hiep Market – Bai Ong Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Hon Dai Island (snorkeling) – Bai Lang Village (13:00) – Cua Dai Port (13:30). Visit An Bang Beach if need one more beach for the day.
– Cham Island itinerary for 3 days 2 nights:
+ Day 1: Cua Dai Port (8:00/9:00) – Bai Lang Village (8:30/9:30) – Bai Xep Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Bai Lang. Dinner in Bai Lang.
+ Day 2: Eo Gio (watching sunrise if like) – Tan Hiep Market – Bai Ong Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Hon Dai Island (snorkeling if like) – Lunch at Bai Ong or Bai Lang – Bai Chong Beach and Bai Huong Village – Hon Tai Island (snorkeling/diving if like) – Bai Lang. Dinner in Bai Lang.
+ Day 3: Go around Cham Island by motorbike – Bai Bac Beach (swimming, sun bathing, relaxing, taking photo,…) – Bai Lang Village (lunch, check out, take boat back at 13:00) – Cua Dai Port (13:30). Visit An Bang Beach if need one more beach for the day.
See full itineray for 2 days and 3 days in this blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-itinerary/
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours to Cham Islands with boat, snorkeling and beach.
Details of the tour from Da Nang: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-da-nang/
Details of the tour from Hoi An: https://hoiandaytrip.com/cham-island-day-tour-from-hoi-an/
To book, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com.
Guided Tours to Cham Islands Vietnam
Here are the best tours to Cham Islands in Hoi An:
– Cham Island Day Tour from Da Nang with Snorkeling
– Cham Island Day Tour from Hoi An with Snorkeling
– Cham Island Diving Tour by Wooden Boat
– Cham Island Tour from Da Nang Port (Tien Sa Port)
– Cham Island Tour with Hoi An Coconut Village
– Cham Island Tour with Hoi An Ancient Town
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Cham Islands. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com, browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
