Our Cham Islands Day Tour

Full day tour visiting marine park & village of Bai Huong with sightseeing, lunch & coral reef snorkelling

Location

Approximately 9 nautical miles due East offshore from the Hoi An inlet are seven islands known collectively as Cu Lao Cham (Cham Islands) which are inside UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An.

Voyage time

Approximately 2 hours each way by Lifeboat (30 minutes by speedboat) to Bai Huong village.

Departure time

8 am departure from Karma Waters returning by 5 pm (depending on weather).

Registration

Registration with Cu Lao Cham Marine Park Administration (a simple formality) is required to visit Cham Islands with passengers full name & nationality.

Things to see & feel

We arrival by approximately 10 am in Cu Lao Cham off Hon Tai Island for 2 hours snorkelling (weather & water conditions permitting) then depart for Bai Huong village for vegetarian lunch at a fishing village private home by approx 12 noon.

After lunch take a nap or walk around the community to visit Pagoda, birds nest temple, school & library or sit down to take a rest, have a cup of coffee, talk and watch the fishmen weaving the fishing nets as well as other ways of experiencing the culture of this unique village.

Normally departure from Bai Huong for Karma Waters by 2 - 3 pm (depending on weather) and return to Hoi An by latest 5.00 pm.

The largest island is Hon Lao with two fishing villages; the largest village is Bai Lang (population approx. 2,500) and the smaller and rarely visited is Bai Huong (population approx. 500). At Bai Huong fishing village we operate our activities in cooperate with the local community, local Government and Cu Lao Cham Marine Park Administration. We created and are providing Homestay at Bai Huong. This is where our Customers experience people and life in a unspoilt Vietnamese island fishing village.

Tour rate includes snorkelling fees for Cu Lao Cham Marine Park Administration.

Snorkelling season

The best season for snorkelling is during the calm summer months of June through the end of August when ocean sediment is settled and sun light is strongest. Sometimes there are jelly fish so it is suggested to wear a T-shirt in the water for protection.

Normally Spring April - June is also reasonable snorkelling if we can get to the islands as the weather can be rough sometimes.

Autumn & Winter (starting 1 September thru April) is normally rough weather with monsoon storms lashing the coast. Rarely we can go to the islands or go snorkelling.

Global warming is making even more extreme weather conditions and the season of good weather in Central Vietnam is being significantly reduced!

Guide

English speaking Guide is provided on this tour.

Weather conditions

Local sea conditions governed by the shallow river-ocean inlet make passage difficult or impossible during the heavy monsoon season when ocean swells create large breakers across the inlet and inlet is closed to all vessels during sea conditions of Beuford 5 and above. Therefore passage is normally possible June to August; rarely possible September to November; sometimes possible during the rest of the year December to May.

Rate per passenger for 2012

Rate US$90 per passenger*. Minimum 2 persons.

Book Now for online payment by PayPal (to "Tara"). For Refunds & Cancellation.

*NOTE 5% discount for citizens of Denmark or New Zealand!

DANIDA has spent a lot of money, time & effort on helping marine parks in Vietnam and in recognition of the assistance & the fact that we as a business benefit we offer 5% discount to all Danes! Thank you Denmark!

New Zealand Government NZAID grant in 2011 in support of poverty reduction by responsible tourism in Bai Huong. Thank you New Zealand!