Hoi An/Da Nang: Snorkelling & Island-Hopping Speedboat Tour

The best part of this Cham Islands outing is the time set aside for snorkeling: two separate reef stops, not a quick mask-on photo break between shopping visits. You’ll travel by speedboat, swim around coral and fish, then finish with lunch and time to rest on the beach.

I like the two-site plan, which gives you a chance to see different underwater scenery, and the smaller group of about 20 to 25 people compared with boats carrying 70 or 80. Guides such as Cha Cha and Phi are often praised for getting in the water and helping people feel safe.

One detail to check before booking is pickup. Hoi An hotel transfers are included, but the tour information also mentions Da Nang pickups while the inclusions say Da Nang transfers are not included. Water conditions and temperature can also affect how long you’ll want to stay in.

• Two snorkeling stops: The plan allows about an hour at each site, weather and conditions permitting.
• Cham Islands by speedboat: A faster crossing means less time on the boat and more time around the islands.
• Lunch and a beach break: The schedule includes a meal and time to relax on Chong or Ong Beach.
• English-speaking guide: Guides including Cha Cha and Phi are praised for friendly help and safety checks.
• About $63 per person: Lunch, a drink, boat, guide, fees, and listed Hoi An hotel transfers are included.
• Check transfers before paying: Da Nang pickup is not consistently described in the inclusions.

Two reef stops, not a quick snorkel

This tour is built around getting you into the water. The planned route goes to Dai Island first, then Tai Island, with about an hour at each stop. The first is described as a place for soft coral and colorful fish; the second has hard coral and fish. That contrast gives the day more purpose than repeating the same brief swim twice.

The actual time in the sea can vary. Some outings have offered around 45 to 50 minutes at each location, while others have allowed close to an hour or more. Your guide may adjust the stop if visibility is poor, and the pace depends on sea conditions and how the group is doing.

The water and reef life are the main reason to choose this trip. You may see a range of fish and coral, with some reports of starfish and larger fish. Still, snorkeling is nature, not a show on a schedule. Visibility, water temperature, and marine life can change from day to day.

If you’re new to snorkeling, the guide’s presence matters. Guides have been described as swimming alongside the group, checking that people are safe, and pointing out places to look. One useful tip: stay close to the guide if you want help spotting marine life or are unsure where to swim. The group may not move as one tightly formed line, so ask for clear directions before entering the water.

Speedboat time and the Cham Islands crossing

The morning starts with hotel pickup, then a trip to Cua Dai Harbor, where you board the speedboat. The published schedule gives an 8:30 pickup in Da Nang and an 8:45 pickup in Hoi An, with arrival at the harbor around 9:15. It then lists the first snorkeling stop at 10:15. The boat crossing itself is described in one account as roughly 20 minutes, though the schedule includes time for boarding and moving between points.

A speedboat is a practical choice if you’re prone to seasickness or simply want to spend less of the day in transit. The operator says it helps avoid seasickness, but no boat can guarantee that. One person did experience seasickness, despite enjoying the water; if you’re susceptible, consider taking your usual precautions before departure.

The group size is another selling point, with about 20 to 25 people expected. That is not a private boat, but it is a more manageable number than the 70 to 80 people described for some larger excursions. Smaller groups can make it easier to hear instructions and follow a guide to quieter spots, although the experience still depends on the number of boats in the area that day.

Lunch on the island, then time to slow down

After the two snorkeling sessions, the schedule places lunch at Chong or Ong Beach at about 1 p.m. You’ll have time to eat, rest, and enjoy the shore before the return trip, with the tour due back around 2:30 p.m. One outing allowed about an hour and 15 minutes at the beach, but the exact break may vary.

Lunch is part of the price, and it is often described as plentiful and tasty. The food has been characterized as a traditional Vietnamese meal, with some outings serving seafood. Do not assume that every menu will be identical. A drink is included, and some groups have also had fruit and additional drinks on board, but the precise selection is not guaranteed by the stated inclusions.

The beach stop is more than a place to eat. It gives you a chance to dry off, sunbathe, and take a breather after swimming. Facilities such as toilets and showers were available during one outing, but they are not listed among the formal inclusions, so bring what you need and avoid relying on any specific facility being open.

One caveat: fish feeding is mentioned in the itinerary at the second snorkeling stop, but it has not happened on every outing. There is also a reasonable question about whether feeding wildlife is a good idea. Treat it as a possible activity rather than a promise, and enjoy the reef without needing fish to gather around you.

What the guide adds to the day

A good guide can make a snorkeling trip feel less like being dropped at a reef and more like being shown how to notice it. Guides named Cha Cha, Phi, and Sam have been praised for being friendly, attentive, and helpful in the water. Cha Cha, in particular, is often described as funny and informative, while other guides have been noted for checking on swimmers and explaining local marine life.

The tour is conducted in English. Some guides also share stories about the Cham people, adding a cultural thread to a day that is mostly focused on the sea. This is not a full historical tour of the islands, though. If you’re looking for temple visits, caves, or shopping stops, this trip intentionally keeps those extras out of the central itinerary.

Guidance in the water can vary in style. Some people may want a closely led group and more explanation of fish and coral; others prefer to swim at their own pace. If you want more structure, tell the guide before you enter the water and stay near them. That small step can help you get more from the stop, especially if this is your first time snorkeling.

Is $63 good value?

At $63 per person, this is not the cheapest boat outing you may find in Vietnam. The value lies in the focus: speedboat transport, two planned snorkeling stops, equipment, an English-speaking guide, lunch, a drink, fees, and, for Hoi An hotel pickups, transfers. If snorkeling is your priority, two substantial sessions are a better use of the day than a packed itinerary with only one short swim.

The price also buys a smaller group than some of the large-boat alternatives, though it does not guarantee an uncrowded reef. Guides may seek quieter locations, and some outings have had few other boats nearby. That depends on conditions and other operators, not just the tour company.

The main uncertainty is the transfer arrangement. The schedule mentions pickups in both Da Nang and Hoi An, but the included-services details specify hotel pickup and drop-off in Hoi An, not Da Nang. New World Hoiana Resort area transfers are explicitly excluded. If you’re staying in Da Nang or at Hoiana, confirm the meeting point and any extra transport cost before booking. Don’t assume the schedule wording settles the matter.

Weather, water temperature, and what to bring

This trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of people; if that number is not met, you’ll be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

The sea can feel cool, especially in March. One outing found the water cold enough to shorten swim time, even though the snorkeling itself was enjoyable. Pack a towel and dry clothes for the ride back, and bring any personal snorkeling gear you prefer. Masks and snorkels are provided, and the equipment has been found comfortable and reliable, but a good fit is personal.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and any seasickness remedy you know works for you. A small waterproof bag can keep valuables dry, though the tour details do not specify secure storage. Keep expectations flexible: the guide may shift locations if visibility is not good, and the best reef experience depends on the day’s conditions.

Who should book this Cham Islands tour?

I’d choose this trip if you want snorkeling to be the main event, prefer a speedboat to a larger ferry-style outing, and are happy with a focused half-day schedule. It suits first-timers as well as people who already enjoy snorkeling, especially if you want a guide nearby and a proper lunch and beach pause included.

It is less suited to someone seeking a full cultural tour, guaranteed wildlife sightings, or a highly structured group swim with constant commentary. The tour keeps sightseeing and shopping out of the plan, but the in-water guidance may feel informal if you expect everyone to follow the guide in a tight group.

At 4.6 from 397 ratings, the overall picture is strong, but the details that matter most are practical: confirm where pickup happens, accept that sea conditions shape the snorkeling, and ask the guide for clear direction before you enter the water. If those points work for you, the two-site format and island lunch make this a sensible way to spend a day near Hoi An.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $63 per person.

How many snorkeling stops are planned?

The itinerary includes two stops, at Dai Island and Tai Island.

How long is each snorkeling stop?

The schedule allows about one hour at each site. Actual time in the water can vary with conditions and the group.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with a drink. The exact menu may vary.

Is hotel pickup included in Da Nang?

The pickup information is inconsistent. Hoi An hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as included, while Da Nang transfers are not included in the stated inclusions. Confirm the arrangement before booking.

Is pickup included from the New World Hoiana Resort area?

No. Pickup and drop-off in the New World Hoiana Resort area are listed as not included.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The listed tour language is English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.