The Cham Islands sit in the East Sea off Hoi An, and their reefs are the primary reason divers make the short boat trip from Cua Dai pier. Six sites across the archipelago, including Hon Tai, Hon Dai, and Hon Mo, cover reef slopes and fringing reefs from very shallow to around twenty metres, suiting beginners and intermediate divers alike. Water temperatures run coolest in the early months of the year and warmest in late summer and early autumn, tracking conditions typical of central Vietnam's coast. The islands hold UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, and recorded species include common seahorse, Napoleon wrasse, green sea turtle, zebra bullhead shark, and seamoth alongside hard and soft corals, crinoids, and giant clams.
Monthly water temperature across Cham Islands's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
The diving season runs from February to mid-October, with peak visibility during the calmer mid-year months. Water temperatures are at their lowest in the cooler months of January and February and peak in late summer, so a thin wetsuit is sufficient for most of the season. Outside the season, northerly swells can close access to the islands entirely.
Water temperature around Cham Islands ranges from about 24°C in January to 30°C in September, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 30°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Cham Islands; in the coldest months (about 24°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 6 sites in Cham Islands (6 scuba diving sites and 1 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
1 more site to explore
