Do You Need to Book Speedboat Tickets to Cham Island in Advance? Real Travel Experience

I went to Cù Lao Chàm on May 15, a Wednesday. Weather was just right — not too hot yet, sea calm. No storm warnings, no weird tides. Perfect for a speed boat ride, though “perfect” is always a risky word when you’re talking about Vietnamese waters.

See more details >>> Time and schedule Cham Island speedboat Hoi An Da Nang

I booked the ticket through a local operator I found on the internet WhatsApp number +84 916 528 884 Ms Tina Click to book via WhatsApp ›. Page site is pretty eye catching, real pictures, local branding, with photos of real people on real trips. That’s what got me. Messaged them on WhatsApp. They replied quick, gave me the rundown: 500,000đ per person, round trip. No meals, no snorkeling, just transport. Exactly what I needed. I didn’t want a tour guide yelling through a mic or a schedule I had to stick to.

The speedboat left from Cửa Đại port, Hội An. I got there around 7:40AM, the check-in counter opened at 7:45, and we boarded by 8:10. The boat left on time at 8:30. Rare thing, that. The boat fit around 30 people. Not full. I was lucky, I guess. Fewer people, more air. Still, it’s a speed boat, so don’t expect space to stretch your legs.

Ride took about 20 minutes. It wasn’t smooth like a cruise. The boat bounced a bit — not scary, just enough to remind you it’s the sea and you’re not on solid ground. No one threw up, though I saw one guy clutching a motion sickness patch like his life depended on it. If you’re prone to seasickness, take the meds. Don’t try to be brave.

We landed at Bãi Làng, the main pier. There’s a tiny floating dock and you step right into the village. No fancy welcome, no photo props. Just fishermen, a few tour guides with boards, and scooters waiting to take you places. I walked straight to a coffee shop with plastic chairs, ordered a đá đen. 20,000 VNĐ. Cold and strong.

I didn’t book any combo package. I just wanted to figure things out once I got there. Most tourists went with a guide — they herded them straight onto a waiting truck headed for Bãi Chồng. I passed. Instead, I hired a xe ôm for 250,000 VND to take me to Bãi Xếp beach, a quieter beach. Zero tourists. Just one local girl selling bánh tráng cuốn thịt heo for 40,000 VND. Sat there for an hour doing nothing.

The boat back was scheduled for 1:00PM. The staff texted me around 12:30 to remind me. I showed up at the dock by 12:50, boarded right away. Same speedboat, same captain. Left at 13:10 sharp. On the way back, the sea got a bit choppy. A few people got splashed. Nobody minded. The sun hit differently on the return — it was harsher, but in a good way.

If you’re just looking to get to Cù Lao Chàm cheap, skip the all-in tours. Book a direct speedboat ticket. You get more freedom. You choose where to go, how long to stay at each spot, what to eat. I spent a total of 500,000 VND for the whole day — boat, coffee, xe ôm, lunch. Less than what some tours charge just for a half-day trip.

Only thing I’d do differently next time? Bring a dry bag. The boat floor had puddles, and my canvas tote soaked up seawater like a sponge. Also, wear sandals, not sneakers. You step on and off floating docks. You will get wet.

That’s it. No drama, no “magical” moments. Just a solid, simple way to experience the island without overspending. And honestly, that’s kind of what made it good.