Review: How I Booked a speedboat to Cham Island – Quick, Easy, and Cheaper Without Joining a Tour

I booked a speed boat to Cù Lao Chàm (Cham Island Hoi An, Da Nang, viet Nam) last month — around mid-May, right before the crowds hit hard. It was a weekday, Tuesday to be exact. Weather was kind, sea was calm. The kind of day you quietly hope for but don’t say out loud in case you jinx it.

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

Got the ticket online. Paid 500,000đ per person, round-trip. That was the cheaper end compared to some other sites that list it for 450,000 or even 500,000, especially during weekends or if you’re a foreigner booking through hotels. I went through a local tour operator based in Hội An, and they were solid. Sent clear instructions via Zalo, WhatsApp number +84 916 528 884 Ms Tina Click to book via WhatsApp ›, no fuss. Met them at Cửa Đại Port at 7:45AM, hopped on by 8:00, and the boat left exactly 8:10.

Now here’s the thing — these speedboats aren’t for the weak-hearted. They go fast. You feel the sea slap the bottom hard every now and then. Not dangerous, just… bumpy. Took about 20 minutes, and we were already seeing the first clusters of houses tucked into the green folds of the island.

I was surprised by how organized the boat service was. Everyone had life jackets, and the crew were chill but professional. No upselling nonsense on board. Some speedboats cram in 35–40 people — ours had 28. Felt more breathable. If you’re going with elders or little kids, I’d say pick an early boat, less sun and less heat.

A few folks on the boat paid for a full combo Cham Island 1 day tour (snorkeling, lunch, island tour). I didn’t. Just wanted the freedom to roam. Grabbed a xe ôm straight to Bãi Xếp when we landed — that beach doesn’t show up on Instagram reels as much, which is exactly why I liked it.

If you’re going solo or with a small group and just want transport — not a whole tour package — booking a standalone speed boat ticket is the best bang for your buck. Avoid middle agents with flashy websites in English. They often inflate prices. Go local. Talk to Ms Tina on Zalo. Confirm everything the day before.

Also — don’t bring a suitcase. I saw this one poor guy dragging a roller bag across sand. It did not look fun. Bring a backpack. Waterproof if you have one. Because the boat docks directly onto a small floating pier and sometimes you’ll step into ankle-deep water.

Oh and return trip? You usually have a few fixed time slots — mine was 1:00PM, though they asked everyone to be ready by 12:45. The Cham Island speed boat left on time, again. So don’t expect island time rules here. They run it tight.

To sum it up, yeah — the speed boat to Cù Lao Chàm is fast, affordable, and if you’re not chasing Instagram-perfect tours, it’s a smart way to just get there and figure the rest out later. Simple, cheap, done