Visit Date: July 2010

They run dive/snorkel tours to Cham Island, off Hoi An. The nearest airport is in Da Nang, 20 minutes or so north of Hoi An.

Their website shows 9 sites off Cham Island they dive but I don't think they are limited to just those 9. They offer several different packages, including overnight beach stays on the island.

They use large slow boats and take snorkelers and divers to the island. There is another operator there that has faster boats but their rates are quite a bit higher, I believe. I enjoyed the roughly one hour trip out though as I had time to talk with several other divers and snorkelers.

Their shop has only a few items for sale but their dives include all the equipment you'll need. I brought my mask only. The equipment was in good shape and I had no problems with anything they provided.

I would use them again if diving Cham Island.

Visit Date: September 2008

I spent a couple of weeks in vietnam recently to check out the diving. Although Rainbow is by far the biggest player anywhere on the coast, for a more personal and relaxed full day (or several) you can't really do much better than Cham Island Divers.

The overnight and night dive option based on Cham Island beach (possibly the best equiped, "untouched" accessible place I found in Vietnam is an absolute must for anyone wanting to get away from the hassle of town and just relax.

Alex and Kate are brilliant hosts and obviously enjoy what they do so much it's like hanging out with new friends rather than feeling like you are on a tour as a client. The centre also has Italians ready to "take care of you" (thankfully not Sicilian style), surley French DI Gildas... "always like zis"... and a nice rustic dive boat with options for drop offs and pick ups by local fishing boats which is an experience in itself..

Professional with a touch of friendship, couldn't have asked for anything more.. seasoned dive travellers ... you know who you are... drop in and say hello to new friends. no tech but who needs it in nam. You weren't there man.

Memories of cuttlefish rescue and finless deep blue kung fu abound. I'll see you again! J

Visit Date: May 2009

I did an advanced open water course with Cham Island Dive Center in mid-May and had a fantastic time. Before starting the course I went for two fundives with the other dive shop in Hoi An, Rainbow Divers, and had an OK time but wasn't swept away (poor visibility, cold water and a local guide who didn't always seem to know what he was doing didn't quite make up for the nice boat & great staff to diver ratio at Rainbow). The AOW course with Cham was so much fun, though, that I stayed with them for an extra three days just to dive and spend time on the island.

The island - that's one of the main differences between Rainbow and Cham: Rainbow picks you up around 7am, takes you out for two dives and gets you back to town around 2pm - great if you don't want to spend an entire day diving. Cham picks you up around eight for two dives in the morning before going to a semi-private beach on Cham Island for lunch and time to relax on the beach / snorkel / do whatever you please. You're back in Hoi An around 5:30pm, unless you're staying on the island overnight for night diving / camping on the beach (which is one of the best parts!).

About the diving: Depends on the conditions. The water is cold (24 degrees centigrade in mid May) so I was wearing two wetsuits for most dives. Visibility on the first day was poor (3-5m), but was pretty to very good on the other days (10-25m). Aquatic life: interesting but not overwhelming... lots of lionfish, schools of barracudas, groupers, red snappers, trevally. Cuttlefish and a huge frogfish were the highlights of the week.

About the island: semi-private beach with good sand, lots of hammocks, decent snorkelling, showers, and a small restaurant for communal seafood lunches & drinks throughout the afternoon. Tents, sleeping pads, pillows and blankets are provided for people who stay overnight - you can pitch your tent in the sand down by the ocean or in between palm trees. Dinner & breakfast at the restaurant, plus a bonfire if there's a sufficient number of people staying on the island. Good, simple island living.

About the instructors: I dived with Alex and Kate, two Brits, who were both fantastic - knowledgeable, laid back, easy going and serious fun to hang out with; more friends than guides.