Getting from Da Nang to Cua Dai Pier for the Cu Lao Cham Ferry

Da Nang to Cu Lao Cham: The Fastest Guide to Getting to Cua Dai Pier

Cu Lao Cham Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is famous for its stunning coral reefs and fresh seafood. However, you CANNOT travel directly from Da Nang to the island. You must transfer by road to Cua Dai Pier (Hoi An) to board the high-speed ferry.

💡 Need a car to Cu Lao Cham? Faifo Express provides private car service Da Nang - Cua Dai Pier guaranteed to get you on time for your ferry.

💡 Tip from Faifo Express: Book same-day tour car rental 2 hours in advance to get priority access to newer vehicles and local drivers who know the routes well.

🗺️ View detailed itinerary: Check out the Da Nang – Hoi An route for fares, travel time, and rest stops.

1. Where is Cua Dai Pier? How Long Does It Take from Da Nang?

Cua Dai Tourist Pier is located in Cua Dai Ward, Hoi An City (about 8km from Hoi An Ancient Town toward the sea).

• Distance from Da Nang city center: Approximately 30km.
• Travel time by car: Approximately 40 - 45 minutes along the scenic Truong Sa coastal route. The road is wide, well-maintained, and easy to drive.

2. What Time Should You Book a Car to Make Your Ferry?

High-speed ferries to Cu Lao Cham Island typically operate only in the morning.

• Peak ferry departure times: 08:30 to 09:30 AM.
• Return ferry times from island: 14:00 to 15:00 (2:00 PM to 3:00 PM).

Therefore, if you’re staying at a hotel in Da Nang, you should book your pickup at 07:30 or at the latest 08:00 AM. Leaving too late risks missing your scheduled ferry.

3. Pro Tip: Combine with Hoi An Ancient Town in the Afternoon

Around 15:00 (3:00 PM), when the ferry brings you back to Cua Dai Pier, heading straight back to Da Nang would be a waste of the journey.

Faifo Express’s tip for you: Book the combo package “Da Nang -> Pier -> Pick up from Pier to Hoi An -> Evening return to Da Nang”. At 15:00, the car will pick you up from the pier and take you to central Hoi An (15 minutes). You can stroll through the ancient town, have dinner, and admire the lanterns. By 20:00 (8:00 PM), the car will take you back to your Da Nang hotel. (You won’t need to worry about wet clothes or bulky items since they’ll stay in the car from when you left the pier).

4. How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car to Cua Dai Pier?

If you use Grab, the one-way fare from Da Nang to Cua Dai typically shows around 480.000đ (≈$19) - 708.000đ (≈$28). A round trip would be over 1.248.000đ (≈$49).

At Faifo Express, our all-inclusive private car rental service is more affordable:

• 4-seater car Da Nang to Cua Dai (one way): ~250,000 VND
• Combo Da Nang -> Pier (with waiting time) -> Return to Da Nang: (Please check Price list).

Make sure to bring motion sickness medicine (if you’re not used to high-speed ferries), swimwear, and sunscreen for a spectacular day exploring Cu Lao Cham’s vibrant coral reefs!

5. Detailed Itinerary for a Perfect Cu Lao Cham Day Trip

For a complete Cu Lao Cham experience, here’s the schedule that Faifo Express drivers have perfected from years of experience transporting thousands of guests to Cua Dai Pier:

06:30 — Car pickup at your Da Nang (or Hoi An) hotel
07:30 — Arrive at Cua Dai Pier, buy ferry + entrance tickets (~200-<Price basePrice={350000} lang="en" />/person)
08:00 — High-speed ferry departs (18km journey, ~20 minutes)
08:20 — Arrive at Cu Lao Cham
08:30-11:30 — Explore: Fishing Village, Hai Tang Pagoda, Bai Ong, Bai Xep beaches
11:30 — Lunch with fresh seafood on the island (fish, squid, crab - delicious!)
13:00-14:30 — Snorkeling to see coral reefs (optional, separate booking ~<Price basePrice={500000} lang="en" />/person)
14:30 — Return to Cua Dai Pier by afternoon ferry
15:00 — Car waiting to take you back to Hoi An or Da Nang

6. Best Time to Visit Cu Lao Cham? When to Avoid?

This is the most important question before planning, as weather determines your entire experience:

💡 Important note: Cu Lao Cham is within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. From October to February, management may suspend ferry operations during rough seas. Always check the schedule before booking your car.

7. Packing List for Cu Lao Cham

Many guests arriving at Cua Dai Pier realize they’ve forgotten essential items:

✅ ID/Passport (required to buy island entrance ticket)
✅ Cash (no ATMs on island, few places accept cards)
✅ SPF 50+ sunscreen (light reflects strongly off the water)
✅ Snorkel mask + snorkel (if you want to snorkel independently)
✅ Motion sickness medicine (take 30 minutes BEFORE boarding ferry)
✅ Light jacket (ferry air conditioning is cold)
✅ Waterproof phone case
✅ Slip-on sandals or water shoes (rocky beaches at Bai Xep)

Faifo Express can pick you up from any hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An. Simply book a car to Cua Dai Pier with just 2-3 hours notice.