I would not book it again
⭐️⭐️½☆☆ 2.5 out of 5 stars
The organization and pickup worked well overall. We would also like to give credit to the captain and the staff, who were friendly and helpful throughout the day.
Unfortunately, the overall experience was very stressful and rushed. Everything seemed to be done according to the motto “quick, quick, quick.” We had hardly any time to properly check our diving equipment and get ready in a relaxed manner. The briefing was also far too short in our opinion. We were not properly informed about the underwater topography of the individual dive sites or the expected depths of the dives.
Most concerning, and in our opinion a serious safety issue, was that no safety stop was carried out on either of the two dives. For a scuba diving excursion, we find this extremely problematic. We would expect an appropriate safety stop to be part of the diving procedure, or at the very least a clear explanation if there is a specific reason why one is not performed.
The surface interval between the first and second dive was also only around ten minutes. In our opinion, this is far too short to properly recover from the first dive, have something to drink, prepare the equipment and mentally get ready for the second dive.
It was also very disappointing that we did not have any time to relax on the beach, even though this was supposed to be part of the program. Of course, nobody can control the weather or the sea conditions. However, we felt that the team should have communicated the situation to the guests more clearly and at least acknowledged or apologized for the fact that the excursion could not be carried out as originally planned. A small alternative or gesture would also have been appreciated.
The food was another weak point and, unfortunately, was not particularly good and could definitely be improved.
Due to the weather, the sea was very rough and the underwater visibility was poor. As a result, we hardly saw any fish during the dives. This is obviously not something the diving center can control – weather and sea conditions are beyond their control.
However, because diving trips had apparently not taken place on the previous days, the boat was extremely overcrowded. There were so many guests on board that it felt packed, with very little space available. This made the already hectic experience even more uncomfortable.
Overall: The crew was friendly and the pickup organization worked well. However, the experience was far too rushed and overcrowded for us. In particular, the very short briefing, the extremely short surface interval and, most importantly, the lack of a safety stop on both dives made the experience feel less professional and safe than we would expect from a diving center.
Would we recommend this excursion? Unfortunately, no. We hope the team takes this feedback seriously and improves the safety procedures, dive briefings, surface intervals, number of guests on board and communication whenever weather conditions require changes to the planned program.
A race against the clock
we did this excursion in April and were very disappointed. The pickup from the hotel with an over crowded bus driving like a lunatic. Then the aggressive selling from locals in the port. The boat trip back and forth from the island was more like a race with other boats. They didn't even bother checking if we were fine (eg. seasick). Some of us were soaked because in the back of the boat, windows couldn't be closed. The fishing village is a joke. To finalise, the 42 minute and 34 second snorkling over dying or dead corals was sad.
事業者からの返答
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
We sincerely apologize for the discomfort during transportation, the speed of the boat ride, and the overall organization of the tour. Your comments regarding guest care, seating conditions, and the snorkeling experience have been taken very seriously and will be shared directly with our operation team and local partners for immediate review and improvement.
We also understand your disappointment regarding the coral conditions. Environmental factors and conservation challenges have unfortunately affected some snorkeling areas, but we agree that guest expectations should be communicated more clearly.
We truly appreciate your honest feedback, as it helps us improve both safety and service quality for future guests. We hope we may have another opportunity to provide you with a much better experience in Vietnam in the future.
Incredible time
I had an incredible time snorkeling at the Cham Islands! The boat ride from Hoi An was fast and exhilarating. Once we reached the dive sites (Hon Dai and Hon Tai), I was amazed by the biodiversity. The coral reefs are healthy, and I saw schools of colorful clownfish and even some sea slugs. Our instructors were very professional and prioritized safety, which made me feel at ease. If you love the ocean, this tour is a 'must' when visiting Central Vietnam!
事業者からの返答
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible time snorkeling at Cham Islands.
It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the exciting boat ride, the rich marine biodiversity, and the beautiful coral reefs. We’re especially happy that our instructors made you feel safe and comfortable throughout the experience.
Your kind words truly mean a lot to our team, and we’re honored to be part of your memorable ocean adventure.
We hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable experiences in Central Vietnam!
Shocking and terrible
It was meant to be a 7 hr snorkelling tour. Wasn't collected until 8.30 am and finished at 1.30pm. I had no communication from the tour company. No English speaking tour guide. Stopped at some marble place and then to a fishing village, which was not in the brochure. Too much waiting around and only 45 minutes in the water. Nothing was visible because the mask was from the Titanic. No flippers and no snorkel provided.
See pictures of the food. The fish was terrible, and I didn't dare eat the warm prawn or what looked like a scallop. It truly was the worst tour.