NAM SANH - Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham

Nam Sanh is an oddball, and we love it for that. This isn’t a deep, dramatic wreck for technical divers. No, the Nam Sanh is a beached steamship, run aground by Typhoon Hester in 1971, and now sitting literally on the shoreline. It’s barely submerged, the bow often poking out of the water like a rusted warning sign. We’ve even walked on parts of it during particularly low tides. Diving here is more like an archaeological snorkel. You’re weaving through the skeletal remains of what was once a 46-meter vessel, now a jumble of metal plates and twisted girders. Sunlight spears through the gaps, illuminating schools of tiny damselfish darting between the rusty bulkheads. We’ve found surprising numbers of moray eels here, tucked deep into the darker recesses, and plenty of crabs scuttling across the barnacle-encrusted hull. It’s not about grand scale, but intimate details – the way a coral polyp has colonised a rivet, or a juvenile snapper sheltering in a cracked porthole. It’s a fascinating glimpse into history, perfect for photographers who appreciate the interplay of light and decay, or anyone who enjoys exploring a wreck without the pressure of depth limits. Just watch out for sharp edges; this old girl is definitely a bit dangerous.

Location
Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham, Vietnam, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
15.650000, 108.500000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Marine Protected Area: Cù Lao Chàm-Hội An

Best Time to Dive in Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham

The warmest water temperatures in Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham occur in August, averaging 30.7°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 24.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 24.1°C
  • February: 24.3°C
  • March: 25.7°C
  • April: 27.0°C
  • May: 28.8°C
  • June: 30.3°C
  • July: 30.2°C
  • August: 30.7°C
  • September: 30.3°C
  • October: 29.2°C
  • November: 27.3°C
  • December: 25.4°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham

Nearest Dive Centres to NAM SANH

Marine Life in Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham

Home to 41 recorded species including 28 reef fish, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 sharks & rays, 2 other, 1 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for NAM SANH

Based on average water temperature of 27.8°C, currents 8 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories