OAKLAND - Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham

Oakland is a real conversation starter, a massive container vessel that went down in 1988. We’re talking about a wreck so big, it’s actually two distinct dive sites: the bow and stern sections, separated by a fair swim, with the main cargo area somewhere in the middle. Diving the bow, you’re looking at serious steel, barnacle-encrusted plates, and the remains of the superstructure that offer some intriguing swim-throughs if you’re comfortable with overhead environments. It’s a site for advanced divers, no question, given the depth and potential currents. The scale alone is impressive. We love tracing the deck features, imagining the ship in its former life. You’ll see schools of fusiliers and yellowtail snapper darting through the rusted metal, and often a few lionfish lurking in the shadows. Look closely, and you might spot a stonefish blending into the growth. It’s a proper wreck dive, more about the history and the sheer presence of the sunken ship than vibrant corals, though the soft corals here add pops of colour to the industrial grey. Go early, before the thermocline settles in, for the best visibility.

Location
Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham, Vietnam, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
15.916667, 108.533330
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Cu Lao Cham (marine)

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 OAKLAND

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 OAKLAND

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