The adsorption of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution by chitosan and chitosan/PVA beads was studied in a batch adsorption system. Chitosan solution was blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in order to obtain sorbents that are insoluble in aqueous acidic and basic solution. The adsorption capacities and rates of Cu(II) ions onto chitosan and chitosan/PVA beads were evaluated. The Langmuir, Freundlich and BET adsorption models were applied to describe the isotherms and isotherm constants. Adsorption isothermal data could be well interpreted by the Langmuir model. The kinetic experimental data properly correlated with the second-order kinetic model, which indicates that the chemical sorption is the rate-limiting step. The Cu(II) ions can be removed from the chitosan and chitosan/PVA beads rapidly by treatment with an aqueous EDTA solution. Results also showed that chitosan and chitosan/PVA beads are favourable adsorbers.