Koh Chang

Travel Guide and Hotels in Koh Chang

Koh Chang

Ko Chang, or "elephant island" is the second largest island of Thailand after Phuket and part of the Mu Ko Chang National Park. Close to the Cambodian border, its kilometre-long beaches, waterfalls, unique mangrove forests and well-preserved coral reefs are major attractions. Tropical rain forest covers around 75% of the total area and is considered one of the best preserved in the whole of South-east Asia.

Home to a wide variety of land animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians which include pythons, king cobras, ant-eaters, wild pigs and bats, it's a naturalist's paradise. There's even an indigenous amphibian, the Rana Kochang (Ko-Chang-frog) which lives exclusively on the island.

Accommodation, previously restricted to simple thatched huts with no electricity, is gradually being replaced by more sophisticated resorts and comfortable bungalows on the beachfront areas. Most accommodation can be found along the west coast, especially places like Hat Sai Khao or White Sand Beach, which expands at low tide creating a huge beach playground. Promotion by the Tourism Authority of Thailand has resulted in better infrastructure with three car ferries and several piers for easy access to the island. The main road is now under asphalt and many villages now have mains electricity. The island still remains however, a place for peace and tranquility.

Where to Stay in Koh Chang

Accommodation is improving all the time with new resorts appearing each year. Most are bungalow style with some resorts offering low rise air-conditioned units. You can stay at villas perched on the hillside or simple rattan bungalows. Most accommodation is located on the main beaches along the west and north west coast, with a 5 star spa resort the latest addition. Tours and trips can be arranged through the hotels and some offer watersports like ski-board, banana boat and mountain bike rental.

Koh Chang Beaches

White Sand Beach (Had Sai Khao)
A long beach of powdery white sand which expands at low tide creating a huge beach playground. Locals come down for regular football and volleyball games early evening as the sun sets offshore. At night the Koh Chang Lagoon Resort, Best Garden Resort, Ban Pu Koh Chang and a few other resorts serve dinner under the stars which sometimes includes a barbecue on the beach. Had Sai Khao also has a number of reasonably priced bungalow resorts. The main road runs pass all the resorts, shops, restaurants, pubs and coconut groves.

Bang Bao Beach
A good place to fish, snorkel and swim. The beach at Bang Bao has clear water with rocks and corals offshore, but access is not that easy as the road from Kai Bae is steep and winding.

Klong Prao Beach and Laem Chaiyachet
Another lovely long sandy beach. Right at the north end of the beach is the rocky Laem Chaiyachet or Chaiyachet Cape - a favourite local fishing place. The fishing pier near the cape also makes a great viewpoint over Klong Prao Bay- and an ideal place to catch the sunset. In the late afternoon villagers forage and collect tiny shrimps to make shrimp paste - an essential ingredient in some Thai dishes. Both air-conditioned and fan bungalows are available along the beach. The Royal Coconut Resort has both bungalows and hotel-style accommodation while The Boutique Resort & Health Spa offers bungalows and a spa, massage and beauty services.

Kai Bae Beach
A popular beach has over 10 resorts which are often full. A classic beach with great views of the sunset and a few islands. One small island, Koh Man Nai, lies so close to the beach you can reach it at low tide by wading across to another picturesque beach. Boats, canoes, sea-kayaks and dive shops offer rental and excursions.

Than Ayom Beach
Located on the east coast, this rocky and muddy beach is the location of the Marine National Park Office, close to the Than Mayom Waterfall.

Klong Son Beach and Khor Khao Khard Bay
Located on the northwest coast, Had Klong Son is one of the ferry points. The wide beach fringed with of coconut trees offers a great introduction to Ko Chang. The Premwadi Resort has a fishing pier and a sandy beach safe for swimming. The new 5-star Aiyapura Resort & Spa - a luxury resort is also located at Klong Son.

What to Do in Koh Chang

Ko Chang attracts people who simply want to relax on a beautiful beach, do some snorkelling and take it easy. If you want to explore, many resorts arrange short jungle treks and also rent kayaks. Paddle to the surrounding islands or go with a local tour company. Hire a local boat or join a snorkelling tour. Small motorbikes can be rented in most places, which makes the island easier to explore independently, but take care - there are steep and curvy roads, unforeseen road ramps, and a general disregard for road rules.

Walking/Hiking.
It's possible to walk around the island within 3 - 5 days. Alternatively there are lovely shorter paths where you can find waterfalls and beautiful viewpoints.

Thai Massage
At almost all beaches, masseurs and masseuses offer Thai massages for between 200-250 Baht. In all Beach-Villages, you'll find small Massage-Shops directly on the road. In Baan Khlong Prao you can attend courses in traditional Thai massage. There are also some Tattoo parlours on the island.

Elephant trekking
Ban Kwan Chang or the Klong Son Elephant Camp is supported by the Asian Elephant Foundation to provide a natural environment for elephants and their mahouts (Kwan, in Thai). Located at Klong Son, the camp offers a half-day tour from 8.30-11:00 a.m. which includes elephant bathing, feeding, performance and a 1.30 hour elephant trek into the forest. Cost 900 Baht including hotel transfer, water and bananas (to feed the elephants) A shorter 35-minute trek with a 15-minute performance is also available for around 450 Baht.

Snorkeling and Fishing
You can arrange a sightseeing trip combined with snorkelling or fishing at most resorts, beaches and fishing villages. It's possible to charter a local boat at White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae and Bang Bao for groups, but there is a minimum required, usually 10 persons, before the trip will go. Its possible to put your name down to join a group for the day and chances are, you'll get on a boat. Cost about 400 - 600 Baht per person. Some tour operators organise a full day snorkeling trip to Koh Kra and Koh Wai for around 600 Baht per person which includes lunch and drinks.

Speedboats
Speedbots are available at higher prices. The Klong Prao Resort offers chartered speed boat trips to Koh Yuak at 2,500 Baht or a 4-island package at 8,000 Baht.

Sea Kayaking
Along the coast. For rent at most of the resorts along the beaches or around 100 Baht an hour

Diving in Koh Chang
The best diving or snorkelling is around the small islands off Ko Chang's south coast, such as Ko Khlum, Ko Whai, Ko Phrao (some wrecks of Thai naval ships from WWII) Ko Ngam, and Ko Lao Ya. All of these islands, except Ko Khlum, have a few bungalows, but the boat service can be unpredictable and expensive. Dive shops operate at all the main beaches on the west coast. You can also book combined island sightseeing and snorkelling trips through local travel agents and resorts.

Other Islands near Koh Chang - Koh Kood, Koh Chang Noi, Koh Yuak

There are 52 islands in the Koh Chang Marine National Park. Many are covered in forest and surrounded by spectacular coastlines with gorgeous beaches and offshore coral reefs. Many have no development and are uninhabited. About 10 islands presently offer accommodation: often basic thatched huts at around $10 a night, but more sophisticated and luxurious resorts (up to $100) are also now available. Some island resorts accept only package tours of full board groups because of their exclusiveness and distance from the mainland. They include boat transfers, full board, and side trips.

Koh Kood is the fourth largest island in Thailand and the closest to the Cambodian border. The island is covered by tropical rainforest (about 70%) with development mainly around the coastal areas. Most resorts generate their own electricity as fuel and solar energy are the primary sources of electricity here. The west coast is lined with a series of lovely beaches and wonderful views which include the magnificent sunset. The east coast is equally beautiful with great views of the sunrise.

What to Do in Koh Chang

Relax on the beach, snorkel around the beautiful coral reefs or visit the islands of Ko Kra, Ko Maisi Lek or Ko Raet. Ko Kra has reputedly some of the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand. Some of the more expensive Resorts on Ko Kood offer Banana boat, and water-skiing. In addition you can do drop line fishing at the beaches and bays, or rent a boat and go night fishing.

The Nam Tok Khlong Chao or Than-Sanuk-Waterfall, which was visited by King Rama VI in 1911, is one of the most beautiful spots to be found on Ko Kood. It has two levels falling into a large pond - ideal for swimming.

Koh Chang Noi
An island off Laem Chang Noi (Chang Noi Cape) which is located off the northwestern tip of Koh Chang. The island is comprised mainly of rocks. In-between Laem Chang Noi (Chang Noi Cape) and the island are some lovely coral reefs. Facing the island is the new five-star Aiyapura Resort & Spa which has superb views over the ocean.

Koh Yuak & Koh Man Nai & Koh Man Nok Yuak
A small group of islands off the west coast of Koh Chang which have good snorkelling areas. Next to Koh Yuak is Koh Plee and Koh Suwan, which have rocky shores. Around Koh Suwan is a small islet which has colourful corals about 6 metres deep. Locals call this Koh Rom which means Umbrella Island because of an outstanding beautiful big tree with an umbrella shape.