Discover Koh Chang

Exquisite rainforests, mountains & beaches

    Your details have been received

    Our agents will get back to you soon with holiday options.

    Plan Your Holiday with an Expert

    collapse×

    PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY

    Koh Chang (meaning ‘Elephant Island’ in Thai) is the third-largest island in Thailand, after Phuket (the largest island) and Koh Samui (2nd largest island), and is situated in the Gulf near Cambodia, part of an archipelago of 52 islands that sit within Mu Ko Chang National Park. From lush green tropical forests and rugged mountains to sweeping bays and white sand beaches, an abundance of cascading waterfalls to flourishing coral reefs, Koh Chang has many things to suit all tastes, making tourism a bustling sector of its economy.

    Is Koh Chang Expensive?

    The cost of living in Koh Chang is a lot lower than in other popular islands. Ko Chang tourism has risen (before the covid pandemic) but it is still relatively more “peaceful.” Accommodation options have very reasonable prices for a hotel room at the mid-range level. Delicious food options are varied and readily available and also reasonably priced. Koh Chang isn’t the cheapest Thai island but it certainly isn’t the most expensive like Koh Kood or Phuket, as foreign tourists discover upon arrival.

    More importantly, our travel specialists can share their expertise with you and help you when you wish to visit Thailand for a holiday and arrange a package to your desired destinations to fit your budget!

    Continue reading

    Koh Chang Holiday

    Additional things to do and places to explore in Koh Chang

    Bailan Bay

    Two kilometres to the north of Lonely Beach Resort (nearing the southern end) is the popular family spot and flashpacker favourite of Bailan Bay with several cosy mid-range bungalow resorts near the centre of the small village. The area is the least developed part of the island, without the typical white sand expected by foreign guests in tourist areas but many reviews like it that way – putting great value on that because it’s more natural. There is a chilled out vibe in the absence of loud music and there are good fresh seafood eateries.

    Bailan Beach Resort is located directly on the beach of Bailan Bay in the village of the same name, southwest of Koh Chang Island. Guest travellers have a clear undisturbed sea view of the amazing sunsets on the horizon. It is popular for families with a kids pool just for the children. Their cosy bungalows with all amenities for comfort are situated amidst trees and flowers! Plus, just a few metres from the beach, so the guests are lulled to sleep and woken by the waves lapping the sandy shores. Their on-site restaurant. has a view of the sea as well, making for a wonderful dining experience.

    Bangbao Village

    Bang Bao is a peaceful fishing village in the south with a long pier having the same name, Bang Bao Pier and lighthouse.

    If you plan to go diving, there are many scuba diving company offices situated in Bang Bao, making it one of the best locations for scuba diving trips. Most people visit for some local food fare as it is a fishing village and souvenir shopping.

    Klong Prao beach

    Klong Prao is 1.5 km in length and rarely feels crowded like tourist areas of White Sand Resort or Lonely Beach Resort. It is one of the best beaches for those seeking serenity and quiet.

    There are plenty of family-friendly resorts and the nearby Kai Bae beach also offers great options with reasonable prices for families looking for a good value beach resort by the shore. 

    Mu Koh Chang National Park Viewpoint 

    The Mu Koh Chang viewpoint extensive range looks out across the Gulf and you can see Koh Yuak, Koh Man Noi, Koh Pli and Koh Man Nok in the distance. With 120 bird species in the park, you are bound to spot some native birds. The ticket prices for entrance are 200 Baht for adults and 100 Baht for children.

    The point is on a hilltop, overlooking the forest and ocean and you can get a lovely view of the white sand beach of other southern islands nearby, like Kai Bae Beach Resort. From there you can go jungle trekking towards waterfalls and the mountains and chance upon elephants and monkeys.

    The Mu Koh Chang viewpoint looks out across the Gulf and you can see Koh Yuak, Koh Man Noi, Koh Pli and Koh Man Nok in the distance. With 120 bird species in the park, you are bound to spot some native birds. The entrance fee is 200 Baht for adults and 100 Baht for children.

    Khiri Phet Waterfall

    Khiri Phet waterfall is on the way to Koh Chang Marina and easy to reach with swimmable pools so it’s a good option for families with children. The route to reach the higher tiers involves climbing some rocks but they’re slippery and it’s an easy climb.

    Lonely Beach

    With soft powdery sand and clear water waters towards the south of Koh Chang, you will find Lonely Beach Resort, according to some travellers is the best resort (or one of) in Ko Chang.Most hostels, budget hotels and bungalows can be found here but they are not beachfront but instead nestled between reggae bars and cheap eateries.

    Summary continued

    PLACES TO SEE IN KO CHANG

    Koh Chang Beaches

    There is no one perfect Koh Chang beach. Instead, the island boasts many impressive powder-soft sandy beaches with waters reflecting various shades of turquoise.

    The White Sand beach is the most popular on the island and so attracts the highest amount of tourists. Found towards the north of the island, some of the island’s best resorts are situated close to the beach.

    Klong Prao and the nearby Kai Bae beach are great options for families looking for a good value beach resort. They boast a mix of large 4-star hotels, resorts and mid-range bungalows. If you’re feeling adventurous, spending time on the southern end of Klong Prao or Kai Bae beach gives you a fantastic view of the closest islands of Koh Suwan and Koh Rom, where you reach them in a kayak in under 30 minutes from the Klong Prao beach shore.

    The soft white sand beach with clear water towards the south of the island is known as Lonely Beach. Most hostels, budget hotels and bungalows can be found here but they are not beachfront but instead nestled between reggae bars and cheap eateries. This area is also the centre of Koh Chang nightlife during the high season.

    Two kilometres to the north of Lonely Beach is the popular family spot of Bailan Beach with several cosy mid-range bungalow resorts near the centre of the small village. Down towards the southern coast of the island you will find the very laidback and gorgeous Klong Kloi beach which boasts picturesque views of the islands to Koh Chang’s south.

    Eastern Beaches

    If you’re wanting to escape the main touristy haunts and discover a more peaceful life on Koh Chang, then it’s a good idea to explore the eastern side of the island. The eastern side of Ko Chang is less developed and more isolated than the West and the only way to explore it is via rented motorcycle as the public pick up trucks don’t generally venture that way. Salak Phet Bay is the huge u- shaped bay in the southeast of the island with one tranquil beach called Long beach, with only a couple of places to stay and eat. Salakkok Beach is an undeveloped mangrove-lined bay also in the same region of the island. There’s no resort available here and it remains a quiet local spot for fishermen.

    Snorkelling

    Snorkelling is the best way to explore the island’s marine life to discover Koh Chang’s incredible world of colourful coral reefs, aquatic creatures and shipwrecks. Most snorkelling spots are easily accessible and it is also the perfect place to get your diving certification. Numerous excellent dive centres can be found in the main resort areas. Bang Bao in the southwest is the diving hot spot.

     A day out to the scenic Koh Chang Archipelago or a chartered yacht trip around the island is the ideal way of getting a different perspective of the island. 

    An island for Nature Lovers

    Nature lovers will revel in hiking through the dense jungle along lush mangroves and dramatic waterfalls. Klong Plu situated on the west coast about 1 km inland from Klong Prao beach is the most visited waterfall by tourists as it is the easiest to reach in about 20 minutes on foot from the entrance to the national park. It’s popular because you can swim in the large plunge pool at the foot of the falls or in some other smaller pools further downstream. 

    Waterfalls

    There are a number of other waterfalls scattered through the national park. On the east coast, you will find Than Mayom waterfall which is a popular destination for Thai royals and tour groups. They come to see the names of the two former kings Rama V and Rama VI who had previously carved their names on the rocks. To reach the falls involves crossing a few small river streams and there are no bridges so your feet will get wet, but once you get there you will be able to swim in the rock pools.

    Klong Nonsi is a four-tiered waterfall also on the east coast where visitors can swim in the first two levels but it will require some effort and skill to reach the higher tiers by using only rope rails up the rock face.

    Klong Neung is the tallest waterfall on the island but one of the least visited because of the challenging route to reach there which involves navigating slippery obstructed trails through dense jungle. It is not advised to go alone in case you slip and injure yourself because this place is infrequently visited by tourists. Make sure you have experience and skill in hiking routes with higher difficulty levels before attempting this trek.

    By contrast, Khiri Phet waterfall is on the way to Koh Chang Marina and easy to reach with swimmable pools so it is a good option for families with children. The route to reach the higher tiers involves climbing some rocks but they’re slippery and it’s an easy climb.

    Hiking Trails

    There are a few official hiking trails where you can go on your own and a few lesser-known ones where you will need the assistance of a local to take you there. Salak Phet is the highest mountain on the island situated in a national park and its summit offers some spectacular panoramic views, but it’s not the easiest to reach so beginner hikers beware! It is a challenging 744-metre climb to the viewpoint that will leave you breathless from the gruelling effort to get there, but you are sure to be rewarded by the breathtaking vistas. There are a number of jungle trekking day tours that help you navigate the climb, generally taking 5 hours to ascend and 3 hours to descend.

    Is Koh Chang nice?

    Koh Chang Thailand is more than nice. Koh Chang is a wonderful place to visit! One of the nicest islands of Thailand is definitely Koh Chang! The reason why tourism has become a growing industry in its economy! There are so very many things to do, places to visit and explore, activities and events to experience in Koh Chang island. Here are some of them that are mentioned and rated well by travellers and tourists to Koh Chang island, high season or not.

    The beaches. The whole island of Koh Chang is surrounded by beaches, white sand beaches! The most famous best beaches are the following – the white sand Lonely Beach on the west coast, Klong Koi Beach (a white sand beach “still to be discovered” on the west coast of Koh Chang), near Bang Bao, Bailan which is near Lonely Beach, popular among backpackers because of its many budget huts in the area, White Sand Beach, Kai Bae Beach (with its own Kai Bae Resort and the KB Resort), Klong Prao Beach. Klong Prao Beach is the largest beach in Koh Chang, with its prime resort of the same name Klong Prao Beach Resort. Lonely Beach is not that lonely, it is full of tourists and travellers especially during the high season and its nightlife is active and exciting. But, one can watch the incredible sunset at this white sand beach – which all tourists to Thailand long to see. A recent favourite is Kai Bae, for a quiet and romantic stay. Kai Bae has been reviewed as “paradise without esception.”

    Luxuriate in the beauty and magnificence of nature’s flora and fauna. Koh Chang, or accurately, Elephant Island, is part of the Mu Ko Chang National Park. Therefore, you can expect the best of nature’s gifts to Thailand to be there for you to see and explore and go jungle trekking and experience. The island has become home to so many monkeys. They are naughty, yes, stealing things, but they can and are still kind of cute. The waterfalls, 7 of them, and after an energetic jungle trekking, appear all awe-inspiring, considering the small size of Koh Chang island. There is Klong Plu, the most visited, then Than Mayom, for which an entrance fee is charged. Other waterfalls are Klong Neung, Kiripetch, Klong Nonsi, Klong Jao Leuam, and Kai Bae, the waterfall most challenging to get to. Waterfall-hopping is a great end to a jungle trekking adventure.

    Hiking. There are some hiking trails around Koh Chang, for a half-day trek through the dense forest toward some waterfalls, or even a multi-day walk. Revelling in the waterfalls, the wildlife, will make the heat bearable. Day trip-Boat ride to nearby islands. One of the easiest to access from the Koh Chang ferry piers, like in Bao Bang, is Koh Wai, where a slow boat will take 40 minutes, or 20 minutes by speedboat. There are also the islands of Koh Mak and Koh Kood.

    Marvel at the breathtaking sunsets on the island. Marvelling at the sunset in Koh Chang beaches is going to be one of if not the most memorable of your experiences on the island. The sun slowly sinks to the ocean or retreats beyond the hills, like a slow-mo moment in a film that leaves you gaping in wonder and awe. Lonely Beach, Kai Bae Beach and Klong Koi Beach are among the best spots for this activity.

    Frolic in the clear blue waters. The shallow waters around Koh Chang and accessibility to nearby islands make it one of the best locations in Thailand for beginner divers. There are schools and shops for gear in your snorkelling or diving jaunts in Koh Chang. Snorkelling to reefs and wreck sites – a full-day trip around Koh Chang and Koh Rang National Park. Best to make this a guided tour, which you can have our travel specialist arrange for you. Scuba diving for beginners – we can arrange this for you, too. Kayaking – the calm waters around Koh Chang make kayaking one of the popular things to do. There are several shops from which to rent one. You can also get this arranged by us before you get to Koh Chang.

    Spa Treatments. Like any other destination in Thailand, Koh Chang has myriad choices of types and classes of spa treatments. Some hotels in Koh Chang have this service among their amenities. Spa treatments in Thailand are way cheaper than you’d expect for a rejuvenating, invigorating or relaxing experience!

    Food Tripping. Koh Chang is an island in Thailand – equivalent not just to a white sand beach but also to mouth-watering spicy, tasty, delectable exotic food! Lonely Beach area and other big villages have international restaurants but hey, you won’t need your regular pizza when delicious Thai cuisine is there at hand. Bang Bao is a former fishing village, so you can certainly find seafood restaurants here, fresh and equally delicious. Beachfront restaurants are aplenty near the beach resorts of Koh Chang. There will be seafood and other barbecued dishes, as well as music and other entertainment. Your food trip has two aspects of enjoying Thai cuisine – eating Thai food and learning to make Thai food yourself. There are several cooking classes available in Koh Chang, offered as a come-on among the perks of a few hotels and beach resorts, or in some restaurants, too.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to get to Koh Chang from Bangkok?

    During the high season (which is actually a cool season), you can fly from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and from Trat airport in eastern Thailand, it’s about a 30-minute drive to the ferry terminal, for the shuttle service to the island of Koh Chang. Bangkok Airways is one of the regular carriers to the southern islands. The ferry crossing takes around 40 minutes. If you have already booked your accommodation on Koh Chang, many hotels offer door-to-door private transfers from Trat airport to the ferry then onto your hotel on the island at very reasonable prices. Driving from downtown Bangkok to the port in Trat by private car can take up to 5 hours. The cheapest option to Koh Chang is via public transport which also generally contains the ferry ride included in the price or another option is by shared minivan to the port in Trat. There is also a land travel option from Bangkok. Express bus №392 takes off from Bangkok Airport to Koh Chang island each day. This includes the ferry ride from Trat Pier, where you can purchase your ticket, and get to Koh Chang.

    How do you get to Koh Chang Thailand?

    Driving from downtown Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to the port for the ferry terminal in Trat can take up to 5 hours by private car. The ferry crossing, a regular shuttle service to Koh Chang takes around 40 minutes.

    What is Koh Chang popular for?

    About 70% of Koh Chang is covered in rainforests, mountains and beaches, travellers and foreign tourists who visit Thailand come to the island to enjoy its natural beauty. The island is famous for its great diving and snorkelling spots, making Koh Chang one of the popular dive destinations in Thailand. There are also the bounties of nature found on the island, like the majestic and beautiful waterfalls in several parts of the island. Not to omit mentioning the wealth of wildlife, the many species of birds, deer, monkeys, even snakes. Popular things to do on the island are jungle trekking, kayaking diving and snorkelling. It does not lack white sandy beaches. All the beaches have at least one beachfront restaurant with an extensive range of sea view. A hotel room is not hard to find in any of the best resorts with great service. All have free wifi.

    Is Koh Chang Thailand touristy?

    Koh Chang has seen a rise in tourism over the past five years but compared to islands in Thailand such as Phuket or Koh Samui, it is nowhere as busy. Due to the large size of Koh Chang, even when it is peak season, Koh Chang never feels too busy which is one of its main appeals.

    How long is the drive from Bangkok to Koh Chang?

    You can take a flight via Bangkok Airways to Trat on the mainland and from Trat airport, it is about a 30-minute drive to the ferry port. Bangkok Airways is a regular carrier for local flights. The ferry journey takes around 40 minutes. Driving from downtown Bangkok to the port in Trat can take up to 5 hours. The ferry journey onward to Koh Chang takes around 40 minutes.

    What are the best resorts in Koh Chang Thailand?

    Some resorts have access to their own private beach on white sand or swimming pool if note pool villas. Although the pool villas are offered more in high-end resorts. Some offer free kayaks for use by their guests. Some of the best resorts can be accessed by public transport. You can take a private car if you want to do your own exploring of all the white sand beaches of Koh Chang in the cool season. Almost all the beaches’ resorts and hotels have a white sand beach nearby.
    For family-friendly resorts, you can go to any of these: The Emerald Cove Koh Chang, Nature Beach Resort Koh Chang, Kai Bae Beach Resort (aka KB Resort), White Sand Beach Resort, Koh Chang Cliff Beach Resort. These resorts have their own swimming pool.
    For resorts and hotels with a swimming pool, there are these: Koh Chang Paradise Resort & Spa, Emerald Cove Koh Chang, Peninsula Beach Resort Koh Chang, Marina Sands Resort Koh Chang, Centara Koh Chang Tropicana, Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort, KC Grande Resort & Spa, Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway,
    For Pet-friendly resorts: Siam Beach Resort and many others on Bang Bao Bay, Amber Sands Resort and some others on Khong Koi beach.
    Budget-friendly best resorts include Garden Resort on Kai Bae Beach (10-minute walk away). Garden Resort has been reviewed as a “chill resort” in Ko Chang. There is also Bangbao Beach Resort,
    Luxury resorts in Koh Chang include Emerald Cove, KC Grande Resort & Spa, Gajapuri Resort & Spa, Klong Prao Resort, Koh Chang Paradise Resort & Spa, Koh Chang Paradise Hill, Marina Sands Resort, among others. Emerald Cove, a 5-star hotel and Gajapuri Resort are reviewed for their amenities. Gajapuri Resort is a 4-star resort amidst nature.

    What is the best beach in Koh Chang Thailand?

    The best beaches in Koh Chang preferred by foreign tourists or mentioned in guest reviews are Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach, Kai Bae Beach (with its KB Resort), Klong Prao Beach, and the white sands beach of nearby Koh Wai and Koh Kood. Lonely Beach, also known as Had Tha Numm has the beachfront villas of Siam Beach Resort Koh Chang. Lonely Beach has many of the best resorts in Koh Chang. Bailan Bay has Nature Beach Resort.

    How many days do you need in Koh Chang?

    The general consensus is about 3 to 5 days to explore the island in the high season (aka cool season), with the longer timeframe allowing enough time for chilled beach time on the west coast best beaches or find the best beach on the southern end combined with 1 or 2 days trips to the neighbouring islands where are few hotels to chance on an amazing beach or find a secluded white sand beach.

    Are there wild elephants in Koh Chang?

    They are a common sight on the island of Ko Chang as there are several elephant trekking tours in operation. There are now six elephant camps on Koh Chang. They live within their natural environment and feed on native plants but for the most part, they are domesticated and not wild.

    What to do in Koh Chang when it rains?

    The rainy season is undoubtedly the best time of year to visit the beautiful waterfalls of Ko Chang because they will be in their full glory overflowing with water.

    How do you get from Koh Chang to Koh Mak?

    Koh Mak is approximately 20 kilometres south of Koh Chang. Via speedboat there are daily departures from Kai Bae on Koh Chang, the journey takes about one hour. You can also take a speedboat from Bangbao which takes only 40 mins but it will involve jumping on a local pickup truck to access the pier. Another option is by traditional longtail boat which departs daily from Bangbao and takes two hours. Be aware that boats from Koh Chang to Koh Mak don’t operate in the low season (June- mid-Oct) but only during the high season.

    How big is Koh Chang Thailand?

    Ko Chang is approximately 30 km long and 14 km wide.

    How far is Koh Chang from Pattaya Thailand?

    The distance between Ko Chang and Pattaya is approximately 260 km and it takes up to 14 hours to drive (private or public transport) plus ferry transfers or just over 1 hour on a flight.

    Why is Koh Chang called Koh Chang?

    The island of Ko Chang is part of Ko Chang District in the Trat Province of Thailand. Ko Chang literally means “Elephant Island” and this comes from the elephant shape of the headland. There are, indeed, elephants on Koh Chang but these are not indigenous to Ko Chang.

    Is Koh Chang safe?

    Being smaller in size and relatively new to Thailand’s tourism industry relative to Phuket and Samui, Ko Chang is less touristy and safe. Guest reviews and comments all mention the safe holidays they had in Ko Chang, even at night. Of course, there is the constant reminder to use common sense (like not displaying a thick wad of bills in your wallet) and the standard safety procedures when travelling to a foreign country.

    How long is the ferry from Trat to Koh Chang?

    Koh Chang has a shuttle service handled in two ferry piers. The Ao Thammachat and the Centerpoint ferry terminal, located at Laem Ngop district, are around 30 minutes from Trat. There is an hourly departure starting 6 AM until 7:30 PM, with a 45-minute ride.

    Can you fly to Koh Chang?

    Ko Chang has no airport but you can fly from Bangkok to the Trat Airport. This is owned by Bangkok Airways. The airport is only a 15-minute drive from the main ferry terminal.

    How do you get from Koh Chang to Koh Mak?

    Going to Koh Mak from Ko Chang is by ferry to the mainland pier, from where you can arrange for a pickup by taxi to Trat to the Krom Luang Pier in Laem Ngop district. The Centrepoint ferry pier is closer than the Ao Thammachat pier. At the pier, you can purchase your ticket for the speedboat ride to Koh Mak.

    Where can I snorkel in Koh Chang?

    If you want to snorkel off the beaches of Ko Chang itself, these are the places for that water sport without a boat trip – Pearl Beach, near Enjoy Resort and Paradise Palms resort Haad Kai Mook Bay, on the west coast of Ko Chang island – Chai Chet Resort Pier of Klong Prao beach – Cliff Cottage cove, on the southwest tip of Ko Chang, with Bang Bao close enough to see. The best beaches for snorkelling in Koh Chang are in the north and south white sand beach. You can also ask our travel specialist, when you prepare your booking to Ko Chang, to arrange for a snorkelling trip to the nearby islands of Koh Rang, Koh Wai, Koh Yuak near Klong Prao Beach.

    Information Centre

    Trip from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
    Trip from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
    There are wheelchair-friendly taxis available and the good news is that many local attractions in the city have wheelchair access.
    Airports in Thailand
    Airports in Thailand
    INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS IN THAILAND There are 38 commercial Thailand airports. Of all the airports in Thailand, there are 11 busiest airports servicing international flights. Chiang Mai International Airport, Koh Samui International Airport, Surat Thani International Airport, Udon Thani International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Mae Fah Luang (Chiang Rai International Airport), Krabi International Airport, U-Tapao […]
    Travel Insurance for Thailand
    Travel Insurance for Thailand
    Travel Insurance for Thailand Thailand is a safe and welcoming country, however, tourists travelling to Thailand often experience mishaps on their travels in Thailand, especially where drinking, partying, motorcycle riding, riding scooters and other high-risk activities occur. When thinking about Thailand travel insurance before embarking on your trip, it’s imperative to check travel insurance quotes […]
    Hospitals in Thailand
    Hospitals in Thailand
    Hospitals in Thailand Thailand is also one of the leading destinations for medical tourism in Asia. From orthopaedic surgery to major dental work and cosmetic enhancement, people flock to Thailand for world-class care and services at more affordable prices. If you are travelling and have an accident, it’s good to know you will be well […]

    Things To Do

    Plan for an unforgettable holiday escapade and uncover the fascinating assortment of things to do and see in Thailand's most popular destinations as well as those lesser known travel spots and routes.