Koh Chang Travel Guide

The tropical island resort of Koh Chang is Thailand's second largest island after Phuket, and is made up of stunning white beaches, lofty mountain peaks, pristine rainforests and cascading waterfalls. Koh Chang is only a few hours away from Bangkok by road and is easily reached, yet remains relatively undeveloped and laid-back.

Koh Chang Island is home to exotic flora and fauna, abundant marine life and untouched, colourful coral reefs, making it an attractive holiday destination for adventurers, hiking enthusiasts and scuba divers, and the beautiful scenery, friendly locals, quality restaurants and trendy nightlife make it appealing to everyone else!

There's an array of accommodation options for visitors on the island, ranging from simple beach huts and bungalows to upmarket villas, suites and apartments. Daily flights from Bangkok, Phuket and Ko Samui arrive at the airport in Trat, from where ferries are available to Koh Chang.

Shopping

Most Koh Chang shops are located along the main road of each beach, and offer an assortment of souvenirs, beachwear, paintings, and sunglasses; the main beaches, such as White Sand Beach and Kai Bae Beach, also have shops. Klong Prao Beach has three villages and each one has its own shopping centre with small shops, convenience stores, tailors, banks and tour agents.

Restaurants

There are a number of great restaurants on Koh Chang. White Sand Beach (Had Sai Khao) and Klong Prao Beach both have a few good Thai restaurants and interesting cafes, including vegetarian options. Many beachside eateries are scattered around the island and something tasty is never too far away. Visitors shouldn't be scared of trying some street food, as this is often the cheapest and sometimes the best option for backpackers and budget travellers alike.

Nightlife

Koh Chang's nightlife ranges from pubs and beach bars to live music venues and vibrant nightclubs. White Sand Beach is the nightlife hub of the island and has some of the most popular venues on its southern tip. On Klong Prao Beach there are cafes and bars with pool tables, board games and big screen TVs, and the same can be said for Kai Bae Beach. The bars on Lonely Beach appeal to a younger crowd, as there's live music and an increasingly debauched atmosphere.

Holiday activities

Visitors to the Koh Chang island resort won't be short of things to see and do. The beaches are all great for swimming and relaxing, and activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing and snorkelling are on offer. However, the most popular Koh Chang activity is scuba diving; the resort boasts some of the best dive sites off the southern coast, with great visibility from November to April. Hiking to the Nam Tok Mayom and Nam Tok Klong Phu waterfalls is also great fun, and visitors should be sure to cool off afterwards in the refreshing plunge pools. Elephant safaris can be done at Khlong Prao, and yachting enthusiasts will find that sailing in the area is great from November to March.

Any negatives?

Sandflies are a real irritation, as their bites cause itchy sores to develop.