Koh Chang is Thailand’s third largest island, located near the Cambodian border in Trat Province, about 300 km southeast of Bangkok. Despite being one of Thailand’s largest islands, along with the well-known Phuket and Koh Samui, it still retains its tranquility and authenticity.
The inland is covered in dense rainforest, creating a beautiful contrast with the azure blue water. The whole island has a very relaxed atmosphere and, despite the fact that there are already many hotels, restaurants, and bars, it can still be considered a relatively less touristy island where you can forget about crowded beaches and heavy traffic. This island is therefore the ideal compromise between adventure and relaxation, whether you are traveling with a backpack or looking for a romantic getaway in nature.
How to get to Koh Chang?
We recommend traveling to Koh Chang from Bangkok. You have two options to choose from. You can either fly from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat Airport. The entire flight will take approximately 60 minutes. From there, you will need to take a ferry departing from Ao Thammachat Pier or Center Point Pier. The ferry ride to Koh Chang takes about 30-45 minutes. Ferries run several times a day.
The second option for getting to Koh Chang is to take a bus to the aforementioned port, from where you can transfer to a ferry. The ride by minibus or bus from Bangkok takes approximately 6 hours. We booked our tickets on this link.
When to visit Koh Chang
The best time to visit Koh Chang is during the dry season, which lasts from November to April. During these months, the weather is sunny, the sea is calm, and the water is crystal clear, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. However, most people travel to Thailand in December and January, so if you want to avoid the crowds, November or April may be the ideal time for you. However, as we have already mentioned, Koh Chang Island is not overcrowded with tourists, so you can enjoy it to the fullest even during the peak season.
Where to stay on Koh Chang
On Koh Chang Island, you will find various types of accommodation, from the most luxurious resorts to cheap hostels. However, the location may be decisive for you, depending on what you are looking for. From our own experience, we can recommend the Kai Bae Beach area, which is ideal for both families with children and couples. Here you will find a beautiful beach, excellent amenities, many restaurants, and hotels at various price levels. If you are looking for luxury, we recommend The Chill Resort and Spa, which has a great location, beautiful facilities, and all-day breakfast! If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, then MAM Kaibae Hotel may be the right choice for you.
If you are traveling alone or looking for busier areas full of backpackers and digital nomads, we recommend the Lonely Beach area, which is known for its lively nightlife and bohemian atmosphere. If you like peace and quiet but still want to live in the center of the action, the Whitesand Beach area is a great alternative, where you will find many beautiful resorts.
The most beautiful beaches on Koh Chang Island
Koh Chang is known for its variety of beaches. You will find there busy beaches with bars and music, but also completely quiet coves where you will have no one around. Each has its own character and atmosphere, so there really is something for everyone, whether you are traveling as a couple, a group of friends, or looking for peace and quiet with a coconut in your hand. During our stay, we traveled almost the entire island from north to south, and here are the beaches that impressed us the most.
Whitesand Beach
Whitesand Beach is the most famous and developed beach on Koh Chang Island. It is a long beach with white sand and very calm and shallow water. There are many resorts, restaurants, and bars on the beach, so you can easily spend the whole day here. There are also ideal conditions for paddleboarding, and families with children will also enjoy themselves here, as there is relatively plenty of shade.
Kai Bae Beach
Kai Bae Beach is a popular tourist beach on the island. It has fine white sand and calm waters, so you can enjoy activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding. From the beach, you can see the surrounding tiny islands of Koh Man Nai, Koh Man Nok, and Koh Yuak, which you can reach by kayak to go snorkeling. It also offers picturesque views of the sunset. Above the beach is the Kai Bae Viewpoint, which can be reached by car or scooter.
Lonely Beach
Lonely Beach is located on the southwest coast and can be considered the liveliest beach on the island. It is particularly popular among solo travelers and backpackers, as there are many affordable accommodations (hostels) and great nightlife. There are several beach clubs and bars on the beach, where parties and fire shows are held regularly. The most famous bars are Ting Ting Bar and Nature Beach Resort.
Long Beach
On the southern side of the island, you will find a beautiful untouched beach called Long Beach. However, you will need to travel to this beach by motorbike or taxi, and the journey will take approximately 60-80 minutes. It is a less touristy beach, but in our opinion, it is one of the most beautiful on the island. However, there is not much in the surrounding area, only one beach restaurant. It is therefore a suitable place for those who prefer more secluded places without crowds of tourists. Ideally, visit it together with Ko Ngam Island, which we will talk about later.
Wai Chaek Beach
The absolute gem of Koh Chang and, in our opinion, the most beautiful beach is Wai Cheak Beach. This beach is located on the southern side of the island and offers an absolutely authentic experience. It is a beautiful beach in a remote location, lined with dozens of palm trees. There are no shops or restaurants in the area, so if you decide to come here for the whole day, we recommend bringing enough water and
own food. However, you will need your own scooter to get here, as taxis are unlikely to take you there. The last 10 minutes require climbing a steeper rocky path. You need to be very careful when riding, and if you don’t have enough experience riding a scooter, we definitely don’t recommend it.
What to do on Koh Chang Island
However, apart from beautiful beaches, Koh Chang has much more to offer. Whether it’s trips to the surrounding islands, diving and snorkeling in the lagoons, or exploring the inland, which also has a lot to offer.
Trip to Koh Ngam Island
A popular activity on Koh Chang is visiting the neighboring small island of Ko Ngam. The island is located 1.5 km southeast of Koh Chang and is part of Mu Ko Chang National Park. The island is surrounded on both sides by emerald green water and sandy beaches. You can reach this island by water taxi, kayak, or take a day trip that includes visits to Koh Lao Ya and Ko Wai in addition to this island.
We chose the second option and paid 100 THB for a two-way boat taxi from this location. However, you will pay an additional 200 THB per person to enter the island. There are no restaurants or shops on the island, so we recommend bringing your own food. There is a small local shop located right in the harbor where you can buy tickets for the boat, so if you haven’t brought your own food, you can buy some cold drinks or snacks there. The ideal time to spend on the island is 2-3 hours.
Full-day trip to Koh Ngam + Koh Lao Ya + Ko Wai
If a few hours on Koh Ngam Island aren’t enough for you, you can book a full-day trip and explore more. The islands of Koh Lao Ya and Ko Wai offer panoramic views, crystal clear water with colorful corals, and therefore excellent conditions for snorkeling. Such trips usually last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the price ranges from 700 to 1,000 THB per person, depending on the program. Boat trips depart from Bang Bao Pier or Kai Bae Beach, but also from the same place where boat depart for Koh Ngam.
Trip to Koh Mak Island
A popular activity is visiting the nearby island of Koh Mak. This island is known for its beautiful beaches with crystal clear water and, above all, its peaceful atmosphere, as it is much smaller and less crowded than Koh Chang. You can get to Koh Mak by ferry, which runs regularly several times a day from Bang Bao Port. You will pay €16 for the ticket. The journey will take approximately 45 minutes. You can also hire a private motorboat, which will take you there in 30 minutes. You can also take a one-day trip. Tickets can be purchased at local tourist centers. You can also visit Koh Mak for several days, as there are accommodations available on the island. You can view the entire range of accommodation on this page.
Waterfalls on Koh Chang Island
In addition to beautiful beaches, the island also offers beautiful nature and many waterfalls, which can be reached by easy hiking trails that anyone can manage. So if you want to take a break from the sun and swimming and hide from the hot day, visiting one of them can be a great activity for you.
The following are worth mentioning:
- Klong Phu – located on the west coast, near Klong Prao Beach. It takes about 15 minutes to get there from the parking lot, and admission is 200 THB per person.
- Than Mayom – a cascading waterfall surrounded by dense jungle, where you don’t pay any fees.
- Khlong Nonsi – located on the east coast, it can be reached by a short walk through rubber plantations.
Gastronomy on Koh Chang Island
On Koh Chang, you will find many great restaurants, whether you are looking for Thai specialties or restaurants offering international alternatives. Our favorite Thai restaurants included Apple Kitchen, Happy Restaurant Kai Bae Beach, and the neighboring Enjoy Life Restaurant.
If you are looking for international alternatives, be sure to visit the Italian restaurant Little Italy, Poké Bowl Koh Chang, or the Mexican restaurant El Barrio. If you are looking for nightlife, the bars around Lonely Beach are worth mentioning, such as Tingtong Bar or Himmel Bar, Kai Bae Walking Street or Oodies Bar with live oldies music.
E-Book Thailand
Koh Chang is an island full of contrasts, experiences, and colors. A place where you can spend one day discovering hidden beaches, diving among coral reefs, strolling through night markets, and enjoying the sunset over the sea in the evening. These tips are just a small taste of what this island has to offer – and perhaps it is in those unexpected moments that you will find your most beautiful memories.
If you are looking for more inspiration for other areas in Thailand, we recommend checking out our e-book, where you will find practical tips, proven itineraries, recommendations for food, accommodation, and lots of other useful advice from our own travels. It will help you plan your trip so that you can experience the best and completely stress-free. The e-book can be found here.
In our e-book you will find everything in one place:
- Tips and tricks to enjoy your holiday in Thailand to the fullest and save money
- Over 440 places to visit (including Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Khao Sok, Khao Lak, Similan Islands and Bangkok)
- Tips on restaurants, hotels and excursions in each area
- Direct contacts to tour operators from Phuket or Krabi
- 11 perfect itineraries for different lengths of stay
- Google map with all locations
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* All links in this article, including accommodation via booking, are affiliate links. All in one place. It won’t cost you any extra money or effort, it will make your planning easier and save you time. We would be delighted if you booked your dream holiday through them 🙂
