Koh Chang Island Guide: Beaches, Activities & Travel Tips
Koh Chang is the second largest island in Thailand. It stretches about 30 kilometers in length and 14 kilometers in width. You’ll find plenty of long beaches with palm trees—ideal for relaxing or soaking up the sun. The clear blue waters around Koh Chang are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other fun water activities. Want to prepare for your trip? Here’s everything you need to know before visiting one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands!
Beaches
The most visited beaches of Koh Chang are located on the west coast, where you can find numerous shops, massage parlors, and street stalls. The south coast beaches are less crowded but certainly no less beautiful. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, you’ll still find a few untouched beaches at the southern tip of Koh Chang, with little to no facilities.
Accommodations
As Koh Chang has grown in popularity, more luxury hotels and resorts have popped up on the island. This means you can swap your rickety beach bungalow for a five-star resort with all the bells and whistles, like a spa and pool, if that’s your thing. For some, it’s a nightmare; for others, it’s the ultimate getaway. Personally, we love mixing it up—a stay in a simple bungalow followed by a stint in a resort that has it all. Here are our favorite accommodations on Koh Chang.
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Klong Prao Beach
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Klong Prao Beach
Klong Kloi Beach
Bangbao Beach Resort
Klong Kloi Beach
Yak Bungalows
See & Do
The best thing about Koh Chang is the island itself. It’s a place you really need to explore on your own. Our biggest tip? Rent a scooter or car and get ready to be amazed by breathtaking waterfalls, paradise-like beaches, and stunning nature! Koh Chang has so much more to offer than just its beautiful beaches.
Koh Chang
Waterfalls of Koh Chang
Koh Chang is home to several stunning waterfalls, with Khlong Phlu being the most famous one. But don’t miss out on the other beautiful spots, like the smaller Kai Bae and Si Tho waterfalls. These are little earthly paradises, perfect for a refreshing swim. Most waterfalls are at their best during the rainy season from June to October. However, Khlong Phlu is known for having enough water all year round for a cool dip. We had an amazing swim in its crystal-clear waters in December!
Bang Bao Pier
Bang Bao Pier
Bang Bao Pier is packed with souvenir shops, tour agencies, and restaurants where you can book awesome snorkeling and diving trips. There are several seafood restaurants on the pier with views of the beautiful west coast. You can even stay overnight on the pier. As you head towards the end of the pier, the atmosphere becomes more authentic, with fishing boats docked and fishermen proudly showing off their catch of the day. And, of course, don’t forget to snap a photo of the lighthouse at the very end of the pier for that iconic Instagram shot.
Koh Chang
Little Island Koh Ngam
Ever seen one of those stunningly small tropical islands in a travel brochure? That might just be Koh Ngam! This little island is a narrow strip of white sand with palm trees, flanked by lush green hills on both sides. It has a sort of H shape, so you can swim in the unreal blue sea from either side of the beach. Aside from a few rangers, the island is uninhabited. It’s like stepping back into paradise!
Eat & Drink
Just like its accommodations, Koh Chang’s food scene has something for everyone. You’ll still find cozy beach shacks grilling up fresh seafood right by the waves, but now there are also stylish restaurants serving fusion dishes, craft cocktails, and even wood-fired pizzas. Whether you’re craving spicy Thai classics, Western comfort food, or a sunset drink with your feet in the sand, Koh Chang delivers. We like to switch it up—snack on street food one night, then treat ourselves to a romantic dinner the next. Below, we share our favorite spots to eat and drink across the island.
Koh Chang
The CoCo Restaurant & Bar
Fresh seafood dishes and friendly service at The CoCo Restaurant & Bar, on the south side of Lonely Beach, Koh Chang.
Koh Chang
LE Jao Jom
Discover LE Jao Jom, Koh Chang’s premier seaside dining gem where Thai zest meets Japanese finesse. Nestled in a serene bay near White Sand Beach, this stylish restaurant offers […]
Koh Chang
Phu-Talay Seafood Restaurant
This romantic restaurant is situated by the river with the sea in the background. Dining here is an experience in itself, especially when the sun sets and a fire dance show is performed from a platform on the water. As the icing on the cake, guests are invited to take a free boat ride in the dark to search for fireflies!
Transportation
Songthaew / Taxi Koh Chang
On Koh Chang, the main mode of transportation is the Songthaew, a small open pickup truck that you share with other passengers. These trucks run on fixed routes around the island, and you can flag them down by the roadside. Prices for traveling from one beach to another are often displayed on signs. Bargaining isn’t really effective.
Riding a scooter on Koh Chang
For the ultimate freedom, rent a scooter and explore Koh Chang on your own. You can find a scooter rental shop in every town. The roads are generally narrow but well-maintained. However, Koh Chang does have some challenging sections, including steep hills and sharp curves. Be aware that roads can become slippery when it rains. Having scooter experience and a healthy dose of caution is essential here. Before hitting the road, make sure the brakes work well and that the scooter is powerful enough for the steep hills.
Getting to Koh Chang
Koh Chang is about 300 kilometers from Bangkok, located in Trat province, close to the mainland near Cambodia. Because it’s just a quick flight from Bangkok, Koh Chang is a great spot if you don’t want to spend too much time traveling or head all the way down south. You can fly from Bangkok to Trat Airport in about an hour, then grab a taxi or a songthaew to Aow Thammachat Pier. From there, it’s just a half-hour boat ride before you’re sinking your toes into the soft sand of Koh Chang. or you book via 12go.
Combineer Koh Chang met Koh Mak en Koh Kood
Koh Chang is close to Koh Mak and Koh Kood, so a lot of people just visit all three during their trip. That way, you get to mix it up and enjoy a bit of everything each island has to offer! Here is the route with approximate distances between islands and Trat:
Koh Kood → Trat: ~45 km (about 1.5 hours by boat)
Trat → Koh Chang: ~30 km (about 30-45 minutes by boat)
Koh Chang → Koh Mak: ~25 km (about 1 hour by boat)
Koh Mak → Koh Kood: ~15 km (about 30-45 minutes by boat)
Best route summary:
Trat → Koh Chang → Koh Mak → Koh Kood → Trat. Or the other way around, like we did.
This route sticks to the islands’ order and distances, so you don’t have to zigzag around. That way, you can see all the islands without wasting time.
