Information
Landmark: Koh ChangCity: Gulf of Thailand
Country: Thailand
Continent: Asia
Koh Chang, Gulf of Thailand, Thailand, Asia
Overview
Koh Chang, often called the jewel of the Gulf, is Thailand’s second-largest island, sitting close to the Cambodian border where warm, turquoise waves lap its shores.Koh Chang, with its thick green rainforests, sunlit sandy beaches, and craggy hills, draws travelers looking for both a thrill and a quiet place to unwind.Here, jungle trails wind into quiet beaches and colorful markets spill over with local crafts, creating a rare mix of nature, culture, and outdoor fun that’s perfect for hikers, sunseekers, and anyone craving a calm break from Thailand’s crowded tourist hubs.Koh Chang sits in eastern Thailand’s Trat Province, roughly 300 kilometers from Bangkok and just 35 kilometers from the Cambodian border, where the sea air carries a hint of salt.Koh Chang is Thailand’s second-largest island, stretching over roughly 429 square kilometers-about the size of a small city surrounded by turquoise water.The island belongs to Mu Koh Chang National Park, where the air smells of salt and the jungle hums with cicadas.Koh Chang’s population is small, yet the island buzzes with life when tourists flood in during the high season, filling beachside cafés and narrow streets.Koh Chang’s standout features include quiet, palm-fringed beaches, dense jungle trails, and turquoise waters that catch the morning light.Koh Chang is famous for its stunning stretches of sand, where you can swim in clear, blue water, bask in the sun, or just listen to the gentle waves lapping the shore.White Sand Beach is Koh Chang’s favorite spot, a long ribbon of powdery sand where the water glimmers a clear, inviting blue.You’ll find plenty of hotels, cafés serving fresh coffee, and small shops, making it perfect for lazy afternoons or jumping into the water for a swim.Klong Prao Beach offers a calmer escape than busy White Sand Beach, with soft sand tucked beside palm-fringed paths and dense green hills-ideal if you’re after peace and a bit of privacy.Lonely Beach, with its laid‑back, bohemian charm, draws backpackers and budget travelers who sprawl on the sand with guitars and sun‑faded packs.The place feels laid-back and rustic, with weathered beachfront bungalows and a few small cafés where you can hear the waves.Kai Bae Beach draws families and couples alike, with its sweeping view of tiny Koh Man Nai Island and a mix of cozy guesthouses and lively seaside cafés.Number two.Koh Chang boasts several beautiful waterfalls, where cool mist clings to the air, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers and hikers alike.Klong Plu Waterfall is the island’s best-known cascade, just a short walk from Klong Plu Beach, where you can hear the water tumbling over smooth rocks.At the base, you’ll find a large swimming pool where visitors can slip into the cool, clear water and unwind.Than Mayom Waterfall spills over a series of rocky ledges, tucked deep inside lush, tangled jungle, where the air smells faintly of wet leaves and the scene feels utterly calm.You can reach the lower falls with hardly any effort, but the upper falls take a short uphill hike past mossy rocks.Klong Nonsi Waterfall is a hidden spot where the water tumbles gently over smooth rocks, perfect for anyone seeking a quieter escape.The trail to the falls winds through dense jungle, where damp earth scents the air and the island’s wild beauty surrounds you.Three.Koh Chang’s rainforest hums with life, its dense green canopy sheltering everything from chattering macaques to bright flashes of kingfisher wings.You can wander through the island’s thick jungle, where monkeys chatter in the trees and bright-plumed birds dart past, with reptiles slipping quietly through the undergrowth.Wildlife Tours: Wander the jungle’s winding trails, and you might catch sight of gibbons swinging overhead, a macaque darting through the undergrowth, and countless other rare creatures.The island’s rainforest bursts with vibrant life, from bright orchids tucked in the shade to towering palms swaying in the humid air.Mu Koh Chang National Park includes the main island along with a scatter of smaller ones nearby, where palm trees lean over clear, green water.The park is a protected haven where you can wander among the region’s rich wildlife, from bright reef fish darting through coral gardens to the thriving marine life offshore.Number four.In Koh Chang, you can dive into everything from kayaking through glassy lagoons to tackling heart-pounding adventure sports-perfect for thrill-seekers and water lovers alike.Scuba diving and snorkeling on Koh Chang offer crystal-clear waters and reefs alive with colorful fish darting between corals.If you’re heading out to dive or snorkel, two favorites are the islands of Koh Yuak and Koh Rang, where the water’s clear enough to spot bright reef fish just below the surface.The island’s dotted with dive schools, perfect for anyone eager to earn their certification and slip beneath the turquoise water.Kayaking and paddleboarding are easy to enjoy on Koh Chang’s glassy, blue-green waters, and you can rent a board or kayak right from nearly any beach.Jungle treks and waterfall hikes await, with steep trails winding through thick, green forests and rocky ridges that beg to be explored.Several trails wind through the hills, leading to breathtaking overlooks and the rush of cool, misty waterfalls.Five.At Authentic Thai Culture Koh Chang, you can dive into time‑honored traditions-hear the slow beat of a long‑drum parade-while still relaxing with all the modern comforts.Visit Bang Bao and Salak Phet, two island fishing villages where you can wander wooden piers, sample just-caught seafood, and pick up handmade goods from local artisans.On Koh Chang, you’ll find several Buddhist temples, like Wat Salak Phet and Wat Klong Son, where incense drifts through the air and the quiet feels almost sacred.Koh Chang comes alive at its night markets, especially near White Sand Beach and Kai Bae, where you can nibble on sizzling skewers, browse for handmade trinkets, and chat with smiling locals.The best time to visit Koh Chang is between November and February, when the dry season brings clear skies, calm seas, and warm days perfect for hiking jungle trails, diving among coral reefs, or stretching out on the soft, sunlit sand.From March to May, the days can feel sticky and warm, but it’s still a great time to go-especially if you like wandering quiet streets without the usual crowds.Rainy Season (June to October): Expect frequent downpours, with the heaviest rains drumming on rooftops from August through October.During this period, a few activities might not be available, and the island settles into a softer hush, like waves lapping gently at the shore.Still, it’s the perfect moment for anyone craving peace and quiet, like sitting alone by a lake at dawn.The easiest way to reach Koh Chang is to hop on a bus or minivan from Bangkok and ride about five or six hours to the pier in Trat, where the air smells faintly of salt from the sea.From Trat, hop on a ferry to Koh Chang-it’s a breezy 30 to 45 minutes across the water, with the sea air in your face.By car, you can reach Koh Chang by taking the same route-watch for the sea flashing through the trees as you go.Car ferries run from Trat, ready to carry your vehicle-and you-across the water to the island.By air, the closest airport sits in Trat, with daily flights arriving from Bangkok-just a short hop over the green patchwork of fields.From Trat Airport, grab a taxi to the ferry terminal, where the salty air greets you, then hop on a boat bound for the island.In Koh Chang, you’ll find everything from a $10-a-night hostel with a creaky ceiling fan to a sprawling resort where the pool seems to melt into the sea.The island boasts several luxury resorts, with many clustered along Klong Prao and Kai Bae beaches, where you can wake to the sound of waves outside a villa, then spend the day drifting between the spa and the pool.Mid-range hotels and charming boutique guesthouses are easy to find, giving you a comfortable bed and warm lighting without stretching your budget.If you’re watching your wallet, Koh Chang offers plenty of budget hostels and simple bungalows, especially along Lonely Beach and White Sand Beach, where the sound of waves at night draws backpackers and frugal travelers alike.What’s the reason?
