Ko Chang Noi

Boat

Ko Chang Noi is reached during high season by longtail ferries from Ranong's Saphan Pla pier, departing at 9:30, 12:00, and 14:00 and costing 150B directly from the pier or 200B with a pre-booked songthaew transfer from Ruangrat Rd. The boat returns from Ko Chang Noi at 8:00 and 14:00.

Pon's Place in Ranong is a reliable (but always busy) travel agency which offers tourists a transfer service for every ferry departure. T: (077) 823 344; (081) 597 4549. ponplace@hotmail.com

Alternately, a red No. 3 (from the market) or blue No. 6 (from the bus station) will drop you off at the pier turnoff in Ranong. The No. 6 has a more circuitous route and takes longer so best to choose a No. 3 if you're leaving from the market. The pier is a few minutes' walk from where they drop you off. Just go straight down the road and you'll see the pier on your left once you've gone round the corner. Songthaews are the cheapest but slowest option; allow at least 30 minutes to get to the pier from the centre of town. For something faster, motorbike taxis are plentiful in the centre of Ranong and can get you to the pier quickly if you don't have too much luggage.

If the tide is very low a different pier may be used in Ranong. When this happens transport to the alternative pier is usually provided for free but you need to be at the pier at least 15-20 minutes prior to departure.

The boat typically disembarks at Koh Chang Resort's pier on Long Beach, from where it's easy to walk to the Long Beach Resorts. Small boats from the more remote northern resorts meet the boat on its way to Long Beach and provide the opportunity to stay with them without huffing it 2km from Long Beach.

During rainy season a single slow boat makes the trip to Ranong's eastern pier every day between 14:00 and 15:00, weather permitting.

If you miss the boat in either direction, it is possible to charter a private longtail in the 1,500B neighbourhood, and it's worth noting that many of the larger resorts have private boats that provide a pick-up service in Ranong if guests contact them in advance.

Once on Ko Chang Noi there are a couple sporadically paved narrow roads, but motorbike rental is not common. Walking and kayaking are the preferred means of getting around, but a small longtail boat may be chartered from most resorts for trips to more secluded parts of the island for 500B per half day.