Ko Chang
Attractions and distractions
Attractions and distractions
Stretching for some two kilometres along the west coast, Haad Sai Khao, or White Sand Beach, is the most popular and developed beach on Ko Chang. Especially when strolling along parts of the excellent northern end, it’s easy to see why this was the beach first chosen by some of Ko Chang’s earliest tourism-related ... Read more about Haad Sai Khao .
Khlong Prao, or “Coconut Canal”, takes its name from the estuaries that flow into the sea at all three ends of this sweeping seven-kilometre bay. Rimmed by powder-sand beaches for much of this distance, the spread-out area attracts those who prefer the quiet life while keeping conveniences close by. ... Read more about Khlong Prao .
Located just south of Khlong Prao and north of the steep hairpin turns leading to Lonely Beach, Kai Bae makes up for its narrow beach by virtue of excellent food and nightlife in a tightly packed village. ... Read more about Kai Bae .
Known as Haad Tha Nam to the Thais, Lonely Beach was a secluded backpacker hideaway before a road cut over the headland from Kai Bae brought the concrete-mixing trucks and techno parties. It now draws droves of mostly young, party-minded backpackers, while neighbouring Ao Bailan has a quieter, more mature atmosphere. ... Read more about Lonely Beach and Bailan .
Covering Ko Chang’s far southwestern corner, Bang Bao is best known for its pier that reaches for 700 metres to a three-storey lighthouse. Throw in the calm teal water, stilted houses and green mountains rising up behind, and you have one scenic bay. It’s also one of our favourite parts of Ko Chang. ... Read more about Bang Bao and Khlong Kloi .
Fishing boats bob beside stilted homes as sea eagles glide over mangroves, orchards and rubber groves. In the background stand 700-metre-high mountains concealing waterfalls shrouded in jungle. Anyone who thinks that Ko Chang is too crowded or developed has never made it to Salak Phet and the east coast, an area that rewards those who are ready to explore. ... Read more about Salak Phet and the east coast .
While you can take in a sunset from just about anywhere along Ko Chang’s west coast, those willing to move their feet for a truly memorable vantage point have some good options to choose from. ... Read more about Where to catch sunset .
When hiking to the falls, be careful not to step on the light-blue plastic water pipes that lie along streambeds and trails; break one and you may cut off water to a portion of the island. The photos seen below were taken in December and January; expect more impressive falls from July to October. Some falls dry up completely from February to May. ... Read more about Waterfalls .
Ko Chang has an overwhelming number of tour companies leading snorkeling, kayaking, sailing and fishing trips into the clear aquamarine water of Ko Rang, Ko Wai and many other pristine islands in the archipelago. ... Read more about Snorkeling, boat trips and watersports .
Divers often forget about Ko Chang in discussions on Thailand’s scuba scene, instead focusing on Ko Tao, Phuket, Ko Lanta and others. Yet the Chang archipelago’s depths conceal three shipwrecks along with the whale sharks spotted with some regularity around the islets and pinnacles. A few long-standing dive operations ensure that you’ll be in safe flippers. All dive outfits have offices ... Read more about Diving .
Old-growth rainforest blankets mountains topping 700 metres on Ko Chang, making it a great place to do some jungle trekking as a break from the beach. ... Read more about Jungle trekking .
Cooking classes, spa treatments, yoga sessions, muay Thai training, elephant encounters, cycling, jogging and swinging through treetops are all counted among the land-based activities on Ko Chang. ... Read more about Other activities .
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