Koh Chang is the third-largest island in Thailand, and it’s where both foreign and domestic visitors head for magnificent wildlife, pristine beaches, and exciting water activities. Koh Chang is rich in history dating back to prehistoric times and was a big trading hub during the Ayutthaya period as well. Today, Koh Chang is an island paradise for locals and foreign visitors alike. It offers beautiful beaches, fresh and tasty Thai dishes, and one of the best locations for the golden sunset hour. If you want to avoid the busy island of Phuket or the party scene of Koh Samui, Koh Chang is a great alternative where you can still enjoy exciting boat tours and excursions. It’s a fabulous island to visit, whether you’re looking for active outdoor activities or lazing down on the beach and just relaxing. Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Koh Chang.
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#1 THING TO DO
Take a Snorkel Trip on Koh Chang
Explore the marine park with a snorkel or dive trip. On this super day trip on Koh Chang, you’ll visit 3 different sports, and choose to snorkel or dive on this full-day trip, including an English-speaking guide and lunch.
The Different Areas of Koh Chang
There are significant areas in Koh Chang where most people stay, spend time, and find things to do. And picking the right area for you will impact your trip here, so here’s what to expect in Koh Chang’s different accommodation, eating, and entertainment areas
Bang Bao is where the southern pier is located. This is where you’ll arrive if you’re coming from Koh Kood and Koh Mak. It’s a little town with everything you need, from accommodations, dive shops, restaurants, and convenience stores. There’s also, if you arrive on the ferry from Koh Kood or Koh Mak, what feels like the world’s longest pier (it’s undercover, but still SO long!). You’ll also find motorbike rentals here. If you plan a day trip to islands around Koh Chang, this is where the boats will be leaving. There’s a peninsula on the left side of the pier where you’ll find resorts.
Find fabulous places to stay in Bang Bao on Koh Chang here.
Lonely Beach is situated in the southwest of Koh Chang, about a 15-minute drive north of Bang Bao. The name is a little misleading, as it’s anything but lonely that you’ll be here. Most backpackers head here because of the relaxed vibe and bars. Lots of people simply find a hammock here to chill out or lay down their sarongs on the sand. The beach has calm waters, perfect for kayaking and swimming. There are also accommodations along the seaside, from affordable to luxury resorts.
Here are the best places to stay in Lonely Beach for your budget.
White Sands Beach is an area northwest of Koh Chang, a good 30-minute drive from Lonely Beach. It’s one of the busiest areas in Koh Chang since it’s near Mu Koh National Park and Ao Sapparot Pier (where you’ll arrive in Koh Chang if coming from Trat or the mainland). There are loads of accommodations, from affordable to high-end. White Sands Beach is known for its lively atmosphere, with many restaurants and bars to choose from.
Here are the top beachfront places to stay in White Sands Beach.
The Northern Area near Marina Sands is excellent if you want a quiet area but not too far from the pier and White Sand Beach. This is where private boats are anchored, and a golf course is nearby. There are great hotels and resorts here, and many have a private ocean view.
The Evergreen Resort in the North of Koh Chang is a glorious quiet retreat. Great pool, fabulous staff, lovely rooms, free bike rental, free transfers, and free breakfast! We loved it. Check availability and rooms here.
The East Coast is the most laid-back area in Koh Chang. Accommodations and restaurants are not built next to each other, and the traffic doesn’t create much noise. There’s easy access to Than Mayom and Khlong Nonsi Waterfalls from here. If you plan to stay on the east coast, make sure your accommodation can rent you a motorbike so you can travel around the island conveniently.
The Best 14 Things to Do in Koh Chang
Things to do in Koh Chang include exploring Koh Chang National Park, where you can spot macaques, gibbons, and exotic butterflies. If you get too hot, discover numerous beaches for snorkeling opportunities or book a boat tour for diving. When you get hungry after doing loads of activities, there are many choices for street food and restaurants. Koh Chang is easy to reach from the mainland – the closest town (and ferry port) is Trat. I’ve covered how to get to Koh Chang from Bangkok here.
1. Rent a motorbike and explore the island
Koh Chang Island has a total area of 429 square kilometers, making it possible to explore a lot of the island in just a day (if you get a move on) since it will take you under an hour to drive from the north to the south of the island. You can rent a motorbike from your accommodation, and if they don’t offer it, the hotel next door will do. The rental cost for one day (24 hours) is usually about 150 THB, don’t pay more than 250 THB. The island has some hills, so renting a motorbike of at least 125cc is essential. You’ll find that you use more gas here than on some of the other islands, with those hills as well!
The rental comes with a helmet. If you’re two people, you should be able to ask for an extra helmet for free. Make sure to fill the gas before you set out, as it can be an issue once you get to rural areas. The gas is usually sold in an empty whiskey bottle and can be bought from motorbike rental places, but plenty of wooden shacks that sell them are also set up along the road. There will usually be a sign saying how much it is.
2. Explore Bang Bao Pier
This is where you’ll arrive if you are coming from Koh Kood. The pier is 350 m long, and Songthaews (shared taxis) will be waiting for you near the stilt houses, if you’ve booked a through transfer it’s included. If you haven’t booked a transfer, make sure you know how much it costs before you get in – by asking – don’t assume the price because you read it somewhere. Many shops here on the pier sell random items, but it’s a nice place to walk around and maybe wait for the sunset. The stilt houses will start selling food at night. This is also where you can catch a ferry that goes to Koh Kood and Koh Mak. Day trips out on the water head out from here too.
3. Head to Koh Chang’s Beaches
There are three main beaches in Koh Chang; White Sand Beach, Lonely Beach, and Klong Prao Beach. But you should head to Long Beach if you’re looking for some quiet time. White Sand Beach is the most popular because of its soft sand and clear waters. It’s also the busiest, with a lively atmosphere. The shoreline is filled with restaurants, bars, and shops.
Lonely Beach is a backpacker’s paradise – accommodation is more affordable here, there are cheaper food options and it has a more laid-back vibe. The calm waters are perfect for swimming, while the sandy shoreline is fantastic for sunbathing. You can still enjoy a scenic sunset from here too, but at night, the beach comes to life with parties.
Long Beach is ideal if you’re looking for a secluded beach. It’s situated right at the bottom of Koh Chang Island and will take around 45 minutes on a motorbike to reach from the top of the island. There’s also a great restaurant here, so you don’t have to worry about bringing food and drinks with you. Going for lunch is definitely recommended, and you can take advantage of an excellent drive with beautiful views. We rode down here on a motorbike, explored the mangroves, and had a fabulous lunch. If you want to stay here, there are bungalows to rent, or, if you want to push the boat out, then take a room at the lovely overwater Tantawan Resort.
4. Explore Koh Chang’s Mangrove Walk
If you’re already on the south of Koh Chang, you might as well stop by the Mangrove Walk. There are wooden planks in place for a short, interesting, and easy hike through the mangrove. It’s not very long, about 800 m, and takes around 10 minutes. Be mindful of your step since there are gaps between the planks, and during high tide or rainy season, it can get wet and slippery.
5. Head to the Koh Chang Memorial
The Koh Chang Memorial was built to remember the naval battle in Koh Chang during World War II. On January 17, 1941, French forces landed in Koh Chang and fought against the Thai army. This memorial was built to honor those who died on that day. It’s a small building, but there’s an outdoor shrine featuring sculpted soldiers where locals used to come, pay their respect, and offer prayers.
Apart from checking out the memorial, there’s a lovely beach here, with a nice sloping beach of fine white sand. You can rent kayaks or take a boat and head to the island nearby, including Ko Ngam Beach. Some locals sell snacks and drinks, but there’s no major restaurant facility.
6. Hike (or bike) to Koh Chang’s Waterfalls
Some of the waterfalls in Koh Chang are located not too far from the main road, such as Khlong Nonsi Waterfall and Si Tho Waterfall. Some require you to go for a hike through rocks and forests, like Than Mayom Waterfall and Khlong Nueng Waterfall. Although the walk is short, it can get slippery, and you must cross over the water, so it’s best to wear proper shoes. Most waterfalls are quite a distance from the main areas, so renting a motorbike and hopping waterfalls is a fun day trip. You can easily visit all seven in a day if you have a motorbike.
There are seven waterfalls around Koh Chang Island. The most visited is Khlong Phlu Waterfall, not too far from Klong Prao Beach. You’ll have to walk through a rocky jungle for 500 m to reach the waterfalls. Once you pay the entrance fee (200 THB for foreign visitors and 40 THB for Thai nationals), you can enjoy a cool swim at the bottom of the waterfalls. The water is much better after the rainy season, and the waterfall is more impressive.
On the east side of the island is Than Mayom Waterfall. It has fewer visitors but can still get busy. The walk from the entrance to the waterfall is around 10 minutes. There’s a “rope bridge” that you must cross. Although the rope is really just a rope to hold onto while you cross the water, there’s no bridge or planks setup, and your feet will get wet. It’s not recommended for young children and those with mobility issues. The admission fee is the same as for Khlong Phlu Waterfall, 200 THB for foreign nationals.
Just north of Thanh Mayon Waterfall is Khlong Nonsi Waterfall. There is no entrance fee, and the area is more relaxing with fewer people. It’s only a few minutes walk from the road. The pools are shallow but enough for a nice dip if you’re going during the dry season.
7. Take a Day Trip from Koh Chang to Koh Wai
There’s a little island between Koh Chang and Koh Mak called Koh Wai. You can get here by taking a day trip from Koh Chang. It’s a lovely spot for snorkeling, featuring shallow corals and beautiful marine life, but also known as a spot for just chilling out. If you’re on the boat from Koh Kood/Koh Mak it often calls here on the way through, picking up the day trippers.
The slow boats to Koh Wai leave from Bang Bao Pier at around 9 AM. The ticket costs 300 THB, and the journey takes around 45 minutes. You can also take a speedboat that leaves from the same pier at 9:30 AM and 12:00 noon. The fee is 400 THB per person. However, as with all slow boats aka longtail boats, they wait until there are enough passengers. Before buying your ticket, ask what time they will stop by Koh Wai for a return pick-up back to Koh Chang, especially for the slow boat since that one usually goes to other islands to drop off people or pick up some cargo.
8. Have a Spa Day on Koh Chang
Going to a spa is a popular thing to do in Koh Chang, it’s cheap and you get great value for money here. The Thai massages here are world-class, but you can also request other types of massage. There are plenty of massage places lined up along the west coast. You can try Star Massage, Rainforest Spa, and Good Massage. If you’re in a resort, there’s a high chance they offer massage services on-site. The price ranges tend to be between 300 THB to 950 THB depending on the type, duration, and if you pick a combo package.
9. Go diving from Koh Chang
You can’t go to Koh Chang without going diving. The corals and marine life here are amazing featuring the most stunning colors, and this is one of Thailand’s best National Parks for spotting Wildlife. The main diving spots are around Koh Rang National Park, Hin Luk Bat, and Koh Wai. In these diving spots, you should be able to find various fishes, sting rays, colorful corals, and even sharks. Koh Chang National Park is one of the best parks in Thailand for seeing wildlife – there’s more here.
There are plenty of dive shops you can check. Most are located along White Sand Beach and Klong Prao Beach. It’s recommended to shop around first before you book anything. You can also book one online to save some time. You can do a one-day diving trip if you’re already licensed. All the equipment will be provided, and you’ll even get picked up from your accommodation.
If you’re not licensed and have been considering getting one, you can get your PADI license in Koh Chang. There’s a 3-day open-water course, teaching you the basics and diving out in the open water. Everything will also be included. On the other hand, if getting a license sounds like too much work and you have limited time, you can sign up for beginner scuba diving instead. Discover the underwater world of Koh Chang by going on two dives accompanied by an expert instructor.
10. Go snorkeling from Koh Chang
Going snorkeling in Koh Chang is another must-do on the island. Unfortunately, although the beaches have clear waters, there’s not much to see there. You can make the most out of your time if you head out in the middle of the water instead. You don’t need a license for this. You can book a snorkeling tour to take you to reefs or wreck sites where incredible water life thrives. The tour includes a pick-up from your hotel, lunch, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and an expert guide.
11. Go for a hike on Koh Chang
Hiking around Koh Chang is possible and also challenging! Salak Phet is the highest point on the island (744m/2,441 ft). It is located in the southern part, featuring a mangrove forest and a temple apart from the gorgeous view. If that’s not enough for you, head to Khiri Phet Waterfall as well, it’s not too far from Salak Phet. If you want a viewpoint that overlooks the ocean, Kai Bae Viewpoint is situated near Lonely Beach. It’s a short hike from the main road. But be mindful of your personal items because there are lots of wild monkeys who like to take things and run away with them.
The White Buddha Viewpoint is a short hike but offers a nice spot for sunset. It’s not too far from the road and has a paved trail, making it a suitable hike for young children. Finally, Khao Laem Mountain Trek is a fantastic route. Everything is well-marked, but you are required to trek with a guide – ask locally for advice on guides. It’s a 7.4 km (4.6 mi) round trip. The beginning of the trail is paved, but for the most part, it’s a hike through a forest. The hike is not easy, and there are many overgrown plants, so wear proper footwear, and take hiking poles, if you plan to hike or go jungle trekking in Koh Chang.
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12. Go Jungle Trekking on Koh Chang
Jungle trekking in Koh Chang is another option if you love nature and want to discover the island through its forests. You’ll need a guide to go trekking, not because it’s required (in some areas, it does), but because the trails are not well-marked, and you can easily get lost.
Tan Trekking (+66 89 645 2019 ) is the most recommended company to go with and the costs range from 600 THB to 1,200 THB per person, depending on where you want to go. Tan has been leading treks on Koh Chang for many years, but also lived in Australia, and speaks great English.
13. Watch Muay Thai in Koh Chang
Muay Thai is a big sport all over Thailand. If you’re a fan, watch a Koh Chang Muay Thai Boxing Stadium match. You will see a match and experience the “Wai Khru Ram Mua”, a ritual before the fight starts, which plays a significant role in the event. There are fights every Saturday, and you can get your ticket online.
14. Watch the Sunset on Koh Chang
Klong Prao Beach is a lovely place to watch the sunset. It’s even better if your accommodation is here so that you can have a more peaceful sunset experience. White Sand Beach is an obvious choice, where you can enjoy a drink at a bar while you admire the colorful sky. Long Beach is a peaceful location for sunset in Koh Chang if you want something more relaxing.
Things NOT to do on Koh Chang
You’re probably aware that many unethical activities involving animals exist in Thailand, such as riding elephants and taking photos with drugged tigers. While many sanctuaries now rescue these animals, there’s yet to be a law to 100% prevent these kinds of businesses from operating.
Avoid misleading places near the road with signs “safaris”, where you can feed elephants. The elephants are chained while you feed them, it’s such a heartbreaking sight. These animals are treated horribly and trained with force to ensure being submissive. Don’t bring business to these places, and tell everyone you know to avoid is well.
Instead of wasting your money on those “safaris”, you can do something worthwhile. This included volunteering at legit sanctuaries such as the Koh Chang Animal Project. Not only do they support authentic rescue centers, but they also help other animals, such as stray cats, and dogs, and offer services to the locals of Koh Chang.
If you’re looking for other ethical places to see elephants, then I highly recommend the Mondulkiri Elephant Sanctuary in Cambodia. It is glorious. We took a hike there and you can read about it here.
Map of the Best Things to do in Koh Chang
You can see the live map of Koh Chang’s things to do here.
Where to Eat on Koh Chang
When it comes to eating in Koh Chang, the number one place you should check out is Koh Chang Night Food Market. It’s located on White Sand Beach and only opens daily from 5:30 PM to 11 PM. You’ll find everything, from dinner food, and snacks, to dessert. There are curries, barbecues, spring rolls, sticky rice, crepes, fresh fruits, and smoothies.
If you want a sit-down restaurant, Thai Dutch Restaurant is an incredible fusion of two cuisines. The prices are reasonable, and the service is fast. The top seller on the menu is pad thai and massaman curry. On the other hand, Khun Tee’s Kitchen is a fantastic option for those on a budget. They serve great cocktails, and local dishes, and offer a nice ambiance. Blue Blues Arts&Food is an excellent spot for food in Koh Chang too. You can see the staff preparing the food and enjoying the music while you wait.
For vegetarians, go to Tofu Kitchen. You can order any kind of Thai food in vegetarian versions, such as Massaman curry and spring rolls, but they also serve the best tempeh on the island.
How to Get to Koh Chang
Getting to Koh Chang is very easy, and there are multiple options depending on your budget and time. You can fly from Bangkok to Trat Airport, a direct flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
If you’re coming from Bangkok, then a through ticket (bus and ferry) is the best option.
You need to get to Thammachat Ferry Pier by taxi from the airport. Finally, you will take a 30-minute ferry ride to Koh Chang. You can also travel by bus, which is more affordable but can take longer, and you will arrive at Trat Bus Station instead of the pier. You can check our ultimate guide on how to get to Koh Chang for prices, schedules, and other options.
How to Get Around Koh Chang
Since more tourism-related businesses are on the west coast, the affordable Songthaews (shared taxis) only go up and down along the west coast. But when it comes to the east coast, it’s more complicated since that area is more residential, and most locals have their own vehicles or motorbikes.
If you plan to travel long distances, renting a motorbike is best. You don’t need to hire one for the entire duration of your stay. You can save money by renting a motorbike only when you plan to go to the other side of the island.
Safety on Koh Chang
Koh Chang is a pretty safe place to travel to. Follow all the usual precautions that you would when traveling.
- Keep valuables out of sight
- Always lock your valuables away when they’re not with you (read how we use a portable travel safe here)
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- Use a VPN when utilizing public WiFi networks in hotels, hostels, and guesthouses (read about VPNs here)
- Tap water is NOT potable in Thailand. Consider taking a refillable water bottle to reduce the use of single-use plastic. We always travel with a filter water bottle, which I wrote about here.
Travel Insurance for Thailand
Koh Chang and Thailand are pretty safe locations to travel to, but accidents can happen. Civitatis includes medical expenses, repatriation, theft, luggage delays. No deductibles or upfront payments. Get a quote here.
Travel Tips for Exploring Thailand
- Get Travel Insurance: Civitatis includes medical expenses, repatriation, theft, luggage delays. No deductibles or upfront payments. Get a quote here.
- Get online immediately with an eSIM for Thailand
- Read our Thailand Transport Guide here.
- Download and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Thailand > discount coupon here
- Arriving by air? Book your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.
- Book the best Thailand tours and guides on Klook or Get YourGuide
- Save money in Thailand with a Wise debit card
- Book Ferries, and Buses in Thailand with 12goAsia
- Book accommodation in Thailand with Booking
Final Words on the Top 15 Things to Do in Koh Chang
It’s so easy to spend an entire week in Koh Chang discovering diving spots, kayaking, island hopping, or relaxing. If you have limited time, there are guided tours you can book to make the most out of your time here. It’s an incredible island with so much to offer, whether you’re a person who likes to do something daily or someone who enjoys lying on the beach sipping fresh coconut. We loved our time traveling through the Trat Islands. In Koh Chang, we got out and explored, but also found a fabulous island to just chill out and relax on!
Stock images in this article are courtesy Deposit Photos.
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