One of the things most people add to their itinerary when visiting Thailand is a trip to one of the islands. And they should because the Thai islands are so different from Bangkok or Chiang Mai. We loved the vibe of the islands and hang out at the most amazing beaches.
If you are looking for an island with beautiful sunsets, Koh Chang might be for you! This island has plenty of amenities and is easy to get around. Hire a scooter or jump aboard a songthaew or a minivan. Beaches are all around the island and the perfect spot to watch a sunset is easily found.
But Koh Chang has more to offer than just beautiful sunsets. That’s why we have created this Koh Chang Travel Guide. With our help, you know just where to go, what to do, and how to get around. Don’t forget to take a look at Koh Mak or Koh Kood to complete your island-hopping adventure in Thailand!
Where is Koh Chang
Koh Chang is an island located in Trat Province, in the eastern part of Thailand, around 30 km from the Trat coast and 20 km north of Koh Mak. Koh Chang is a popular tourist destination in Thailand for those who love the sun, sea, and beaches.
The climate in the Gulf of Thailand is tropical, with warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. The best time to visit Koh Chang is typically from November to April, during the dry season in Thailand, when the weather is sunny and dry with less rainfall. The monsoon season is from May to October, during which the island can experience heavy rain and strong winds.
How to get there
To get to Koh Chang, the best thing you can do first is get to Trat. You can either take a bus or an airplane, depending on how much time and money you want to spend. From there, you can take a taxi or minivan to the Laem Ngop pier. Here you can take a ferry to Koh Chang. It takes about 45+- minutes to get to the island.
You can also reach Koh Chang from other islands in the Gulf of Thailand, such as Koh Mak or Koh Kood, by taking a ferry or speedboat. The trip from Koh Mak to Koh Chang takes about an hour and the trip from Koh Kood to Koh Chang takes about 2 hours.
TRAVEL TIP: Book a Private Transfer from Trat to Koh Changr to make your trip hassle free
How to get around on the island
There will be minibusses and private transfers waiting at the pier to pick up passengers from the ferry. You could hop on a songthaew as well and discover the island this way. We rented a scooter because the distances are quite big and this way we could stop wherever we wanted.
The roads in Koh Chang are pretty good but it gets busy in areas where there are many restaurants and shops or popular beaches. Pay attention to other traffic, the road is shared between pedestrians, scooters, and cars or buses. The island has a lot of steep roads with sharp turns where you can’t see ahead. A motorcycle with more cc is recommended.
Things to do
Koh Chang is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and beach lovers with its stunning beaches, lush tropical forests, and rich marine life. It’s perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving as the water is crystal clear. But if you like hiking and waterfalls Koh Chang is a great destination as well.
Don’t forget to explore the villages on this island and find the best local Thai food in one of the many restaurants! Just driving around the island is worth your time because of the amazing views along the way.
💡PACKING TIP: bring your own snorkel set, water shoes and a fast-drying towel if you want to go snorkeling!
Kai Bae Viewpoint
Kai Bae ViewPoint is the most famous lookout point in Koh Chang. It is located on the south side of Kai Bae Beach as the road makes its way to Lonely Beach. From here, you’ll be able to see the Koh Man Nai and the expansive views of the Gulf of Thailand from two separate observation decks.
This is a popular spot to watch the sunset but the view is beautiful at any point of the day. We stopped here on our way to the fishing village and pier.
Bang Bao Fishing Village
If you follow the main road you will find Bang Bao Fishing Village and Bang Bao Pier at the end of the road. This used to be an original fishing village and there are still a lot of buildings built on stilts. Most of them transformed into shops or restaurants and it’s one of the main tourist attractions in Koh Chang.
Even though it’s no longer an authentic village, we still had fun walking around on the wooden jetties and discovering all the local stores. We found a restaurant where we were literally sitting above the water.
The village is also a popular spot for snorkeling and diving, with several coral reefs and underwater caves located nearby. In addition, many shops and souvenir stalls sell handmade crafts and locally sourced products.
Bang Bao Pier
Head to Bang Bao Pier after you visit the fishing village. There is a lighthouse on the pier and you can walk to the end for beautiful views of Koh Chang and its surroundings. If you are lucky you’ll spot a couple of original fishing boats going out to sea or coming back.
If you are looking for a snorkeling or diving tour, head to this pier because they often offer better deals than the hotels on the island.
Khlong Phlu Waterfall
Koh Chang has a lot of waterfalls and the most popular one is Khlong Phlu Waterfall. It’s located in the Mo Koh Chang National Park. Foreigners pay an entry fee of 200 baht. It’s just a short hike from the parking area to the waterfall which is suitable for people of all fitness levels.
Don’t forget to bring or wear your bathing suit because there is a clear pool at the bottom of the waterfall with stunning views.
Klong Prao Beach
One of the best beaches in Koh Chang is Klong Prao Beach. The beach is surrounded by large trees that provide shade on those hot summer days. The water is quite shallow most of the time, but it is a nice place to go swimming when the tide is high.
Just relax at the beach and watch the sun go down. This is one of the best places to watch the sunset because you are on the right side of the island. We went to this beach almost every night because it was close to our resort and there is nothing better than a pink sky.
TRAVEL TIP: Make the most of your stay at Koh Chang and book a Full-Day Private Day Trip to explore the island.
Things you need to know
Koh Chang is one of the bigger islands. Take at least 4 days to fully explore the island. This way you have enough time to discover the highlights and enjoy the sunsets without rushing yourself.
It is possible to combine a visit to Koh Chang with a visit to Cambodia since it’s close to the border. There are a lot of travel agencies that will arrange transport and help you with visa requirements.
If you want to learn or go Scuba Diving, check out BB Divers. We did a snorkeling tour with them on Koh Mak and it was just perfect!
Where to stay
There are ample accommodations to choose from if you are heading to Koh Chang. Whether you are looking for a quiet place with some luxury or more of a party vibe, Koh Chang has it all! We’ve selected a couple of accommodations to help you make a decision:
Siam Bay Resort
A hillside property surrounded by nature, Siam Bay Resort offers rooms with sea views.
Use our Koh Chang Travel Guide
Koh Chang was our first Thai Island and the beginning of our island-hopping adventure. We weren’t familiar with this side of Thailand but we’re glad we listened to the locals and headed in this direction. Koh Chang is the perfect place to watch endless sunsets in Thailand.
If you’re looking to go island hopping in Thailand head over to Koh Mak for snorkeling adventures or Koh Kood to enjoy the old trees after you’re done discovering Koh Change. These three islands all have their own vibes and are easy to combine due to their location.
Please share your favorite places in Koh Chang below this article so we can add them to the map! This way our Koh Chang Travel Guide will grow and reflect the best of what Koh Chang has to offer!
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