Koh Chang

Koh Chang (Ko Chang) Ko Chang is the largest island in the Ko Chang Archipelago. The name means Elephant Island, named for the elephant shape of its headland, although elephants are not indigenous to the island. Koh Chang is Thailand's second largest island, and much of it is covered with national parkland. The island’s beaches and rainforests are its biggest allure, offering diving, trekking, and sailing. Trat Airport is the gateway for those arriving from Bangkok’s international airport. Buses from the Bangkok airport also offer a more inexpensive alternative to flying. Once in Trat, ferry services complete the final leg of the journey to land on the eastern side of the island.

Most accommodation is located on the western side of the island, where the sandy beaches are. On the eastern side of the island there are few sandy beaches; as such, this side is far less touristy. There are some nice waterfalls though.

70 percent of this undisturbed island is rainforest, steep hills, cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife, fine beaches, coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. The island also offers tall mountains and rock cliffs.

The only way onto the island is by Ferry. All vehicle transfers from anywhere else will use one of these two ferry ports. See "By Boat" section for details.

Koh Chang is an island of fishing villages and, as a result, the best dining on the island features fresh seafood. Travelers will find numerous restaurants, bars, and cafes set up along the beachfront, showcasing the island's stunning coastline.

Trat attracts mainly domestic tourists, and 5-star resorts on Koh Chang compare favorably to similar properties in places like Phuket or Samui while offering a slower pace of holiday than can be had in the more developed areas of Thailand. Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park also offers plenty for nature lovers, including waterfalls, virgin rainforest a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Waterfalls
Klong Plu - the most popular waterfall, and the only one on the west side of the island
Klong Nonsi - waterfall on the east side of the island
Klong Nueng - said to be the most breathtaking waterfall
Khiri Petch - medium sized waterfall, about 3 kilometres from Salak Petch village
Kongoi - 5 waterfalls near Bang Bao
The Thanmayom - near Thanmayom pier
The Mu Ko Chang National Park - National Marine Park comprising parts of Ko Chang and 46 other islands
War memorial monument - in the very south of the island

Koh Chang's beaches are typical of those found around Thailand's islands, sporting beautiful white sand and warm blue waters. The island's most popular beach is even called White Sand Beach, although right around Koh Chang travelers will find similar idyllic conditions. Klong Prao Beach, midway along the island's west coast, is also a popular resort area with several high-end properties.

Be sure to check out the interactive map of Koh Chang for information on hotel locations, attractions, and must-see destinations.

Activities

Diving

• Diving is Cool, (situated in the lovely village of Bang Bao), the center of all diving activities on Koh Chang
• Eco-Divers Koh Chang, Booking office can be found in White Sand Beach ( near Kacha Hotel ), Kaibae ( just in front Kaibae Resort, on the main street ).The main office is located in front of the 7/11 at the entrance of Klong Prao
• The Dive Adventure, a Five Star Padi IDC diving school that offers Scuba Diving, Padi Courses and Snorkel trips into Koh Chang National Marine Park, so if you looking for a great day out Snorkelling, Diving or Discover Scuba Diving, or you wish to start your Padi Diving Certification.
• Scuba Zone (Scuba Koh Chang), 21/23 moo4 Whitesand, An extensive range of snorkeling and diving equipment focusing more on quality than price, but still cheaper than Western prices.
• BB Divers, Bang Bao 16/2 (Koh Chang), BB divers is a Belgian diving school, located on Koh Chang and on Koh Kood, Thailand. They have been active on Koh chang since 2003, and opened up their Koh kood branch in 2011. BBdivers is a five star PADI IDC center. They train divers from non diver up to instructor level. BB divers offers daily trips to the best dive sites, daily snorkeltrips with professional guidance and padi courses is many languages.

Walk with a Ranger from the Than Mayom Waterfall to the Khlong-Plu Waterfall. The tour takes 8-10 hours and costs 500 baht per person.

Thai Cooking Classes in one of the 3 thai cooking school located around klong prao: Kati Culinary, Koh Chang Thai cooking, Blue Lagoon.

Kayaking Guided sea kayaking trips. KayakChang.com is run by a British qualified guides. They use imported sea kayaks and equipment. They offer single day expeditions off the west coast and multi day expeditions in the southern islands.

Rope and harness- tree climbing and share the fun activities and amazing views from the top of the trees.

Charter a sailing boat

Boat Charter Thailand,. Sailing Yachts, Motor Boats, Bareboat or Crewed, Luxury Charters, Fishing Trips, Traditional Boat Tours.  edit
Gulf Charters Thailand (Yacht Charter Koh Chang), Ao Salakpet (Located on the pier of Island View resort). Yacht Charter, bareboat and skippered sailing yachts, operating in Koh Chang since 2005.  edit
Thailand Yacht Charter (Yacht Charter in Phuket and Koh Chang), [8]. Skippered, crewed and bareboat sailing yachts, catamarans rental in Phuket and Koh Chang.

Snorkeling

Kon Tiki snorkeling cruise (Kon Tiki Island hooping), 98/7 Moo4 Kai Bae Beach, Koh Chang, Thailand, [9]. With Kon Tiki you can enjoy your snorkeling cruise on Koh Chang National Marine Park. Experience Koh Maak, Koh Rang and the Monkey Rock. Include Free Soft drinks and free Snorkel and Mask, Fins for rent.  edit

Learn Thai massage

• Ni's school of medical massage

Photography The island has plenty of incredible sites and awesome locations for street and sunset photography.

Zip Line There is a zip line company in the island.

The only way onto the island is by Ferry. All vehicle transfers from anywhere else will use one of these two ferry ports. See "By Boat" section for details.

By plane
There is no airport on Koh Chang, the nearest airport is in Trat city, on the mainland. A road transfer is necessary from Trat, either to one of the two ferry piers or direct to your accomodation on Koh Chang.

Bangkok Airways flies 3 times a day from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (the "new" BKK) to Trat Airport. The flights depart at 08:30, 11:40 and 17:05, and take 1 hour exactly. Ticket prices are between 2,000B and 3,800B return trip depending on the time of year.

Direct door-to-door minibus transfers from Trat airport to Ko Chang resorts cost 500 Baht/person one way and 900 Baht/person return including the ferry crossing. The minibuses are air-conditioned.

From Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the free express shuttle bus from outside the arrivals concourse to the airport's own bus terminal, and from there the next available bus to either Trat or Chanthaburi, then proceed as described below.

U-Tapao Airport (close to Pattaya) There is a direct door-to-door minibus transfers from U-Tapao Airport airport to Ko Chang resorts. It appears, that there is only one direct Minibus leaving at 2pm (Status of April 2019). It costs 450 Baht/person one way including the ferry crossing. The minibus is air-conditioned. Alternatively take a Minibus to Rayong or Pattaya and proceed from there.

By bus
From Bangkok the most economical way to get to Laem Ngop (where the Ko Chang ferry piers are) is to take a 1st class bus #999 from the Eastern (Ekamai) Bus Terminal direct to the Laem Ngop piers. The fare is 275 baht one-way (520 baht return) and takes just over five hours. Departures from Ekamai are at 07:45 & 09:45, and return at 14:00. Subject to seat availability, this bus can also be boarded at Chanthaburi and at Suvarnabhumi Airport. However, as of December 2009 there was a more comfortable way to travel from Bangkok Airport to Ko Chang: the new bus line # 392 starts from the airport bus terminus (make sure to take a free shuttle from main airport to airport bus terminus) at 07:30 and returns from Koh Chang at 12:30.  However, this service can be unreliable; jammed minivans with unsecure luggage and drivers breaking traffic rules. It is also not guaranteed that your return will be by minivan, but rather with a large bus carrying people for other destinations which requires lengthy stops along the way.

Alternatively, there are 1st class (approx. 5 hours, around 250 baht) and 2nd class services from both the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) and Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) direct to Trat, and frequent songthaew services from Trat to Laem Ngop (approx. 30 minutes, 50 baht/person). Departures from Ekamai are more frequent than from Moh Chit. If coming by bus from the south, the #511 air-con bus can be used to connect directly between Bangkok's Southern (Sai Tai Mai) and Eastern (Ekamai) bus terminals.

Departures from Ekamai on the Cherdchai Private Bus company second class bus are 255 Baht to Trat (March 2015), with departures approximately every 2 hours during the day and advertised travel time being 4 hours.

There is a new government bus line 999 that travels between Ekamai station and the ferry to Ao Thammachart Pier. It is properly airconditioned and each traveller receives a refreshment pack. Unfortunately the travel times for bus 999 are limited. There are only 2 departure times per day, both in the morning.

The Cherdchai Private Bus company night sells seats on a first class airconditioned night bus that leaves Ekamai at 11.30pm and arrives in Trat town around 5am the next morning but it cannot be recommended as the bus was crowded, the airconditioning was almost non-existent, the toilet stank of urine and the bus itself was filthy. Be careful too that if the Cherdchai ticket booth at Ekamai charges you for a ferry ticket to Koh Chang as the ferry ticket is overpriced and puts you on a ferry to Centrepoint Pier, which is a 45 minutes trip compared to 25 minutes if you take the ferry to Ao Thammachart Pier.

Connection in Trat can also be used if coming from Pattaya (2nd class bus, 4 hours, around 200 baht).

There are direct minibus services to Laem Ngop from Pattaya, Ban Phe (gateway to Ko Samet), and Bangkok's Khao San Road and Victory monument (in front of the Payathai hospital). They, however, are less comfortable and spacious than public buses, and you may be charged significantly more by travel agencies selling tickets to these, as often with any tourist-oriented transportation in Thailand.

It may also be possible to proceed directly to Laem Ngop by minibus or songthaew from the Hat Lek / Koh Kong border crossing with southern Cambodia, depending on the time of year, time of day, etc - enquire locally. Price around 120 baht (one way) from the border to Trat bus station

By boat

pier Tha Ferry Dan Kao
The only way onto the island is by Ferry. All vehicle transfers from anywhere else will use one of these two ferry ports. From the mainland, there are two major routes, both to/from relatively similar locations. Both ferry routes have vehicle (motorcycles, cars, minivans, small trucks only) transportation on the bottom, with an upstairs area for foot passengers. The prices for both ferries are pretty much the same, 80 baht per person per direction (--Jan 2018). Drinks, snacks and toilets are available on the ferries from both piers.

From Ao Thammachat on the mainland to Ao Sapparot on Koh Chang (and return). Ao Thammachat on the mainland is sometimes referred to as simply "Ferry Koh Chang". This is the 'fast' ferry, taking roughly 30 mins to cross plus estimated 15 mins for boarding and disembarking. These ferries operate roughly every 45 mins to a schedule that is not posted in English, but sometimes more often during busy periods. A door-to-door minibus service (or private taxi transfer) to/from Bangkok will likely use this pier as it's closest to the Bangkok highway, and also closer to the western side of the island main road where most tourist areas are.
From Center Point Pier on the mainland to Center Point Ferry on Koh Chang (and return). Center Point Ferry on Koh Chang can also be referred to as Dan Kao. This is the 'slow' ferry, taking roughly 45 mins to cross plus estimated 15 mins for boarding and disembarking. These ferries operate hourly, xx:00 from the mainland and xx:30 back from Koh Chang, from 06:00 to 19:00. Public busses and transfers from Trat & Leam Ngop will likely stop at this pier as it's closer to those cities. The bus #999 from Bangkok Ekkamai also terminates here. If you wish to go from Koh Chang to visit the Visa Office in Leam Ngop village, Center Point is the correct ferry to use, as the mainland pier is less than 5km from the visa office.
When you arrive on the Koh Chang side of both piers (if you have not booked a door-to-door transfer service), there will be a line of Songtheaw taxis waiting to pick you up. There is only one main road on the western side of Koh Chang, so all the Songtheaws will be going in your direction (unless you are staying on the less populated eastern side). Once they are full (8-12 people), you should expect to pay between 100-200 baht per person depending how far down the coast you are going (50 baht to White Sand Beach, 100 baht to Lonely Beach and 150 baht to Bang Bao).

There are two operators that provide daily speedboat services from Ko Kood to Ko Chang. One is based in Bang Bao, the other on Kai Bae Beach Rates are the same but departures times can vary, so make sure to book ahead.

By taxi or limousine
From Bangkok or Suvarnabhumi international airport the ride takes a total of about 5-5.5 hours by Limousine or Taxi. Most taxi drivers will decline this journey as the risk of empty return is too high for them. Most (airport) limousines or minibuses will deliver you at the hotel or resort on Koh Chang, especially if they can make it back to the mainland before the last ferry sails.

By Private transfer and Minibus
In addition to limousines and taxis, transfers by private car or minibus, either from the airport or any hotel in Bangkok, can also be arranged easily. There are several companies who provide transfer bookings online. Prices depend on the number of passengers. This is an ideal way to travel for anyone who doesn't want to pay for flights to Trat on Bangkok Airways. High season plane tickets are around 2,500 - 3,500 Baht per person.

Tickets for shared minibuses from hotels in central Bangkok to hotels on koh Chang are from 900 - 1,100 Baht per person including ferry ticket. These can be bought from hotels and tour agents in Bangkok or online in advance.

As of October 2015, there are no shared minibus services from Don Meuang Airport to Koh Chang.

Get around Koh Chang
In the daytime, you can catch a songtheaw on its route around the main road for 50 or 150 baht/person, depending how far you go. The rates are generally much higher than in other places, but the vehicles are almost new and in excellent condition. Starting from 5.00pm, many of them start to ask "taxi" price, telling you that they operate as a public transport only until that time, and may quote prices as high as say 500 baht from Lonely Beach to the Dan Kao pier (bargain if you choose to hire, do not support silly prices!). However, if you have some time and patience, you still can try and have a "shared" ride with some drivers, maybe for a higher rate if they expect little or no other passengers.

These taxis are also waiting at the Dan Kao Pier (50 baht/person to White Sand beach, 100 baht to Lonely Beach). At the Dan Kao Ferry-Pier there may be no taxis available. If you arrive without a vehicle you may have to walk the 400 metres to Dan Kao Pier. The prices have become unofficially fixed and there is little room for bargaining; however, the price you pay to return should be the price you payed to come in the first place (50B White Sands, 100B Lonely, 150B Bang Bao). If they try to add 50B to that, decline (not politely). There will be another taxi and accepting the price increase condones the practice and causes price increases over time.

Small motorcycles can be rented for 150-300B per day. The main road is sealed and almost circles the island and there are plans to complete the circuit in the near future. Cars are also available for rental, most hotels can help with it. 4x4 car recommended, since some roads might be in bad condition, especially near Lonely Beach.

To rent a motorbike at the center point pier is a good option to save money, as you are avoiding the expensive taxi rides. It further gives you the freedom to drive to more remote beaches where you most of the time fine lower rates for accommodation. [Update April 2014: Center Point motorbike rentals charging 250 baht/day daily rentals, 200 baht/day for 5 days, and 150 baht/day for monthly rentals. Price is (apparently) non negotiable. They also only provide you with ~.7L of fuel, so it's on you to fill the rest of the way up.]

If there are 2 or more people going with you, hiring a songtheaw may cost the same price, or even be cheaper than paying per each person in a "shared" songtheaw (there is no difference, an empty songtheaw can easily be hired). Just do not forget to bargain if their price sounds quite silly when compared, say, to Bangkok taxi-meter (on Ko Chang it can be difficult if not impossible to get the same price, but at least it should not cost double or even more). Generally most people just stay on the beach of their choice and walk to wherever they want to go.

Hitching on Ko Chang is also an alternative if you choose not to pay the often exorbitant fees of the songtheaw. Many islanders are more than willing to pick up a hitchhiker who happens to be going the same way they are. A Coke or cold bottle of green tea for the driver are always appreciated at the end of your journey.