Koh Chang
Thailand's second-largest island — jungle interior, laid-back beaches, and the Koh Mak & Koh Kood archipelago
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About Koh Chang
Koh Chang is Thailand's second-largest island, and it still feels like the islands further south did a couple of decades ago. Most of its interior is protected jungle inside Mu Ko Chang National Park: steep, rainforested peaks that drop down to a string of west-coast beaches, each with its own personality. Busy White Sand Beach in the north, long and mellow Klong Prao, backpacker-favourite Lonely Beach, and the stilted fishing village of Bang Bao in the south, whose pier is the launch point for snorkelling and island-hopping trips.
The east coast is a different island altogether: mangroves, fishing communities, and hardly a tourist in sight. Koh Chang is also the gateway to the rest of the Trat archipelago. Quiet Koh Mak and increasingly popular Koh Kood are both reachable by boat, and many travellers string all three into one trip. The seasons matter more here than on the Gulf islands proper. From June to September the seas turn rough, ferries thin out, and a fair share of west-coast businesses close entirely.
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – March
Avoid: June – September (rough seas, many closures)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
24°C – 32°C(75°F – 90°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January
Getting there
There's no airport on the island. From Bangkok, take a bus or minivan to Trat (5–6 hrs) or fly Bangkok Airways to Trat (TDX, ~1 hr), then the car ferry from Ao Thammachat pier (~30–45 min). Combined bus-and-ferry tickets are sold from Ekkamai.
Getting around
- •Shared songthaews along the west-coast road
- •Motorbike rental (฿200–300/day — the hills between beaches are steep, ride carefully)
- •Taxis and hotel transfers from the ferry pier
- •Longtail and speedboat trips from Bang Bao pier for island hopping
Where to stay in Koh Chang
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Things to Do in Koh Chang
Koh Chang offers 307 curated places to explore across 10 categories. Choose from 89 hotels and resorts for your stay. Discover 61 restaurants and dining spots. Visit 20 temples and cultural landmarks. Explore 20 beaches and islands. Book from 32 activities and tours.
Browse by category below or scroll down to see top-rated picks in each category. Every listing includes Google ratings from verified visitors, price ranges, and direct booking links where available.
Pick where to stay in Koh Chang
Browse live hotel rates across the major booking sites.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
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Member prices
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Hotels & Resorts
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KC Grande Resort Koh Chang
Four pools, a spa and sand right there, so you can genuinely land and not move for a week.
Awa Koh Chang
A modern resort built for staying put, with three restaurants, a pool bar and a spa on site.
Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort
Beachfront on Klong Prao, with the sand a few steps from your room and no road to cross.
Kacha Resort Koh Chang
Beachfront on Koh Chang with pools, a spa and open-air dining, best booked between November and April.
Restaurants & Food
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Noochy Seafood
Thai-style seafood at island prices, done without the resort mark-up, and the kitchen shuts by 20:30.
The U-Turn
Open 10 to 22 every day, mid-range prices, and busy enough that you rarely need a plan B.
Sabay Bar
A relaxed mid-range bar and restaurant on Koh Chang, open daily from 2pm until late.
Black bananas kohkood
A well-loved beachside eatery on Koh Kut serving food daily from 11am to 10pm.
Temples & Culture
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Khlong Chao Waterfall
A scenic jungle waterfall on Koh Kut island, open daily with easy access for nature lovers.
Wat Salak Phet
Historic Buddhist temple on Koh Chang with royal connections dating back over a century.
Yuttanavi Memorial Monument at Ko Chang
A solemn naval memorial near Koh Chang commemorating a significant WWII-era sea battle in Thai history.
Khlong Yai Kee Waterfall
A scenic jungle waterfall on Koh Kut, offering a refreshing natural escape amid lush tropical forest.
Beaches
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Bang Bao Beach (Koh Kood)
Bang Bao Beach is Koh Kood's postcard bay — a sheltered, palm-fringed crescent on the island's west coast where shallow, bathtub-calm water grades from clear to aquamarine over clean sand. A long wooden pier stretches across the bay, resorts sit low-key behind the palm line, and even in high season
Klong Chao Beach (Koh Kood)
Klong Chao Beach is Koh Kood's main beach and one of eastern Thailand's finest — a wide ribbon of soft white sand where the Klong Chao river meets the sea, giving you a beach on one side and a calm, kayakable lagoon on the other. The water is clear and gently shelving, sunsets land straight down the
Long Beach
A relaxed stretch of sand on Koh Chang's quieter southern coast, ideal for unwinding away from the crowds.
Kai Bae Beach
A relaxed beach on Koh Chang's west coast, offering calm waters and a quieter alternative to busier island spots.
Islands
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Koh Chang
Jungle mountains, waterfalls and beaches on one island, but the roads will test you.
Koh Kood
Koh Kood (Ko Kut) is Thailand's fourth-largest island and arguably its most unspoiled — empty white beaches like Klong Chao and Ao Noi, water clear enough to shame the Andaman, waterfall swims in the jungle interior, and mangrove canals made for kayaking.
Koh Mak
A quiet Thai island escape with clear waters, long beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere near Koh Chang.
Kai Bae Waterfall
A natural freshwater waterfall tucked into the jungle interior of Koh Chang, open all day.
Markets & Shopping
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Makro food service koh chang
A large wholesale and retail superstore on Koh Chang, open daily for groceries, fresh food, and supplies.
Big C Market Koh Chang
A reliable modern supermarket on Koh Chang, open daily for groceries, supplies, and everyday essentials.
Night Food Market
A lively evening food market on Koh Chang, open nightly from 5:30pm for street food and local finds.
Lotus's
A large, reliable supermarket and shopping centre open daily on Koh Chang island.
Activities & Tours
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Mu Ko Chang National Park
Jungle waterfalls, hornbills and reefs off the outer islands, all under one park boundary.
Khlong Phlu Waterfall
A short jungle walk ends at a big, cold swimming hole. Go early, before the day-trippers land.
Kai Bae Viewpoint
Sunset over the Gulf, free to visit, with bold monkeys working the car park.
Salak Khok Boat Tour
Explore Koh Chang's scenic mangrove waterways by boat or kayak on this peaceful coastal tour.
Nightlife & Bars
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Beautiful Bar
A well-regarded beach bar on Lonely Beach, open daily from morning until midnight.
THE DECK BAR KOH KOOD
A laid-back beachside bar on Koh Kood open daily, offering drinks and a relaxed island atmosphere.
Tawan Eco Bar
An eco-conscious bar on Koh Kood open most nights, offering a relaxed island nightlife experience.
Ting Tong Bar
A late-night island bar that never actually closes, with prices above the usual Koh Chang beach-shack rate.
Wellness & Spas
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Star Massage
A well-regarded massage studio on Koh Chang offering daily sessions from 10am to 10pm.
Hatta Thai Massage and Wellness Centre.
A well-regarded massage and wellness centre on Koh Chang, open most days with flexible afternoon hours.
Good view massage
A well-regarded massage parlour on Koh Kut, open daily from 9am to 9pm for island relaxation.
Rainforest Spa
A serene jungle spa on Koh Chang offering therapeutic treatments in a lush rainforest setting.
Transportation
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Koh Kood Princess
Ferry service connecting Koh Kood to the mainland, serving as a key transport link for the island.
Ko Kut Express
Ferry service connecting Trat province to Koh Kut, operating daily from early morning until evening.
Ao Nid Pier
A small pier serving as a key ferry and boat transfer point for visitors travelling to Ko Mak island.
Frequently Asked Questions about Koh Chang
How do you get to Koh Chang from Bangkok?
Buses and minivans run from Ekkamai and Mo Chit to the Ao Thammachat ferry pier in about 5–6 hours, and combined bus-and-ferry tickets cost around ฿300–500. Bangkok Airways flies to Trat airport (~1 hr), a 20-minute transfer from the pier. The car ferry crossing takes 30–45 minutes and runs roughly every hour in high season.
Which beach should you stay on?
White Sand Beach has the most hotels, restaurants, and nightlife within walking distance. Klong Prao suits couples and families wanting a long, quiet beach with mid-range resorts. Lonely Beach is the budget and party base. Bang Bao and the far south work best for divers and island-hoppers: you're at the pier, but a songthaew ride from the main beaches.
Is Koh Chang worth visiting in the rainy season?
May and October are usually fine, green, quiet, and heavily discounted. June to September is a genuine gamble: the southwest monsoon brings rough seas, snorkelling trips stop running, and many west-coast bars and bungalow operations shut for the season. If your dates are fixed in those months, I'd go for the Gulf islands like Koh Samui, which get better weather.
Koh Chang or Koh Samui?
Koh Samui has an airport, more upscale resorts, and far more restaurants and nightlife. Koh Chang trades that convenience for jungle, cheaper accommodation, and a slower pace, and its overland connection makes it easy to pair with Bangkok or Cambodia. Beach for beach they're comparable. The deciding factors are usually flight access and how developed you want the island to feel.
Planning your trip to Koh Chang?
Essential planning guides for every Thailand trip — costs, timing, visas, and safety.