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0207 001 5916Koh Chang’s clear, tropical waters are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving
Hike along the island’s trails in search of exotic wildlife and tumbling waterfalls
See more of Thailand when you spend a few extra days in Bangkok or Pattaya
Meaning Elephant Island, Koh Chang is named after its unique shape – the large landmass looks like an elephant’s head. Floating in the far northeast corner of the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Chang is just 60 miles away from the Cambodian border, while the nearest Thai city, Pattaya, lies 160 miles west on the mainland. Koh Chang is the third-biggest island in Thailand – following Phuket and Koh Samui – but, thanks to its remote location, it’s largely untouched. Even with the growing popularity of Koh Chang holidays, this tucked away island has managed to retain its charm, character and natural beauty.
With a dense mountainous interior, white-sand beaches and turquoise seas, Koh Chang makes for a very picturesque getaway. If you’re considering a holiday to Koh Chang, chances are you’re looking for some beach time – and you won’t be disappointed. Koh Chang’s beaches may not be the most famous in Thailand, but this does mean that they’re some of the quietest. You can look forward to palm-fringed sands, dotted with rustic bars, beach bungalows and only a handful of people. Most of Koh Chang’s better-known beaches – like White Sand Beach, Klong Prao Beach and Lonely Beach – can be found on the west coast, but the north and south coasts have some great sandy spots too. Sleepy Klong Kloi, for example, is only small, but you’ll find plenty of deck chairs and a chilled-out, welcoming atmosphere.
But it’s the hidden natural worlds that make Koh Chang holidays truly special. The warm waters are home to all kinds of marine life – including majestic whale sharks – while the offshore shipwrecks offer fantastic opportunities for scuba diving. In the rich rainforests, meanwhile, you’ll find an abundance of creatures like monkeys, lizards, wild boar and a range of colourful birds. Koh Chang has a maze of hiking trails, making it easy for you to discover the island’s incredible viewpoints and rushing waterfalls. If you’re looking for a tropical beach break with plenty of things to do, a holiday to Koh Chang ticks all the boxes.
While it may not have as many sandy stretches as some of Thailand’s other islands, Koh Chang holidays are still centred on the beach. The west coast has some of Koh Chang’s most popular spots.
White Sands Beach is the longest and, often, the busiest. The ferry piers, beach bars and wide range of restaurants means there’s always plenty going on here. Further south, nestled between two towering peaks, Klong Prao Beach is home to powdery sands, rugged rocks and most of the island’s luxury resorts. Meanwhile, neighbouring Lonely Beach is the man hub for backpackers and locals. It’s a far cry from the peaceful setting that its name implies – thanks to the bounty of budget-friendly hotels, bustling bars and al fresco restaurants – but is certainly worth a visit.
If you’re hoping to find a sleepy sunbathing spot on your trip to Koh Chang, head to the fishing village of Bang Bao – where most diving and snorkelling trips go from – or travel to Klong Kloi on the south coast in search of deck chairs, rustic beach bars and palm-lined sands.
Covering 250 square miles, Koh Chang Marine Park includes 52 islands – the largest of which is Koh Chang. The crystal-clear waters and rich coral reefs make for superb diving, snorkelling and kayaking opportunities. If you go on a diving day trip, you can expect to visit small islets like Koh Yak, Koh Mak and Koh Lon. These remote little islets are surrounded by rays, turtles, eel, barracuda, puffer fish, clownfish and dolphins. Elusive whale sharks – the world’s biggest fish – are sometimes even spotted in these waters, although sightings of these gentle giants are rare and by no means guaranteed.
If you’d prefer to simply go snorkelling off the shores of Koh Chang, the south coast has the best options. Head to Pearl Beach or Cliff Cottage Cove – near Bang Bao – to discover colourful corals and tropical fish, with no boat trip required.
Undeniably, one major draw of Koh Chang holidays is the pristine rainforest. With 70 per cent of the land shrouded in diverse flora, there’s a huge range of animals and birds. And, thanks to the criss-crossing trails weaving across the island, it’s really easy to uncover Koh Chang’s natural treasures. Hikes on the southern side treat you to sightings of monkeys, snakes, lizards and various birdlife, while the paths in the north will lead you through dense tropical greenery.
A series of dramatic waterfalls are scattered across Koh Chang, too. On the eastern side of the island, three waterfalls follow Khlong Mayom stream. Than Mayom is one of Koh Chang’s most beautiful waterfalls, and the plunge pool is a great place for a cooling dip. Meanwhile, on the west coast, Klong Plu waterfall lies at the end of a scenic riverside trail.
Like Bangkok, Koh Chang is fairly hot and humid all year round. But some months offer a break from these uncomfortable conditions. Between the dry months of November and March, humidity levels drop and daytime temperatures hover around 30°C, making winter the best time to go to Koh Chang.
Meanwhile, April and May are the hottest months of the year, when temperatures often go as high as 37°C. The island also gets very busy during April, as this coincides with Thai New Year, Songkran. June to October is best avoided, as this is Koh Chang’s monsoon season. In particular, September and October see very heavy rain, which means that watersports, snorkelling and diving often aren’t available at this time of year.
While it may not have as many sandy stretches as some of Thailand’s other islands, Koh Chang holidays are still centred on the beach. The west coast has some of Koh Chang’s most popular spots.
White Sands Beach is the longest and, often, the busiest. The ferry piers, beach bars and wide range of restaurants means there’s always plenty going on here. Further south, nestled between two towering peaks, Klong Prao Beach is home to powdery sands, rugged rocks and most of the island’s luxury resorts. Meanwhile, neighbouring Lonely Beach is the man hub for backpackers and locals. It’s a far cry from the peaceful setting that its name implies – thanks to the bounty of budget-friendly hotels, bustling bars and al fresco restaurants – but is certainly worth a visit.
If you’re hoping to find a sleepy sunbathing spot on your trip to Koh Chang, head to the fishing village of Bang Bao – where most diving and snorkelling trips go from – or travel to Klong Kloi on the south coast in search of deck chairs, rustic beach bars and palm-lined sands.
Covering 250 square miles, Koh Chang Marine Park includes 52 islands – the largest of which is Koh Chang. The crystal-clear waters and rich coral reefs make for superb diving, snorkelling and kayaking opportunities. If you go on a diving day trip, you can expect to visit small islets like Koh Yak, Koh Mak and Koh Lon. These remote little islets are surrounded by rays, turtles, eel, barracuda, puffer fish, clownfish and dolphins. Elusive whale sharks – the world’s biggest fish – are sometimes even spotted in these waters, although sightings of these gentle giants are rare and by no means guaranteed.
If you’d prefer to simply go snorkelling off the shores of Koh Chang, the south coast has the best options. Head to Pearl Beach or Cliff Cottage Cove – near Bang Bao – to discover colourful corals and tropical fish, with no boat trip required.
Undeniably, one major draw of Koh Chang holidays is the pristine rainforest. With 70 per cent of the land shrouded in diverse flora, there’s a huge range of animals and birds. And, thanks to the criss-crossing trails weaving across the island, it’s really easy to uncover Koh Chang’s natural treasures. Hikes on the southern side treat you to sightings of monkeys, snakes, lizards and various birdlife, while the paths in the north will lead you through dense tropical greenery.
A series of dramatic waterfalls are scattered across Koh Chang, too. On the eastern side of the island, three waterfalls follow Khlong Mayom stream. Than Mayom is one of Koh Chang’s most beautiful waterfalls, and the plunge pool is a great place for a cooling dip. Meanwhile, on the west coast, Klong Plu waterfall lies at the end of a scenic riverside trail.
Like Bangkok, Koh Chang is fairly hot and humid all year round. But some months offer a break from these uncomfortable conditions. Between the dry months of November and March, humidity levels drop and daytime temperatures hover around 30°C, making winter the best time to go to Koh Chang.
Meanwhile, April and May are the hottest months of the year, when temperatures often go as high as 37°C. The island also gets very busy during April, as this coincides with Thai New Year, Songkran. June to October is best avoided, as this is Koh Chang’s monsoon season. In particular, September and October see very heavy rain, which means that watersports, snorkelling and diving often aren’t available at this time of year.
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Between them, our travel specialists have years of holiday expertise.
Our tailor-made holiday packages make it easy for you to discover more of the world.
Whether you're looking for luxury or simplicity, we've got the perfect holiday for you.
Travelbag is fully protected by ATOL, so your booking is completely secure.