Koh Chang Holidays

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.