The Virtually Unknown Secret of Koh Chang

Having been largely overlooked by visitors, Koh Chang Marine National Park is rich in natural beauty. It is green with fertile rainforests, well laden with colorful corals, abundantly stocked with healthy marine life, encompassed by spectacular coastlines, graced with beautiful landscapes, and blessed with unspoiled sandy beaches and a crystal clear sea. All of this is reason enough to reward yourself by taking some time to sit back and relax at Koh Chang.

The mountainous island of Koh Chang has two seasons– the dry season from November to May and the wet season from June to October. The average temperature during the dry season is around 30-35 degrees Celsius. The busiest time for visitors to this island is during December to April. Many accommodations on the outer islands are normally closed during the wet season but Koh Chang’s main island has resorts that remain open and this can be a good time for those who look for private and tranquil moments.

The main island of Koh Chang features several spectacular white sand beaches for nature lovers to enjoy relaxing moments, soak up the sun or take long strolls along the powdery sand.

Had Sai Khao or the White Sand Beach

Had Sai Khao is a long beach of powdery white sand and probably the most popular spot for tourists to gather. At low tide the beach is very wide. The beach slopes gently into the sea, attracting hordes of visitors, especially in the evening, when it transforms into a playground. Many activities are played like beach volleyball and football as the sun sets right off its shore. It has long been a place for holidaymakers to hang out, so it is a good place to meet and chat with other people in the many small bars of the resorts located close to the beach. There are many bungalow resorts with reasonable prices here. The main road runs past all the resorts, shops, restaurants, pubs and coconut groves.

Bang Bao Beach

The beach at Bang Bao has clear waters with rocks and corals off its shores. It is a good place to fish, snorkel and swim. Besides, the fishing village of Bang Bao, with small huts built out into the bay on stilts, is very photogenic. There are several small restaurants noted for their excellent fresh and tasty seafood. Finally, there are some guesthouses and rooms available for an inexpensive price.

Klong Prao Beach and Laem Chaiyachet Cape

Klong Prao Beach is another long sandy beach, but it is much quieter than Had Sai Khao and offers peace and solitude. At the northernmost part of the beach is the rocky area called Laem Chaiyachet Cape. It is known as the ideal place to observe the magnificent sunset and sunrise above the southern hills of Bang Bao. The area is also more natural, covered with coconut groves and wild plants.

A fishing pier is erected near the cape, which is also a great viewpoint for the whole of Klong Prao Bay. In the late afternoon villagers can be seen walking on the shallow seabed scooping up tiny shrimps called “Khei” which is the main ingredient for shrimp paste. Accommodation options range from luxurious four-star resorts to simple bungalows with fans.

Kai Bae Beach

Kai Bae Beach is an area of scenic beauty where you can see the sunset and get a view of a few other islands. Some look so close you may be tempted to take a canoe across. Of special interest is Koh Man Nai. During the low tide Koh Man Nai reveals it picturesque beach and you can walk there through chest-deep water. Boats, canoes, sea-kayaks and dive shops are ready for your exploration.

Other tourist destinations on Koh Chang

To complete a visit to Koh Chang, going to visit Bang Bao fishing village is highly recommended. The charm of this village is the wooden houses built out over the sea and connected to one another by suspended walkway bridges. Bang Bao Bay has been a sanctuary for fishing boats seeking shelter from the monsoon for over a century. It has lately become a resort and recreation area with bungalows built on selected scenic sites, fine seafood restaurants that guarantee fresh daily catches and local shops selling souvenirs. The clear water and rocks here are enchanting and you can enjoy fresh seafood with a fascinating sea view. Popular activities include swimming, snorkeling, fishing and lazing around.

Waterfalls

The high peaks and steep mountains of fertile rainforests in the central region of Koh Chang create some of the most spectacular waterfalls, so captivating that many of them now find their places in travel itineraries.  The first waterfall destination is Thanmayom Waterfall, the most famous waterfall in Koh Chang. It is located near the Thanmayom Pier with its entrance just behind the Koh Chang Marine National Park Office on the east of the island. An approximately 400-metre walk along a paved concrete route, passing through a durian orchard, will lead you to the waterfall. Thanmayom Falls is a four-level medium-sized waterfall set in fertile virgin rainforest that flows all the year round forming a large pool at its front.  The second waterfall is Klong Plu Waterfall located near Klong Prao. It is in an unspoiled jungle setting where the waterfall lies at the end of a half-kilometer jungle path.

Selected Activities to do on Koh Chang

Diving: Koh Chang and the stunning islands around it provide some excellent opportunities for both novice and experienced divers. The best time for diving is from October to the end of May. Here are the best recommended places for diving in and around Koh Chang: Koh Lao Ya Nai, Hin Luk Bat, Hin Rap, Koh Wai, Koh Gra, Koh Rang Pinnacles and Koh Lao Ya Nok, or Bird Island.

Hiking Trails: Koh Chang offers scenic hiking trails that take just a few hours, particularly from Klong Son to Had Sai Khao and from there to Had Klong Prao. In the south, the harder and longer Kai Bae – Bang Bao trail is a challenging experience and passes through shady rubber and coconut plantations.

Elephant Trekking: There two different treks to try in Koh Chang, the one between Klong Prao and Kai Bae operated by Chutiman Company and the one at the Ban Kwan Chang elephant camp in the north of Koh Chang.

How to get there

By Air:
Bangkok Airways operates daily flights to Trat, where you can take a ferry directly to Koh Chang. Please call Bangkok Airways (Trat Office) for more information at + 66 3952 5777 or visit the website:  www.bangkokair.com

BY PRIVATE CAR

Trat is accessible by three main routes from Bangkok. Traveling time is about 4 hours. For convenience and a better road surface use the elevated BANGKOK CHONBURI TOLLWAY until its final exit or the BANGKOK-CHONBURI MOTORWAY and exit for BAN BUNG-KLAENG-CHANTHABURI.
ROUTE 1 BANGNA-CHONBURI-BAN BUNG-KLAENG-CHANTHABURI-TRAT
ROUTE 2 The Motorway is another alternative. Starting from Rama IX Road and onto Srinakarin Road, exit after paying the second toll that leads to Ban Bung, Klaeng, Chanthaburi and finally Trat. The total toll fee is 60 baht.
ROUTE 3 BANGNA-CHONBURI-RAYONG-CHANTHABURI-TRAT

BY AIR-CONDITIONED BUS
1) The Ekamai Bus Terminal is the main terminal for the eastern provinces. It is located at the Ekamai section of Sukhumvit Road, which is also easily accessible by the BTS Skytrain. Air-conditioned and ordinary buses depart almost every hour as shown in the timetable here. The trip is about 5 hours.
2) The Northern Bus Terminal (New Morchid) is the other route. It is located at New Morchid Terminal on Kampaeng Petch Road. Air-conditioned buses depart as shown in the timetable. The trip is also about 5 hours.

FROM TRAT TO PIERS

There are 3 piers servicing Koh Chang. All of them are located in the Amphur (district) of Laem Ngob. To go to these piers take one of the “Songthaew” public buses in Trat. They can be easily found around the municipal market from as early as 6.00 am. The fare is about 20 baht per person. Vehicle-carrying ferries and taxi or chartered boats are ready to take you to Koh Chang.

THA LAEM NGOB (LAEM NGOB PIER)
This is the main pier at Laem Ngob. Ferries from this pier land at Tha Dan Kao (meaning Old Post Pier). The ferries depart every hour during the high season (November to April) and on long weekends starting from 7.30 am till 5.00 pm. They depart less frequently during other times of the year depending on the crowd and the weather. However, you can expect a ferry to depart at least every 2 hours. Travelling time is about 30 to 45 minutes and the cost is 60 baht for each return ticket and 150 baht per vehicle inclusive of the driver.

Tha Centre Point (Centre Point Pier) has 6 ferry departures. All land 
at another part of the Tha Dan Kao. Travelling time is about 40 minutes.

Tha Thammachat (Natural Pier) at Ao Thammachat (Natural Bay) provides 7 daily ferry trips to Ao Sapparos. Travel time is about 30 minutes. It is advisable to check the rate and schedule of the ferry services before embarking on the trip because of possible changes due to the season, passenger load and competition amongst the ferry and boat operators. The rates and schedules supplied here are effective at the time of writing and should serve as a guide only.