If there is one thing that Koh Chang is famous for – it is her beaches, yes the powdery (or rocky) shore that leads into the ocean, idyllic palm trees overhead, waves lapping on the shore.  Slow sunsets, relaxed and fun – yes, Koh Chang has beaches…

Yes, it certainly can be an almost postcard like vision – and most of that is true. But each beach here has its own sort of vibe and each beach will either make you smile, or maybe make you want to move on. But we rest assured that you will find at least one beach you can call home for a while.

Overview of Koh Chang Beaches: If you are looking for any beaches the west side of the island including White Sands, Chai Chet, Klong Proa, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach and Bang Bao is where you want to be. If you looking for the palm trees, long sand, great swimming and beach life – just go to the west side of the island.

There is a fairly empty beach on the east side called Long Beach, but is very isolated and fairly hard to get to. That may be perfect for you-if that is what you are looking for. We still recommend the East Side of Koh Chang for site seeing and some of the views from the various bays are quite incredible. But the West Side wins for beaches and facilities…

Not Allowed Here

 Koh Chang has outlawed all forms of jet boats and tourist long tails, banana boats etc... This is probably one of the best things about the Koh Chang beaches as they tend to be fairly quiet and free of scammers trying to get you to pay for non-existent damage. Instead you get some very laid back and excellent beaches that cater to a more relaxed life style. You can actually sit, talk and have a nice day free of hearing these things go screaming by. It actually makes for a huge difference and once you stay here for a bit Pattaya and other beaches will just seem too noisy, busy and not great at all!

Map To The Beaches:

Siam Bay Beach: Pretty well a private beach in Klong Son, you can still go there, but not a lot of services.

White Sands Beach: The main tourist beach for Koh Chang. Good sand in the center with cliffs at either end. All the services and lots of beach side attractions

Pearl Beach Area: Not for suntanning or beach play, quite rocky but good for snorkeling.

Chai Chet Beach: Shallow bay with good sand all round. Very scenic.

Klong Prao Beach: Longest beach on Koh Chang, very long and shallow drop off, fairly quiet.

Kai Bae Beach: Very picturesque bay and great sand all round. Not as busy as White Sands, but lots of services still.

Lonely Beach: Great sand in the north, rocky in the south. Pretty well famous for the beach lifestyle and parties that go on here.

Bang Bao – Wai Chek Beach: Quite quiet and isolated beach just south of Bang Bao. Great sand and a shallow drop-off.

Long Beach: Not easy to get to, quite remote and the road is usually not so good. Really quiet, good sand. If you want remote – this is the place.

Editors Pick for Koh Chang’s Best Beach:

That of course is a hard one… depends what you really want:

Best Quiet and Relaxed Beach: Klong Prao: the largest and least known beach, still central and easy access.

Best Off The Beaten Path Beach: Bang Bao Beach, isolated at the south end but well worth it.

Best “Meet Fellow Travelers” Beach: Lonely Beach, lots of travelers and a very laid back beach-party feel.

Best Romantic Beach: Klong Prao, great walks and very good food along the way. Watch the sunset go down and take a photo together.

Best Party: White Sands Beach. Numerous places to dine and find a great lounge. With Sabay bar right there and KC Pub – you cannot go wrong.

Best Family Beach: Kai Bae. Easy to get to, excellent and close facilities but not too crowded. You can go from the beach to gelato in 7 minutes.

Best “I want the place to myself” Beach: Head over to Long Beach on the east side.

White Sands Beach:

 For all intents and purposes this is the main beach of Koh Chang. The most hotels, resorts, shops, restaurants and services will be found here.  White Sands sometimes get some bad press for being too touristy… but that can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what you are looking for.

 The beach itself is very long at about 2km of really nice sand starting in the north and continuing into a rocky shore and cliffs in the south. The sand is fine, the shore slopes very gently into the sea. There is quite the variation in high to low tides and so during low tide there is a lot of shore, ergo a lot of traffic.

 White Sands is busy with many shops and restaurants along the length, if you want something quiet heading into the area around Rock Sand Resort in the north might be a good idea. If you like busy stay around the middle and you will be impressed. You can find lots of places to dine right on the beach along with lots of places for shade and a quick drink.

 If you want some excellent views of the island head farther south and check out some of decks that are high up on the cliff sides, like Tops Resort or Chang Cliff are good choices, it makes for a great meal way high up overlooking the bay.

Please note that during heavy weather there can be a chance for rip tides. See our article here on how to spot and avoid these. Seriously, read it…

Pearl Beach:

 Not really any kind of a beach for sunbathing or such, the term Pearl in Pearl Beach refers to the large polished and rounded rocks that are all over, it also is said to refer to the name of the first baby born around the area and it might just be because there are a lot of oysters in the sea – take your pick for best idea…. Great place though if you like to snorkel. I know its a short description, but there really is not much of a beach at all. Bring your snorkel or fishing gear though and you might be raving about the place!

 On the bright side if you want a quiet place to stay this is a good area.

Chai Chet Beach:

 A very picturesque bay with an excellent beach, good sand and shallow drop off. Dominated by several resorts all along the way, but really quite nice. Definitely not as many beach restaurants and sellers, but food and drink can easily be had in any of the resorts. Usually pretty quiet and laid back. For an awesome view of the beach head into Coconut Resort and go just before the bridge. Makes for great photos!

Klong Prao Beach:

  The longest beach on Koh Chang coming in at around just over 2km. Excellent sand almost all through with a very shallow drop. Some complain about the shallowness but great for families (Johnny can wade for a long time before the water is over his head!) and for those who don’t like deep water. The northern end is the Klong Prao River that separates it from Chai Chet Beach, the river runs all the way up to Klong Plu waterfall. The northern half is very quiet, the middle taken up by large resorts, at the southern half it turns into cliffs.

 Very beautiful bay and views. Relatively calm and peaceful tides and currents. There are some great places to eat along the shore from the resorts to very cool little beach huts that specialize in seafood and great sunsets.

Kai Bae Beach:

  Running at 1.5 km the beach wraps along its way this picture perfect bay in a slight crescent shape. Excellent sand and lots of shade. It is possible during low tide to walk out to the smaller islands you can see off the shore. If you do be sure to time your return to low tide. Getting stuck on the small island for a few hours is not a lot of fun…

 Kai Bae used to be very small and undeveloped although over the last few years this has really changed with it becoming much more popular with families and other travelers. We think in a few years time it may even rival White Sands as the “place to be” on the island.

 Easy to get a meal, drink, massage or get to a toilet, the main road is within easy walking distance of the beach. Really quite a beautiful place with great views all round.

Lonely Beach:

 Lonely Beach is great in the north around Siam Bay Resort with good sand and a low drop off. The farther south you go the rockier it gets, at Lonely Beach proper it is not really a beach at all.

 Lonely Beach was at one time, well, lonely. It took a day trip to get here by boat and it was remote, now that is not true anymore and it has become for all intents and purposes a stop for Gap year students and fans of reggae. You will find lots of small restaurants and shops, lots of small nightclubs and very funky, very laid back beach life here. For many it is the best beach on Koh Chang…

Wai Chek/Bang Bao Beach:

Located at the very end of South Koh Chang it is a great beach that not a lot of people get to but it would be worth it to see.  Actually one of the least crowded due to its fairly isolated location it is worth it to hang out. Drive about 6km ssouth of Bang Bao and you will see a rough wooden bridge across a river. Walk over that and you are there. Great sand, excellent views and a few small food areas for a quick drink and meals if you need it.

Koh Chang Beach Access:

It seems that sometimes finding the beach can be a problem for some people on the island. The original plans called for no development along the beach, but years ago, that note was lost to the developers and so now there is wall to wall hotels almost along all the good beach shores. There are two simple methods A: Just walk through the hotels (it is fine!) B: Look for the Beach Access signs that are here and there. After a while of not seeing them just go to plan A.

Insider Tips:

 The sun can be a killer here for a westerner. Don’t imagine that you can get off your plane in December and just hit the beaches for a full day of surf and sand your first couple of days. Best idea is to make sure you gets lots of shade and water and sun block for the first bit. See our article on sun safety. Don’t even think about using “sun enhancers” – you will wind up in the hospital with burns!

 Although a good towel is a necessity, a great idea is to get a small roll-up bamboo mat that you can buy at just about any store. It makes for a great base for lounging.

We encourage everyone to clean up and help keep the beach clean. We will love you even more if you not only take your garbage off the beach, but if see some trash from others – please dispose of it!

Beach hawkers are hardworking people that usually will approach you in the busier areas. Unlike a lot of other places in Thailand they tend to have good manners and a quick smile and “no thank you” or Meo Kap (or Ka for women) is usually good enough to get them on their way. On the plus side sometimes they have some cool stuff that you should bargain hard for!

Topless sunbathing is not actually allowed by law. If you have to just find a remote spot and nobody will hassle you. If you insist on doing so in the public places don’t be surprised when a Thai and Western fan club erupts around you. And don’t get mad…

Koh Chang Beach Gallery:

 Sometimes you just want some pictures and so no worries. Various photos and images taken over the last couple of years from great beach shots to sunsets!

Robert

We have scoured the Internet to get the best Koh Chang Videos that we can find for you. No longer do you have to wade through a bunch of short clips looking for the one video that is actually decent… we have done it all for you!

Taken from YouTube and other sites these should cover the island and give you a real idea of what Koh Chang is like. From elephant trekking, to the beach life, some nightlife and even some street food and good times! Not all of these videos are full HD but we have tried to get most of them to be that way, some are professional video teams but most are just plain fun amateur videos filmed with a bit of heart. Consider this your Koh Chang Video Gallery!

If you have any suggestions just drop us a line and tell us where we can link to it!

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Diving at Trad, Thailand with Freddie and Amy -Part#2

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Overnight Jungle Treks

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1990's-Style Jungle Trekking in Koh Chang

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Robert

As more and more people come to Koh Chang we find that not only are more people taking up jungle trekking but they are also diving, Granted that the dive sites of Koh Chang are usually not advertised as much after diving in the Similian Islands and Ko Tao, but that has been a great thing for Koh Chang – think of the phrase “over-diving”: that has not happened here yet!

So Koh Chang can offer a wealth of scuba dive sites and adventure that is unmatched. And you won’t be jockeying for position on the waves like a traffic jam in London at rush hour!

More information and details are best had by dropping into one of the local dive shops and asking the pros about diving here on Koh Chang, they know way, way more than we do here… and most of them are very passionate about the whole underwater world around here! This is just a quick guide to get you going!

When To Go: The best times to dive are between October to May with usually calm seas and great visibility for diving. During the Green Season there can be great days also, but it can be a bit of a chance…

Forget About The Wrecks of WW2: The Chanburi and other ships went down in the Battle of Koh Chang and some dive guides say that there is diving on them – no there is not. Unless your idea of diving is being totally blinded and tapping on steel. They are covered in slit and the area is not clear at all… If you insist there a couple of companies that will go there but you will have to understand that it is not worth it.

Koh Chang Dive Sites Worth Seeing:

Hin Tai Nam:

Down to a depth of about 15m with good visibility the area has an impressive rock formation called Blueberry Hill by the local divers. Lots of fish including stingrays and eels.

Down to a depth of about 20m this area is not coral encrusted but has lots and lots of rocks, table corals, Elephant ear corals, pufferfish, giant clams, sponges, lots of shrimps and lobsters and fans.

Koh Yak, and Koh Laun:

Ko Laun and Ko Yak are a pair of islands surrounded by wonderful corals with a depth of about 12m with good visibility. Lots of butterfly fish, mushroom corals, giant groupers and giant clams make it a good site.

Koh Tong Lang:

Lots of small rock formations makes for an interesting dive here.

Hin Kuak Ma:

Called Tree Finger Rock by locals, and very popular, this huge rock wall is populated by seven banded angelfish, puffer fish, eels, stonefish, Moorish idols, parrotfish, stingrays and the rare nurse sharks with the odd turtle. Depth of about 20m

Hin Ga Daeng:

Located by Ko Rung this huge spire draws a lot of fish to it almost at all times, despite a strong current at times. Recommended for underwater photography due to the great visibility and amount of underwater life.

Hin Rap:

About 20-30 minutes south of Bang Bao (the main jump off point for dives), is a huge group of rocks that have turtles, porcupine fish, and close by is a coral canyon that is rich with angelfish, triggerfish and anemone. Max depth is about 18m with excellent visibility.

Hin Luk Bath:

This is the most popular site due to the vast numbers of fish from Butterfly fish, clown triggerfish, mushroom corals, giant clams, parrot fish, snappers, moray eels, parrotfish and even barracuda. Hin Luk Bath is a huge spire surrounded by boulders which divers can swim through even, all covered with a lot of Christmas Tree worms.  Great visibility down and about 25m down.

 Koh Tien:

One side of the island has been destroyed by boats over-anchoring and sadly by explosive fishing (throw a stick of dynamite in and catch stunned fish!), but the other side has been largely untouched. this allows a diver to see how coral can recover and is recovering… an interesting dive with being able to see how sea-life can and will recover.

There are quite a few good companies on the island offering courses from fun dives to full PADI Scuba Certification and everything in between, also you can find all the equipment you would need at several shops also that carry everything from scuba tanks, respirators, fins and even cameras. So you really don’t have to bring too much with you!

Robert

Wondering where to go to get something to eat? Where is a good Thai restaurant? Need a steak, Issan food, burgers or pizza? Who has a view of the ocean? Wonder no more – you have the Koh Chang Restaurant Guide to help you out! Pick your favorite and just GO! Yes, the hotels all have good restaurants but we thought you might like to see something a little different on the island… there is no particular order, just a lot of ideas. Just because it is not in the guide does not mean it is no good! We cannot be everywhere, but we try. If you want to tell us about the next place to review just drop a comment at the bottom!

Rock Sand Resort: You will have to walk up the beach from KC Resort to get here but it is well worth it. Even if you are not going to eat at least take in the spectacular view! Varied menu including Western steaks, pizza and Thai. Always worth the walk to get something we figure, you will take pictures here.

Jinda Resort: Family run resort and restaurant that actually grow their own mushrooms and fresh vegetables. Great Thai food from old family recipes, so it is very Thai and very much from the island. The family here are very friendly and that just makes the food taste all that much better!

Oodies Place: For a good night take in the relaxed atmosphere and live music most nights. Good selections of Italian, Western pizzas (many recommend them!) and Thai food. Done up with a wonderful atmosphere we recommend you get the food and stay for the show. Expect to stay for a while and then return as soon as possible. If you have not heard of OOdies they are bit of a legend on Koh Chang for a good time!

Buffalo Bill Steak House: Western cowboy themed steakhouse with a large menu of steaks and western food. Quite fun and different atmosphere from many places on the island. Nothing like cowboy outfits on Thai people which makes the atmosphere very playful. Excellent western decor, if you want to try some good steaks and side dishes (go for the garlic mashed potatoes) this is a great place.

15 Palms: Smaller lounge and restaurant but right on the seaside. Great English breakfasts and BBQs at night. The restaurant is very cozy with a great laid back feeling. The owners are English and so expect a good filling English breakfast and good portions of food. Another good place to watch the sun go down and hang out for a few hours.

Chesters Grill: Thailand’s alternative to KFC. need something fast or craving fast food – they have it. Actually good coffee and deserts!

Beach Tango: Seaside with excellent views and comfortable. Good selection of Western and Thai food. We have spent hours here relaxing under the shade of their tree and with Wi-fi and great menu with specialty coffee from Italy – not a bad way to spend some time. Bonus – massage tables are just a meter away! Watch the sunset here if you can!

Pilot Bar: Seaside and very tropical. Solid Thai and cocktails are a specialty.

La Dolce Vita: In Walking Street, solid Italian food with pizzas and lasagne that are very popular.

Chow Lay Seafood: In Walking Street, two areas one with very fish seafood and a wonderful Sushi Bar. You know the fish are fresh as they are in tanks where you can choose what you want. Needless to say the sushi is superb in the Sushi Bar, the chefs are fast with a knife, perfect every time.

Nong Bua: Great Thai food and extensive Western also. Super fast, super good! They have a huge menu of Thai and Western food leaning towards German dishes. Either one is always good and very well done. The seating is a bit crowded, but the quality of the meals more than makes up for that.

Baja Cantina: Finding Mexican food that is decent is Thailand is not easy, but Baja does a good job. A good choice is the combo plates and some nachos on the side. Thai beer goes really well with Mexican food, we find Singha is best (but up to you!). Smaller but very well run, we like the place. Not tacky like so many Mexican places but instead they have decorated the place and provide good service. How did they ever get a license plate from Saskatchewan over here in Thailand??!!

Tamnak Chang: An open air restaurant, excellent Thai food with a good selection of western if you really want that, but stick with the Thai food here – it is great. The open area is wonderful for breezes and the seating is very good. Really good portions and very popular!

Emperor of India: In the mood for Indian food? Look no further then this family run restaurant. Curries and other specialites from India make for a great night out, and to be honest in a hot climate Indian food is a nice change.

Pauls Restaurant: German/European and Thai. looking for something with cheese and meat? Want a good sea view? This is the place. Paul has made a reputation over the years as a great chef, excellent service and of course… wonderful food. The view is great… did we mention that already?

Paddys Palms: Irish pub/ restaurant with a great selection of Western food, famous for their Sunday Roast.  Wonderfully air-conditioned and non-smoking with very good western dishes it is a great place to take in some home-food back from the ol’ country. They have Guinness!

Street Food: Don’t walk these stalls without taking a look. Usually situated by the central 7-11 they serve some great dishes and desserts!

Hungry Elephant: We like Hungry Elephant for the fact they have some great steaks and dishes served just right. Great portions, lots of free side dishes like salad and potatoes. Huge selection of different steaks and an excellent meal if you are hungry for some good western cooking – just go here!

Sanae Restaurant: Run by a Thai and English couple Sanae serves great Thai and Western food.

Robert

The sun is down and its time for some Koh Chang nightlife! Head out to the best lounges, dance clubs, bars and entertainment the island has to offer. The night is yours!

For a lot of people the concept of nightlife differs from one person to another. For some it is a high intensity nightclub with pounding music, for others it is a nice bar with a beach side view and still for others it is a great party that goes on until dawn and of course for others it is the beer bar scene. We will try to cover a bit of it all and hope the guide helps you to decide where to go, what to do, how to get there, and most importantly – how to have some fun on Koh Chang. So inject some nightlife into your trip here and have some fun!

So What exactly is Koh Chang Nightlife:

Koh Chang does not have any Go-Go bars, streets of nightclubs and 1000 person discos or much of the frantic activity of Pattaya or nightlife locations of Bangkok. The feel is much more relaxed and serene, the venues smaller and more intimate but, yes there is still a good time to be had, but not like the non-stop craziness in so many other places in Thailand. So relax, your on the island. Nobody is that pushy, bars are quite welcoming and you will find, we are sure, a place to call “home” for your stay here…

Nightlife in White Sands Beach:

White Sands has been more or less the epicenter for nightlife in Koh Chang since it started. Wide beaches, the biggest hotels and the highest concentration of services, restaurants and other amenities it was and continues to be, for many – the place to go. All of the hotels and lodges have attached restaurants and we will cover those in another article.

The three biggest dance clubs are One Club on Walking Street, Sabay Bar on the beach and KCs, also on the beach. KCs and Sabay have lots of loud music, big crowds, fire shows, specials and of course, they are right on the beach which attracts a lot of people. KCs is something that one would expect to find in Bangkok and is really upscale and fun. Sabay has just done some huge renovations and expanded. One Club just opened and are doing a great job of attracting the clubbing crowd…Head into of them just around midnight and see if you can figure out where all the single girls are coming from if you can… All are a good place for couples and a guaranteed dance time. All are good places to be seen and see, very high energy and a lot of dancing – all three are basically the local disco or main nightclubs if you want. If you want a relaxing but fun beach bar just walk down to the shore with Beach Tango, pilot Bar and Tiger Den being some favorites of ours.

Across from Sabay Bar is Oodies Restaurant that not only serves great food but also has live music. And of course Buffalo Bills Steakhouse that has a wonderful mechanical Bull to ride, but do that before eating and a full stomach okay?

Just south down the main and only road is Walking Street and it is being developed and advertised a bit more with One Club, Amazon Queen, Rock Bar and a couple others being popular places to head to. All are a little laid back and can  be a lot of fun at night. As mentioned One Club is a dance club, with Amazon Queen and Rock Bar quite a bit more laid back.

Towards the south is what many locals call Mini-Pattaya (mini-Pats), a large area of many small beer bars that of course have the usual cranked up stereos, calls of “Hello! Welcome!’ and many alluring charms of the ladies of the night, who are always thirsty and will beat you very quickly in a game of jenga, pool, or any drinking game you can think of. As is often the case the bars change names and owners quite often, but some manage to last like Toy Bar (the bartender does the best magic tricks on the island) Double Lucky (with many flags of the world overhead, including the Vatican?!) Golden Bar, Candy Bar, Honey Bar, Mankeyto, Yes Bar and quite a few others. The faces are constantly changing and of course the nights go on and on here for the beer bar crowd.

Just heading out of White Sands is Paddys Palms, a very nice Irish pub-house that has pool tables and imported beer (Think Guinness!) South of Paddys is Zap Bar, Koh Bar and south again a few beer bars with RockHard being one of the more inventive names we have seen in quite a while.

Nightlife in Chia Chet:

The biggest feature in Chia Chet is the Entertainment Complex that once hosted at least a dozen bars in what looks like an airplane hangar (it used to be the local fish market at one time, (if you read Shakespeare you will get the reference…) but over the years it has dwindled to two bars that seem to get by as they have the coveted front spot (as the rest is abandoned). Across from that are numerous small beer bars like Butterfly, Rattle Snake, Jimmys bar, The Flying Wedge, Maxs Place and Baht Bar. Last we counted there are about 30 34 32 beer bars here! Their all beer bars, not great for a date, unless she works at one of them… Some are open early to cater to the all day drinking crowd and others close when you leave.

Nightlife in Klong Prao:

Klong Prao has been up and coming for a while and although it lacks the sheer bars and nightlife of most areas it can still be worth going to for a few places. As the area is quite large there are several good restaurants and lounges along the main road but also along the river (turn at Ramayana Resort) to find some good places like Moleys, Sea Breeze and Phu Talay.

If you are looking for a beach lounge Klong Prao is a great place to head to. Turn at the Amari and follow the road until the pavement ends. Head about 200m up the dirt road and take either left that you see. You will come to either Mandaly or Family restaurant. Although not “happening” night spots if you want an evening with sea breezes and stars as the waves lap in these two cannot be beat.

In the center of Klong Prao on the main road is a great place called Ma Tinis, an open floor plan with a pool in the back, not open late but great to dip into on a hot afternoon! Pot & Kettle is also a laid back place with M&D farther south. One of our favorite places is across from M&D called Cheap Thrills, a French run live music venue – worth the trip there to be sure. Towards the very south are a few small beers along the road.

Kai Bae Nightlife:

Kai Bae was once the poorer cousin of White Sands and Lonely Beach, with Kai Bai being more of a go-through between the two than a destination a while back. That has really changed and it now boasts quite an active nightlife, club and bar scene all on its own. Frankly, maybe its because we live closer, we really like Kai Bae. You can pretty walk the entire length and there are numerous small cafes, bars and lounges to take in. Lots more trees also… its a bit more relaxed than White Sands and developing very nicely.

In the north section there is a very unadvertised area called Walking Street, that the owners are trying to promote and it definitely has a bit of a Pattaya feel to it with quite a few small beer bars that are about 10m by 5m in size that boast a flurry of colors, lots of bright lights and of course drink specials, hostesses, etc… and as far as we know is home to the only boy-bar in town (look for the purple theme). There are multitude of changing bars and it seems on a monthly basis one shuts down and another opens in it’s place. A recent addition was a food area with several carts that do an amazingly good job at Thai food, but they come and go and there is no set schedule for openings there.

Then there is Sir Henry Morgan’s Pub that is the largest lounge/restaurant in Kai Bae that offers a fire-show pretty well every night and caters to eastern European tastes, a good place for a date night and just south the newly opened Texas Steak house – just a stone throws down the road.

Central Kai Bae has numerous small beer bars that again are opening and closing monthly. To the south is the ever popular Butterfly and  You & Me Bar and of course a really good couples bar called Mojiots Lounge that “surprise” serve up great mojitos, a good dance floor, pool and a few other amenities that make it a great destination. Across from them is Mak Mak Restaurant that serves up some good food and often live music. Across the river and to the south is the new night club/lounge called Filous, with a nice laid back feel and often with live music.

A little harder to find but worth it is Nang Nuals “Cabaret Show”. Turn towards the sea at Angels Restaurant and head to Nang Nual Resort, definitely a good show, and a good time right on the shore. There are quite a few late night restaurants with Big Elk, Mak Mak, Angels, Kharma and Morgans being some of our favorites.

Nightlife in Lonely Beach:

Lonely Beach has been the big draw for nightlife for quite while and has been popular, very popular actually, for years with the backpacker, gap year and younger (or want to be younger crowd). The area has some very unique nightlife to take in and pretty well every night there is a big draw going on. It is a party area bar non. Most people here do the beach in the day, sleep a bit and then head out… and stay out late.

So with a party every day of the week and with the size of Lonely Beach all you need to do to find that night’s party is follow the noise… Some good places to check out are: Lemon Bar, Himmel Bar (check out the flaming Molotov Cocktail show), Ting Tong Bar (24 hour food), Om Bar, Vitamine, all great DJs, late nights are common and of course some of the biggest beach parties are in this area. Sandy beach Club (a new nightclub) has opened in the North, Siam Hut has some great times and of course there are a lot of good places to eat all about including Lonely Beach Resort, Barrio Bonitos Mexican food and numerous other smaller places.

We know we probably missed a few places.. drop us a line and tell us who you like and why!

Robert

As we usually do – we harp about being safe on the roads here and hope everyone has a great time and everything is cool for you on the island. This is our guide to choosing a scooter, chopper or motorcycle on Koh Chang – so maybe we can help you out and make the right choice and have a better time here on the island. We even have a quick map at the bottom showing the main roads, their conditions and where to get gas and repairs. Have a great time!

Availability: There are numerous and plentiful Koh Chang scooter and motorcycle rentals from dedicated rental shops, just about every resort and hotel and lodge and of course the local guy who has three… You can get everything from under powered and old models to scooters of every shape and size and the large choppers and big bike rentals. Because of the steep grades on the hills if you are carrying more than one person, or are a bit “bigger” go for anything above 125cc and preferably 135cc like the Honda Airblade or Yamaha Neuvo.

Good Motorcycle/Scooter Rentals:

They will have a good selection of decent motorcycles that look good and are willing to take the time to talk to you, explain the scooter and how it works. They will have decent (by Thai standards) helmets and the bike will be in good repair. They will not mind if you list damage and will take their time to make sure you understand the bike and how it operates. In short they will not be rushed and explain everything to you.

Bad Scooter/ Motorcycle Dealers:

They will have a sub-standard bike with several cracks and scrapes, and not want to list that on the contract. This is a huge red flag – walk away as soon as they do not want to list that. What has happened in several cases is that they will ask you to pay for prior damage and what can you do? Except pay… They will have bad tires, and the helmets will be what we call Tonka toy helmets with the cheapest quality motorcycles available.

When Choosing a Scooter/ Motorcycle:

If you want to be real particular take pictures of the bike and any scrapes when you rent it. It provides proof that you did or did not damage the bike.

Be aware that flat tires are very common and you will be expected to cover this if it happens. There are lots of small shops along the road and none should charge more than 250 Bht to repair the tires. There is also a mobile repair that we recommend and here is the link to them.

If You Have An Accident:

First things first make sure you and anyone involved are okay. If someone is badly injured call for emergency services and get to the hospital. Remember people can into shock very quickly and so make sure they are coherent and have them sit down and take it easy… Call the Tourist Police if you need any assistance.

Due to infections being serious business in Thailand go to a local clinic and get checked out and maybe a tetanus shot might be in order if you have any cuts or wounds. They can also comb your skin with a nice steel brush to get all the dirt out and are quite good at it… they have a lot of practice unfortunately.

If your bike has damage it is never a good idea to take it back right away to the place where you rented it. Some, not all, dealers pray every day that their bike will be in accident as they can then charge an exorbitant charge to the unsuspecting renter. Some people have paid more for minimal damage than the bike is worth… So be aware.

Take the bike, on your own, to either the dealer or to a shop and get a quote for repairs. It generally will save you thousands of baht. Remember the bike is probably worth only 30-50 thousand Baht. Most damage is cosmetic with fiberglass panel repair and as such and it should not be too expensive.

So drive safe, keep your speed down and enjoy the island. We hope you never have to use the accident part of our guide, but if you do hopefully it can come in handy.

Tour Map for Motorcycles:

Just a quick map to show the road and the hazards, shops and gas stations! Have fun with your Koh Chang scooter!

Robert

These Koh Chang photos were taken over the last few years. Ranging from quick picture shots, festivals, songkran,party nights, beach stills with a tripod, early night and late morning.  Lots of good candid shots, a few good nature shots and hopefully some inspiration about Koh Chang! We hope that they inspire you to take a look at what the island has to offer.

One of the things we have found is that Koh Chang is a great place for some great photos, videos and of course even painting… painting we cannot do. But a great sunset picture is within our limits.

Robert

Koh Chang Waterfalls Guide

Koh Chang waterfalls are simply beautiful, stunning and a great way to cool off – and they all make for a great adventure or day out. Going to the East Side of Koh Chang can be a really nice day topped off with a bit of site seeing in Salak Phet and stopping along the way for some great views.

Klong Plu:

The most accessible and busiest Koh Chang waterfall due to it being on the west side and easy to get to from Klong Prao village. After entering the Park office head up the trail about 20 minutes. Swimming and diving in are popular here at all times. Note: can be crowded on the weekends.

A three level waterfall most people stay at the first level but a slippery climb can be made to the top of the third level where a large pool is great to cool down on.

Than Mayom Waterfall: If you are a Thai national this is the most famous as it was visited by King Rama V, Rama VI and Rama VII, who all left their mark on the waterfalls. Thus it gets a lot of visitors.

After going through the park office head up about 400 meters and through a durian orchard to get to the bottom pool. There are four levels but few get up to the top level, as it is quite the hike. Swimming is allowed, no worries. Good hike on the way in also!

Khiri Phet Waterfall:

About 2km from the village this is a medium sized waterfall that has many levels. Depending on the season it can be quite spectacular in Green Season and quite low in high season. Bonues though, in High Season you can get to the top 7^th level without too much problem.

Klong Neung Waterfall:

Close to Khiri Phet this is the tallest Koh Chang waterfall. Chest deep pool greets you after about an hours walk with a final push over a huge boulder. Amazing view from the top, which can be a bit of a hike.

Khlong Nonsi Waterfall:

Around Dan Mai this is a smaller waterfall and should be visited only in the Green Season as it is want to dry up in the high season.

Waterfall Climbing:

When you’re at a Koh Chang waterfall the rocks can be treacherous and slippery, although you think it might be better to go in bare feet it actually is easier in sandals or other footwear. Keep your camera in a dry bag as it is easy to slip and take a fall.

Robert

Welcome to the Real Koh Chang Guide, here you can find some great travel information for Koh Chang, that means some places to go and things to do beyond a glossy pamphlet and 5 star guide. Downright gritty sometimes and always fresh, delve in and see what the Real Koh Chang Guide is all about- the island beyond the gates of your hotel or resort. Don’t worry, we wont send you to any bad places!

When To Go:

Like the rest of Thailand the main tourist season starts around October to March with temperatures around 30 as a max and down to about 22 at night. The off season is called Green Season and the island is much less busy, and prices are much lower. The Green Season usually has quite a bit of rain, but usually this lasts just for a bit then the island clears up with beautiful sunshine again. The temperatures range from about 32+ to 25 at night. So if you want traffic come in the High Season and if you want real peace and quiet, want to see the jungle at its best – then the Green Season might just be for you!

What to Do:

Koh Chang is famous for its seafood, jungle trekking, waterfalls, good dive sites, snorkeling, elephant trekking, bird watching, and relaxed beaches. Kayaking is becoming popular and as always the un-rushed feeling of being able to unwind here.

Some of the lesser known attractions are firefly viewing on the rivers, Tree Top Adventure Park, golf driving range in the Klong Son Valley, several yoga retreats a pony rehabilitation center, excellent Thai cooking classes, surprising good tattoo artists, tennis, gyms and of course lots of great Thai massage shops. Head down to the local Chinese Temple and see what your fortune is or learn about Buddhism from some of the monks at the Temple. Link to What To Do

Getting Here:

Koh Chang is about a three to four hour drive from Bangkok. If possible take the Sky-train to the airport and leave from the bus station. You can save an hour in traffic and more if you do this.  There are numerous taxis, mini-vans and buses that will come here, just book anywhere. A lot of the Koh Chang Guides will have extensive and very laid out time-tables for each departure for the bus and taxis. Really that is just for cover and fills a lot of space. Nothing is on time in Thailand, show up when you are supposed to and then enjoy the fact you can wait for a bit. Getting mad or expecting Swiss accuracy on time here will only drive you crazy…

There is a direct flight now to Trat on Bangkok Air and from there easy access to the island.

• Pro-Tip: some of the transport companies are not so cool. Make sure, on your ticket they say they will drop you at the hotel on the island. Otherwise they will sometimes just drop you at the ferry. Then you get to spend money on a ferry ticket, then on a taxi on the island. Its a bad practice we are trying to stop here on the island.
• Scam Warning:There has been reports of a nice scam going on at the ferry terminal sometimes. If anyone says there is a taxi shortage and you have to pre-book – just walk away. There is no shortage of taxis and you will be charged triple the price than if you arrange it yourself!

What to Expect:

Koh Chang, although developing, is not overdeveloped and maintains a charm that is still very much like small village life, a close knit community and much more laid back than most of the other islands in Thailand that that are popular with tourists. Overall, we seem to have skipped the worst of the development pitfalls like too many hawkers, roads of bars and cheap restaurants that seem to infest a lot of other areas. Overall expect a much more authentic experience that includes a lot of beach time, nature walks, waterfalls and a lot less full-moon parties!

There are no go-go bars, hawkers although around; are rare and not intrusive, the beaches are not littered with jet skis (they are not allowed here) and the overall feel of the island is one of long nights, lazy days and a sense of peace. Yes, you can still find some good nightclubs and nightlife, but it is not the focus of the island. There are very small full-moon parties in Lonely Beach but for the most part the island is to relax, take in some of the natural world and just be cool…

Where to Stay:

It really depends on what kind of a traveler you are. Most people hear about White Sands and book accordingly, but there are some other areas that might appeal to you beyond the main town – or maybe not! Each village really has its own unique flavor so take a look below and see what you think, the choice is yours

We have listed what we think are the pros and cons of each place, depending on what you are looking for they could easily be reversed and be perfect for you!

The Towns of Koh Chang:

 White Sands:

White Sands is the biggest town on Koh Chang and was the first really developed with the tourist trade in mind. Here you will find many resorts, hotels, restaurants, cafes, internet and tailor shops and of course the usual brikabrack shops up and down the main road. If you are looking for a place that caters almost exclusively to tourism and has the most facilities this would be a good place to find a place to stay.

The beach is long at about 2.2 km and is very sandy in the North, going to rocky in the south. Really good areas of sand though all along the way.

• Most developed area of Koh Chang
• Lots of restaurants and amenities
• Wide choice of places to stay

• Most developed area of Koh Chang
• Can be very busy
• Generally you pay a bit more here than anywhere else

Klong Prao:

This is technically the center of the island for the locals and ex-pats who live here. Being so central it is a good place to find long term accommodations and services. Home to the main Temple, the Tourist Police, business supply shops, the biggest hardware shop etc…

But it still caters to the travelers from high end resorts to grass huts dotted along the shore. The river area here is really beautiful with firefly viewing and many elephant camps, there is also access to the Klong Plu waterfalls and jungle trekking is also here.

The beach is arguably the best on the island with the drop off way out (good if you have children) and is split into three  sections by the local rivers each side has about 1.5 km of sand and the sunset view is beautiful most nights.

• More relaxed than White Sands
• Bigger area overall
• Good services
• Excellent area for long stays and living

• More for locals than tourists
• Quite spread out, walking not the easiest way around
• Not as many places to stay than other areas

Kai Bae:

Kai Bae has changed quite a bit over the years from basically a back-water village into a much more vibrant area with many new shops, restaurants and attractions. Popular with families it is quickly becoming an alternative to White Sands and overall the feeling is one of being much more relaxed and much more natural with more greenery and less dense in buildings.

The beach is excellent with about 1km of winding shore with excellent sand and a long drop off. During low tide it is possible to walk to the small off shore islands just off the coast.

• Family and couple friendly
• Great beach and more trees than other areas
• Wide range or amenities and services
• Area is very walkable and easy access
• Good restaurant and nightlife choices

• Family friendly
• Not as many amenities as White Sands
• Main road can be dangerous with high traffic, walk on the correct side

Lonely Beach:

Lonely Beach was the first area to actually put Koh Chang on the travelers map years ago. It was only reached by a long boat ride from the mainland and it was –Lonely. But that is not the case anymore and with the road being put in it has opened up to many more tourists in the last little while. It is extremely popular with the backpacker and gap-year crowd and yet it still maintains its charms as being very traditional off-the-beaten-path vibe.

Although you can still find the very simple fan rooms and small bamboo restaurants and bars it is developing and there are several upper end hotels now in the area. It is very youthful and as such is busy with a lot of all night clubs and a lot of parties.

The real beach starts in the north and although smaller (around .5 km) it is great. The beach in Lonely Beach is actually quite rocky. Good for snorkeling but not for sun-bathing.

• Backpacker friendly
• Many small cafes, bars and restaurants
• Known for cheaper accommodations than anywhere else

• Youth oriented in the south area, can be noisy
• Limited services
• Access either way is through hills that can be hazardous if you drive badly

Bailan:

Bailan is about 5km south of Lonely Beach and is much more quiet and relaxed than the Lonely Beach area. There are several good places to stay, and some surprisingly good restaurants. We would recommend here as probably the quietest place on the island. If you really want to get away from it all Bailan would be a good place to start.

• Very quiet
• Remote and relaxed, yet close to Lonely Beach
• Small selection of amenities
• good for those who want to get away from crowds

• No real beach
• Limited services
• Quiet and early nights

Bang Bao:

Bang Bao is the local dive and boat area, the gateway to Koh Mak, Koh Kood etc… For the most part the village is built on the pier with lots of dive shops, small cafes and probably the best selection of tourist goods on the island.

An excellent beach is located about 2km south of Bang Bao. Good sand, lots of shade and for the most part quite quiet.

• If you are diving, stay here
• Unique pier and area
• Freshest seafood on the island

• Quite the drive to any other location on the island
• Limited amenities
• Not a huge amount of choices for dining and accommodations compared to other areas.

East Island:

The eastern side of Koh Chang does not get a lot of press but it is worth going. Long Beach is the new Lonely Beach with very, very isolated places to stay and truly be away from it all. Salak Phet is also the traditional harbor and fisherman’s center for Koh Chang with the local population staying here almost exclusively. There are several good places to stay and worth a day there for sure.

• Very remote from other tourist areas
• Much more authentic Thai than west coast places
• If you want to really get away and just relax, this is perfect

• Really remote, quite the drive over the mountains to get to any tourist area
• Limited services for tourists
• Not a lot of tourists from the west

Island Transport:

There are no direct call taxis on the island but there are many trucks with benches in the back that drive up and down the road with various fees depending on where you want to be dropped off.  Cars are available for hire on the island and there are plenty of scooters for rent. We would suggest a scooter is the best way to see the island at this time. Our guide to scooter rentals is here.

Dining and Eating:

Koh Chang has pretty well any type of food you may want from Thai to western dishes, sushi, Korean BBQ, burgers and pizza. One thing we do not have on the island is any truly western fast food places, there is no McDonalds, Burger King etc.. and we are rather proud of that. The closest is Chesters Chicken. If you are here be sure to try the seafood and do not be afraid of the street food stalls, they can make excellent meals. Restaurant Guide

Lodging:

From rooms with private pools to grass shacks with fans Koh Chang covers the whole spectrum of accommodations and lodging. You can find any type you looking for from five star resorts to long term stays, to home stays to middle of the road accommodations.Resorts

Health and Safety:

Because of the size of Koh Chang the island is extremely safe. Major crime is rare and the most common crime is petty theft. So basically use the safe in your hotel and as always when traveling be sure to not flash a lot of money. The dangers that you should be aware of on the island though are rip-tides and driving safely.

There are numerous pharmacies on the island, several health clinics and two main hospitals. If there is a severe emergency there is boat evacuation and ambulance to the mainland to a major hospitals in Trat.

Amenities:

On Koh Chang there are numerous WI-fi and internet connections, long distance phone shops, pharmacies, tailors, small supermarkets, small shops etc.. There should be no problem picking up what you need here and stocking up on any essential items from the mainland is not necessary.

Nightlife:

Okay, you have relaxed enough and it is time to get the body and blood moving, a night out on Koh Chang is an easy and fun affair. From the large clubs of Sabay Bar to KC, the live music venues, small but really cool lounges, numerous beer bars, karaoke and beautiful couple oriented lounges with dancing… there is something on Koh Chang for everyone. Head down to Lonely Beach and take an all nighter at Ting Tongs or Himmel, in Kai Bai impress your date at Mojitos or Filou or discuss geo-politics or play a game of Jenga at one of the many beer bars… there is something for everyone. The Nightlife Guide has more information

Robert

The Koh Chang mangrove forest is one of the under-rated but actually can-be-great areas located on the East Side of the island.  Grab a kayak at the local Seafood restaurant and head out to see what a lot of people never see here. The bay is best at high tide, so try to time it for that if possible.

The mangrove forest exists as a barrier between the salt water and the fresh water areas. Surprisingly they are one of the few trees that can handle this brackish water without dying. In fact they provide a huge sanctuary and home for dozens of the animals and fish on the island, prevent coastal degradation through erosion and even give thousands of birds a place to live. To say they are important for the eco-system is really an understatement.

Follow the map below and look for Salakok Seafood Restaurant and follow the path and boardwalk into the area. On your left will be kayaks and so don’t be afraid to ask and head out to explore this great area!

At Salakok Seafood Restaurant there are kayaks available along with supper cruises for interested people, and so you can be guided or wind your way along the marked route.

Just beside the restaurant is a concrete walk way that is about 800m long and allows one to walk along and see the mangrove forest up close. So by water or by foot, just go ahead and enjoy your day!

the Salakkok area is much more traditional Thai than really any area on the island and it is very untouched as far as tourism goes, eventually this area will catch the eye of developers so head there and see things a bit more traditional than usual… Before it is too late

And of course we have some pictures for you!

Robert