What to do in Ko Chang. Koh Chang Island is a great place to holiday in Thailand. Kayak to neighboring islands
In addition to such traditional entertainment as elephant riding, Koh Chang (which means elephant island in Thai) has a fairly large selection of pastime options - both with a national twist and standard ones for Europeans. So, what does Elephant Island offer its tourists?
Crocodile and snake show
Another traditional Thai event, like elephant riding, is a crocodile and snake show. On Koh Chang, both shows are held in one place, after the show there is an opportunity to take photos with both reptiles and animals. Cost starts from $4 for children and twice as much for adults.
Parasailing
Fans of outdoor activities will appreciate the opportunity to soar over the turquoise bay of Kai Bay Beach, where services such as parasailing are offered. The duration of this entertainment is 15 minutes, the cost is about 20 dollars.
Paintball
You can play such a popular game in Russia as paintball in distant Thailand. Conditions close to real, shelters and obstacles - all this is paintball on Koh Chang. The cost for a team of up to 4 people is $35. The paintball club is located a kilometer south of White Sand Beach.
Shooting club
Those who find shooting paintballs a boring activity can shoot with real small arms. The BBGun shooting range offers replicas of the M4 rifle, Kalashnikov assault rifle, Magnum or Colt pistols. The cost of one lesson is from 8 dollars.
ATV racing
Another entertainment for extreme sports enthusiasts is ATV racing. Routes (from simple to more difficult) are laid through mountains and jungles. The island's largest quaddrome is located on the southern shore of White Sand Beach. The cost of skating is from 15 dollars.
Yoga and Reiki School
Those who like a more relaxing pastime will not be bored either. After all, it is on Koh Chang that the relaxed lifestyle, nature and fresh air invite you to do yoga and breathing exercises. Classes are also held outdoors. Cost – from 10 dollars. It is also possible to join the Eastern method of healing the body.
Thai cooking lessons
Learning the basics of traditional Thai cuisine will be no less interesting. The freshest products, secret ingredients, patient chefs - all this will help you master the preparation of exotic dishes and later, at home, reproduce one of the dishes of Thai cuisine and pamper your family and friends. The cost of one lesson is from 50 dollars.
Island nightlife
Despite the fact that people come to Koh Chang primarily for a quiet, relaxing holiday, nightlife is also present here. For example, on White Sand Beach, a place called little Pattaya.
White Sand Beach
Oodie's Place
Oodie's Place is one of the most popular places in White Beach and Koh Chang. In addition to a large selection of Thai dishes, here you can listen to live music such as folk, rock, blues, and reggae.
Sabay bar
Located next to Oodie's, Sabay is the hub of Elephant Island's nightlife. There is also live music, and the chef prepares excellent seafood dishes, which you can enjoy right in the open air.
Klong Prao Beach
Zigamar
The main entertainment venue on Klong Prao Beach is the Zigamar Bar. It plays jazz music and serves traditional Thai cuisine.
Kai Bae Beach
Bar A Lee
A small bar with very reasonable prices for cocktails and snacks. Live broadcasts of important football matches are shown on large screens.
Mojito Lounge
Nightclub in the heart of Kai Be beach. Dance music, a dance floor and inexpensive spirits ensure that the Mojito Bar is always full.
Casamarina
A bar with very low prices, an outdoor terrace on the second floor and pool tables.
Lonely beach
Magic Garden
Dance bar with a dance floor and trendy dance music. The most important discos on the island are held here.
BB Divers Pool and Lounge
A bar connected to the restaurant and diving center via a large swimming pool. Pool parties, or pool parties, are regularly held here.
I have long wanted to write a review article on the topic of what to do on Koh Chang, so that I could talk about everything at once, but briefly. Because lately my friends have been going there one by one, and it would be much easier to let them read a summary post than to throw a bunch of links. Moreover, there will also be additional information that was not posted on the blog due to the fact that it did not fit into a full-fledged article.
The best way to search for hotels in Asia is through the RoomGuru aggregator; it shows hotel prices in all booking systems at once. Not everyone knows that in Asia it is not Booking that is popular, but Agoda, and this service will show everyone at once.
Swim at different beaches in Koh Chang
If you really like swimming or sunbathing, then you can change your place of residence almost every day and move from beach to beach in search of the one that you like the most. Although, in principle, you don’t have to change the hotel, but simply ride a bike to different places, or take minibuses proudly called Taxi that ply around the island. I have already described everything earlier.
A small piece of an always deserted beach after Long Beach
Ride a bike around the island
There is no need to explain anything to bike lovers; they will want to do it themselves. Goes well with the previous point. Yes, there are serpentines here and you need to be very careful, and it’s even better not to get on a bike if you’re not confident in your abilities, but this is probably one of my most memorable impressions of the island, especially from its eastern part. There, in the very south, there are almost deserted places: Long Beach, a memorial, a hotel on the water. And it’s the eastern part that’s more difficult to get to without a bike; taxis don’t go there much. , I already told you too.
Go to the waterfalls
There are many waterfalls on Koh Chang, but it probably doesn't make sense to see them all. You can limit yourself to the most popular Klong Plu Waterfall, you can also swim in it, the bowl is large and deep. Or on Klong Chao Luam with the aim of visiting a real jungle, where a walk through the forest is more memorable than a small river with low cascades. You can learn everything about it from my article.
Klong Plu Waterfall
Klong Chao Luam - real nature and jungle here
Ride elephants
Many people want to ride an elephant, if you haven’t ridden yet, try it. It's probably worth it once. On the way to Klong Plu Waterfall or Klong Chao Luam there will be an elephant farm and they will take you for a ride. I also came across another farm approximately in the middle of Kae Bay beach. I myself didn’t ride elephants on Koh Chang, it was enough to ride, it’s not much different.
Play paintball
Somewhere between the elephants and the Klong Plu waterfall, there is a paintball area. It is represented by a modest paintball player standing by the road.
Go to the observation deck
Most likely, you will drive around the island and one day you will go towards Lonely Beach. Along the way you will come across an observation point; it is difficult not to notice it. Just after Kai Bay beach, a steep uphill climb begins, and almost at the very top there will be a wonderful landscaped area with views of the Gulf of Thailand and the nearest small island, where you can get to by kayak. It’s a good place to watch the sunset, it’s beautiful.
Lookout just after Kai Bay
There are other vantage points, but they are less popular, and some of them are not equipped sites, but simply spontaneous vantage points. For example, a good view opens right before the descent to White Sand beach (if you drive from the pier), this is the side of the road on the right in the direction of travel.
Kayak to neighboring islands
In the paragraph above, I already wrote about kayaks. At the end of Kai Bay beach (if you drive from the ferry pier) opposite 7/11 there is a turnoff to the beach, and there is a kayak rental point there, the price is very low, 300 baht per boat for half a day. There are 4 islands within easy reach, one larger and 3 very small ones. By and large, there is nothing special to do with them, but the point is in the process itself and reaching a particular point. On the big island (Koh Man Nai) there is a beach where you can swim and on the farthest small island (Koh Yuak) there is also a beach.
You can also kayak on the eastern side of the island, at the very end, behind Long Beach, the cost is 300 baht for the whole day. There is a café called Dead end, where they rent kayaks.
Climb the rope park
Visit the fishing village of Bang Bao
Just after the rope park you can see the fishing village of Bang Bao, it’s very close. In fact, there is nothing special to see there (pier, lighthouse and houses), you can rather go there to eat. Quite a large selection of all kinds of marine life, just walk along the pier and look right/left, choosing which cafe you like best.
Buy an excursion
Well, and the last thing is to buy an excursion (although for some it may be the first). They mainly offer trips to different islands in order to swim on different beaches, admire wildlife and snorkel (snorkel) in places where there are corals and fish. Boat excursions are similar to each other, but I recommend sailing to Ko Kood or Ko Mak (or both) if you like such boat trips along the beaches. Koh Kood really has snow-white beaches and is generally very beautiful.
In terms of excursions, there are also offers for active travelers, such as jungle trekking and mountain biking.
Map of Koh Chang with marks
Well, to make it easier for you to navigate the place, here is a map with my marks. Everything I found interesting on the island was noted there. And paper maps and other Google maps can be found here -.
P.S. I stayed in different places on Koh Chang, but so far I have described only one, a budget bungalow. In general, there is a lot of housing there.
If you are attracted holidays and excursions on Koh Chang, you most likely are not looking for white Bounty-style beaches, vibrant nightlife, or varied shopping. They go for the exceptional beauty of nature, which is difficult to find in the popular resorts in Pattaya, Phuket or Samui. Another undeniable plus is to get to Koh Chang by bus. No need to worry about connecting flights - just buy a ticket at the ticket office and that's it. But we can’t afford to lie under a palm tree on the beach for the entire two weeks of our vacation, so here we will find something to entertain ourselves with. Well, we’ll tell you, of course! Just dry specifics.
1. Go around Koh Chang island on a bike
There is only one road on Chang, which encircles the island, almost in a ring. But in the very south it breaks off and there is no way.
It’s interesting to ride around the island, the entire island is emerald green and surrounded by greenery. The road is excellent, but in places it twists and turns with eerie serpentines, so that such turns take your breath away, as well as from the magnificent views of the sea and mountains, which every now and then open up in the gaps between the trees. You can take it very easily, and the pleasure from it will last for the entire vacation.
2. Go on an excursion to a waterfall
Let's be honest, that waterfall (Klong Plu Waterfall) that we went to was not so great, but the path itself, not long, about a kilometer, is something, especially if it’s your first time in the jungle. I recommend. Along the way, watch birds and plants, climb narrow paths, jump from rock to rock, and at the end, refresh yourself in a cool freshwater lagoon and sunbathe while lying on the rocks. Great entertainment and relaxation for the first half of the day. On your way back to the parking lot, refresh yourself with coconut milk or snack on a pancake with fruit.
3. Kayak on an excursion to a deserted island and snorkel
On many Koh Chang beaches you can rent a two- or three-person kayak and paddle to nearby uninhabited islands. The most convenient way to do this is with Lonely Beach and Kai Bae.
There you can snorkel, see corals, sunbathe on the beach or explore the island inland. But be careful: there are sea urchins in the water, and in the wild thickets of the islands you can stumble upon some kind of tropical grebe. Well, and sun cream, where would we be without it? Rent a kayak for the whole day - 500 baht.
4. Tree Top Adventure Park
We accidentally stumbled upon this adventure park, but it was too late. But the place looks awesome: people “jump” from tree to tree on a rope (zip-line), while desperately squealing with pleasure and extreme excitement. Get an active holiday on Koh Chang
The park is open from 9 am to 4 pm every day. You first need to undergo some simple instruction and training. Price - about 900 baht per person, including insurance. Feel like Tarzan!
5. Ride elephants
Although Koh Chang translates to Elephant Island, there are no wild elephants there. But there are countless elephant farms there. This is Thailand! We counted three. Not bad for a small island. Choose the one you like and ride through the jungle on an elephant. Field excursion We will not advise on prices. Three years ago in Krabi it cost us 600 baht, now it will probably be around 1,500. - 40 baht.
6. Play paintball
Between White Sand and Chai Chet beaches there is a small paintball field.
We went there once to find out what and how. In very broken English they told us that for 1000 baht we could at least get away with it. It was just me and my husband, and since it’s somehow not kosher to play paintball with such a group, we didn’t check. But if you are going to the island of Koh Chang with a small company, and don’t feed you honey - let them cover up your neighbor with paint, then you are welcome to reconnaissance in force, maybe you can correct me later. You can smear someone with paint for free - wait for the holiday in April.
7. Watch the sunset on the observation deck
Between Kai Bae and Lonely Beach there is an observation deck quietly hidden, from where you can see such a (magnificent!) view of the islands and where you can watch the sunset while sitting in a cozy gazebo and drinking ice coffee,
and not beer, because you will have to go back along the same serpentines, only at night. Romance!
And of course, the sea, sun and beach have not been canceled. You can live on a budget. Or maybe not. And you also have diving, fishing, excursions to neighboring islands, mountain hiking, tours to Cambodia, massages, spas, seafood restaurants, nightclubs and fake Birkins in local shops, everything that will make your holiday on the island of Koh Chang outrageously beautiful. If you find yourself at another resort, then there are always two-three-day excursions to Koh Chang. So go for it!
Koh Chang is the second largest island in Thailand and the largest island in the eastern part of the country, administratively belonging to the province of Trat. Only 5,000 people live permanently on the island, but with the development of tourism, more and more people come here every year.
General information
Thanks to its long sandy beaches, Koh Chang is considered one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. It is also home to a variety of wildlife such as birds, snakes, a variety of deer and elephants. The island itself and its surrounding areas provide excellent swimming, diving and jungle hiking.
Since the island became a popular tourist destination in 2000, a lot has changed. Although life here is still much more relaxed than in Phuket or, the peace and quiet here during the high season can only be dreamed of. As for the prices for services intended for tourists, they are so inflated that they cannot be compared with the prices for the same services on other islands.
How to get there
Want to know how to get to Koh Chang? Below is a list of vehicles that can be used to do this.
By plane
Bangkok Airways operates 3 flights daily from New Suwannabhum International Airport (Bangkok) to Trat Province. Departure times: 08:30, 11:40 and 17:05. The flight takes 1 hour. Round-trip tickets cost between 3,200 and 3,800 baht. You can see how much tickets will cost for your dates.
Transfer from Trat Airport to Koh Chang, including ferry price, costs 500 baht per person. A round trip ticket costs 900 baht. Transfer minibuses are equipped with air conditioning.
If you take the free shuttle right outside the arrivals hall at Suwannabhum International Airport to the airport bus station, you can take a bus to Trat or Chanthaburi provinces from there.
Taxi rental
From the center of Bangkok to Suwannabhum International Airport can be reached by taxi or limousine in five to five and a half hours. Most taxi drivers will refuse to take you to the airport, because there is a high probability that they will go back without a passenger, and therefore without profit. Most limousines and minibuses waiting for passengers at the airport will take you to your hotel or resort in Koh Chang. They will certainly agree if they manage to return to the mainland on the same day.
By bus
The cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Laem Ngop, Trat Province, where ferries depart for Koh Chang, is to take bus number 999 from Bangkok's Ekamai East Station. It delivers passengers directly to the pier from which the ferry departs. A ticket costs 275 baht one way (520 baht round trip). The transfer takes only 5 hours. The buses are equipped with a high-quality ventilation system, and each tourist upon boarding receives a set of drinks and light snacks. Unfortunately, flights are limited to two morning departures. Departure times from Ekamai: 07:45, 09:45. The bus from Laem Ngop arrives at 14:00. Depending on availability, buses can be picked up at Suvannaphum Airport and Chanthaburi Province.
In December 2009, a new bus route No. 392 began operating from Suwannaphum Airport to Koh Chang. To get there you need to take a shuttle that goes to the bus station at the airport. The bus departs from there at 07:30 and the return flight from Koh Chang arrives at 12:30. Tickets can be booked on the Suvarnabhumi Burapha bus company website.
Since November 1, 2010, express buses and minibuses have been running on the route Suwannabum Airport - Lonely Beach, Koh Chang. A bus ticket costs 308 baht, and an express minibus ticket to Longli Beach costs 600 baht (800 baht round trip). The price includes the ferry crossing. However, traveling by minibus can be dangerous: they are often overcrowded, luggage cannot be secured securely, and drivers routinely break traffic rules. Moreover, there is no absolute certainty that it will also be possible to get back by minibus; perhaps, due to the lack of seats, you will have to transfer to a full-fledged bus, carrying people from other places and making long stops along the way.
An alternative option would be to take a first class bus (trip duration is about 5 hours, cost 250 baht) or second class, departing from both Ekamai East Bus Station and Mo Chit North Station and operating direct flights to the capital province of Trat. From there you can get to the Laem Ngop area by numerous songthaews (the trip takes about half an hour and costs 50 baht per person).
There are more buses leaving from Ekamai Station than from Mo Chit. Bus No. 511, equipped with air conditioning, can be a good choice for those who need to transfer from Bangkok's South Station (Sai Tai Mai) to the East (Ekamai).
Second class buses from Cherdchai Private Bus depart from Yekamai Station. The cost of travel to Trat province as of March 2015 is 255 baht. Buses depart every 2 hours, the carrier company promises to deliver its passengers to Trat in 4 hours.
Cherdchai Private Bus Company also offers travelers first class overnight buses equipped with good air conditioning. Departure time from Ekamai bus station is 23:30, and arrival time in Trat is 05:00. But it’s better not to use them, since they are most often overcrowded, their air conditioners don’t work, the toilet stinks, and the bus itself is, to put it mildly, dirty.
Also, if, when purchasing a bus ticket, you immediately pay for the ferry ride (prices for it are always very inflated) at the Cherdchai ticket office on Ekamai, then you should pay attention from which pier it will be carried out: from the Centrepoint pier, located 45 minutes away drive from the city or Ao Thammachart - 25.
A transfer in Trat will also be needed if you go to the island from Pattaya (by second class bus for 200 baht, the journey takes about 4 hours).
Minibuses depart from Pattaya (Ban Phe), from the central Khao San Street (Bangkok) and from the Victory Monument (located in front of Phayathai Hospital, Bangkok) to Laem Ngop. However, they are not as comfortable and spacious as those described above and, oddly enough, tickets here can be much more expensive. Such illogical phenomena are quite common in the tourism industry in Thailand.
There is another option, which, however, depends on many factors, including the time of year and day, and the help of locals: Laem Ngop can be reached by bus from the village of Hat Lek (), which is located on the border with the province Koh Kong(). You can get from here to the Trat bus station for 120 baht.
By ferry
Most ferries to Koh Chang depart from Laem Ngop Pier (or Tha Khrom Luang, or Tha Laern Ngop), which is located about 700 meters west of the center of Laem Ngop district. Centrepoint Pier is located 3.5 km from the center of Laem Ngop. Both passenger and car ferries depart from both of these piers.
The transport ferry to Koh Chang departs from the pier in Thammachat Bay - Ao Thammachat, located 15 km west of Laem Ngop.
All piers on Koh Chang island, including the largest of them - Tha Dan Kao and Tha Ferry Dan Kao, which receive the most transport and passengers, are located on the eastern coast of the island.
The ferry from Laem Ngop takes about 45 minutes to Dan Kao. The car ferry docks at Ferry Dan Kao, which is located 400 meters southwest of Dan Kao, the journey takes 1 hour.
The car ferry from Ao Thammachat docks at Tha Ferry Ko Chang, located in Ao Sapparot Bay, 3 km northwest of Dan Kao piers.
There are also 2 operators that offer ferry services from Koh Kood to Koh Chang. One of them has an office at Ban Bao Beach and the other at Kai Bae Beach, Ko Kood. Prices are approximately the same, but departure times may vary, it is better to book in advance.
On ferries, car ferries and piers, passengers are offered a variety of food, fruit and drinks.
Clue:
Ko Chang - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow − 4
Kazan − 4
Samara − 3
Ekaterinburg − 2
Novosibirsk 0
Vladivostok 3
How to get there
By plane
Clue:
Ko Chang - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow − 4
Kazan − 4
Samara − 3
Ekaterinburg − 2
Novosibirsk 0
Vladivostok 3
The climate here is the same as in Bangkok. In the city of Koh Chang, the season falls between November and February - a rather cool time. In March-May the weather on the island is sultry, and from June to October there is heavy rain: an average of 4,000 mm of precipitation falls per year. Many hotels close during this period, so it is difficult to find a place to stay during this time. You can find tours to Koh Chang from Russia, for example.
Geography
Koh Chang is the largest island in the Koh Chang archipelago. The name translates as “Elephant Island” due to the shape of the cape, which resembles an elephant. However, it is worth noting that the island is not the natural habitat of these animals.
Koh Chang's area is about 429 km2. The highest point of the island, Mount Salakphet, rises 744 meters above sea level. Its slopes are covered with moist, evergreen forests, which are the main source of fresh water on the island. In addition, there are many quite high mountains and cliffs.
70% of the island is made up of pristine rainforests, steep hills, high mountains, cliffs, waterfalls, beautiful beaches and coral reefs. It also has rich flora and fauna both on land and in the sea.
Most hotels are located in the western part of the island, because this is where the magnificent, comfortable, beautiful sandy beaches are located. There are none in the eastern part. However, it is also worth visiting the east to see several waterfalls and other beautiful places.
I prefer to look for hotels on, and you can check if there is a better price somewhere. If you prefer to rent housing from locals, you can look at the options.
When is the season? When is the best time to go
The Mu Ko Chang National Park
Which includes certain areas of Koh Chang and 46 other islands. 
Monument to the victims of war
Located in the south of the island
Klong Plu Waterfall
The only waterfall on the west coast and the most visited waterfall on the island.
Khlongnonsi Waterfall
Waterfall on the east coast of the island
Khlong Nueng Waterfall
It is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island.
Khiri Petch waterfall
A low waterfall located 3 km from the village of Salak-Petch.
Kongoi Falls
A cascade of five waterfalls near the village of Bang Bao.
The Than Mayom Waterfall
A waterfall located near Than Mayom Pier.
You have just read the list, which includes the most popular attractions on the island of Koh Chang. Which of them to visit is up to you, but rest assured, any of them is good and interesting in its own way.
Nearby Islands
The islands near Koh Chang amaze with their beauty - snow-white sand, clear water, sun and palm trees. What else is needed for true pleasure?
Main attractions. What to see
Food. What to try
The range of dishes offered in Koh Chang restaurants is approximately the same as in the rest of Thailand. True, the prices here are quite high - they are several times higher than in Bangkok or Pattaya. But the point here is not at all about the problems of delivering ingredients from the mainland (as they say), but about the fact that the island is a popular resort. And near each more or less popular beach or on it you can find many restaurants that are aimed only at tourists.
Restaurants feed tourists delicious seafood dishes during the day and evening. For couples, they can organize a romantic dinner. You should definitely try the local wine with its special flavors, including mangosteen, pineapple or grape.
All Koh Chang restaurants are based on certain beaches.
Things to do
Thai cooking lessons
Thai cooking classes at one of the cooking schools - Kati Culinary, Koh Chang Thai cooking school or Blue lagoon, located in the Klong Prao area can be very interesting. For 1,200 baht, everyone will be taught how to cook national dishes such as somtum (spicy salad), chicken curry (kang keaw wan), tom yum (spicy soup), pad thai (Thai rice noodles) and much more.
Thai massage lessons
At Master Ni's school of medical massage, Klong Prao (near the turn to the Blue Lagoon resort ☎ +668 1278 4590, +669 1817 4669) Tareetip Narapong (Ni) - an experienced massage therapist - teaches therapeutic , balanced massage and foot massage techniques. The basic course lasts 1.5 - 2 weeks. The prices are reasonable, considering that the master conducts individual lessons. In addition, you can ask Ni to do a traditional Thai massage or a back massage and get incredible pleasure.
Walking and sightseeing
There are many things to do on the island, but the most popular among them is sightseeing. For example, many tourists are interested in the famous Chinese temple, where you can not only pray, but also make a wish.
And you should definitely take photographs on Koh Chang - it’s as if it was specially created for this. Shots of streets and sunsets are especially successful.
Extreme Sports
Fishing and diving
The amazing coral reefs and various species of fish found there have made scuba diving and fishing the most favorite activities of tourists in Koh Chang.
Companies organizing scuba diving on the island:
- Diving id Cool (near Bang Bao village) is the leading scuba diving company on Koh Chang.
- Eco-Divers Koh Chang, ☎ (+66) 03 955 72 96 ( [email protected]). Opening hours: 09:00-18:00. Offices where you can make an order are located on White Sand Beach (next to the Kacha Hotel) and Kai Bay (opposite the Kaibae Resort Hotel, on the main street). The head office is located at the entrance to Klong Prao, opposite the 7/11 grocery store.
- The Dive Adventure is a high-quality diving instructor school. The company organizes diving courses (a certificate is issued upon completion), scuba diving, snorkeling in the Koh Chang Marine National Park.
- Scuba Zone (Scuba Koh Chang), 21/23 moo4 Whitesand, ☎ 0800 974 111 - buy quality diving and snorkeling equipment here. Prices are cheaper than in Western countries.
- BB Divers, Bang Bao 16/2 (Koh Chang), ☎ 0861556212 – Belgian diving school, with offices located on the islands of Koh Chang (existing since 2003) and Koh Kood (opened in 2011). BBdivers is a top rated diving school, they train instructors from the ground up and also organize day trips to the best diving and snorkeling spots. They speak many languages.
- Kon Tiki snorkeling cruise (Kon Tiki Island hooping), 98/7 Moo4 Kai Bae Beach, Koh Chang, is a company that organizes snorkeling trips in Koh Chang Marine National Park. During the trip you can see the islands of Koh Mak and Koh Rang, as well as Monkey Rock. The company provides masks and snorkels, free drinks. You can also rent fins.
Travel by sea
What to do on Koh Chang? Excursions on the island of Koh Chang Elephant ride Perhaps the first thing you should start your excursion program with is an elephant ride. You can “ride” the sacred animal in one of four villages that provide this service to tourists. Travelers are offered two travel options: a regular ride on an elephant for one hour and a walk and swim with an elephant in the river. Monkey School If you're itching to continue your interactions with animals, you'll love a trip to the Monkey School, which recently opened on White Sand Beach. The performance lasts about an hour. During this time, you will be able to watch the amazing tricks and artistic play of different monkeys. A ride through the jungle on a quad bike. This is an extreme and unusual way to see all the beauties of the island. Specially laid trails differ in difficulty level, so you can choose the ones that are right for you. Flying over the island by plane Another exciting adventure can be flying over the island in a small light aircraft. The air ride itself can be short or long. And, in addition, you can take part in a 20-hour training course and receive a Thai license to fly a light aircraft. Three Peaks Park If your plans do not have such lofty goals, then you can look at the island from the heights of the treetops. The unique Three Peaks Park will invite you to test your strength, endurance and agility while passing a special route laid between the tops of trees. Shaky suspension bridges, rope ladders, huge bungees and many other obstacles will await you. The park itself is located in the vicinity of Bailan Beach and holds sessions twice a day. Koh Chang Waterfalls Visit at least two or three. Since all the waterfalls belong to the National Park, visiting them will cost you 200 baht per person, but the views are worth it. Tan Mayom - 4 grand tiers of falling water located right in the middle of the jungle. Usually tourists examine only the two lower ledges, because the third and fourth are quite far away and to see them you must negotiate with a guide. Klong Plu - you can swim in the lake that formed where the water fell. And then, if you wish, you can climb to the very top of the waterfall, where the observation deck is located. Klong Plu is sometimes closed to the public from September to October. At this time there is a lot of water in it, and it floods the nearby area. Khiri Phet and Khlong Nung - they are located in the Salak Phet Bay area. During the dry season, they turn into barely noticeable streams. But even in such moments, the beauty of the surrounding nature stuns the imagination. During the rainy season, water fills the lakes at the foot of the cliff and noisily erupts to the bottom of a small gorge. Here you can swim and admire the small rainbows appearing above the streams of water. Memorial to the Heroes of the Naval Battle A sacred place for all residents of the island is the Memorial to the Heroes of the Naval Battle. At the beginning of the last century, a bloody battle took place at this site between French colonialists and Thai troops. During the battle, a Royal Thai Navy ship was sunk and has now also become a tourist attraction. Local divers love to dive near it. Buddhist Temples On Koh Chang, you can find Buddhist temples in every major village. But the main shrine of the island is Chao Po Koh Chang. According to local residents, the amazing white and gold structure houses the divine guardian of the island. He is the patron saint of fishermen and peasants, so every day a lot of believers gather here, wanting to thank the deity or ask him for something. Bang Bao Village Another place worth visiting is the largest village on the island, Bang Bao. Tourists come here to look at the wooden fishing huts built on stilts, which are carried far out to sea. All houses are connected to each other by a pier. To better see all the details, be sure to go up to the observation deck. To make your vacation complete, try local fresh seafood dishes and buy a souvenir in one of the small shops. Beaches of Koh Chang White Sand Beach is a fun, fashionable and popular place, so the prices for housing and entertainment here are above average. The main street in the shadow of the green mountains is dotted with entertainment venues for every taste: shops, travel agencies, banks, internet cafes, diving centers, restaurants, as well as excellent high-level hotels. Khlong Phrao Beach (Klong Phrao Beach) - hidden in the shadow of coconut trees. This is the longest beach on Koh Chang, stretching 5 kilometers from Chai Chet Cape to the south. In the northernmost part of Klong Prao, you can browse the shops in and around VJ Plaza. In the southern part of the island there are several cooking schools where vacationers can learn about the methods of preparing Thai dishes and participate in the process under the guidance of instructors. Kai Bae Beach (Kai Be) - attracts family tourists and older couples. Most of the tourists here are from Western European and Scandinavian countries, and there are also Russians. Accommodation here is not as expensive as in Khlong Phrao and White Sand, which attracts tourists on a budget. Along the main road there are souvenir shops, fruit markets, travel agencies and bars with live music in the evenings. Lonely Beach Haad Tha Nam - this area has a unique charm: spreading trees bend over a narrow road, along which huts with thatched roofs are scattered here and there. In the northern part of Lonely Beach, among the cheap tourist huts, there are a couple of luxury hotels. Loud beach parties take place at the Siam Hut hotel, and tattoo parlors and reggae bars are always busy. And privacy and tranquility can be felt in the northernmost part of the beach. Bailan Beach (Bailan Beach) - the beach strip noticeably narrows during high tides, but this disadvantage is compensated by an atmosphere of absolute relaxation and accessible privacy. The coast in these places is rocky; there is a good entry into the sea only in small areas. There is only one top class hotel in this part of the island - Mercure Hideaway. Living on Bailan Beach will appeal to those who do not like unnecessary noise and fuss. One of the most interesting places in the southern part of the island is the Treetop Adventure Park, where guests can enjoy exciting zip lines among tropical trees. Climbing ropes requires minimal physical training! BangBao is a Mecca for divers from all over the world. Local restaurants specialize in seafood dishes, and the shops offer everything you need for relaxation. Houses on stilts are located right at the water's edge, and the 700-meter concrete pier is always bustling with activity: fishing boats and divers' boats sail in and out.