Koh Chang, Thailand, Journey Information

It’s been quarter-hour because the ferry left Trat, a city and province within the Gulf of Thailand near the border with Cambodia, and the island of Koh Chang is coming into view. It’s huge, seeming to stretch throughout the horizon, and painted with numerous undulating mountains and hills that resemble the backs of slumbering giants. Smaller islands pepper the glittering turquoise waters round it like stars. As we get nearer, I start to note how inexperienced the island is—greater than 70 p.c of it’s lined in thick, protected rain forest, inhabited solely by critters resembling white-bellied sea eagles and crab-eating macaques.

Koh Chang, that means “Elephant Island” in Thai due to its resemblance to the mammal from above, is Thailand’s third-largest island after Phuket and Koh Samui. It’s the anchor island within the Mu Ko Chang Nationwide Park, a marine protected space that features 51 different islands recognized for his or her pristine seashores, dashing waterfalls, jungle treks, and greater than six sq. miles of coral reefs. The island has no airport and is just reachable by a roughly 30-minute ferry from the mainland. It’s a trek that general leads to fewer vacationers, a welcome respite from the crowds which can be spreading throughout Thailand, particularly following the premiere of the third season of The White Lotus. “Koh Chang provides a singular mix of comparatively built-out vacationer choices with out the crowds and impression of overtourism seen on different main islands like Phuket and Koh Samui,” says Grant Ekelund, a Journey + Leisure A-list advisor and journey guide at InsideAsia Excursions. “Which means that costs are rather more cheap than Phuket, even for luxurious properties.”

Residence to unbelievable stretches of white-sand seashores, jaw-dropping viewpoints, and nice seafood, right here’s why Koh Chang could be considered one of Thailand’s most underrated islands.

Greatest Motels & Resorts

KC Grande Resort Koh Chang

This sprawling five-star resort, which I stayed at, stretches throughout the island’s in style White Sand Seaside and again into the jungle-clad hills. The grounds are ensconced in swaying palm bushes and lotus ponds that provide panoramic vistas of the ocean from practically each angle. Rooms are modern with Thai-inspired coloration palettes and balconies displaying hill and sea views. Upgraded rooms and suites have Jacuzzis and direct pool entry, and mini beachfront villas are additionally out there. The resort is situated on the island’s fundamental highway, inside strolling distance of a number of bars, eating places, outlets, and comfort shops. Additionally on the grounds are two eating places, a espresso store, and 4 outside swimming pools, together with one infinity rooftop pool with a bar.

The Dewa Koh Chang

The Dewa Koh Chang is a beachfront resort that seamlessly blends rustic structure with the pure environment. The property options a number of silo-like concrete buildings with sweeping ceilings accented by pure supplies resembling thatched roofs and wood furnishings. Rooms are spacious and have trendy Thai decor, floor-to-ceiling home windows, non-public balconies, deep soaking tubs, and rainfall showers. Black-tiled swimming pools are ensconced in lush tropical gardens and a full-service spa caters to these in search of next-level rest. The resort feeds into Klong Prao Seaside.

Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort

Tucked inside landscaped tropical gardens, this 157-room resort provides direct entry to a non-public stretch of Klong Prao Seaside. The rooms are rustic but elevated with wood furnishings and huge breezy home windows, and so they characteristic balconies and terraces with backyard and seaside views. The resort has a bar and a restaurant situated instantly on the sand—arguably the very best level to observe the solar sink beneath the waves. Good to know: Pets are welcome for a small charge.

Santhiya Koh Chang Resort

This serene resort is nestled between tropical hills and Klong Prao Seaside. Villas and suites are embellished with ornate teak and rattan furnishings, and include non-public swimming pools and views overlooking tropical gardens, canals, and mountains. Visitors can take pleasure in each a beachfront pool lined with palm bushes and an infinity pool providing elevated vistas of the grounds.

GajaPuri Resort

Designed to mimic a quaint village, GajaPuri Resort is a tranquil retreat set amongst lush gardens, backed on one finish by a pure rain forest reserve and on the opposite by the serene shores of Kai Bae Seaside. The property options two saltwater swimming pools and particular person wood bungalows linked by winding wood walkways. Upgraded rooms have non-public villas and Jacuzzis, and there’s even a tent-like lodging with an outside bathe, a sink, and a mini waterfall.

Greatest Issues to Do

Sunbathe on one of many island’s 5 fundamental seashores.

Koh Chang is dwelling to 5 fundamental seashores, all of that are situated on its west coast. These are White Sand Seaside, Klong Prao Seaside, Kai Bae Seaside, Lonely Seaside, and Klong Kloi Seaside. “As a Thai island, the seashores of Koh Chang are precisely what you’d anticipate—a really idyllic panorama of sentimental white sand with heat waters rolling onto the shore all day,” says Ekelund.

White Sand Seaside is probably the most developed and energetic of the 5. Stretching just below two miles, it boasts powder-white sand, gin-clear waters, and loads of beachfront bars and eating places. At nightfall, the realm is lit by colourful fairy lights strung between huge mangroves. Right here, many eating places provide barbecue meals the place you may select your personal meats and freshly caught seafood from a show. Klong Prao Seaside, a quieter different to White Sand Seaside, is extensively thought to be the island’s most lovely with its two-plus miles of pristine sand. Lonely Seaside has been coined the final word “backpacker scene” for its laid-back vibe, whereas Klong Kloi is understood for being secluded and quiet.

Take pleasure in avenue meals on the White Sand Seaside night time market.

In the event you’re searching for a extra laid-back meal, the Koh Chang Night time Market, situated proper off of White Sand Seaside, is a good place to pattern avenue meals amongst locals and vacationers. Illuminated by fairy lights, the market is small however energetic and options a number of stalls the place distributors provide all the pieces from desserts, recent fruit, and cocktails to spring rolls, seafood, and meats which can be grilled proper earlier than your eyes. Native delicacies like horseshoe crab, which is served as a salad or grilled, and barbecued crocodile skewers are a few of the extra distinctive choices. You possibly can both take your meals to go or eat at offered benches and tables.

Discover Bang Bao fishing village.

Bang Bao is a fishing village constructed on wood stilts that stretches between dramatic hills and alongside a 1,100-foot-long pier on the southern tip of the island. Whereas tourism has now changed fishing because the neighborhood’s major supply of earnings, the realm is a good way to see the island away from the resorts. “Being remotely situated, Koh Chang has developed its personal distinctive tradition as an island over lots of of years,” explains Ekelund. Right here, you’ll discover loads of memento outlets, quaint guesthouses, and seafood eating places providing panoramic views of the bay.

Go snorkeling and diving amongst vibrant coral reefs and wreck websites.

There are a number of coral reefs that may be visited proper off the seashores in Koh Chang or by taking a brief snorkeling day journey. Clownfish, parrotfish, and angelfish are simply a few of the tropical species you’ll see flitting between vibrant corals. Adventurous divers will take pleasure in exploring the HTMS Chang wreck, Thailand’s most well-known and largest shipwreck dive web site. A former U.S. World Conflict II and Korean Conflict tank that was later offered to the Thai Navy, it was deliberately sunk in 2012 to create a man-made coral reef. Stretching 328 toes, it’s now dwelling to all kinds of marine life, together with big groupers, barracudas, and sleek whale sharks.

Swim in waterfalls tucked throughout the rain forest.

As Koh Chang is generally composed of rain forest, it’s no shock the island is dwelling to a number of waterfalls. The most well-liked is Klong Plu, situated down a brief winding path a brief distance away from Klong Prao Seaside. Fully sheltered in dense vegetation, the waterfall has a gushing 130-foot drop and a big basin that’s excellent for swimming. A phrase to the sensible: The path, whereas effectively maintained, could be fairly uneven and steep in some locations, so it ought to solely be tried with correct footwear and an honest stage of health, particularly if you happen to plan to see the waterfall from the next vantage level.

Greatest Eating places

Sabay Bar

Having fun with a primary location on White Sand Seaside, this bar and restaurant places out cozy chairs and tables instantly on the sand at sundown, and colourful handmade lighting fixtures grasp from the mangrove bushes to offer a relaxing glow as nightfall falls. The restaurant serves nice cocktails, mushy drinks, and native Thai beers, that are greatest loved as an aperitif within the night, and at night time you may select typical Thai dishes from the menu or choose your personal seafood, meats, and greens from a show to be barbecued earlier than your eyes. Hearth dancing performances happen on the seaside each night time.

Jae Eaw Seafood

This long-standing family-run institution is a favourite amongst locals, recognized for its reasonably priced costs, giant parts, and nice high quality. Right here, you’ll discover all kinds of recent seafood and typical Thai dishes, together with grilled tiger prawns, garlic fried calamari, and tom yum soup.

Nong Bua Seafood Klong Prao

Set in a small however ethereal area with excessive ceilings, this cozy restaurant is situated alongside Klong Prao Seaside, a sister location to its authentic that opened on White Sand Seaside greater than 20 years in the past. It’s recognized for serving plates heaped with seafood, together with clams, squid, tiger prawns, and extra. Conventional Thai dishes like pineapple stir-fried rice or pad Thai are additionally on the menu.

Greatest Time to Go to

It’s greatest time to go to between November and early April, through the island’s dry season, for clear skies, calm seas, and temperatures averaging between 82 and 86 levels Fahrenheit. Whereas the months between December and February are thought of peak season, this additionally coincides with a livelier environment and extra open bars and eating places. November and April are the island’s shoulder season and nice for fewer crowds and barely cheaper costs. Ekelund recommends avoiding Might by way of October—the wet season—as heavy showers and tough seas can disrupt outside actions. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re keen to get moist, that is when budget-conscious vacationers will be capable of discover the very best offers on lodging.

Get There

The one approach to attain Koh Chang is through a ferry from the city of Trat. The closest airport, the regional Trat Airport (TDX), is about 20 minutes north of Ao Thammachat Pier, the primary ferry level for the island. You possibly can fly into TDX instantly from Bangkok, and the airport itself is a roughly four-hour drive from the metropolis. Most lodging on the island provide non-public transfers from Trat Airport to the ferry pier. It is also potential to cross the border from Cambodia to Trat after which journey to Koh Chang through ferry, which is what I did.

Get Round

Koh Chang is sort of totally encircled by one fundamental highway, and the island would not have any non-public tuk-tuks or taxis. Slightly, there are songthaews, that are mainly modified pickup vehicles whose beds have been outfitted with benches and have a canopy-like construction for defense and to retailer baggage. These function like buses with mounted schedules and locations, and could be flagged down on the facet of the highway.

The simplest and least expensive approach to get round, nonetheless, is by renting a bike. This provides probably the most flexibility and prices between 200 and 300 Thai baht (THB), roughly between $6 and $9 a day, though outlets usually provide reductions for longer leases. Gasoline is offered in previous glass liquor bottles at small kiosks across the island for as little as 40 THB, or about $1.22.