Where is Koh Chang?

Koh Chang is located in the waters just near the Thai-Cambodian border on the eastern side of Thailand.  It is 400 kilometres from Bangkok. The nearest city is Trat.

What to do

* Ban Salak Phet and Ban Rong Than - these fishing villages are popular for their abundance of fresh seafood and homestay accommodation, where visitors can get a real feel for living (and fishing) like a local.  You can charter inexpensive boats to go out exploring or snorkelling.

* Beaches - there are many beautiful sandy strips circling the island.  Many offer an array of accommodation and water activities.

* Waterfalls - throughout the island there are many waterfalls to be found in the dense rainforest.  Two are famous for their impressive three tiers and rock pools that are appreciated by tourists who have climbed to the top and want to cool off by taking a dip in the clear water.

* Naval Battleground - to the south of the islands is a sunken Royal Thai Navy ship, sunk on 17 January 1941 by the French Navy over a border dispute.

* Diving and Snorkelling - the national marine park surrounding Koh Chang offers wonderful marine life, a wreck dive and beautiful coral for divers and snorkellers to enjoy.  PADI dive centres are located all over the island.  To become certified takes around 3-4 days and costs around Baht 10,000.  If you would like to snorkel only, an all-day snorkelling trip will cost around Baht 400 - 600.

* Elephant riding - ride an elephant through the rainforest.

* Island hopping - there are many gorgeous islands in the vicinity of Koh Chang, which make island hopping a wonderful past time.  Check out Koh Mak, Koh Kut and Koh Wai for a great day!

Where to stay

Koh Chang offers accomodation in all price ranges, from luxury resorts to basic bungalows.  Visitors can stay in a coconut grove, or on a palm fringed beach, in a local fisherman's hut or even in a tree house. 

Thai and western food is available throughout the island.

Getting there

Travel from Bangkok by air or bus to Trat.  Take a taxi to the main pier at Laem Ngop and catch a ferry to Koh Chang from there.  During the dry season (November to April), ferries run every hour from 8am to 5pm.  From May - October, ferries run every 2 hours.  The hour-long journey costs between Baht 50 - 60.