Where to stay in Koh Chang

Koh Chang is Thailand's second-largest island, in Trat province near the Cambodian border, and most of it is protected as part of a marine national park. A mountainous, jungle-covered interior with waterfalls drops down to a string of beaches on the west coast, which is where nearly all the places to stay are.

One main road runs most of the way round the island, so getting between beaches is simple, though the stretches between them are steep. Choose your beach by mood: busy and well serviced in the north-west, more relaxed further south.

Getting there
Car ferries from piers near Laem Ngop on the mainland, about 30 to 45 minutes
Nearest airport
Trat, on the mainland; Bangkok is about five to six hours by road
Getting around
Shared songthaew taxis along the coast road, and scooter hire
Wettest months
Usually around May to October

Places to stay in Koh Chang

10 hotels

"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Koh Chang, area by area

The west coast runs from White Sand Beach in the north, the busiest, down to Bang Bao in the south. The north-east, around the ferry piers, is quieter and more local.

White Sand Beach

Best for restaurants and nightlife

The island's longest and most developed beach, about 20 minutes from the ferry piers, with the widest choice of hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. It's the easiest base for a first visit and for families who want everything close by.

Klong Prao

Best for families and long beach walks

A long, wide beach split by a river estuary, with resorts set in gardens and a calmer feel than White Sand. Klong Plu waterfall, one of the island's best known, is a short ride inland.

Kai Bae

Best for a central base

A smaller beach with a lively little strip of restaurants and shops, roughly halfway down the west coast. From here you can reach both White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach easily, and the view across to the small offshore islands is a highlight at sunset.

Bang Bao and the south

Best for diving and snorkelling trips

Bang Bao is a fishing village built on stilts over the water at the southern end of the coast road, with seafood restaurants, shops along the pier and the boats that run dive and snorkelling trips to the southern islands. Lonely Beach, the island's backpacker hub, is a short ride north.

Klong Son and the north

Best for a quiet, local feel

The north of the island, around the village of Klong Son and close to the ferry piers, is green, quiet and more local, with fewer beaches. It suits travellers who want calm and don't mind riding to the west-coast beaches.

Getting to and around Koh Chang

Most travellers come from Bangkok, either by bus or minivan to the ferry piers near Laem Ngop or by flying to Trat airport and transferring by road. Car ferries cross to the island frequently through the day, and many bus and minivan tickets include the crossing.

On the island, shared songthaew taxis run along the west-coast road between the piers and the beaches. Scooters are widely available, but the hills between White Sand Beach and Klong Prao are steep and winding, so take care.

Things to do on Koh Chang

Inland, waterfalls such as Klong Plu and Than Mayom are reached by short jungle walks, and guided treks head into the national park. Offshore, snorkelling and diving trips from Bang Bao visit the reefs and islands of the southern archipelago, and kayaks are easy to rent along the west coast.

Questions about staying in Koh Chang

Which beach on Koh Chang is best for a first visit?

White Sand Beach has the most choice of places to stay, eat and drink, and it's the closest major beach to the ferry piers.

How do I get to Koh Chang?

Travel to Trat province by bus, minivan or a flight to Trat airport, then take the car ferry from the piers near Laem Ngop. The crossing takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes.

Is Koh Chang good for diving?

Yes. Dive and snorkelling boats leave from Bang Bao in the south for the islands and reefs of the marine national park.

When is the best time to visit Koh Chang?

The drier months are usually from around November to April. Rain is heaviest from about May to October, when some boat trips stop running.

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