What to do on Koh Chang?

I stayed on Koh Chang during Covid. It was quiet then. The island didn’t have many tourists coming in. I enjoyed the amazing nature and some relaxing time. Then, I came back in 2025 and it was totally different. There were more people, the roads were busier, but I enjoyed it. Koh Chang has that special vibe, something that attracts people to it and many visitors want to go back. It might not have the most spectacular beaches, but it’s still unique and not to be missed place in Thailand.

This blog post will give you basic information about what to do and see on Koh Chang and how to spend your time there. It will also give you some idea whether it’s worth going or not (spoiler – it is!). First, I will cover some information such as how to get there and where to stay and then I’ll show you the best places and activities on Koh Chang. If you have never been there, then this article will be for you!

How to get to Koh Chang?

Koh Chang is located in the South-East of Thailand, a few hours drive from Bangkok. You can get to Koh Chang in a few ways. The fastest is a flight from Bangkok to Trat. There you can get a taxi, which will take you the ferry and then to your hotel on the island. The price is 700 Baht. You can buy your ticket on 12GoAsia.

Another way is a bus from Ekamai station in Bangkok to Leam Ngop. From there you can catch a ferry and then a taxi to your hotel. This option is cheaper.
You can book your ticket here.

Find out more about how to get to Koh Chang from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Where to stay on Koh Chang?

Koh Chang offers many options of accommodation.

I stopped at Siam Bay Resort. It is located just by the national part and has two pools and a restaurant. The bungalows are huge and spacious. Maybe one of the disadvantages are monkeys, which invade the space in the mornings and afternoons and steal items from balconies, but except that it’s a lovely place to stay. People looking for peace and quiet will be very happy. Just bear in mind that it’s not a place for backpackers. If you want parties and bars you might want to find a hotel in a different part of Koh Chang.

I can also recommend Siam Beach Resort, which is close to Siam Bay, but a bit further down south of the island. It’s a lovely place to stay, just by the beach.

Find a place to stay on Koh Chang on Booking.com.

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Orientation and transportation

Koh Chang is a big island. The forest and the national park is in the middle and the main roads go around them.

There are 8 villages on Koh Chang. The most amount of services for tourists are around Dewa Resort and The Splash Koh Chang.

You can get around the island in a songteaw – a pick-up truck. You can stop them on the street, or order one from your accommodation. The fare depends on where you want to go. Remember that the island is quite large and getting from one end to the other might take some time.

Another way of getting around is by scooter. All hotels, travel agencies and even small shops rent them out for around 300-400 THB per day. You only need your passport. However, it’s good to have a proper driving licence. To legally drive in Thailand you need a category A driving licence or an international driving licence. If you have a Thai driving licence, you’re good to go, too.

Remember about proper insurance in Thailand. Don’t drive without it and make sure that it covers you in case of road accidents. I recommend Genki or SafetyWing.

Seven days on Koh Chang – What to see and what to do?

Chill on one of many beaches

I’m sure that beaches are the main reason why you want to go to Koh Chang. There are so many on the island! There are those that are crowded and those that are empty and quiet. You can spend your whole stay just going from one lovely beach to another.

I really liked Lonely Beach, which has a cool vibe. I recommend Nature Beach Resort’s restaurant. They make great food there.

White Sand Beach is good for families with children and it has some nightlife, too.

If you’re looking for something very quiet, then head to Klong Prao Beach.

A very popular nowadays is the Long Beach. In my opinion it’s not very spectacular, but the road leading there is nice. Just mind the monkeys on the way. On the beach you will find a very good restaurant with traditional Thai food.

Visit the Altitude79 Cafe

This is a nice cafe situated on a hill. It offers amazing views over the island. You can sit on a deck, in the shade of big trees, sip your coffee and admire the panorama.

Rent a scooter and get lost on the road

Are you wondering about what to do on Koh Chang? Rent a scooter and set off on an adventure.

You can rent your two wheels from your hotel or at many rental places in the villages. The cost is around 200 Baht per day.

You can get to a lot of nice places on the island. Just remember that the roads here are steep, so drive slowly. Distances are also quite big. If you want to go to more remote spots, you will need a whole day.

Swim in a waterfall

There are many waterfalls on Koh Chang. I visited Klong Plu. To get to it, you need to trek through a forest. It’s not very difficult and not too long, but humidity and temperature might bother you a little bit. Once you get to the waterfall, you will be able to swim in cool water and have a picnic on the rocks.

Go to a market and sail on a boat

In Bang Bao you’ll find a market, located on the water. It’s quite long and offers souvenirs, food and drinks. At the end of it, you can buy a cruise and sail for a bit in the nearby bay.

I recommend drinking a coffee at View Talay Cafe with lovely views and nice seats to rest.

Salak Kok is another place worth visiting for the local experience. I went there during the day and there was very little going on. However, I enjoyed taking photos of the houses and walking through some of the side streets. A friend of mine told me that it used to be a busy place, but she assumes that Covid destroyed some of the businesses and people moved out. You can still meet fishermen and some street sellers here though.

Visit a mangrove forest

There are a few mangrove forests on Koh Chang. One of them is Salakphet Walkway. It’s a path built among trees. It’s a nice trip, especially if you’re going by scooter as the road there is very pleasant.

There is no entrance fee to get in, but if you come here by a scooter, the locals will charge you a parking fee. It’s not really legal, but it’s better to pay than argue.

Go kayaking

It’s a very popular activity. If the weather is nice you can take a kayak and go to a nearby island. There are a few scattered around Koh Chang. I stayed at Siam Bay Resort and we kayaked to Koh Man Nai, which is a very small island with beautiful water and very nice sand. We stayed there for a little bit and then kayaked a little around it. If you decide to do that, remember to put a hat on and SPF because you really can get burnt.

Our kayak was for free from the resort, but you might get charged. It all depends where you’re going to take it from. I think it should be about 50 THB for a couple of hours for 2 people.

Get a massage

There are so many massage salons on the island. Prices are very affordable and you can have a spa day for a good price.

If you’d like to have a luxury experiences, try Rainforest Spa. They have massages there, saunas, cold plunges, jacuzzi and some steam rooms. You can buy a package with different services and spend a whole day there relaxing.

For something cheaper and shorter, you can go to the main town on the island. Try a massage at Rungreuang Thai Massage, or Jasmine Health Massage. These places offer standard Thai massages for 1 hour for as little as 300-400 THB.

Visit a different island

There are trips organised from Koh Chang to different islands. You can rent a small boat, or go on a bigger one. The boats stop on the way and you can snorkel and swim. There’s always lunch provided and some drinks, too. It’s a lovely day filled with some relaxation and activities.

What and where to eat on Koh Chang?

There are plenty of restaurants on Koh Chang. I usually have a problem with eating on Thai islands. I really think that food is not that great and it’s overpriced. But, I managed to find some good places to eat there, so here they are.

• Hana Restaurant – is located on the main road. Ask about it someone local and they will point it out for you. It’s not very luxurious and it’s a typical Thai place, but the food is amazing.
• Por Par Seaside Restaurant – for everyone who wants to try good fish and seafood.
• Taste of India – a small family-run restaurant with great Indian food.
• Magic Garden – it was a bit of a surprise. This place looks like it’s expensive, but it was not. It had affordable prices and food is delicious.

Where to drink and party?

There are a lot of bars on Koh Chang. Beer and alcohol is widely available. I recommend:

• Mimo Beach Bar
• Beautiful Bar
• Magic Garden

Safety on Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a safe island in general. It’s very peaceful. I think it worth remembering that I went there during the pandemic, so I’m not sure if it’s that quiet during other times. So, if it’s more busy, there are more risks of being a victim of theft etc.

However, it’s Thailand and that means that it’s a safe place for travellers and also for solo female travellers.

There is police on the island, pharmacies and doctors’ surgeries.

Remember about health insurance. Buy it before you go. I recommend SafetyWing, or World Nomads. If you live in Thailand, try Luma Health.

Internet on Koh Chang

Most places have wi-fi. It can be a bit weak in some spots, but overall you can use it without problems. In our resorts I worked and watched Netflix and it was pretty good.

I hope that I could help you out with planning your few days on Koh Chang. Wishing you a lovely stay on the island. If you have questions, please let me know in the comments.