The biggest island in the Gulf of Thailand is undoubtedly a dream-come-true
location for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts.

Koh Chang (also spelled Ko Chang) is an island in eastern Thailand. It is the one’s second largest island, but is lightly populated and has only recently undergone real development. Long a backpacker’s paradise, Koh Chang is processed, as per the Thai government’s desire, into a typical beach resort destination, which has caused controversy in the area. Hotels like GajaPuri Resort & Spa and Panviman Resort Koh Chang are the norm. The island is famous for utterly pristine beaches and marine environments which are threatened by rapid and unregulated development. The most popular activities for visitors center on nature. Snorkeling, SCUBA diving and just plain beach relaxing are widely available, as are hikes through the steaming jungle.

Weather in Koh Chang
consists of 3 seasons:

Nov to end of Feb
Very occasional thunderstorm, winds in December early morning and evening, likely need blankets/jumper at night

Hot season

Mar to mid/end of May
The hot season covers the three months of March, April and May and the thermometer steadily climbs above 30°C, making the days very hot indeed and the nights not much different. An odd thunderstorm breaks the heat but it is a time for shade, fans and air conditioning, as the humidity will make things feel even warmer.

End of May to end of Oct
The rainy season arrives towards the end of May, usually with quite severe weather and unrelenting downpours at the start, before settling into a rhythm of the heavens opening once a day, more often than not, at night. The temperature is in the high twenties Centigrade and the days seem much the same as other times of the year, with lots of sunshine and blue skies.

The attractions of Koh Chang

The main island Ko Chang is the only island in Thailand where there is still some proper evergreen forests left on the higher elevations. The coral reefs of the park is an IUCN Category II protected area. The highest peak of the national park is at the summit of Khao Salak Phet in Ko Chang island, around 740 meters asl.

Kai Bae Viewpoint

Located right at the south of Kae Bae Beach, it is a nice viewpoint over the sea and surrounding areas. Four smaller islands can be seen from this viewpoint; Koh Yuak, Koh Man Noi, Koh Pli and Koh Man Nok. The viewpoint can be reached by a short stroll from the main road along the west coast.

Khlong Plu Waterfall

It is the most popular and easily accessible waterfall from the busy west end of the island, about a kilometer from Klong Prao Beach, signposted well. It is about 600 meters into the forest from the car park and the entrance.

The waterfall has around 30 meters of drop, possible to swim in the plunge pool or many other spots along the stream. While the fall has impressive waterflow during the rainy season, it has less flow in the dry season.

The waterfall is moderately crowded during the week-days, gets much busier during the week-ends and holidays when local tourists visit the falls.

Khlong Chao Lueam Waterfall

Also known as Klong Son Waterfall or with a different spelling as Khlong Chao Lueam Waterfall has several smaller tiers, located on the northern parts of Ko Chang Island. The waterfall entrance is about 4 km south from Klong Son Village. The waterfall has water flow all year round and can be a bit tricky to get to during the rainy season because of the slippery path. Most tiers are not easily accessible, trails are not clear.

It is possible to swim in one of the pools at the lower tiers.

Khlong Nonsi Waterfall

A smaller waterfall with a rocky stream bed and rocky path. It is located about a km away from the main road on the east side of the national park, north from the headquarters. The waterfall is not getting many visitors.

No entrance fees apply at this waterfall, there are no shops or restaurants nearby.

Located at the east side of the island near the national park headquarters. It is a series of falls with only one tier easily accessible by a short stroll. With a bit of effort the upper tiers can also be accessed.
National park entrance fees apply at this waterfall.

Khlong Neung Waterfall

The tallest waterfall in Ko Chang Island, is located in the southeast of the island west of Salakphet. From the car park of the waterfall, there is a small trail to the waterfall. The path can be unclear, and visitors may end up simply walking upstream the water to get there. It takes about 20 minutes to hike to get to the waterfall.

No entrance fees apply at this waterfall, there are no shops or restaurants nearby.

Khiri Phet Waterfall

It is located a bit south from Khlong Nung Waterfall, 2 km west of Salakphet. It is possible to swim on the ponds along the stream of this waterfall.
No entrance fees apply at this waterfall, there are no shops or restaurants nearby.

Salakphet Peak & Trail

Salakphet is the highest peak in Ko Chang Island at 740 meters asl. It can be reached by several trail options either from east or south. One option is from Bangboa to the south, up to the peak for 5 km and from there either continue the very long and extreme route to Nonsi Waterfall or a more comfortable route to Salakphet village to the east. Another shorter and circular option to the peak is from Salakphet end.

Technically it is not inside the national park. A boardwalk through mangrove forest at the south coast of the island. Around 500-600 meters of the boardwalk is a circular walk, another 300 meters boardwalk branches out half way through the circular walk.
The boardwalk is not maintained well and every few years planks get poor in quality, some break. The boardwalk gets repaired every few years when it is no longer possible to walk it. In early 2019 another repair work started.
As it is not inside the national park, no entrance fees apply for this boardwalk.

Salak Khok Mangrove Boardwalk

Another mangrove boardwalk not too far from Salakphet, at the east coast of the island. It too is not inside the park. The mangrove forest in Salak Khok is the largest one in the national park. The boardwalk is 860 meters long, it too is not maintained well and needs a major repair once every few years.
As it is not inside the national park, no entrance fees apply for this boardwalk.

Koh Wai

Koh Wai is one of those places I wasn’t sure existed outside of my imagination. I’ve always dreamed of finding my version of The Beach: a paradise island that hadn’t yet been discovered by tourists. For a long time, I didn’t think I’d find it. After all, if a place is that beautiful, the tourists will find it. The ferries will start arriving. Hotels will appear. People will crowd the beaches.

Koh Kham

Another mangrove boardwalk not too far from Salakphet, at the east coast of the island. It too is not inside the park. The mangrove forest in Salak Khok is the largest one in the national park. The boardwalk is 860 meters long, it too is not maintained well and needs a major repair once every few years.
As it is not inside the national park, no entrance fees apply for this boardwalk.

Nong Bua Seafood , Pizza King Express , Kung Kra Ta , Buddha View Restaurant , Allez Cuisine Restaurant , Saffron On The Sea , The Sand at Awa Resort , Sabay Bar , Sharky's Restaurant & Grill , Ciao Koh Chang , Monkeys Bar & Restaurant , Taste of India , Restaurant Pizzeria Casa Mia , Marco , Nest Sense Restaurant , The Kitchen , Paddy's Palms Irish Pub , Kohmak Restaurant, Steakhouse & German Bakery , Spa White Sand Restaurant , Invito Al Cibo Italian & Thai Restaurant , Happy Turtle , Baanta Restaurant , The Malibu Bar , Fantasia , Tamarin restaurant , Ao Kao Beach Club , The Bavarian Co.Ltd. , Sea Bar , Lom Talay Seafood , Kebab House

Popular Attractions in Koh Chang

Sailing Koh Chang , Chao Por Koh Chang Shrine , Safetricity , Salakphet Mangrove Walkway , Russian Diving Center in Ko Chang , Sea Adventures , Salak Khok Kayak Station , Kaew & Deaw Massage , Scuba Academy Koh Chang , The Dive Adventure , Baan chivit crocodile show , The Moon Thai Massage , Ban Kwan Chang , Dolphin Divers , Hatta Thai Massage and Wellness Centre , Smai Burapa Massage , Kheeri Phet Waterfall , Wai Chaek Beach , AJ Crocodile Cafe , Ko Wai , Muai Thai Gym , White Sand Beach Night Food Market , Koh Chang Thai Navy Shrine , Ko Yuak , Long Beach , Ko Laoya , Koh Chang Golf Course , Rainforest Spa , Lamoon Herbal Spa & Steam Sauna , Koh Chang Floating Restaurant And Water Park