Eastern Thailand · Trat

Koh Chang travel guide: rainforest, waterfalls and island hopping

Koh Chang is one of Thailand's largest islands: a mountainous island of steep cliffs and evergreen rainforest, with more than 50 smaller islands around it. Most of it lies within Mu Koh Chang National Park, declared in 1982. Beaches line the west coast; the interior is all forest and waterfalls.

AsiaVela editorial teamUpdated 1 October 20263 min read

The forested west coast of Koh Chang and a long white beach seen from a hillside — The west coast of Koh Chang.

Suggested time: 4–5 nights
Where to stay: West-coast beaches
Season and timing: November to April for calmer seas and sunshine; the south-west monsoon brings rain and waves from about May to October.

The short answer

Stay four or five nights. Base yourself on the west coast for the beaches, spend a day at Than Mayom waterfall on the east coast, and take a boat trip to snorkel off Koh Wai and the islands to the south. Fly to Trat from Bangkok and take the ferry from the mainland. Go between November and April for calm seas.

The island

The directory describes Koh Chang as an island of steep mountains and complex rock cliffs, covered by evergreen forest that feeds many waterfalls. It was once uninhabited, a shelter from the monsoon winds and a source of food and water known to Chinese, Hainanese and Vietnamese seafarers.

The west coast has the island's best-known beaches and most accommodation; the east coast is quieter.

Advertising · affiliate links · Stay22

Choose a stay that fits this visit

A base in West-coast beaches / South of the island should fit your arrival pier and the beaches or activities you want. Check the last boat, meal options and weather-related changes before committing.

West-coast beaches — most resorts and restaurants.
South of the island — quieter, closer to boat trips to the southern islands.

These are example bases: choose the area that fits your own route before searching.

Compare stays: West-coast beaches ↗Compare stays: South of the island ↗

Enter your dates and compare the map, total price, cancellation terms and room details. Search results are not verified hotel recommendations.

Affiliate links via Stay22. AsiaVela may earn a commission from eligible bookings.

Than Mayom waterfall

On the east coast, Than Mayom is described by the directory as the most beautiful waterfall on Koh Chang, with water all year round. It is a four-tiered waterfall flowing through black granite, surrounded by forest; King Rama V visited it nine times and, with Kings Rama VI and VII, left royal inscriptions here.

Wear sturdy shoes and check national park fees at the entrance.

A wide white-sand beach with palms and forested mountains behind on Koh Chang's west coast — A west-coast beach on Koh Chang.

Forested islands and mountains across a bay on the wild east side of Koh Chang — The eastern bays of Koh Chang.

Make time for the local food

What to eat and where to look

Seafood dinners

Grilled fish, prawns and squid at beachfront restaurants.

Where to look: West-coast beaches in the evening.
Fit it into your day: Dinner at sunset.

Prices often by weight.

Thai curries and stir-fries

Everyday Thai dishes at small family restaurants.

Where to look: Along the main road behind the beaches.
Fit it into your day: Lunch.

Ask about chilli.

Fresh fruit and shakes

Tropical fruit from the eastern mainland, sold fresh or blended.

Where to look: Stalls and cafés near the beaches.
Fit it into your day: A snack after swimming.

Seasonal.

Koh Wai and the southern islands

Between Koh Chang and Koh Mak, Koh Wai has clear water and coral reefs you can swim to from the beach, simple bungalows and no nightlife, as the directory describes.

Day trips by boat combine several islands for snorkelling. Choose operators that use moorings rather than anchors on reefs, and never stand on coral.