A few days on Koh Chang

A mere hop from Bangkok by plane and a short ferry ride gets you to Koh Chang, one of the newest and most exciting islands on Thailand’s beach scene…

Late on a balmy Thai evening in November, I stepped off the tiny Bangkok Airways flight, that had just whisked me from Bangkok in an hour, onto the tarmac of Trat airport. Our luggage was delivered by golf buggy onto a bamboo platform and thrown straight into the back of our transfer to the port. With just a short stretch of water between the mainland and the jungle covered peaks of Koh Chang, we stood at the rail, warm breeze playing off the water and watched the island get ever closer. The name Elephant Island is said to come from its shape, as pachyderms are not native to the island, but fittingly Koh Chang is one of Thailand’s largest islands, after Phuket and Ko Samui, boasting 217 square kilometres of jungle and beaches.

 

Koh Chang was appealing because of the fact that while it does have a good range of resorts and a fairly vibrant seen it is still relatively undiscovered by the masses. In fact, it only got 24-hour electricity just over a decade ago. This is best demonstrated as we travelled from the ferry port to our hotel, passing through buzzy stretches of hotels that ran along the bays, but then passing through reems of space inbetween. The centre of the island is still wholly wild, with peaks cloaked in lush jungle –accessible enough for those wanting their fix of jungle adventure. Underwater it is a similar story, with excellent diving and easy access to the Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park (Koh Chang is also the gateway to the more remote islands of the park, where those who want to be truly shipwrecked can make their way).

We stayed on Kai Bae beach. Middling in terms of development compared to the other beaches, Kai Bae has more than enough to keep you entertained with some beautiful sand to boot. On arrival, we headed straight down to the water, and strolled up the beach. Koh Chang has both sand and pebble beaches, great sweeping swathes and narrower, wilder beaches. The bit we found ourselves on was the wilder, with beautiful, soft white sand with mangroves and palms nearly down to the water line, complete with tropical swing and calm, clear waters. We paddled our way along the beach, mostly empty, until we reached a headland and could go no further – it was exceptionally quiet and beautiful.

 

Over the coming days, we lounged on the beach and round the pool, venturing out to explore the stretch of quiet shops and restaurants that Kai Be had to offer. It was a wonderfully peaceful and relaxing experience. One night though, feeling adventurous, we decide to check out Lonely Beach, or Haad Tha Nam, the renowned backpacker area of the island. Like a village, packed with restaurants, convenience stores, bars and even clubs, the atmosphere is great and enchanting in that unexplainable way – perfect for a night, though perhaps not the best place to stay unless it is, of course, your scene.

The combination of peaceful atmosphere with plenty of convenience makes Kai Be a good choice but Koh Chang is a big island and has a number of different resorts to choose from. Haad Sai Khao, is the most popular and most developed beach on the island, with a wide range of resort options, plenty of shops, a lively nightlife and the largest stretch of sand. The resort options make it an ideal choice for families, with lots to keep both adults and kids entertained. Khlong Prao, Coconut Canal, is the place to head for those looking for a bit of luxury. The beach here is pristine and the waters clear, and close by you’ll find several estuaries flowing into the Gulf, where you can get a sense of nature and native life on the island. With less sense of community than the other beaches here, the large, upscale resorts are perfect for couples looking for an escape. Low down of Koh Chang’s West Coast, Bang Bao is the place for divers. The resort has retained the air of a fishing village with a wonderfully laidback vibe. It is also the place to go if you are interested in a bit of island hopping around the Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park, and as mentioned above, for diving with a number of operators offering courses and day trips. Bang Bao also has a number of guest houses and hotels on stilts over the water.

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The last thing to mention is the inland activities that Koh Chang has on offer, something that sets it apart from many other Thai islands. You can trek through the island’s jungles, spotting wildlife and stumbling across waterfalls and climbing peaks. You can even explore the island as a whole by motorbike. And that’s before you even consider the rest of the archipelago!

If you would like to consider including Koh Chang, or any of Thailand’s paradisiacal islands, you’re your Southeast Asia adventure, just give the Asia Inspirations team a call and they’ll help you create your perfect holiday.

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