BEACH
Klong Koi, situated on the south coast of Ko Chang near Bang Bao fishing village, offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere. This is the perfect destination for travelers looking for a peaceful and less crowded beach experience compared to most other beaches on the island.
The beach is known for its natural beauty featuring soft white sand and clear turquoise waters. The surrounding lush greenery and palm trees add to the picturesque landscape, creating a postcard-perfect tropical setting.
The calm and shallow waters of Klong Koi are suitable for swimming and wading all day long. It is a good place for kayaking and paddle boarding, with equipment often available for rent from nearby resorts. The beach restaurants are cozy places to socialize, eat and drink.
WHERE TO STAY
Along the bay there are several places to sleep, of which we list 4: Chivapuri is the only upper range residence, with nicely designed spacious bungalows, while Tropical Beach and Bangbao Beach are 2 great mid-range options. Klong Koi Cottage offers more basic bungalows.
Note that in front of Tropical Beach at low tide the stones in the sand make swimming less enjoyable. Make sure to bring your water shoes to enjoy swimming all day long!
ISLAND
Ko Chang (Eastern Seaboard) is one of Thailand’s larger islands, with jungle-covered hills and mostly crowded beaches. Its natural beauty includes waterfalls and a variety of flora and fauna. The interior of the island is hilly and offers opportunities for further exploration of the area. There are several trails and guided jungle trekking tours available.
The west side of Ko Chang has become very touristy and not the kind of place we like to spend our time. Although in the north, south and even west of the island we found 3 good relaxed beaches with a few pleasant places to stay. The east side of the island is laid back, but the overall lack of good beaches caused us to not include this area on our list.
WHAT TO DO
There are many possibilities for planning day trips in the area, from scuba diving and Thai boxing workshops to feeding elephants. On the island, it is also possible to take cooking lessons or yoga courses.
Salak Phet, in the southeastern corner of Ko Chang, is an enjoyable day trip destination, located about 25 km from the main pier. In Salak Phet there are several waterfalls you can visit, although the best-known activity is the mangrove trail: a very surprising walk above the mangroves, with breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding hills. In addition to the presence of a local fishing community, we recommend enjoying the rubber tree plantations and orchards.
A visit to Bang Bao, a fishing village located in the south of Ko Chang, is also a fun excursion to do. Here you will find a cozy pier with numerous shops and eateries, providing the opportunity to enjoy food in one of the excellent restaurants, where the fish come straight out of the sea.
TRANSPORT
Ko Chang is one of the few islands that is easily accessible by car. Go to the car ferry located at the Thammachat Pier on the mainland.
From Bangkok, there are several good (mini)bus connections to Trat, which take about 5 hours. From Trat, a 20-minute taxi or minibus will take you to Ao Thammachat Pier, where you can take a boat to Ko Chang. The boat departs to Ko Chang every hour, starting from 6:45 AM. The last boat leaves at 6:30 PM (instead of 6:45 PM). On Ko Chang a pick-up or taxi will take you to the beach. It is also possible to book a flight from Bangkok to Trat.
There are boat connections to Ko Kut, Ko Mak and Ko Wai, which depart from Bang Bao Pier in the southern part of the island. You can easily rent scooters on the island.
Please note there is no road between the southwest and southeast of Ko Chang. If you want to visit the eastern part, keep in mind that this can be a long drive in the end.
