Things to do in Ko Chang
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Ko Rang
By far the best diving in the region is in and around Ko Rang. Protected from fishing by its marine park status, this place has some of the most pristine coral in Thailand. Visibility is much better than Ko Chang and averages between 10m and 20m.
Ko Yak and Ko Laun are both shallow dives perfect for both beginners and advanced divers. These two small rocky islands can be circumnavigated and have loads of coral, schooling fish, rays, morays, barracuda, puffer fish and the occasional turtle.
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Nam Tok Khiri Phet
This small waterfall, 2km from Ban Salak Phet, is a 15-minute walk from the road and rewards you with a small, deep plunge pool. It's usually quieter than many of the larger falls and is easily reached if you're in the neighbourhood of Ao Salak Phet.
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Ban Salak Phet
In the southeast pocket of the island is Ban Salak Phet, a surprisingly bustling Thai community of fisherfolk and merchants plus lots of bike-riding kids and yawning dogs. This is what most of Ko Chang looked like less than a generation ago. Just beyond the commercial heart of the village is Ao Salak Phet, a beautiful blue bay serenely guarded by humpbacked islands. Most visitors come for the seafood restaurants or to cruise the lonely byways for a secluded beach.
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JYSK Sea Safari
This company stands out for its off-the-beaten-path approach to holiday travel. It takes passengers on an authentic fishing vessel for a four-day adventure around the archipelago with sea kayaks and snorkelling equipment. This isn't a holiday cruise - there's one teeny bathroom and everyone sleeps on thin mattresses on the roof deck, but it's a fantastic way to experience life at sea and to take in the majestic vistas. You can decide where you prefer to end your voyage.
Prices include transport from Bangkok, and these can be renegotiated for those who only want to do the boat portion of the trip.
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Ko Laun
The region's best diving is around Ko Rang. Protected from fishing by its marine park status, this mini archipelago has some of the most pristine coral in Thailand. Visibility here is much better than near Ko Chang and averages between 10m and 20m. Ko Laun is a shallow dive perfect for beginners. This small rocky island can be circumnavigated and has lots of coral, schooling fish, puffer fish, morays, barracuda, rays and the occasional turtle.
reviewed
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Ko Yak
The region's best diving is around Ko Rang. Protected from fishing by its marine park status, this mini archipelago has some of the most pristine coral in Thailand. Visibility here is much better than near Ko Chang and averages between 10m and 20m. Ko Yak is a shallow dive perfect for beginners. This small rocky island can be circumnavigated and has lots of coral, schooling fish, puffer fish, morays, barracuda, rays and the occasional turtle.
reviewed
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Hun Kuak Maa
The region's best diving is around Ko Rang. Protected from fishing by its marine park status, this mini archipelago has some of the most pristine coral in Thailand. Visibility here is much better than near Ko Chang and averages between 10m and 20m. Hin Kuak Maa is probably the top dive and is home to a coral-encrusted wall sloping from 2m to 14m and attracting swarms of marine life.
reviewed
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Ban Kwan Elephant Camp
This is one of only a couple of places in the region where you can straddle one of these gentle giants and wander for awhile. The camp takes in elephants that have outlived their working usefulness and lets them live out their days close to nature. A 90-minute 'experience' involves feeding, bathing and of course, an elephant ride.
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Hin Luk Bat
The seamounts off the southern tip of Ko Chang stretch over 32km to Ko Kut, offering a new frontier of diving opportunities in Thailand. Hin Luk Bat is a rocky, coral-encrusted seamount with depths of around 18m to 20m that acts as a haven for schooling fish.
reviewed
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Hin Lap
The seamounts off the southern tip of Ko Chang stretch over 32km to Ko Kut, offering a new frontier of diving opportunities in Thailand. Hin Lap is a rocky, coral-encrusted seamount with depths of around 18m to 20m that acts as a haven for schooling fish.
reviewed
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Bailan Herbal Sauna
Set amidst verdant greenery, you can sweat inside this round adobe sauna as long as you like, with a number of different herbal concoctions to choose from. They also offer massage and facial treatments. Pure bliss!
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Ko Whai
Ko Whai is a reef-fringed diving spot that features a good variety of colourful hard and soft corals at depths of 6m to 15m.
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Hin Phrai Nam
Hin Phrai Nam is a great diving spot formed by spectacular rock pinnacles and has coral visible to around 28m.
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Hin Gadeng
Hin Gadeng is a great diving spot formed by spectacular rock pinnacles and has coral visible to around 28m.
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Salak Kok Kayak Station
On the east side of the island, explore the island's mangrove swamps of Ao Salak Kok while supporting an award-winning eco-tour program. Salak Kok Kayak Station rents self-guided kayaks and is a village-work project designed to promote tourism without deteriorating the traditional way of life. The kayak station can also help arrange village homestays and hiking tours.
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Saffron on the Sea
Owned by an arty escapee from Bangkok, this friendly boutique hotel has a generous portion of oceanfront dining and a relaxed, romantic atmosphere. All the Thai dishes are prepared in the island-style, more sweet than spicy.
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Porn's Bungalows Restaurant
This wooden tree-house restaurant affiliated with a Rasta-style guest house is the quintessential beachside lounge. Feel free to have your drinks outsize your meal and don't worry about dressing for dinner.
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Paradise Behind the Sea Restaurant
If you're cruising the east coast for scenery, stop in for a view and a meal at this cliffside restaurant. Vietnamese and Thai dishes crowd the tables and cool breezes provide refreshment. In Thai, this is called 'Lang Talay'.
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Norng Bua
This popular stir-fry hut makes everything fast and fresh and with chillies and fish sauce (praise the culinary gods).
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Nid's Kitchen
A sweaty little restaurant north of GajaPuri Resort, Auntie Nid's does all the Thai standards like a wok wizard. Plus the beers are cold.
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Magic Garden
Magic Garden is a pagoda to Lonely Beach's special variety of chill-laxin'. Grab some grub, polish off some Beer Changs, watch a movie and then wander down to the beach for some DJ beats.
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Lonely Beach
The island's backpacker hang-out is the five-o'clock shadow of beaches, a bit scruffy but ready for fun. During the day, most sunbathers are baking off a hangover earned the night before when Lonely Beach becomes the most social place on the island. The music is loud, the drinks are strong and the crowd is youthful and carefree.
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Koh Chang Trekking
Bird-watchers should contact Koh Chang Trekking which runs one- and two-day trips (1000B to 2000B) into the national park and hikes to the top of Khao Chom Prasat, two nearby rocky tipped peaks.
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Koh Chang Pony Rehabilitation Project
On the same street as Ban Lisa, this centre works to rescue and rehabilitate abused and neglected equines. Volunteers can help feed, clean and exercise the ponies and horses that are recovering from injuries or awaiting adoption in caring environments.
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Koh Chang Animal Project
Abused, injured or abandoned animals receive medical care and refuge at this nonprofit centre, established in 2002 by American Lisa McAlonie. The centre also works with local people on spaying, neutering and general veterinarian services, and Lisa is well-known on the island by concerned pet owners and flea-ridden dogs. Volunteers, especially travelling vets and vet nurses, are welcome to donate a bit of TLC and elbow grease for the cause. Call to make an appointment. Most sŏrng·tăa·ou drivers know how to get here; tell them you're going to 'Ban Lisa' (Lisa's House) in Khlong Son.
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