Koh Chang, Thailand’s third-largest island, offers a captivating blend of pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant local culture. From bustling party hubs to serene, secluded coves, there’s a perfect spot for every type of traveler. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the best beaches and ideal accommodations on this stunning Gulf of Thailand paradise.
Most of Koh Chang’s popular beaches and developments are located along its West Coast, offering stunning sunsets and easy access to amenities. The East Coast remains largely undeveloped, offering a glimpse into traditional Thai island life for those seeking a truly off-the-beaten-path experience.
Popular West Coast Beaches & Hotels:
The West Coast is where most visitors choose to stay, thanks to its accessibility, diverse offerings, and a wide range of hotels.
1. White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao): The Vibrant Hub
Best for: First-timers, those seeking convenience, lively atmosphere, and a mix of budget to luxury options.
White Sand Beach is the most developed and easily accessible beach from the ferry pier. It’s a long, beautiful stretch of sand lined with resorts, restaurants, bars, and shops. While it can be busy, especially in high season, it offers excellent amenities and a lively nightlife scene.
Highlights:
- Night Market: A bustling evening food market with delicious and affordable Thai street food.
- Fire Shows: Many beachfront bars feature captivating fire shows at sunset.
- Accessibility: Close to the ferry, with plenty of taxis and rental options.
- Nightlife: Home to “Little Pattaya” with numerous beer bars and the island’s only air-conditioned nightclub, Babylon, for those who want to party late. Live music venues like Oodies Place are also popular.
Recommended Hotels:
- Luxury:
- KC Grande Resort Koh Chang: A highly-rated 5-star resort directly on White Sand Beach, known for its excellent location, superb breakfast, and multiple pools. Great for families and couples alike.
- The Erawan Koh Chang: Offers a blend of luxury and convenience right on the beach, with highly positive reviews for its wonderful service and prime location.
- Mid-Range:
- White Sand Beach Resort: A popular beachfront resort offering various room types and good value.
- Budget:
- Koh Chang Hut Hotel: A good option for budget travelers seeking proximity to the beach and amenities.
2. Klong Prao Beach: Long, Relaxed & Family-Friendly
Best for: Families, couples, those seeking a quieter atmosphere with long stretches of sand, and mid-range to luxury resorts.
Klong Prao Beach is the longest beach on Koh Chang, offering a more laid-back vibe than White Sand Beach while still providing excellent facilities. It’s characterized by its beautiful soft sand, calm waters (shallow for about 200 meters, making it safe for children), and stunning sunsets. Two rivers or “klongs” split the beach, making it ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Highlights:
- Tranquility: Less crowded than White Sand Beach, perfect for relaxing strolls and enjoying nature.
- Water Activities: Excellent for kayaking, SUP, and swimming, especially with young children.
- Klong Plu Waterfall: A popular inland attraction accessible from Klong Prao.
- Dining: A good selection of restaurants, from casual beachside eateries to more upscale options. Nightlife is minimal, focusing on relaxed beach bars.
Recommended Hotels:
- Luxury:
- Santhiya Koh Chang Resort: A luxurious 5-star resort on Klong Prao Beach, praised for its beautiful design, excellent value, and superb amenities, including an amazing buffet breakfast.
- The Chill Resort and Spa, Koh Chang: A boutique 5-star resort known for its luxurious and relaxing getaway experience, amazing food, and exceptional service.
- Mid-Range:
- SYLVAN Koh Chang: Offers spacious rooms, excellent facilities including a pool and jacuzzi, and a very safe beach for children. Highly recommended for families.
- Koh Chang Paradise Resort & Spa: Features pool villas and a prime beachfront location.
- The Dewa Koh Chang: Offers a peaceful location and a boutique feel, popular with couples.
- Budget/Hostels:
- Pajamas Koh Chang: A stylish and modern hostel with a swimming pool and beachfront access, offering both private and dorm rooms.
- THE HABITAT Koh Chang: An eco-friendly hostel providing comfortable and affordable bunk beds near the beach.
3. Kai Bae Beach: A Mix of Everything
Best for: Families, couples, backpackers looking for a balance of relaxation and amenities, and those who enjoy a slightly less touristy feel.
Kai Bae Beach strikes a good balance between the vibrancy of White Sand Beach and the tranquility of Klong Prao. It’s a diverse area with upscale resorts, mid-range bungalows, and some budget-friendly options. The beach itself is great at the northern and southern ends, with rockier sections in the middle.
Highlights:
- Kai Bae Viewpoint: Offers stunning views of smaller islands off the coast, perfect for sunset photos.
- Elephant Camps: Opportunities to interact with elephants nearby.
- Dining & Bars: A good selection of restaurants and bars, including some with live music.
- Island Hopping: Speedboats depart from Kai Bae for island hopping tours.
Recommended Hotels:
- Luxury:
- The Retreat Koh Chang, an SLH Hotel: An exceptional 5-star hotel near Kai Bae Beach, praised for its beautiful design, impeccable service, and fantastic breakfast.
- GajaPuri Resort Koh Chang: A luxurious tropical experience with a spa and outdoor spa bath, highly rated for its staff and atmosphere.
- Mid-Range:
- Awa Resort Koh Chang: A popular family hotel with great reviews.
- Budget/Family-Friendly:
- Garden Resort: A popular mid-price family-oriented resort just off the main road, with spacious bungalows and a pool.
- Mam Kaibae Hotel: Great location right on the beachfront.
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- How to Explore Thailand on a Budget (Without Sacrificing Adventure!)
4. Lonely Beach: The Backpacker & Party Hub
Best for: Backpackers, solo travelers, party-goers, and those seeking a lively, social atmosphere with budget accommodation.
Despite its name, Lonely Beach is anything but lonely. It’s the undisputed backpacker haven and party central of Koh Chang, known for its vibrant nightlife, cheap bungalows, and a laid-back, bohemian vibe. The beach itself is excellent, especially at low tide.
Highlights:
- Nightlife: DJs, beach parties, and live music venues like Stone Free and Himmel Bar.
- Budget-Friendly: Numerous cheap bungalows and hostels.
- Social Scene: Easy to meet fellow travelers and find a party any night of the week.
- Nature Beach Resort: A popular spot for sunset fire shows.
Recommended Hotels:
- Budget/Hostels:
- Nature Beach Resort: A favorite among backpackers, offering a great beach, spacious gardens, and a lively atmosphere without being directly in the loudest party zone.
- Nest Sense Resort: While located at Lonely Beach, it offers a more upscale experience with an infinity pool and great reviews, suitable for couples looking for a quieter stay in the area.
- Jungle Fever Koh Chang: Provides comfortable and affordable accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool.
5. Bailan Beach: Quiet & Laid-Back
Best for: Those seeking a truly relaxed and low-key atmosphere, away from the crowds, with decent mid-range accommodation.
Located just south of Lonely Beach, Bailan Beach is one of Koh Chang’s least developed west coast beaches. It’s a small, quiet bay with a mix of sand and rocks, backed by coconut palms and jungle. Nightlife is minimal, making it ideal for a peaceful retreat. Snorkelling is also a good option here.
Highlights:
- Seclusion: Much quieter than its northern neighbors, perfect for unwinding.
- Natural Setting: Backed by lush greenery, offering a more untouched feel.
Recommended Hotels:
- Mid-Range:
- Limited options, often smaller, locally run bungalows. Check online for independent reviews.
6. Klong Kloi Beach (Bang Bao Beach): Southern Charm & Reggae Vibes
Best for: Laid-back travelers, those seeking a rustic, “hippie” vibe, and direct access to Bang Bao fishing village.
Situated near the Bang Bao pier at the island’s southern tip, Klong Kloi Beach offers a wonderfully chilled-out atmosphere. It’s a beautiful, calm beach, protected by the peninsula, making it suitable for swimming even during monsoon season. It has a distinctive reggae vibe with rustic beach bars and restaurants.
Highlights:
- Bang Bao Pier: A charming fishing village built on stilts, offering seafood restaurants and departure points for snorkeling and diving tours.
- Mellow Vibe: Enjoy acoustic reggae music and relaxed beach bars like “Mr T’s.”
- Protected Waters: Calm waters ideal for swimming year-round.
Recommended Hotels:
- Mid-Range/Budget:
- Chivapuri Beach Resort: Located at the end of the road, offering a quiet, traffic-free environment and easy access to beach restaurants.
- Serenity Resort Koh Chang: Offers spacious bungalows and two-bedroom villas, perfect for families, in a quiet, beautiful beachfront location near Dan Kao beach (a bit further north but still on the south end).
The Undeveloped East Coast: For the Adventurous
The east coast of Koh Chang is far less developed, offering a glimpse into local life and untouched nature. Roads can be steep and challenging, so renting a scooter here requires experience.
7. Long Beach: Seclusion & Adventure
Best for: Adventurous travelers, those seeking ultimate seclusion, and a truly off-the-beaten-path experience.
Reaching Long Beach is an adventure in itself, taking about an hour from White Sand Beach by scooter along a scenic, sometimes challenging, road. It’s a remote and wild stretch of sand with very few facilities (maybe 1-2 restaurants and basic accommodation). It’s ideal for those wanting to escape the crowds entirely.
Highlights:
- Untouched Nature: Experience Koh Chang’s natural beauty away from tourist throngs.
- Serenity: Perfect for a restful beach day, reading, and soaking in the tranquil surroundings.
Recommended Hotels:
- Extremely limited options, often basic bungalows. Book in advance if you find something suitable.
8. Wai Chaek Beach: The Last Undeveloped Gem
Best for: True adventurers, explorers, and those who want to experience Koh Chang’s wild side before it changes.
Considered Koh Chang’s last truly undeveloped beach, Wai Chaek Beach is difficult to access, usually requiring an adventurous scooter ride or a boat from Klong Kloi. This secluded bay offers stunning views and a hidden lagoon. Its remoteness means no shops or facilities, so come prepared.
Highlights:
- Remote Beauty: Pristine, untouched sand and clear waters.
- Off-Grid Experience: No crowds, no shops, just nature.
Recommended Hotels:
- No formal accommodations. This is a day-trip destination for the adventurous, or for those willing to camp very primitively.
Choosing Your Perfect Stay: Key Considerations
- Travel Style:
- Partiers/Social: Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach.
- Families/Relaxed: Klong Prao, Kai Bae.
- Couples/Romantic: Klong Prao, Kai Bae, or more upscale options on Lonely Beach like Nest Sense.
- Budget Backpackers: Lonely Beach, some hostels in Klong Prao or White Sand.
- Seclusion/Nature: East Coast, Bailan Beach, Klong Kloi.
- Transportation: Most tourists rely on shared taxis (songthaews) or rented scooters. The west coast is well-connected. The east coast requires more confidence on a scooter or pre-arranged transport.
- Time of Year: Peak season (November-February) sees more crowds and higher prices, especially on White Sand and Lonely Beach. Off-season (May-October) offers lower prices and fewer tourists but can have more rain.
- Amenities: Decide what’s important: access to ATMs, pharmacies, wide food choices, tour operators, or a quieter, more natural setting.
Koh Chang offers an incredible diversity of experiences. By considering your priorities, you can easily find your ideal slice of paradise on this beautiful Thai island. Happy travels!
