Where is Koh Chang?
Koh Chang Island also known as Ko Chang or Ko Chang Tai, situated in Thailand, is the third-largest island in the country. It is often wrongly referred to as the second-largest, as Koh Samui is actually larger.
Regardless of its size, Koh Chang is still one of the LEAST explored islands, making it a hidden gem for tourists who are looking for natural beauty, wildlife, and breathtaking beaches, as well as the most unusual activities! Personally we loved Koh Chang so much we spent nearly a month there, exploring every corner in depth.
In addition, if you ever hear the term, Elephant Island, that is Koh Chang! No, there aren’t elephants there unfortunately, but if you ever get the chance to see it from the sky, the shape resembles an Elephant!
Why go to Koh Chang?
While everyone is flocking to Koh Phi Phi for a wild night out, Koh Phangan for its legendary full moon parties, and Koh Tao for some serious diving, Koh Chang is often overlooked.
It’s insane how many tourists pass it by, especially considering people come to Thailand to escape the crowds and soak up some natural beauty.
Oh, and get this, you can get to Koh Chang in the easiest way. You’ll leave in the morning and arrive in time for lunch, practically hassle-free.
So, let’s give Koh Chang the love it deserves, shall we? It’s time to swap the neon lights for a stunning sunset, the thumping bass for crashing waves, and the crowds for some much-needed R&R and trust us, you won’t regret it.
If you’ve arrived on this blog, rest assured that you are in the right place! We cannot guarantee that it will remain this way, but currently, you will experience this island in its truest form.
Don’t for one second think that Koh Chang is just about beautiful beaches. There are some AWESOME things to do here, so don’t miss them.
Let’s Break It Down
To help you with the dilemma of where to stay in Koh Chang, we have quickly highlighted our top hotels and summarised the best areas to stay. We want you to make the most of your time on this beautiful island. Many people search for 5 star hotels such as the Dewa hotel or Emerald Cove hotel, but we won’t be providing these recommendations as after exploring the island these hotels weren’t in our top areas to stay!
Here’s Koh Chang island broken down by the main areas we recommend to stay, to help you navigate around the island easily:
Bang Bao
If you’re looking for a relaxing atmosphere and beautiful beaches, you can’t go wrong with Bang Bao. This little fishing village is located in the southwest part of the island and is well known for its fishing and snorkelling day trips that leave from the Bang Bao Pier.
However, the real gem of Bang Bao is Klong Kloi Beach. This is our favourite spot and one of the best beaches on Koh Chang Island.
If you do decide to stay in Bang Bao, we highly recommend checking out Indie Beach Bungalows. It’s a family-run tropical beach hideaway with beautiful bungalows, a fun beach bar, a private beach, and crystal-clear waters. And let’s not forget the friendly locals! We had a blast during our three-night stay there. Indie Beach also hosts live music in their bar on Mondays and Saturdays. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether you’re staying there or not. But beware, the drinks are pretty strong!
Indie Beach’s main goal is to make you feel right at home, and they definitely succeed. The staff is super welcoming and friendly, and you’re bound to make some new friends during your stay. This hotel caters to guests of all ages, so it’s not just for backpackers.
Also, if you’re in need of some relaxation and rejuvenation this is the place! They offer daily yoga classes in their beautiful beachside yoga studio. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and take in the beautiful surroundings.
Bailan Bay
If you’re after a peaceful and local vibe, we highly recommend checking out Bailan Bay as your second option for accommodation in Koh Chang.
This charming village is located between Lonely Beach and Bang Bao and offers a unique atmosphere that’s quite different from the backpacker hub of Lonely Beach.
During our four-night stay in this area, we found it to be the perfect location as it was between the stunning Klong Kloi beach in Bang Bao (about a 7 minute scooter ride) and the buzzing nightlife in Lonely Beach. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to experience the best of both worlds. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the island’s nightlife while still soaking up the laid-back island vibes during the day.
Now, if you decide to stay in Bailan Bay, our top recommendation would have to be Lazy République. This lovely affordable place is owned by a friendly French couple, Fred and Pilou. And you will feel right at home. They even provide reusable aluminium flasks to reduce plastic waste – how cool is that?
Each room is a spacious villa equipped with powerful showers and its own terrace. And on top of all this, they have a beautiful natural water pool and a rooftop sunset bar. Expect a relaxed atmosphere and friendly people when staying here. It’s an all-around great choice for anyone looking for a unique and peaceful experience on.
Personal tip: In our Koh Chang downloadable guide, we spill all our secrets on how to travel with local knowledge, including all our personal contacts that you can easily access through WhatsApp. Fred & Pilou’s direct whatsapp contact is in here too if you want to book directly with them!
Lonely Beach
If you’re looking for a lively spot on Koh Chang, the backpacker haven is definitely the place to be. This area transforms from a peaceful retreat during the day to a bustling hub of activity at night. With so many options for accommodation, we found it tough to choose, but we found one we absolutely love – Oasis Koh Chang.
This gorgeous hotel is an absolute gem. It boasts a stunning swimming pool nestled in the lush rainforest, a treehouse perfect for enjoying the sunset, and even hosts BBQ and pool party days. We loved the beautiful bungalows tucked into the picturesque landscape which made it a truly unique and unforgettable stay. Keep in mind, this popular spot fills up quickly and may be slightly more expensive than other options, but we promise it’s worth it.
While the crowd in the area tends to skew towards backpackers, you’ll find a mix of all ages at Oasis. It’s a great place to meet new people and soak up the fun and friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to party the night away or just chill by the pool, Oasis Koh Chang is the perfect choice for anyone seeking a lively and unforgettable experience on Koh Chang.
White Sands
If you’re after a lively tourist scene, look no further than White Sands Beach. This 2.5-kilometer stretch of white sand and crystal-clear waters is the main tourist hub of Koh Chang. The beach is lined with accommodations, restaurants, bars, and shops, making it a convenient place to stay especially if you like the hustle and bustle. Don’t worry, even though it’s popular, White Sands Beach remains stunning, and visitors can still experience local culture. At the northern end of the beach, there’s a fishing village where you can watch fishermen bringing in their daily catch.
If you hike to the southern end of the beach, you’ll find a nearby viewpoint for an epic panoramic view of the island and the most gorgeous sunset spot! We have all of our secret sunset spots and Whatsapp contacts to local people on the island with all the local knowledge in our downloadable guide.
However, it’s worth mentioning that if you want a more authentic experience, you may want to consider staying elsewhere on the island. We felt that White Sands Beach can feel a bit like a resort with lots of tourists. We haven’t stayed in this area ourselves, but we’ve heard great things about the hotels. Just be aware that most are 4-5 star resorts and come with a higher price tag.
One thing to keep in mind is that we don’t recommend staying on the East and South sides of the island. These areas are quite remote, and there isn’t much to do. Therefore, we strongly recommend staying on the West side of the island, where most of the action is.
The Ultimate Guide To Koh Chang
Planning a trip to Koh Chang can be overwhelming, with hardly any information available online. That’s why we’ve created our downloadable guide. An ultimate guide that covers EVERYTHING you need to know when visiting the island. We include the most unusual things to do on Koh Chang as well as break down everything from hotels, restaurants & bars. We’ve also included all of our personal Whatsapp contacts!
Our guide also includes a summary of the essential information you’ll need for your trip, from exchange rates and useful phrases to local tips and taxi numbers. Whether you’re in the planning stages of your trip or have just arrived on the island, our Koh Chang Guide will tell you everything you need to know. Say goodbye to endless internet searches and blog reading and download our guide.
About Us
Here’s a little about who we are and why we do what we do!
Anish and I run UNDISCVERED; your ultimate digital wingman for exploring the world like a local. But we’re not just your average travel guide, we’re like your best friend who knows all the insider secrets of every destination.
We’ve got connections with locals all over the world and we’ve curated all their juicy recommendations into bite-sized, easy-to-digest info.
But don’t worry, we’re not just about the hidden gems. We cover the well-known spots too, but with a little insider help to make your trip even more epic. Think of us as the digital version of Lonely Planet, but way more up-to-date.
Our approach doesn’t just help you have an awesome time, it also supports local businesses and communities. So, if you want to be a savvy traveler and spend less time googling and more time exploring, UNDISCVERED is your new BFF (with some seriously good info).
Check out our Instagram highlights for more info on us!
Get In Touch
Let us know whether you have anything else you would like us to cover off in the comments. We’re always happy to help with recommendations in any city around the world!
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We have also collated ALL of this info and more with all of our personal WhatsApp contacts, clickable links and more in our downloadable Koh Chang guide.
CONTACT us on serena@undiscvered.com for any partnerships or affiliations.
Serena & Anish
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