Take a break from the beach and try this wide range of activities which await you both on shore and inland.
The Shrine of Chao Po Koh Chang
Leading up a steep road on the west coast to Ao Sapparos, not too far from the pier, you will see the shrine of Chao Po (literally the Deity of Koh Chang) and Chao Mae Koh Chang on the right. This is a highly revered shrine especially for local people. Fishermen struck by monsoon or lost their directions in the sea put their faith on Chao Po Koh Chang.
Legend has it that many prayers have been answered, and the locals have been praying to Chao Po Koh Chang concerning various hardships, from low yield harvests to sickness or other miseries.
Thai Cooking Schools
The Aiyapura Resort and Spa allows you to create your favorite Thai dishes. Classes take a few hours and students usually learn the art of fruit and vegetable carving as well as traditional stir-fried dishes. You will have an opportunity to cook by yourself and dine with fellow students after class.
Elephant Trekking
The Ban Chang Thai (084 863 8185, 089 891 7253, 039 551 474) lets you experience more than just the usual elephant trekking. With their charming elephant family, they can also arrange a Buddhist style wedding at the elephant camp. A 1-hour trek is at Baht 500 per person, while a 2-hour trek including river and mountain trekking and elephant bathing is at Baht 900 per person. These rates include transportation to/from your hotel, and complimentary fresh fruits and drinking water.
The Chang Chutiman Tour (Tel : 089-939-6676) near Klong Prao Beach operates two-hour treks for 900 Baht (children under five years old free of charge) and a one-hour trek (500 Baht) without the waterfall. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., you can start your tour any time of the day.
The Klong Son Elephant Camp or Ban Kwan Chang operates half-day tours from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The cost is 900 Baht inclusive of transportation to and from the resort, drinking water and bananas and coconuts to feed the elephants. A 40-minute ride costs 500 Baht. A smaller programme at 1:00 p.m. includes a 35-minute trek and a 15-minute performance. Fare is 450 Baht inclusive of transportation.
Snorkeling & Diving
The best diving season is between October/November and April. The best sites are on the west and southern tip of the island, between Koh Chang and Koh Kood. There you can see soft corals, anemones, myriad reef fish, and sometimes eel. Hin Luk Bat and Hin Lap both have coral seamounts. Further south, white-tip reef sharks can be found near Hin Phrai Nam.
In addition, there are two wreck dive sites. The Koh Chang Wreck is a Thai warship sunk by the French navy in 1941. The wreck is only 15 metres deep in the Salakphet Bay on the southern tip of the island. The other wreck is the Pak One Wreck which sank after hitting a coral reef in August 1996 on its way to Vietnam. It resurfaced almost 8 years later. The 900-ton sunken tanker posed a danger to ships on international waters. The Royal Thai Navy drained off its 600 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas and resank it between Koh Chang and Koh Samet. It now lies horizontally in 35-meter deep waters.
There are a few diving centres on Koh Chang such as the Ploy Scuba Diving in Bang Bao. Following the standards of the sister centre in Koh Samet, this is the premier diving operator in Eastern Thailand. The Dolphin Divers at the Amari Emerald Cove Resort offers free trial in the resort's swimming pool. For those who prefer fun dives without a long boat trip Dolphin Divers operate speed boats from the resort's beach to the nearest dive sites in only 15 minutes. Others include the Koh Chang Dive Centre on Kai Bae Beach, Paradise Scuba Divers at the Klong Prao Resort and Koh Chang Divers on Had Sai Khao (White Sand Beach), which offers PADI certification for beginners.
The Dive Adventure Koh Chang provides a diving experience that combines professionalism and fun, being the only PADI 5 Star IDC center in Koh Chang. With 10 years of experience under its belt, expect only the best from its multilingual instructors and divemasters. It is advantageously located at Bang Bao fishing village with its own resort, and their everyday trips range from snorkeling to professional dive trips. For the non divers, they can also arrange other activities such as elephant trekking, jungle trekking, quad driving, kayaking and fishing.
A few dive centres operate out of Koh Mak. Boat trips to various dive sites range from 1,800 to 3,000 Baht depending on distances, and typically include two dives, full equipment, transportation, food, drinks and a dive master.
Mooring
Although the east coast of Koh Chang has tried to preserve its more agricultural face, it doesn’t mean that it did not attempt to venture into the tourism business. As a matter of fact, there is a yacht berthing facility at the tip of the east coast, Ao Salak Phet, which is called Koh Chang Marina and Resort (081 782 6040, 081 762 8082). This is the one and only mooring service on the island. If you prefer to cruise your way into the island, the marina provides launching, wet and dry berth retrieving, supplies and other maintenance services. Not only that, the place is also planning to open its yacht charter service on the island together with a partner firm. The marina also offers speedboat transportation service to other islands for island hopping and snorkeling trips.
Spa
Koh Chang offers a wealth of spas to pamper you after a day on the beach. Places such as the Koh Chang Grand Orchid Resort & Spa features a traditional Thai-styled building nestled in the vicinity of bungalows. The Aiyapura Resort & Spa offers massage and treatments in their 5-star ambience while the Aana Resort and Spa has its facilities set amidst swaying coconut trees and a great view of the Klong Prao area. At the V.J. Hotel & Health Spa, treatments are meant for long-term health while the Koh Chang Resort and Spa offers facial massages and treatments, using effective traditional approaches.
The Sivara Spa at the Amari Emerald Cove Resort pampers you with soothing body and facial treatments in a 5-star ambience right on the sandy beach.
Massages, beauty and body treatments
As in any part of Thailand, masseuses soothe the muscles with traditional Thai massage or foot reflexology right on the beaches. A 1-hour massage on the beach costs around 200 Baht. Away from the beach are several massage places along the main road.
Tattoo
Tattoo artists can easily be found throughout the island. Both permanent and henna tattooing are available on the beaches. Tattoos, whether henna or permanent, begin at 400 Baht. Well-known tattooist, known as Jack, offers custom tattoos at Tantawan Pub and Restaurant on White Sand Beach.
Canoes and Kayaking
For a relaxing trip along the coastlines, try paddling canoes, which cost only 100 Baht an hour or about 500 Baht a day. Canoes can be found along the beaches and some resorts. Some resorts offer free kayaking for their guests. Triyaks at Kai Bae Hut Shop cost 150 Baht per hour or 100 Baht per hour for two.
Speedboats
If you don’t have enough time, speedboats can take you to more spots further from the island
A speedboat usually takes 15 people. Fishing gear can be rented at 200 Baht a day, not including hooks and weights. You can charter a boat for 7,000 Baht. Similar 3-island trips to Koh Kood, Koh Mak and Koh Kham cost 1,500 Baht per person or you can charter a boat for 15,000 Baht. Advance booking is necessary. A smaller excursion to Koh Yuak is available at only 200 Baht per person.
The Klong Prao Resort offers chartered speedboat trips to Koh Yuak at 2,500 Baht or a four-island package at 8,000 Baht. There are some resorts on other islands such as Koh Kood, Koh Mak and Koh Ngam that include boat trips in their package rates.
Boating
Leisure trips can easily be arranged at most resorts, beaches, fishing villages or from Laem Ngob on the mainland. Boats can take you to various sites for snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. There are many establishments along Hat Sai Khao (White Sand Beach), Klong Prao, Kai Bae and Bang Bao which organizes boat trips for groups. It costs about 400-600 Baht per person, usually with a minimum of 10 persons for a trip.
There are sailboats to be chartered. The Sea Adventures in Bang Bao provides 13-meter catamaran ready to be chartered or cruise while you have your dinner while watching the spectacular sunset. Most boats are equipped with snorkeling equipments, freshwater shower and toilet.
The Amari Emerald Cove Resort's Catamaran Cruise is the only day - cruise from Klong Prao to Koh Kood. It makes 3 stops on its way, all spectacular sites. The comfort of the Catamaran and its 5-star service ensures a memorable cruise experience.
Hiking
The main road west of Koh Chang from Klong Son to Kai Bae is a popular route. On the northern part of the island, you can walk from Ban Klong Son to Had Sai Khao (White Sand Beach). The best hiking routes are in the southern half of the island since there are fewer roads. For those seeking more adventurous hikes, go inland to the steep and forested hills. Shorter hikes to waterfalls from their main entrances are becoming popular. There is a footpath that connects Ban Klong Phrao on the west coast with Klong Mayom on the east. However, this difficult 6 to 8-hour hike should be done with a local guide.
Bird Sanctuary
Bird watching has become a popular activity on Koh Chang. Favourite sites include Khao Laem and Khao Yai. In these areas, native species such as Koh Chang hornbills are commonly spotted.
Viewing Fireflies
During the cooler months on Koh Chang you can rent a boat to slowly cruise along the waters at night to see fireflies in the mangroves. Thousands of fireflies send out mating signals as they settle into the mangrove forest, lighting up the whole tree with their simultaneous flashing in the dark making it look like rows of Christmas trees. Hotels like the Koh Chang Grand Orchid Resort & Spa and the Aana Resort & Spa provide information on where to go to spot the fireflies and boat service.
Visiting Cambodia
Visiting neighbouring Cambodia from Trat is gaining popularity. Everyday, mini-buses await passengers who leave in the early morning hours (6:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m.). There are two routes; you can go from Trat to Aranyaprathet which takes you to the border and onward to Siem Reap, or cross the border to Cambodia at Haad Lek (Thailand’s border town with Cambodia) into Koh Kong province.
Air-conditioned mini buses run between Trat and Haad Lek from 5:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. It costs 100 Baht for the almost 1.5 hour trip. You can obtain visa at the border on arrival. From there, you can go to Sihanoukville by road or by boat. By road, rent a van or motorcycle at the border. Depending on the road conditions (and weather), the trip can take from 4 to 7 hours. By boat, get a river-boat taxi to Koh Kong province for 20-40 Baht. In Koh Kong, take a speedboat to Sihanoukville. It’s another 3 hours to Phnom Penh from Sihanoukville.
To go to Siem Reap directly, take a tour bus (about 400 Baht) that leaves for Aranyaprathet, then cross into Poipet on the Cambodian side. It takes 3-6 hours by bus or taxi to Siem Reap.
Postal Service
There is a government post office on White Sand Beach before Baan San Sabay Resort. However, if you stay at Klong Prao Beach, you can send your mail or postcard at K.P.D. Postal Service. It is located at V.J. Plaza next to I-Voyager tour company.
Internet Cafes
Internet cafes are everywhere on Koh Chang; so you can get in touch with your family and friends almost round the clock. Almost all of them are equipped with hi-speed internet. Normal fee is 1 to 2 Baht per minute.
Shopping
There are a number of shops scattered along the road that sells a wide assortment of just about everything. The roadside is like a bazaar of clothes, fashion accessories, souvenirs and household items. Aside from that, there are also shopping centers that houses small boutiques.
Portobello is a family-run business of more than four years that offers a carefully selected range of craft items. Their core products are lamps (floor and table) which they manufacture on Koh Chang. These lamps are manufactured with a sturdy steel frame around which they mould some of the enormous range of hand made papers that Thailand produces (Saa, Banana, lgusa to name a few). These lamps are produced in a huge variety of shapes, colours and texture and are sold for retail or wholesale (export) arrangement. Aside from that, the boutique also has a vast variety of unique costume jewelry made from semi-precious stones and silver for both men and women. Their second store, the Portobello Boutique, opened in May 2007 is next door to the Koh Chang Kacha Resort. This time, they have expanded their products to include silk accessories such as silk bags and silk jewelry boxes (bespoke silver jewelry). These products are exported to Europe and are available here on Koh Chang at a fraction of the prices overseas.
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