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Koh Chang 3 Days 2 Nights
Beaches · Waterfall · Around the Island

Koh Chang is Thailand's second-largest island, big enough to hold long white-sand beaches, jungled mountains down the middle, a waterfall that runs year-round, and an old fishing village over on the far side. Plenty of people come for two days and never leave their one beach, when with a bit of planning, three days and two nights is enough to cover the west-coast beaches, the waterfall in the island's interior, and the slower fishing life on the east coast without feeling rushed. This plan follows the shape of the island so you're not driving back and forth and burning daylight.

🏖️ West-Coast Beaches💦 Klong Plu Waterfall🛶 Salak Kok Kayaking
Koh Chang 3 Days 2 Nights Beaches · Waterfall · Around the Island

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Koh Chang stretches long from north to south, with the coastal road running almost the whole way around. The prettiest, most popular beaches sit on the west coast, lined up from north to south: White Sand Beach, Klong Prao Beach, Kai Bae Beach, and Lonely Beach. The middle of the island is mountains and waterfalls, while the east coast is much quieter, with the Bang Bao and Salak Kok fishing villages still keeping their old ways. This plan has you stay on the west coast, then work through each zone day by day.

What to Know About the Ferry First

Getting to Koh Chang means taking the ferry from the Laem Ngop side on the mainland. The popular piers are the Ao Thammachat ferry pier and the Centerpoint pier, and the crossing takes about 30-45 minutes. The first boat runs around 06:00-06:30 and the last around 18:30-19:00. A foot passenger pays roughly THB 80-100 per crossing, and a car costs around THB 200 per crossing. Schedules shift with the weather, so in the rainy season check the pier's page before you set out.

Day 1

Ferry Crossing → Check In on the West Coast → Sunset at Kai Bae Beach

11:00
Roll off the ferry on the Koh Chang side and drive down toward the west-coast beachesThe island-side pier is up in the north of Koh Chang. Follow the coastal road south and you'll pass White Sand Beach first.
12:00
Check in, then find lunch by the beachWhite Sand Beach is the liveliest, with restaurants, bars, and convenience stores all close by, great if you like an evening stroll. Klong Prao Beach is quieter and more private, with several big resorts and a long stretch of sand that's easy to walk.
14:30
Swim and laze on the beach through the afternoonThe west-coast water is gentle in the dry season and clear enough for an easy swim. The afternoon sun is still strong, so bring an umbrella or grab a lounger under the trees.
17:00
Head to the Kai Bae viewpoint / Kai Bae Beach for sunsetThe island's west side faces right into the sunset. The Kai Bae viewpoint sits up on a rise looking out over a scatter of small islands, while Kai Bae Beach is an easy place to sit and wait for the evening light. The best stretch is November to February.
19:00
Seafood dinner by the beachAround Kai Bae and White Sand Beach there are plenty of seafood spots with sea views. Prices on the island run higher than on the Laem Ngop mainland, so check the per-kilo board before you order to avoid surprises.

Pick the Beach That Suits You

Want shops and a bit of nightlife to stroll through? Go for White Sand Beach. After somewhere quiet with a long, swimmable stretch? Choose Klong Prao Beach. On a tighter budget and after a laid-back vibe? Try the Kai Bae-Lonely Beach zone a little further south.

Day 2

Klong Plu Waterfall → Around the Island → Bang Bao Fishing Village

08:30
Breakfast, then head to Klong Plu WaterfallKlong Plu Waterfall runs year-round and sits about 3 km inland from the coast. It's open roughly 08:00-16:30, and going early means fewer people and water that's cool just right. There's a national park entry fee for foreign visitors, while the Thai rate is modest.
09:00
Short jungle walk of about 600-800 meters, then swim at the fallsThe path isn't very steep, but wear shoes with decent grip. At the top there's a deep pool you can swim in and jump from, a good way to cool off that works fine with kids in tow.
11:30
Drive the island road over to the east coastThe stretch crossing the mountains in the middle of the island has bends and some steep grades, so take it slow and watch for songthaews coming the other way. The views either side are green jungle broken up by gaps in the hills where the sea shows through.
12:30
Lunch at Bang Bao fishing villageBang Bao is an old fishing village of wooden houses built out over the water along a pier that runs to the tip of the headland. There are fresh seafood places, dried-seafood souvenirs, and cafes looking over the harbor. The mood here is clearly different from the tourist beaches on the other side.
14:30
Walk the Bang Bao pier and photograph the lighthouse at the endAt the end of the pier there's a small lighthouse that's a favorite photo spot. From here you can also take a boat out to snorkel the outer islands like Koh Rang, if the sea is calm that day and a boat is running.
16:30
Drive back to the west coast, stopping at Than Mayom Waterfall if you have timeThan Mayom Waterfall is on the northeast side and has stone inscriptions bearing the royal cyphers of Kings Rama V-VII. If you're worn out you can skip it and head back to your beach before dark.

Kayak the Mangroves at Ban Salak Kok

If you'd rather have a quiet activity close to nature, try kayaking the mangroves at Ban Salak Kok. A community enterprise group runs traditional rowboats and kayaks here, and a paddle costs around THB 200-300 per person. Late afternoon the water is still and the sun is soft, which makes it a good swap for the around-the-island drive on Day 2 if you'd rather not pack the day too full.

Day 3

One Last Swim → Check Out → Ferry Back to the Mainland

08:00
Breakfast by the beach and one last swimUse the morning before the sun gets harsh for a final dip, or settle in for a Thai massage by White Sand Beach, where there are several spots to choose from.
10:30
Check out and pick up souvenirs before leaving the islandIsland souvenirs run to shrimp paste, chili dips, and dried seafood, priced a touch higher than on the Laem Ngop mainland. If you're stopping at Laem Ngop on the way back, hold off and buy there for less.
12:00
A light lunch, then drive to the pierLeave yourself enough time so you're not gambling on the last boat. On long weekends the car queue for the ferry can stretch out, so leaving before 3 pm is the safer bet.
13:30
Take the ferry back to the Laem Ngop mainlandOnce you're back on the mainland, stop at the Laem Ngop seafood market for shrimp paste and dried shrimp at source prices before driving back to Bangkok or carrying on to Chanthaburi.

Rough Budget Per Person (3 Days, 2 Nights)

  • Round-trip ferry — about THB 160-200 per foot passenger (add roughly THB 400 per car round-trip)
  • 2 nights' lodging — from around THB 1,200-1,800 for a mid-range guesthouse/resort, split in two when there are two of you
  • 6-7 meals — around THB 1,000-1,800 depending on how heavily you go in on seafood
  • Waterfall entry + activities — the Thai rate for Klong Plu Waterfall is modest, and kayaking at Ban Salak Kok runs about THB 200-300
  • Fuel / songthaew on the island — if you don't have a vehicle, budget around THB 50-100 per songthaew ride
  • On a budget it comes to around THB 2,800-4,000 per person (not counting fuel from Bangkok)
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Can You Do It Without Your Own Car?

You can. Take a minivan or coach from Bangkok to Trat, get off in town, then catch a songthaew to the Laem Ngop pier and buy a foot-passenger ferry ticket across. Once you're on Koh Chang, red songthaews run between the various beaches. The trade-off is that you have to keep a close eye on the last songthaew of the day, since they thin out a lot at night, and getting to the waterfall or over to Bang Bao by songthaew means chartering the whole run. If you want to hit several spots in one day, renting a motorbike on the island is more flexible, but the road over the mountains is steep in places, so ride carefully.

Times of Year to Avoid

Koh Chang in the rainy season (May-October) brings heavy surf, boats canceled on some days, and murky water, with some shops and resorts closed for a long stretch. If you want clear water and easy swimming, aim for November-April. Klong Plu and Than Mayom waterfalls, on the other hand, are at their fullest and prettiest toward the end of the rains.

Want to look at Koh Chang places to stay before you book, or compare beaches to match your style?

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FAQ

How many days do you need for Koh Chang?

If you want to cover the west-coast beaches, the waterfall in the island's interior, and the east-coast fishing life without rushing, 3 days and 2 nights is about right. If you're just here to lie on the beach, swim, and unwind, 2 days and 1 night will do, though you'll only get one zone. Anyone wanting to continue on to Koh Kood or Koh Mak should plan for 4-5 days.

Which waterfall on Koh Chang is the best to visit?

Klong Plu is the biggest waterfall, runs year-round, and has a pool you can swim in, about a 600-800 meter walk in. Than Mayom Waterfall is on the northeast side and has stone inscriptions bearing the royal cyphers of Kings Rama V-VII, making it a historical stop people like to drop by.

What is Bang Bao village, and is it worth visiting?

Bang Bao is an old fishing village in the south of the island, with wooden houses built out over the water along a pier that runs to the tip of the headland. There are fresh seafood places, dried seafood, cafes overlooking the harbor, and a lighthouse at the end of the pier to photograph. The atmosphere is clearly different from the tourist beaches, and it's a stop worth making if you're on Koh Chang for several days.

Which beach on Koh Chang suits which traveler?

White Sand Beach is the liveliest, with shops and bars to walk between at night, good for people who like a bit of buzz. Klong Prao Beach is quieter, with a long, easy-to-swim stretch that suits families and anyone after a rest. Kai Bae and Lonely Beach to the south are easier on the budget with a laid-back feel.

Which pier do you take to Koh Chang, and what does it cost?

You cross from the Laem Ngop mainland, with the popular piers being the Ao Thammachat ferry pier and the Centerpoint pier. The crossing takes about 30-45 minutes, costing roughly THB 80-100 per foot passenger and around THB 200 per car each way. The first boat runs around 06:00-06:30 and the last around 18:30-19:00, with the schedule adjusting to the weather.

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