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Trat for Nature Lovers
Waterfalls + Koh Chang Beaches

Plenty of people come to Koh Chang just to flop on the sand, but the island is a national park with a spine of evergreen mountain forest down the middle, and several waterfalls tucked into it. So this plan alternates between forest waterfalls and the sea: short hikes and a cool swim under the falls around midday, then down to the beach in the evening. It suits anyone who wants real nature without cramming in so much that you wear yourself out.

💦 3 waterfalls🥾 Short forest walks🏖️ Evenings by the sea
Trat for Nature Lovers Waterfalls + Koh Chang Beaches

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Koh Chang sits inside Mu Ko Chang National Park, and the middle of the island is mountain and watershed forest, which is why several of its waterfalls run almost year-round. The best known by far is Klong Plu, but there are also Than Mayom and Khiri Phet — quieter, with more of a genuine deep-forest feel. This 3-day plan is built to catch the waterfalls in the morning and late morning, while it's still cool and the crowds are thin, then save the beach for late afternoon into the evening.

What to know about the waterfalls first

The waterfalls on Koh Chang sit inside the national park, so there's a park entry fee of around 40-60 THB for Thai visitors, with children at half price. The water is fullest and prettiest in late rainy season (Sep-Nov); in the dry months it drops but there's usually still enough to splash around in. The trails in are dirt mixed with rock, so wear shoes with some grip — don't tackle the slippery stretches in flip-flops.

Day 1

Cross to the island → Klong Plu Waterfall → White Sand Beach

10:00
Take the ferry from Laem Ngop across to Koh Chang, check inStaying in the White Sand Beach or Klong Prao area makes Klong Plu Waterfall easy to reach, since the falls are on the same west side. Drop your bags before you head out
11:30
Head to Klong Plu Waterfall, walk in and swim at the lower tierKlong Plu runs year-round. It's about an 800-metre walk in from the car park on a gentle trail, and the lower tier has a big pool to swim in with water that's pleasantly cool. Open roughly 08:00-16:30
13:00
Lunch at a restaurant around Klong PraoOn the way back from the falls there are made-to-order shops and small seafood spots along the Klong Prao road, easier on the wallet than the beachfront places with a sea view
15:30
Down to the sea at White Sand BeachWhite Sand Beach is the island's main beach — fine sand, shallow water, easy swimming. By late afternoon the sun softens, so you can stay in the water a good while without it being too hot
17:30
Watch the sunset from the beachThe west side of the island faces straight into the sunset. Grab a seat at a beach bar with a cold drink and wait for the evening light — clearest skies are Nov-Feb
19:00
Seafood dinner by the beachThere are plenty of seafood restaurants with a sea view around White Sand Beach. Check the per-kilo price board before you order, since prices on the island run higher than over on the Laem Ngop side

Pick the beach that fits your style

Want shops to wander past at night? Go for White Sand Beach. Want quiet, more privacy, and easy swimming? Choose Klong Prao. On a budget and after a laid-back mood? Try the Kai Bae-Lonely Beach stretch further south. All of them are on the west side, so you can catch the sunset from any of them.

Day 2

Than Mayom Waterfall → the east-side forest → Kai Bae Beach

08:30
Head to Than Mayom Waterfall on the east side of the islandThan Mayom is behind the Mu Ko Chang National Park headquarters on the east side. It's quieter than Klong Plu and feels more like real forest. It was a royal visiting spot in the past, and there's a stone inscription with the royal cipher near the falls
09:30
Walk up to see the multi-tier fallsThan Mayom has several tiers and you can climb from one to the next. The upper tiers have a pretty view and are quiet. The rock gets slippery in the rainy season, so take it slow, hold the rail, and don't rush
11:30
Lunch on the east side, stop by Salak Phet / Salak Khok villageThe east side is an old fishing community with a different feel from the tourist beaches — stilt houses over the water and local restaurants, with seafood that's fresh and cheaper
14:00
Back to the west side for a short rest at your placeDriving across the island doesn't cover much distance, but the road winds and climbs, so go carefully on the bends. Rest up before the evening swim
16:00
Swim at Kai Bae BeachKai Bae is shallower and quieter than White Sand Beach, good for a long sit in the late afternoon. There's a free Kai Bae viewpoint that looks out over a line of small islands
18:00
Sunset from the Kai Bae viewpointThe Kai Bae viewpoint is open until around 16:30, but you can sit on the beach below and wait for the evening light until dusk — one of the island's prettiest spots for sunset photos
Day 3

Khiri Phet Waterfall → one last swim → back to the mainland

08:30
Head to Khiri Phet Waterfall, the one few people knowKhiri Phet is a mid-size waterfall in the south of the island, about 2 km past Salak Phet fishing village. Very few people make it out here, so it's ideal if you want real quiet and nature without the crowds
09:30
Swim at the lower tier, listen to the forestThe lower tier has a pool to soak in and a shady, cool feel. If you go in the dry season the water may be low — you can check with locals or park staff first on whether there's enough to swim
11:30
Back for one last swim in the sea, or a massage by the beachKeep the late morning for a final dip, or sit for a Thai massage at one of the many spots along the beach before checkout
13:30
Check out + a light lunch on the islandLeave yourself enough time so you're not rushing for the last boat — no need to sweat whether you'll make it
15:00
Drive to the pier, take the ferry back to Laem NgopAllow for the vehicle queue at the ferry on long weekends. Once you're back on the mainland you can drive on to Bangkok or carry on to Chanthaburi

How the 3 Koh Chang waterfalls in this plan differ

1

Klong Plu Waterfall

West side · 800 m walk · runs year-round

The most famous and busiest of the three, running year-round, with a big pool at the lower tier that's easy to swim in. It's about an 800-metre walk in on a gentle trail, so it's good with kids or if you'd rather not walk far.

SwimmableBusy
2

Than Mayom Waterfall

East side · multi-tier · quieter

Behind the national park headquarters on the east side, with several tiers you can climb. It's quieter than Klong Plu and has a stone inscription with the royal cipher from a royal visit in the past — a quiet forest mood.

Quiet forestHistory
3

Khiri Phet Waterfall

South · quietest · check water in dry season

A mid-size waterfall in the south, about 2 km past Salak Phet village, and barely known. It's the one for real peace and quiet. The water can be low in the dry season, so check before you go.

QuietFew people
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Rough budget per person (3 days, 2 nights)

  • Ferry round trip — about 180 THB per person (add roughly 400 THB per car round trip)
  • 2 nights' accommodation — from around 1,200-1,800 THB for a mid-range guesthouse or resort, split between two if you're travelling as a pair
  • Park entry for the waterfalls — about 40-60 THB per person per waterfall (Thai rate), children half price
  • 6-7 meals — around 900-1,500 THB depending on how much seafood you order
  • Fuel / shared songthaew on the island — if you don't have a car, budget about 50-100 THB per songthaew trip
  • On the budget end it comes to about 2,800-3,800 THB per person (not counting fuel from Bangkok)

Can you do it without your own car?

You can, but a nature trip like this is harder by songthaew than a beach-only one, because the waterfalls are on opposite sides of the island and the songthaews don't run to every one of them. The easy way is to rent a motorbike on the island (around 200-300 THB/day) to ride between the beaches and the falls — but the cross-island road winds and climbs steeply, so if you're not used to mountain roads, it's better to charter a songthaew by the trip, or just stick to Klong Plu, which is close to the beach.

The best time for a nature trip

The waterfalls are at their prettiest and fullest in late rainy season, Sep-Nov, but the sea is rough and murky then. If you want both full waterfalls and clear sea, November is the sweet spot where the two overlap. In the dry season (Mar-Apr) the sea is very clear but some waterfalls run low, so leaning on Klong Plu, which runs year-round, is the safer bet.

Want to see beachfront places on Koh Chang before you book, or plan the whole trip?

See the Trat travel guide →

FAQ

Do the waterfalls on Koh Chang run year-round?

Klong Plu runs almost year-round, so you can swim there even in the dry season. Than Mayom and Khiri Phet are fullest in late rainy season (Sep-Nov) and drop in the dry months. If you're going in Mar-Apr, it's safer to focus on Klong Plu.

Is there a park entry fee to visit the Koh Chang waterfalls?

Yes, because the waterfalls sit inside Mu Ko Chang National Park. The fee for Thai visitors is around 40-60 THB per waterfall, with children at half price. Keep your ticket in case staff ask to check it.

Is Klong Plu Waterfall a long walk, and is it OK with kids?

It's about an 800-metre walk in from the car park on a gentle trail, so it's fine with kids. The lower tier has a pool to swim in with pleasantly cool water. Wear shoes with grip, as the trail is dirt mixed with rock.

How are Than Mayom and Khiri Phet different from Klong Plu?

Than Mayom is on the east side behind the park headquarters, with several tiers and fewer people, plus a stone inscription with the royal cipher from a royal visit. Khiri Phet is in the south near Salak Phet village — little known and the quietest of all. Both suit people who prefer quiet forest over the busier Klong Plu.

How many days do you need for a Koh Chang nature trip?

Three days and two nights is about right, since the waterfalls are on opposite sides of the island and you need to allow time to cross it. You can cover the main falls — Klong Plu, Than Mayom, and Khiri Phet — and alternate them with evening swims, without rushing yourself out.

Related

🗺️ Trat Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Hotels in Trat🐘 The Full Koh Chang Guide

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