Private speedboat trips off Koh Chang are a popular day out on the water, giving you the chance to explore the outlying islands, maybe visit some deserted beaches and of course snorkel.
The speedboats come in different sizes according to the size of your group, with capacity for 4 people right up to 30. They have cushion seating at the front and rear but they do not have an on-board toilet.
Speed is what sets them apart from the private wooden boat trips, enabling you to personally tailor the day according to your needs.
4 Island Trip – Private Speedboat Trips
The best snorkeling off Koh Chang is down at the Marine Park at Koh Rang, where tiny islets are scattered offshore from the main island. Some excellent reefs surround these islets, with all manner of corals providing a home to an abundance of fish and underwater life.
Koh Rang itself is uninhabited bar a few government buildings for the Park Rangers and a couple of bungalows which can be booked by the night – in reality they are exclusively used by small groups of Thai tourists.
This is the most popular spot for snorkeling but with an early start from Koh Chang, you arrive before the larger tour boats and for a little while, have the place all to yourself. It’s a great spot for swimming, exploring and relaxing.
Once finished here, you can easily call in at Koh Wai on your way back and even tag on a trip out to more superb reefs at Hin Luk Bat and Hin Rap, the rock pinnacles south of Koh Chang.
3 Island Trip
Another gentle day out is the standard 3 island trip of Koh Laoya, Koh Wai and Koh Klum. You can start early or late, with the first port of call usually at the terrific beach at Koh Laoya, which is also home to a solitary resort.
After looking around here, maybe a swim and a drink, the private speedboat can then whip across to Koh Wai for some snorkeling. After that, you also head to the far end of the Koh Klum, which has its own tiny beach. Finally, you could add Monkey Rock, with its large troop of wild monkeys as the final stop.
Other Places to Visit – Private Speedboat Trips
If you would like to visit a few more spots off the beaten track, then a private speedboat gives you that flexibility.
Using the 3 island as the base for a trip, you may want to start with a visit to Wai Check Beach on Koh Chang’s far west coast. With its untamed natural beauty, it’s a great place to take a stroll with a lagoon at one end.
From Wai Chek, you can continue along the shore to the tip of the island, where Koh Ngam lies a few hundred metres offshore. Koh Ngam is effectively 2 long hilly rocks joined by a thin beach in the middle, which can be accessed from both sides. Comparisons are sometimes made with Koh Phi Phi. You get plenty of time to go ashore to check out the abandoned but well maintained resort. Best of all, you can take a dip in the delightful blue waters.
Continuing on for the day, after a visit to Koh Laoya and Koh Klum, you may stil have time to pop in on the south western coast of Koh Wai. You jmay get thjsio all to yourself as the daytrippers tend to head to the northern shore, home to Koh Wai Paradise.
This little known spot hides away a charming small enclosed bay with a beach at one end, home to a rangers’ station and trails leading to the other side.
Guide Prices for Chartering a Private Speedboat
All private boat trips include lunch, equipment and transfers to and from your resort. What time you start is entirely up to you.
Prices for the basic 3 island trip start at 9,000bt with the 4 person speedboat. Koh Rang is 10,500bt. There would be an additional fee to add Wai Chek and/or Koh Ngam to the 3 island (+1,500bt as a guide price only).
Fees for Koh Laoya, Koh Ngam (200bt per person, kids under 10 1/2 price) and the Marine Park tax at Koh Rang (200bt per person, kids under 10 1/2 price) are additional.
Updated November 22
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