Koh Klum and Koh Man Nai are perhaps the feature islands off Koh Chang but there are many others scattered in all directions north, east, south and west.
- Koh Klum features on the itinerary of many boat tours and now has a resort.
- You can see Koh Man Nai and its neighbours from the central Koh Chang beaches or the Kai Bae viewpoint.
- In the middle of Salak Phet, Koh Sai Khao is highly prominent in all the views from the road to Long Beach.
- Koh Chang Noi is the island at the tip of Koh Chang as you near Thammachat Pier.
Koh Klum and Other Islands
Located a few kilometres out from Bang Bao on Koh Chang, Koh Klum is the first island seen as you leave the harbour proper.
Nearly all the 3 island boat trips and local (as opposed to Koh Rang) private speedboat charters pull in at Koh Klum as one the stops with Koh Wai and Koh Laoya. There is some good snorkeling on its north east tip.
Koom NangPhaya is the solitary resort on the small sandy shingle beach at the southern end.
Koom NangPhaya Resort
Per Night: BBB
Koh Klum (+66 95 496 8962)
Around ten double, triple, deluxe or family bungalows – wooden style with thatch roofs, ensuite bathrooms – are set back under the trees by the sea. Obviously you are out on your own on this deserted island so it’s a quiet retreat but it does have a restaurant, bar and generator electricity. Mobile coverage is good but you need a data package for the internet.
Transfers are at 12.00 with the resort’s own speedboat from Bang Bao Pier, Koh Chang and 11.30 back, 700bt round trip; Free shuttle with each service.
Other Islands near Koh Klum
Koh Maisi Yai, a large and imposing island in the south just beyond Koh Ngam also has an abandoned resort, this one last open for business around 1999. It now houses fishermen and their families in a small community, with stilt houses alongside, and has a much smaller sister island, Koh Maisi Lek, close by.
Together with the forested rock of Koh Chan, which is to their south, you are unlikely to pay any of them a visit unless under your own steam, either by private boat or by kayak.
The same remains true of Koh Bai Daeng which lies further south still, though there did used to be an overnight camping trip, sadly wound down due to lack of interest. The east side of Koh Bai Tang, as you may also see it named, like Koh Laoya, has a lovely stretch of beach and the Marine Park authorities have erected a small ranger station, together with a toilet block and washing facilities but it’s largely abandoned.
Islands off Kai Bae Beach – West Coast of Koh Chang
Off the middle of the west coast, a whole cluster of islands lie off Kai Bae Beach, with Koh Man Nai and Koh Yuak principal among them.
Koh Man Nai is opposite the southern end of Kai Bae and at low tide, with those in June just perfect, it is possible to wade across, though underfoot is rather rough and jagged.
Kayaking is a much better option and then you can visit the other little isles behind, Koh Man Nok, Koh Pli and Koh Yuak. Koh Yuak has a small beach on its east coast, with excellent shallow water snorkeling just offshore. Nor Nou Kai Bae Huts Speedboat also do half day trips, private from 5,000bt (4 pax) as does Sea Adventures, the catamaran join boat trip, 2,200bt per person, kids 5 to 11 at 1/2 price.
Further north, sits Koh Rom, r(l)om, meaning umbrella or shade with the tree atop providing the name, whilst the rock of Koh Suwan is just next door. This too is an easy kayak from Kai Bae, its nice snorkeling around and about making the effort well rewarded.
All of these islands form a majestic sight from the viewpoint at the start of the hill from Kai Bae Beach to Lonely Beach, a photograph that captures perfectly the beauty of Koh Chang.
