White Sand Beach – Koh Chang Beaches

With its great stretch of sand, White Sand Beach is the most touristy of the Koh Chang beaches.

Accommodation

For accommodation, you have the full range on choices on offer. For luxury, look no further than KC Grande Resort, one of the best resorts on the island. Alongside that, there’s other great choices either on the beach (Kacha, Banpu, Apple Beachfront) or seafront (Chang Buri, Grand View) and a selection of smaller hotels such as The Erawan, Du Talay and Alina. 

In the cheaper price range, bungalows include Sangtawan, Sang Arun, Sai Khao Inn, Para and White Sand Beach Resort. Hidden away at at the northern end, literally on the sand, you’ll also find a unique backpacker area (Rock Sand Inn, Maylamean, Pen’s), which is complimented by another collection inland (Tuk Tuk, Island Lodge) and even some long stay options up the hill in the south.

Restaurants and Nightlife

White Sand Beach restaurants cover everything from cheap Thai (Jinda, Beach Tango, Kapow, Kin Dee) to Italian (Papa If Baffo, Bella Vita, Ciao, Piatto Ricco), Turkish (Alaturka) , Indian, steaks and breakfasts (15 Palms, Buffalo Bill’s), beach BBQ’s (Grand Lagoon, Sea Bar, Sangtawan), coffee shops (Marin, Tastory, Sahngdad) and a nightly street food market.

Nightlife revolves around a couple of nightclubs (Sabay Bar, Babylon), live music at Oodies,  a sports pub (White Elephant), a few beach bars (Mac Bar, 15 Palms, Tapas) and streetside bars (Some Mao, Zap) and a zoned strip of beer bars (girls for company) at the southern end.

Other

Finally, White Sand Beach is home to all you are likely to need while on you break – everything from banks, exchanges and ATMs, to massage, minimarts and pharmacies. Alongside them, you’ll find larger gift stores (Findig), smaller shops for beachware and souvenirs, several 7-11s, the huge Makro Food Centre, Mini Big C, computer and phone shops, motorbike rentals and multiple tour agents.

Lonely Beach

Lonely Beach, most famous for its nightlife, stands proudly as the party and travellers’ area among the Koh Chang beaches.

It’s split between a small but excellent little beach, the slowly developing Lonely Beach (LB) Complex and the main village, with its Khao San Road vibe.

Accommodation

On the beach there are just a three resorts, Siam Beach, Bhumiyama Beach Resort and Nature.

Up in the actual village, meanwhile, you have a whole host of options from great affordable bungalows (Oasis, Magic Garden, Beach Jungle, Seaflower, Paradise Cottage, Blue Sky, Slumber Party) to guesthouses (Moondance, Carpe Diem, Cafe del Sunshine, Ploy, Easy Life, Jungle Fever) and even two small boutique style resorts (Warapura, Navagio). At the far southern end,  Nest Sense,  is the go-to resort for more upscale pool villas.

Restaurants

The LB Complex between the village and the beach is now home to a bit of a nascent restaurant scene with two diners on the seafront specialising in seafood – Por Par and Coco .

In the village, you can choose from a handful of cheap and cheerful restaurants scattered along the main street and down little lanes, Soi 1 and Soi 2, as well as in the bungalow resorts themselves. It’s standard traveller fare but Cafe del Sunshine, Knife and Fork at Magic Garden, Roxy Bar at Warapura and Easy Life are ones to look out for.

Nightlife

As for nightlife, on Soi 1 Himmel and Ting Tong mix the drinks and play the tunes till late into the night. Other smaller bars like X Bar are around and about too, whilst you can find live music too at Nhings and Rock Alonely on Soi 2.

Meanwhile back at that LB Complex, Titanic, a converted boat no less, serves up cocktails by the sea, with Beautiful Bar, Mimo Tree, its sister Mimo Bar and the reggae joint, Rude Boy, as company. There’s also a few beer bars on the entrance road if that is your thing.

Down on the beach itself, head up the far end for the beach bars – all ramshackle affairs of reclaimed wood and wonky chairs – the popular Lonely Beach Bar, yet another Mimo iteration and Life’s a Beach. Nature, bang kin the centre, too always draws a crowd.

Other

Lonely Beach also has a thiving tattoo scene, massage, minimarts, ATM’s and ticket agents.

Klong Prao Beach

Klong Prao Beach, the largest area of the Koh Chang beaches, has a lovely long 3km + stretch of white sand beach, split by two inland rivers or klongs as they are known.

Accommodation

It has the highest concentration of larger resorts and hotels on Koh Chang – The Dewa, Santhiya Tree, Dinso Resort and Villas (opening late 24, the old Emerald Cove), Centara Tropicana, The Splash,  Aana, Annika to name a few – but with plenty of other smaller hotels (Vayna Boutique, The Gallery), cheaper bungalows (Iyara Boty, Papaya Cottage, Tropical Paradise, Jungle View), a few villas, guesthouses (Ban Rim Nam, Watercolours), traveller accommodation and long stay choices too.

Restaurants and Nightlife

Among its many restaurants, Jae Eew Seafood, Kati Culinary, Baan Ta Klua (in Aana Resort), El Greco, Babylon, Toscana Pizzeria, Bam Issan, Zhong Zhi Pad Pad and Jae Mam Seafood are all recommended.

Klong Prao Beach is not known for its nightlife, so don’t expect beach parties and late nights. Vanilla Sky at the mouth of the northern canal is a lovely spot for a sundowner and in the middle area of the beach, Mandalay, Pilot and Family are the go-to beach bar cafes. You’ll also find a handful of bars on the bend before The Dewa turning and at the far southern end.

Other

Klong Plu Waterfall is well worth a visit and alongside that, there are plenty of other activities –  2 elephant camps, ATV, cooking schools, a gym, frequent night markets and a Muay Thai ring for twice weekly bouts.

Kai Bae Beach

Kai Bae Beach is split into two halves by its river, with the beach great at the northern and southern ends, but rockier on the central section.

Accommodation

Accommodation is across the board, with four high end resorts in Awa Resort, The Chill, The Retreat, Gajapuri Resort and Sylvan. There’s also an excellent choice of 1 to 3 star resorts including KB Resort, Kai Bae Beach Resort, Mam Kai Bae, Koh Chang Grande View, Kai Bae Huts, Coral, The Stage and Baan Sook as well as bungalows (Sea Escape, Sea Breeze, Paradise, Porn’s), guesthouses (Montra, JOP) and even some traveller huts (Patoo).

Restaurants and Nightlife

The narrow main street in Kai Bae Beach is lined with different restaurants, offering everything from Italian to Mexican to BBQ’s and cheap Thai at the large food court – look out for El Barrio, Wine Gallery (mediterrean), Khao Kwan (upmarket Thai), Poke Bowl (vegetarian), Little Italy, Mordi e Fuggi, Baan Kaibae Seafood, Tofu Kitchen (vegetarian), Le Sabai Sabai, Le Krok and in the food court Infinity (all those 3 Thai). For coffee, you are spoilt for choice at Fig, The Mount and View Cafe.

It has a decent nightlife too with the bars of Walking Street at the northern end, Fin cocktail bar, Wine Gallery, the very relaxed Jellyfish, Sun View (beach bar at Patoos), Cabana for sunset (moving to the northern end for 24/25) and Morgan for sports.

Other

By following the road inland at Meechai Elephant Camp, you can seek out a charming one drop waterfall, hidden away deep in the forest. There’s also a Muay Thai ring for bouts and training in the area behind the food court.

Kai Bae Speedboats, the island hoppers, have their base here and of course, there are money exchanges, ATMs, ticket sellers, plenty of massage, a gym and many dope shops.

Chai Chet – Koh Chang Beaches

Chai Chet Beach covers a large area between Pearl Beach and Klong Prao Beach.

Its less attractive northern end combines beer bars with a couple of 2 star resorts, a minibus parking lot and hardware store, whilst the central area is home to two plaza areas – Neighbor and Coconut. Head down to the sea from them though and you reach a stunning beach – blue calm waters and white sands.   

Accommodation

Accommodation is mainly in large resorts by the sea, Koh Chang Paradise Resort, Chai Chet Resort and Flora i Talay but there is an excellent hostel too at Pajamas. The hotel, Paradise Hill shares a water park with its sister resort across the street. At the northern end, too, you can find rooms and bungalows at Kerdmanee and Thai Garden Hill. A few hundred metres before the plazas, Baan Fine Times is known for long stay options,

Restaurants, Nightlife

For restaurants, U-Turn and Gloy offer Thai food at great prices, roadside, at the start of the area, with Siam Kitchen an old stalwart in the central section. In the new Neighbor plaza, Amigos Mexican, Ciao Bella and Daddy’s Craft Beer (burgers, steaks) give you the best western options. Marco’s (Italian) and Signature (seafood), both at the southern end, are the stand-outs.

If the beer bars are not your thing, then head to Malibu in Coconut Plaza or try the in-house bar on the beach  at Flora. If beer bars are you thing, then there are about 20 to choose from, once again at the northern end. Marin has another coffee branch at the front of Coconut Plaza.

Other

You’ll also find ATMs, a 7-11, Tesco Lotus, Thai Immigration (no  good for extensions though) and the Animal clinic. 

Bang Bao Beach

Located at the very end of the south west coast about 2kms past Bang Bao, Bang Bao Beach (Klong Kloi), comprises two areas – a tiny little strand, known as Hat Sai Noi and then the main beach itself.

Hat Sai Noi

Hat Sai Noi is home to just a few places to stay such as Indie Beach, Beach Box, Secret Garden as well as a great beach restaurant, Ido Ido and  long running Thai hippy bar at Djembe. You can walk to the main beach in about 5 minutes.

Accommodation on Bang Bao Beach

On that main beach, accommodation is in one premier resort, Chivapuri Resort and other bungalows such as Yu Yu, Bang Bao Beach Resort, Klong Kloi Cottages, Sea You Place, Seree and Freedom Home, either located on the sand or in the lanes behind.

Restaurants and Nightlife

It’s all low key development but there are a couple of restaurants – Bamboo, The Beach Cafe – outside of the resorts and a decent hang-out bars at Green Garden and Ginger Home (Chan Siam).

Other

This is one of the busier daytime Koh Chang beaches as people come up from Bang Bao and Bailan, but it is very relaxed and chilled out in the evenings.

The abandoned back road to the other side of Koh Chang, Salak Phet, is off the road running behind the beach.

Bailan Beach

Bailan Beach is the the peaceful neighbour to Lonely Beach with local, low key development and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Its beaches at either end of the village are certainly not award winners but you can always hop over to the terrific sands at Lonely Beach.

Accommodation

Accommodation ranges from a the 2 star large hotel, Mercure Hideaway at the southern end to small standard resorts at Bailan Beach Resort and White House. There’s plenty of bungalows and traveller spots too including Harley Moon, Lazy Republique, Cocoon, 3 Trees and Elephant Bay.

Restaurants and Nightlife

There are a few restaurants – Korean at  Kohchang 7, Italian at Lisca Beach, in-house Thai and western at Cocoon or Vanara and a few good cheap Thai diners along the road including Tamarin, J & K and Nanny (Issan).

Nightlife is not really Bailan’s thing – drinks by the sea down at Lisca Beach or at the Mercure are an option or 3 Trees does have a beer garden (and the English football).

Other

The village has ATMs, a laundry, motorbike hire and a couple of minimarts.

Pearl Beach, is located a couple of kilometres past White Sand Beach.

Of the Koh Chang beaches, this is perhaps the least impressive – no sand, mainly shingle and rocks  – but it makes up for that with the great snorkeling offshore. You can easily pop to White Sand Beach too, less than 10 minutes in a taxi.

Accommodation

Accommodation combines private villas – Inspiration, Pearl, Elegance, Tippawan and Supphatra House – with 2 star Thai style resorts – Penny’s, Privilege, Khai Mook – and boutique style at the older resort Keereta or the well maintained Ban Ton Rak. There are also some cheaper bungalows including TP Huts, Alisa (changed hands) and Macura and even a great camping spot on the seafront, Khai Mook Camping. 

Restaurants and Nightlife

By the road, you should try the good cheap Thai food court, but Saffron on the Sea, Tastory and the vegetarian Everflow are the pick of Pearl Beach’s places to eat. For a beer by the sea, head to Sunset Club or PJ’s in Khai Mook Camping or Crazy Mojitos provides a bit of nightlife up on the hill at the start of the village.

Other

Lotus’s and Big C have their main island superstores here (and ATMs) and the Koh Chang post office is at the southern end.

Restaurants

Other

Salak Phet – Koh Chang Beaches

Salak Phet is way down in the south east of the island about 25km from the ferries – on the other side of the bay to Chek Bae.

A local community, its main interests are fruit farming (durian) and fishing, though it does also attract a good deal of Thai tourism on weekends and public holidays.

Accommodation

Accommodation principally comprises Thai homestays on the water but there are a couple of other resorts at Salak Phet Resort, Nanai Resort and Mangrove Hideaway. You can also find a budget spot at Baan Yemaya.

Restaurants

As for restaurants, Salak Phet Seafood, found in the far corner of the bay, is a Trat Province institution, so certainly worth a visit. The popular cafe, Aom’s Bakery, is 500 metres down the path from there too and roadside throughout the area, you’ll also find plenty of tasty and cheap diners.

Other

Salak Phet boasts two waterfalls, Klong Neung and Kheeri Phet, a temple and a mangrove forest, easy to explore via the newly restored walkway. You can also head up to the twin peaks of Salak Phet and Khao Laem mountain which tower over the area.

Though there are no beaches in the immediate area, Salak Phet does lie at the other end of the abandoned back road to Bang Bao Beach on the west coast and this gains you access to the last of the untouched Koh Chang beaches, Wai Chek.

Koh Chang East Coast

Koh Chang East Coast, which runs down the seaboard from the ferries is not a ‘white sand beaches’ part of the island but it still has plenty to offer.

Dan Khao

Dan Khao,  a couple of kilometres on from Trat (formerly Centerpoint Ferry), plays host to an excellent selection of  boutique resorts –  Amber Sands Resort, Serenity Resort and Sunrise Beach – which sit along the gritty red sand beach so typical of this coast. Past them, Baan Talay Thai is another of Koh Chang’s private villa developments, whilst Blessed is an esoteric B & B nearby.

Dan Mai

Dan Mai is next up – it’s the administrative capital, with its temple, hospital, police station and small waterfall. Grande Sun Villas, Siriporn, Baan Chid Talay give you a few accommodation choices.

Passing another waterfall at Than Mayom, you ultimately reach the outskirts of  Salak Khok,  where the wonderfully peaceful boutique retreat, Spa Koh Chang, provides detox programmes. 

Other scattered local communities complete the picture.

Restaurants on the East Coast

Dining wise, there are cheap spots here and there all the way down the east coast, but look out for Dan Mai Somtam (with the chickens on the spit out front) on the way into Dan Mai and Ban Chor Chamuang, local Thai dishes, on the way out. A few kilomteres past Than Mayom Waterfall, you can also get great coffee grown on the island at Baan Kafee. Ronnie Organic opposite is another popular choice.