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Situated about 30 minutes speedboat ride from Laem Ngop Pier on the mainland, Koh Wai is a tiny island of 2 to 3 kilometres long by the same again wide.

Despite having no villages, shops, local houses, roads, vehicles or mains electricity, there are four places to stay, a mixture of backpacker style thatch huts and simple resort-style bungalows.

A handful of lovely small beaches line its north shores, with a simple coastal path connecting them together, a walk of no more than 30 minutes. The interior and other coasts are untouched forest.

Not surprisingly, given its location, shallow waters and white sands, Koh Wai is immensely popular with snorkeling boat trips coming out from Koh Chang and it does get crowded at certain times of day. Heading further south, Koh Mak is 30 minutes away by speedboat and Koh Kood 90 minutes.

Getting to Koh Wai is relatively straightforward if you get your timings in order – it’s outlined in brief here and then in more detail over on the main page here.

Koh Wai Bungalows and Resorts

With just 4 resorts on Koh Wai, let’s be straight with one another…you’re not spoilt for choice. 

The cheaper bungalows are basic – mattress, net, outside bathroom or if an inside bathroom, then that too is rudimentary (cold water, bucket flush toilet). 

The more expensive resorts can boast all day electricity but please keep your expectations firmly grounded. Yes, they are a step up from the huts but don’t for one moment imagine these are little boutiques hidden away on a tropical island – it’s adequate and no more.    

  • Paradise Bungalows – from 500bt to 900bt for 2 person, 900bt for 3/4 person, both with shared bathroom, electricity from 18.00 to 23.00, no WiFi. Handful of ensuite rooms, fan, electricity all day, 2 person at 1,200bt and 4 person at 2,000bt.
  • Good Feeling – 900bt small room, 1,200bt larger room, some ensuite too,  electricity 18.00 to 22.00, no Wifi
  • Ao Yai Ma (Grandmar Huts) – from 350bt, shared and ensuite bathrooms, huts at 800bt, no WiFi, electricity 18.00 to 21.00
  • Pakarang Resort – fan and a/c, ensuite, 700bt to 2,500bt (family rooms), WiFi, electricity all night
  • Koh Wai Beach Resort –  on the next cove around so only accessible by boat, fan and a/c bungalows, similar prices to Pakarang, usually booked as packages. No WiFi, electricity all night  Closed

Recommended: Ao Yai Ma (Grandmar Huts)

You can get mobile coverage all over, so make sure your phone package has a generous data allowance (for internet access). Only Pakarang Resort has WiFi.

For more details, head on over to the main page here.

Koh Wai Map

Transfers, Speedboats, Bus, Trat Airport

Head to this section for our detailed guide to the different options for getting to Koh Wai.

Here’s an outline of what’s on offer for you:-

Getting to Laem Ngop Pier

  • Private SUV or minibus transfers, door to pier service from Bangkok hotels and Airports, from 3,800bt to 4,500bt.
  • 05.00 public bus (Cherdchai) at 279bt from Ekamai and change at Saen Tung  Junction to a songthaew to Laem Ngop Pier or continue onto Trat and take a songthaew from there. 
  • The 05.00 microbus (Kohchang Bangkok Transport Co), from Ekamai or Morchit, 290bt to Trat but change at Saen Tung.
  • Night bus at 23.30 (Cherdchai) from Ekamai to Trat, arriving early morning. Breakfast in Trat and then a songthaew to Laem Ngop (60bt per person but minimum charge applies).
  • Any bus from Ekamai during the day and spend a night in a Trat or Laem Ngop guesthouse.
  • Fly to Trat Airport with the PG305 landing at 13.40 (winter timetable 28/10/24 to 30/3/25) or PG307 landing at 17.15, car to Trat or Laem Ngop, stay a night and then continue in the morning.

From Laem Ngop Pier to Koh Wai

  • Daily speedboat with Koh Wai Paradise at 11.30, 09.30 back, 450bt per person, kids under 120cm at 300bt, kids 1 to 3 at 150bt.  
  • Island hopping between Koh Wai and Koh Chang, Koh Mak or Koh Kood, 300bt to 1,000bt depending on your hop and speedboat or wooden boat – not available, May to October.

Other Options

  • Day Trips – as part of the 3 island trip with Koh Laoya and Koh Klum – speedboat or wooden boat, private or join.
  • 1/2 day special just for Koh Wai, where you leave on the wooden island hopping service at 09.00 from Koh Chang, arriving at Koh Wai at 10.00. It picks you up again on its return leg from Koh Kood at 15.00, arriving Koh Chang at 16.00 – not available, May to October.

You can Contact Us to book private transfers (+ speedboat) to and from Laem Ngop pier as well as either of the day trips.

We can also help with your planning as you combine a Koh Wai holiday with a trip to Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Koh Mak or Cambodia.

Koh Wai Beaches

We take you on a tour down the handful of little beaches on the north coast of Koh Wai.

Each resort sits on its own beach so we give you the rundown on what’s on your doorstep – hidden coves, snorkeling spots, daytrippers and sunsets. 

UPDATED November 2024

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