ACTIVITIES

Koh Chang Marine National Park offers an array of activities including hiking, elephant trekking, snorkeling, diving, on-shore & deep-sea fishing, boating, mountain biking, motorbiking, or visiting the local villages and waterfalls.

Hiking : The main road west of Koh Chang from Klong Son to Kai Bae is a popular route. The Kai Bae to Bang Bao hike is a challenging experience. Passing through some coconut groves and rubber smallholdings the terrain is steep. Shorter hikes to the waterfalls from their main entrances are gaining popularity. There are footpaths to the waterfalls.

Elephant Trekking : Ban Kwan Chang or the Klong Son Elephant Camp is supported by the Asian Elephant Foundation to provide a natural environment for elephants and their mahouts (Kwan, in Thai). It is located at Klong Son. The camp opens with a half-day tour from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. which include elephant bathing, feeding, performance and a one hour elephant trek into the forest. The cost is 900 Baht inclusive of transportation to and from your resort.

A smaller program at 1:00 p.m. include a 35-minute trek and a 15-minute performance. Fare is 450 Baht inclusive of transportation. For more information contact Koh Chang Lagoon Resort, Ban Pu Koh Chang Resort, Plaloma Resort, Jinda Bungalow, Tantawan Bungalow and Klong Prao Resort.

Boating :
Leisure trips can be arranged at most resorts, beaches, fishing villages and from Laem Ngob. Popular activities are snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. There are establishments along the White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae and Bang Bao that organise boat trips in groups. You can register to join them. The cost is about 400 to 600 Baht per person but there is a minimum required, usually 10 persons, before they embark on a trip. Vanida Tour organises a full day snorkeling trip to Koh Rang, Koh Kra and Koh Wai at 600 Baht per head inclusive of lunch boxes and drinks. Private trips can also be arranged at about 5,000 Baht for a full day of snorkeling.

Speedboats :
Speedboats are available at higher prices. The Klong Prao Resort offers chartered speedboat trips to Koh Yuak at 2,500 Baht or a 4-island package at 8,000 Baht. There are some resorts on other islands such as Koh Kood, Koh Mak, Koh Ngam, etc., that include boat trips on their package rates. For the coastlines, try the sea-canoe which cost only about 100 Baht an hour and can be found along the beaches and some resorts.

Snorkeling & Diving :
Koh Chang Marine National Park offers some of the most delightful dive & snorkeling sites. The best dive season starts from October / November to April. The best sites are on the west and south of Koh Chang where the abundance of techni coloured, healthy and unspoilt corals and the great diversity of fish are the main draw. Popular sites include the Ao Klong Son, Koh Yuak, Koh Man Nai, Koh Man Nok, Hin Larp, Hin Sam Sao, Hin Look Bard, Hin Run Taek, Koh Rom, Koh Wai, Koh Ngam, Koh Rang, Koh Laoya, Koh Mai Si Lek, Koh Raet, Koh Mak, Koh Kham, Koh Rayang Yai, Koh Kra, Koh Thong Lang, Koh Thian, and Koh Yak.

There are 2 wreck dive sites. The Koh Chang Wreck is a Thai warship sunken by the French Navy. The wreck lies in shallow waters near the Salak Petch Bay, south of Koh Chang.

The other wreck that has been making headlines recently is the Pak One Wreck. This was the 900-tonne sunken tanker that was called the Vertical Wreck. Pak One sank after hitting a coral reef in August 1996 on its way to Vietnam. It resurfaced on February 6 this year and drifted bow-upwards into international waters, where it poses a danger to passing ships. The Thai Navy had drained off its 600 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas and resank it between Koh Chang and Koh Samet. It now lies horizontal, in 35-meter deep waters.

There are a few diving centers on Koh Chang such as Koh Chang Divers on White Sand Beach, Sea Horse Dive Center on Kai Bae Beach, Paradise Scuba Divers at the Klong Prao Resort and Eco-Divers which operates from Ban Pu Koh Chang Resort at White Sand Beach and Boutique Resort & Health Spa at Klong Prao. A couple of dive centers operate out of Koh Mak.

Eco-Divers specializes on PADI courses for the novice up to professional levels. Boat trips to various dive sites ranges from 1,300 Baht to 2,000 Baht depending on distances. Snorkeling trips is 645 Baht. All trips include 2 dives, full equipment, transportation, food & drinks and a Divemaster.

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