Leisure Island Resorts

The Koh Chang Marine National Park is comprised of 52 islands, all of which are least exposed and best preserved in nature. Rich in rainforests, well-laden with colourful corals, abundantly stocked with healthy marine lives, encompassed by spectacular coastlines, gorgeous landscape, pristine beaches and crystal clear sea, a visit to these islands is a journey back to nature. Fresh, tranquil and laid-back, these islands are most worthy of a holiday. However, only 10 of these islands are facilitated with accommodation which range from the very basic thatched-roof huts of USD 10 a room-night to the more luxurious and sophisticated properties that can cost as much as USD 100 a room-night.

There are also many island resorts that accept only package tours of full board groups because of its exclusiveness and distance from the mainland. These are well-preferred by those who love isolations. They include boat transfers, full meals, some with side trips and usually at least 2 nights accommodation.

Most of the islands have limited or no development at all. Many of them are uninhabited.The following are some of the best favoured islands off the main island of Koh Chang beginning from the north, west and then south of Koh Chang.

KOH CHANG NO[ - LAEM CHANG NOI
Koh Chang Noi is an island off Laem Chang Noi (Chang Noi Cape) which is located at the northwestern tip of Koh Chang. The island is comprised mainly of rocks and forest whereas Laem Chang Noi is a cape of purely rocks with no vegetation at all.

The beauty of this area lies in the seabed between them where you will find splendid unspoilt virgin coral reefs. Facing the island and cape is the new five-star resort known as the Aiyapura Resort & Spa which has well-appointed rooms with a splendid landscape and superb view.

KOH YUAK, KOH MAN NAI. KOH MAN NOK
Off the west coast of Koh Chang are a small group of islands delightfully visible especially from Klong Prao and Kai Bae beaches. These include Koh Yuak which has a small beachfront of sand formed from decayed corals. The water is clear and shallow qualifying it a good snorkeling spot.

From the shores of Klong Prao Resort the islands form a picturesque view especially during sunset. Next to Koh Yuak is Koh Plee and Koh Suwan, both of which have rocky shores. Around the area of Koh Suwan is an unnamed isle which is found to harbour colourful corals about 6 meters deep. Locals call this Koh Rom which means Umbrella Island because of an outstanding beautiful big tree with an umbrella shape. This is a new-found snorkeling site.

Further down south is Koh Man Nai which is directly facing the shores of Kai Bae Beach and very close to the Sea View Resort. The waters between Sea View Resort or Kai Bae Beach and Koh Man Nai is quite shallow. During the low tide when the island bare its lovely sandy beach one can actually walk amid chest-deep waters from the resort to the island.

Another island called Koh Man Nok looks as if it's behind Koh Suwan. It is the twin island to Koh
Man Nai and is linked together by shallow waters with plentiful of gold-coloured seaweed.

KOH KHLUM
Koh Khlum has a historical significance as the battleground between the French and the Thai navies during the French colonization of Indochina. It was also a shelter for the Thai naval forces. Koh Khlum is a good dive site especially at the Larn Hin area where you find corals at Hin Look Bard and Hin Larp which are about 10 to 20 meters deep. It is also a great fishing spot with an abundance of larger fishes.

KOH PHRAO or KOH SAI KHAO
This is a small island situated within Ao Salak Petch (Salak Petch Bay). Originally it was known as Koh Phrao because of the long lines of coconut trees on the island. Today, it is more commonly called Koh Sai Khao to reflect the abundance of fine white sand on the island. So abundant is the sand that a sand dune now extends to the sea and is particularly obvious during the low tide. Koh Sai Khao has a scenic view, clean clear seawater and is very serene. A concrete pavement by the seaside allows a pleasant stroll. One side of the island has a concrete bridge which stretches out into the sea and serves as a pier and a great view point.

Koh Sai Khao Resort provides the only accommodation available on the island in the form of bungalow units. Only full board packages are available.

KOH LAOYA
Situated further south of Koh Sai Khao is a group of 3 small islands called Koh Laoya Nai, Koh Laoya Klang and Koh Laoya Nok. They are famous for their long white sandy beaches, sparkling clear seawaters, green forests and an amazingly beautiful coral settlement beneath the shallow, clear seawaters, particularly at Laoya Klang. A wooden bridge links the islands of Koh Laoya Klang to Koh Laoya Nai. Here, you will find the water beneath the bridge surprisingly transparent. There is only one resort here called Laoya Resort which accept only full board packages.

KOH WAI
Koh Wai is a bigger island further south of Koh Laoya with huge bays. The beaches of Koh Wai is beautiful with reddish clean sand, some of which has corals right from the beach, especially the lump corals which are found to be large and in their best of conditions. The northern beach is the most popular due to its long sandy beachfront and healthy corals. Seawater are relatively shallow and snorkeling is a favourite activity as Koh Wai is blessed with a coral reef of up to 2 kms long. Encircling the island are many rocks making it a perfect fishing ground with a great quantity and variety of fishes. There are 2 accommodation to choose from, the Koh Wai Pakarang Resort offering full board packages and the Koh Wai Paradise Resort offering cheap and simple lodgings. Both are bungalow-style resorts.

KOH NGAM
Koh Ngam is an enchanting island just a few hundred meters off the southern coast of Koh Chang. It is a small island with a very narrow sand dune that forms a gorgeous contour holding the northeast and southwest section of the island together. The almost kidney-shaped island would look like 2 separate islands from afar. Besides holding the island in one piece the sand dune created 2 crescent-shaped lagoons which are only 50 meters apart.

The lagoons are excellent for swimming, snorkeling, diving, or fishing. Corals and fishes are aplenty. Occasionally, you may see dolphins in the area. For the more adventurous, a hike up the rocks to a 100 meter-tall hill on the southwest side of the island is both challenging and rewarding. Ropes are provided to guide you. Over the hill is a white sand beach where you will also see plenty of decayed corals.

The beach is an excellent viewpoint for the islands of Koh Wai, Koh Mak, Koh Laoya, Koh Kradad and Koh Chang. It is also a great place to watch the sunset. Koh Ngam is ideal for a family vacation. There is only one resort here, the Twin Island Resort , which offers only full board packages. Fresh-water ponds are found on the island. A waterfall flows across the island during the rainy season.

MOO KOH MAI SEE
This is a group of islands southwest of Koh Chang with unspoilt nature most suitable for swimming and fishing. The islands are made up of mostly mountains and forest with some coconut groves around the fishing villages. Koh Mai See Yai has a splendid sandy beach along its bay on the east.

KOH MAI DANG
A small island east of Koh Wai, Koh Mai Dang is peaceful and tranquil. It's white sandy beaches and unspoilt corals are the main attractions. A great place to fish and camp.

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