Koh Chang is Thailand’s second-largest island and one of its most varied — 70% of the interior is national park jungle, the west coast has good beaches, and the waters off the southern tip give access to some of the best coral reefs in the eastern Gulf of Thailand. Tours here broadly divide between water-based activities (snorkelling day trips to Koh Rang, diving the HTMS Chang wreck) and land-based ones (jungle trekking, waterfall hikes, elephant encounters). The island’s proximity to Cambodia also makes it the practical launching point for cross-border day excursions.
We have listed the top Koh Chang tours below by activity type. Prices are approximate in THB as of 2026; check at booking as seasonal and group rates apply.
Quick Comparison: Top Koh Chang Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Rang Snorkelling Day Trip | Full day | From THB 1,200 | Snorkellers, families |
| HTMS Chang Wreck Diving | Full day | From THB 2,500 (2 dives) | Certified divers |
| Jungle Trekking Half Day | 4 hrs | From THB 700 | Active travellers |
| Elephant Encounter & Jungle Trek | Full day | From THB 1,800 | Families, wildlife seekers |
| Cambodia Border Day Trip | Full day | From THB 1,500 | Backpackers, border runners |
| Island Hopping to Koh Kood & Koh Mak | Full day | From THB 1,800 | Island explorers |
| Kayaking in Mangroves | Half day | From THB 600 | Beginners, couples |
For Water Activities
Koh Rang Snorkelling Day Trip
Koh Rang is an uninhabited island 30 minutes by speedboat from Bang Bao pier on Koh Chang’s southern tip. The coral reefs around Koh Rang and the adjacent Koh Rang Nok are among the healthiest in the eastern Gulf of Thailand — substantially better than anything accessible from the main beaches. Day trips typically include two to three snorkel stops at different points around the island, a beach break on the island’s white sand beach, and a Thai seafood lunch.
Duration: Full day (departure approximately 08:00 from Bang Bao pier) | Price: from approximately THB 1,200 | Includes: speedboat, snorkelling equipment, Thai lunch, guide | Note: Koh Rang sits within a national marine park; the entry fee (approximately THB 200) is payable on arrival | Best for: families, snorkellers of all ability levels — the reefs are shallow (3–8 metres) and accessible without diving experience
HTMS Chang Wreck Diving
The HTMS Chang, a former US Navy tank landing ship decommissioned and deliberately sunk in 2012, now rests at 14–30 metres off Bang Bao Bay. At 100 metres long it is the largest wreck dive in Thai waters and one of the most visited artificial reef sites in the Gulf. Marine life has colonised the structure comprehensively — scorpionfish, lionfish, moray eels, and schools of batfish are reliably present. The upper sections of the hull are accessible to Open Water divers; the deeper sections and penetrations are for Advanced divers.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately THB 2,500 for 2 dives | Includes: boat, tanks, weights, guide; equipment rental approximately THB 300 extra | Minimum certification: Open Water for upper sections; Advanced Open Water for deeper penetration | Visibility: variable (5–20 metres depending on recent rain and tidal flow)
For Jungle and Wildlife
Half-Day Jungle Trek
Koh Chang’s interior is genuine jungle — the national park covers mountain ridges up to 743 metres, with monitor lizards, macaques, hornbills, and occasional wild boar. Half-day guided treks leave from several guesthouses on the west coast and typically cover 6–8km through secondary forest, passing Klong Plu Waterfall (40m drop, swimmable pool at the base) and climbing to a ridgeline viewpoint. Guides are local and know the wildlife patterns well.
Duration: 4 hours | Price: from approximately THB 700 | Includes: guide, water; national park entry approximately THB 200 extra | Difficulty: moderate — the trails involve elevation gain on uneven paths; standard hiking shoes recommended over sandals | Best time: morning (06:00–10:00) for wildlife sightings and cooler temperatures
Elephant Encounter and Jungle Trek Combo
Several ethical elephant sanctuaries operate on Koh Chang, offering walking experiences (no riding) with rescued working elephants in a jungle setting. The most reputable operations combine a 2–3 hour elephant encounter — feeding, bathing in a river, walking alongside the animals — with a jungle trek component. This is the island’s most popular full-day activity for families.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately THB 1,800 | Includes: transport from west coast beaches, elephant encounter, trekking guide, lunch | What to wear: clothes you can get wet (the river bathing component gets everyone muddy); bring a change | Note: select an operator that does not offer elephant riding — unweighted walking-only operations are the standard for responsible sanctuaries on Koh Chang
Cross-Border Day Trip
Cambodia Border Crossing at Haad Lek
The Haad Lek–Cham Yeam border crossing at the southern tip of Trat province connects Thailand to Cambodia’s coastal province of Koh Kong, and from there to Sihanoukville. Full-day organised tours from Koh Chang handle minivan transport to the border (approximately 2 hours from White Sand Beach), border crossing assistance, and the return journey. These tours suit travellers extending a Thai visa by exiting and re-entering, or travellers combining Thailand and Cambodia in one trip.
Duration: Full day (approximately 10–12 hours) | Price: from approximately THB 1,500 | Includes: minivan transport to and from the border, border crossing guidance | Cambodian visa: available on arrival at the crossing ($30 USD); bring a passport photo | Note: the crossing is a land border — arrival by sea is not permitted. For a genuine day trip into Cambodia, you typically reach Koh Kong town and return without going deeper; Sihanoukville is 5–6 further hours by bus
Island Hopping
Day Trip to Koh Kood and Koh Mak
Koh Kood (Ko Kut) lies 90 kilometres south of Koh Chang and has the clearest water and quietest beaches in the eastern Gulf. High-season speedboat services from Bang Bao pier connect the two islands (approximately 1–1.5 hours), making it possible to spend the morning at Koh Kood’s Klong Chao Beach and return to Koh Chang the same afternoon. Some tour operators combine both Koh Kood and the smaller Koh Mak in a single island-hopping day.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately THB 1,800 | Includes: speedboat, guide; lunch extra at Koh Kood’s beach restaurants | Note: services run primarily November to April; confirm availability outside peak season | Best for: travellers curious about Koh Kood but without enough time for an overnight stay
Kayaking
Mangrove Kayak Tour
The mangrove canal behind Klong Prao Beach on Koh Chang’s west coast is navigable by kayak — the river runs inland through a tunnel of mangrove roots, with kingfishers and monitor lizards common sightings. Half-day guided kayak tours depart from Klong Prao, paddling inland through the canal at high tide when the mangroves are fully accessible, then returning via the beach lagoon. Suitable for beginners.
Duration: 3–4 hours | Price: from approximately THB 600 | Includes: kayak, paddle, life jacket, guide | Best time: morning high tide for maximum mangrove access | Note: the canal is sheltered and calm — this is a relaxed paddling experience, not a physically demanding one
Practical Information
Getting to Bang Bao pier: Bang Bao village on the south coast is approximately 45 minutes from White Sand Beach by songthaew or scooter. Most dive and snorkel tours depart from here. Budget time accordingly if basing yourself on the north beach.
Best season: November to April for diving visibility and calm seas. The island has some exposure to both the northeast and southwest monsoons, making the water less predictable than pure Andaman or pure Gulf islands. December to February is the most reliable window.
What to bring on water tours: Reef-safe sunscreen (required in marine park waters), a dry bag, water shoes for rocky boat entries, and a hat. Bring cash for national park entry fees payable on arrival at Koh Rang.
Booking: Most tour operators work from White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao) and Bang Bao village. Walk-in booking the night before is usually possible outside peak season; advance booking recommended December to February.
Browse all Koh Chang tours and activities
See also: Koh Chang travel guide · Koh Chang vs Koh Lanta · Koh Kood travel guide · Best tours in Thailand