| Made up of fifty-two islands, there are plenty of | | | | makes the area a firm favourite amongst those |
| places to visit within the Ko Chang National Marine | | | | who enjoy fishing. |
| Park besides Ko Chang itself. Due to their | | | | Ko Sai Khao |
| protected status these islands offer some of the | | | | From the southern tip of Ko Chang at Ao Salak |
| best and well preserved wildlife in all of Thailand. | | | | Petch it is possible to reach the small island of Ko |
| The area's naturally mountainous landscapes and | | | | Sai Khao. The island's many coconut trees gave it |
| rainforests make for a dramatic skyline filled with | | | | its original name of Ko Phrao, although more |
| a stunning array of majestic cliff-tops presiding | | | | recently it has taken the name of Ko Sai Khao |
| over the many white beaches and permanently | | | | meaning 'White Island' after its beaches' pristine |
| turquoise seas. | | | | white sand. During low tide this white sand forms |
| It has been agreed that any land that was planted | | | | a giant sand dune that is quite spectacular. A large |
| before the assignment of the area's national park | | | | concrete pier allows the island to be easily |
| status in 1982 can be bought and used for private | | | | approached by boat and this pier also provides |
| development but this is only about 15% of the | | | | clear views over the whole area. There is also a |
| total land available. Development has also been | | | | paved path alongside the beach which makes for |
| carefully restricted and as such many of the | | | | a pleasant seaside walk whilst admiring the |
| islands are totally uninhabited. Only ten of the | | | | beautifully clear blue waters. Limited |
| park's islands offer overnight accommodation. On | | | | accommodation is available on the island at the Ko |
| some this may be no more than a basic beach | | | | Sai Khao Resort which offers beach bungalows to |
| bungalow for about ten US dollars a night, whilst | | | | full board guests only. |
| other islands are equipped with resorts providing | | | | Ko Laoya |
| an extremely high level of luxury and may cost | | | | Heading further south from Ko Sai Khao lies a |
| up to 100 US dollars per night. At the cheaper | | | | cluster of three small islands known collectively as |
| establishments it is possible to just turn up and | | | | Ko Laoya and individually as Ko Laoya Nai, Ko |
| find a room whereas the more exclusive resorts | | | | Laoya Khlang and Ko Laoya Nok. These islands |
| tend to cater more to visitors who have | | | | share a fertile green rainforest surrounded by long |
| pre-booked their accommodation with package | | | | white beaches and remarkably clear blue waters |
| tour-operators. This is a particularly good option | | | | filled with impressive coral reefs. The islands of Ko |
| for those who are looking for a secluded spot | | | | Laoya Nai and Ko Laoya Khlang are connected by |
| away from the crowds as most package deals | | | | a small wooden bridge and nearby the Laoya |
| will include boat transport directly to the resort's | | | | Resort offers accommodation to full board |
| private beach as well as day-trips to the | | | | guests. |
| surrounding attractions and smaller islands. | | | | Ko Wai |
| Following is a list of the best of the smaller islands | | | | Continuing south, Ko Wai has become famous for |
| that the Ko Chang National Park has to offer: | | | | its collection of rare corals which are in excellent |
| Ko Chang Noi / Laem Chang Noi | | | | condition and can be easily admired by snorkellers |
| The closet of the smaller islands to the arrival | | | | and divers alike who come to these shallow |
| port of Ao Sapparot, Ko Chang Noi is situated | | | | waters to see the area's huge two kilometre |
| near the north-western tip of Ko Chang and the | | | | reefs. Fishing is also a popular activity here as the |
| bay of Chang Noi (Laem Chang Noi). Although | | | | large rocks are home to a wide variety of large |
| both the bay and the island are made up of rocks | | | | fish. The island is quite big in size but the northern |
| rather than sand, the appeal to this area is the | | | | beach is the most popular as this is where the |
| stretch of water joining them which is home to a | | | | best beaches and corals can be found. There is a |
| fabulous and pristine coral reef ideal for snorkelling | | | | choice of two places to stay with the Ko Wai |
| and admiring the abundant marine life. For visitors | | | | Pakarang Resort offering luxurious rooms to full |
| who wish to stay in this area the Aiyapura Resort | | | | board guests and the Ko Wai Paradise Resort |
| and Spa is a five star resort offering guests | | | | offering cheaper and more basic beach bungalows. |
| luxurious rooms with delightful views looking over | | | | Ko Mai Dang |
| the island. | | | | Just east of Ko Wai, Ko Mai Dang is a much |
| Ko Yuak, Ko Man Nai, Ko Man Nok | | | | smaller island but in its favour it offers a serene |
| Following the western coast of Ko Chang and | | | | tranquillity that makes it a fantastic place to camp. |
| heading south there is a cluster of small islands | | | | Other attractions include a well-preserved coral |
| which can be seen from Ko Chang's Khlong Prao | | | | reef, good fishing waters and sandy beaches. |
| and Kai Bae beaches (creating a spectacular view | | | | Ko Ngam |
| during sunsets). Due to their small size and close | | | | A short distance off the southern tip of Ko Chang |
| proximity to Ko Chang these islands make ideal | | | | lies the small but very unique Ko Ngam. Almost |
| day trips but do not offer their own | | | | two separate islands, Ko Ngam is held together |
| accommodation. | | | | by a thin sand dune which divides two beautiful |
| Of these smaller islands Ko Yuak has a small | | | | natural lagoons filled with an abundance of corals |
| sandy beach with shallow waters making it a good | | | | and colourful marine life, making it an ideal spot |
| spot for snorkelling, whilst the neighbouring Ko | | | | for swimming, snorkelling and fishing. It is even |
| Plee and Ko Suwan have rocky shores. | | | | possible to see dolphins swimming here. |
| Nonetheless snorkelling around this area is still a | | | | There are a number of fresh water pools inland |
| real treat as their is an abundance of marine life | | | | and during the rainy months a waterfall forms in |
| to be found amongst these rocks. Furthermore, | | | | the hills of Ko Ngam. Indeed after cooling off in |
| close to Ko Suwan there is a small island known | | | | the sea it is possible to make the one hundred |
| only as Ko Rom or 'Umbrella Island' (due to an | | | | metre climb up the hill on the south-western side |
| enormous tree in the centre which takes the | | | | of Ko Ngam. The walk is quite demanding but |
| shape of an umbrella), and in the water | | | | there are rope lines provided to guide the way |
| surrounding this island there are a number of | | | | and the view from the top is spectacular. From |
| extremely bright corals that should not be missed. | | | | here visitors can see all over Ko Laoya, Ko Wai, |
| Directly opposite the beach at Kai Bae lies the | | | | Ko Krada, Ko Mak and Ko Chang itself, and |
| island Ko Man Nai. During low tide this island | | | | naturally this is a stunning place to catch the |
| reveals its sandy beaches and it is so close that | | | | sunset. |
| during this time it is also possible to reach it by | | | | Accommodation on Ko Ngam is ideal for families |
| wading through the waist-deep waters that join | | | | with the Twin Island Resort offering large rooms |
| the island to the Sea View Resort area of Kai | | | | to full board guests. |
| Bae beach. Boats and canoes are also available to | | | | Ko Mai See |
| make the short trip. Next to Ko Man Nai is its | | | | Just south-west of Ko Chang lie the islands known |
| sister island Ko Man Nok which is again reachable | | | | collectively as Ko Mai See. They comprise mostly |
| by walking through shallow waters or taking a | | | | of mountainous rainforest but are also home to a |
| leisurely canoe ride. | | | | number of small fishing villages that gather around |
| Ko Khlum | | | | the sandy shores and coconut groves. Of these |
| Once used as a port by the Thai navy due to its | | | | the beach on Ko Mai See Yai is perhaps the best, |
| sheltered location, Ko Khlum is also a place of | | | | with a wide sandy beach stretching across its |
| historical importance as Thai ships clashed with the | | | | eastern coast. |
| French navy here during France's colonisation of | | | | The options in the Ko Chang National Marine Park |
| Indochina. These days the area has become a | | | | are manifold and when on a trip to Thailand it can |
| popular site for divers who come here to explore | | | | be a very enchanting experience to visit any of |
| the coral reefs submerged under about fifteen | | | | the above places in addition to the typical tourist |
| metres of clear water. Amongst these corals you | | | | destinations. |
| will also find a variety of large fish which also | | | | |