Travel, Holiday and Vacation Reviews and Photos from Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Destinations around the World.
This photo Serial shows Pictures from colorful marine life in warm tropical sea water. All pictures i did with my Casio Digital Camera Ex-Z 1000 on Scuba Dives in Southeast Asia. If you have any questions about diving just sent a email to me.
Lionfish
Tulamben – Bali – Indonesia
Vase Coral
Marine National Park – Koh Chang – Thailand
Manta Ray
Nusa Penida – Bali – Indonesia
Humphead Parrotfish
Iron Cape – Pulau Perhentian – Malaysia
Anemonefish
Pulau Langkawi – Malaysia
A Fish School
Koh Phi Phi – Thailand
Mantis Shrimp
Nusa Penida – Bali – Indonesia
Sugar Wreck
Perhentian Islands – Malaysia
Leaf Scorpionfish
Chrystal Bay – Bali – Indonesia
For more Picture Serials click here.
Here you get travel Reports and Pictures from Southeast Asia.
Koh Phi Phi Don
2006 Marius and I visited on our Thailand travel tour the island Koh Phi Phi in the Andaman Sea. This beautiful island belongs to Thailand’s Krabi province. My first time on this Island was in April 06 when I was on holidays at Phuket. Here at Koh Phi Phi are two islands. Ko Pi Pi Leh and the habitat island Koh Phi Phi Don. On Ko Leh are no guesthouses, resorts or hotels. Just some rangers of Thailand’s Marine National Park living here in tents. The only constant habitats are the monkeys, snakes, spiders and birds. Phi Phi Leh is famous for Maya Bay which is the amazing beach from the American movie “the Beach” with Leonardo Di Caprio. This beautiful Asian spot you can reach easy by speedboat from the pier on Phi Phi Don.
Monkeys on Ko Phi Phi
The island is nearly perfect for water activities like scuba diving and snorkeling. In the small village are many scuba dive centers who offer dive trips to the marine national park. I did here two fun dives with “South Siam Divers”. The service and the food on board of this luxury dive boat were excellent and the crew had an open ear for all questions. On my first dive we were at the “Bida Nok” dive site were we seen a leopard shark and a sea turtle. The scuba dive was 45 minutes long and my maximum deep was 25 meter. The second dive site was “Bida Nai”, here we was 48 minutes on 20 meters. On the 2nd dive spot we saw allot of colorful marine life. The visibility was not that nice, we had about 8 meters on the first and 10 meters on the second dive here at the Koh Phi Phi National Park in Thailand.
Leopard Shark
Maya Bay is amazing but the other beaches on the island are as well beautiful but a bit busy. The archipelago is one of the most visited destinations in southeast Asia. Two years after the tsunami 2004 the most hotels and resorts was already rebuild. We were staying on the quiet Hat Yao beach in the Phi Phi Paradise Perl Resort. This resort offered for 400 Thai Baht a massive room with fan and an own bathroom. The restaurant offer delicious sea and Thai food. The balcony of this resort is direct on the Andaman Sea with view on Koh Phi Phi Leh. Our second night we spent as well on the Hat Yao beach but in the “Phi Phi Long Beach” guest house. The small beach huts with own Toilet and shower was 300 Baht per night. This beach is much quieter than the Hat Hin Khom beach in the AoTon Sai bay.
Landscapes of Koh Phi Phi Don
From the Ton Sai village there is no real way to the Had Yao paradise beach. If you want to stay on this or on the Hat Ranti beach you have to climb thou the jungle or the easier way is by a long tail boat from the main pier. The Thai fisherman’s bring you for small money from the Ton Sai village to the beaches on the east coast of this tropical Island in Thailand. The highlight was the scuba diving and the sunset behind the chalk mountains. The landscapes on Koh Phi Phi are unique! Visit this beauty destination in Thailand. For more information about this tropical archipelago read the Lonely Planet for Thailand or southeast Asia.
Sunset on Phi Phi Island
The Islands at Krabi province count to the beauties I ever saw and it’s one of the “must see” destinations for every traveler or backpacker. For people who want to do beach holiday, Pi Pi Don offer a great choice of high-class hotels with swimming pool and everything what you need on vacations.
Koh Phi Phi Hotel deals
Picture of Koh Tao
In 2006 Marius and I was during our south Thailand travel tour on Koh Tao. We come by ferry from Koh Samui to this Island in the Gulf of Thailand. Ko Tao is one of the most popular diving destinations in southeast Asia. Our first station was at the north of this tropical island. On the Leam Nam Tok you don’t have any street and no electric. We choose the CFT Here and Now guest house. This hostel is direct in the tight jungle. When we arrived it was about 4 pm. We bring our back bags in our bungalow and go back to the restaurant of this small possibility to stay. From the balcony of these simple huts we had a really nice view to the small island Ko Nang Yuan. For swimming it’s not the best place, the way to the water is difficult to walk. You have to climb over big squeeze rocks.
Cancers at north Koh Tao
After two nights we traveled to the south of Koh Tao. Here are many tourists and it’s croudy. Many scuba diving schools are located here on the Ao Chalok Ban Kao. On this beautiful but busy beach we were staying in the “Sunset” Guesthouse. We paid here 500 Thai Baht for two people in a good wooden bungalow with fan and sea view. On our balcony we had a hang mate where I was sleeping once under a mosquito net. Here it was windy because it was close to the sea.
The Sunset Restaurant
I did here my first two fun dives ever. I choose the Scuba Shack dive school. The service was ok and the divemaster was friendly. The dive sites where I have bin was Ao Leuk and Rocky Bay. First we decide to go to the shark point dive site, but the current was to strong and the Gulf of Thailand was too wavy. Our visibility was around 10 – 12 meters of this day. On the way back to the “Sunset” Guesthouse we enjoyed the nice view over the sea from a view point close to the Ao Chalok Ban Kao. In the evening we had dinner at our hostel, the restaurant offered Thai and Farang Food for a good price and in a nice atmosphere. The balcony of the Sunset Restaurant is direct on the sea and you can listen to the ocean sound.
View Point Koh Tao
After some days we traveled back to the mainland by a night boat. The ferry brings us direct to the pier from Surat Thani. From here we took a public bus to a small village in Thailand. The name of this small southeast Asian city is Sichon.
Travel from Surat Thani to Samui
The island Koh Samui belongs to the Kingdom of Thailand in southeast Asia. Many tourists, backpacker and travelers come here every year for holiday. I was here with a friend from Germany on our Thailand travel tour in 2006. We was staying at the “New Hut” guest house on Hat Lamai Beach in the south of the island. The hostel is direct on the beach with view over the Gulf of Thailand. The main Beach on Ko Samui is the Hat Chaweng Beach in the north east. Here are many guesthouses, hotels and resorts. The island is busy compared to other islands like Koh Chang. But still many people enjoy here the tropical Asian sun. Hat Chaweng have many possibilities to go out, eat or relax on a hotel pool.
New Hut Guest house
At New Hut we meet some travelers from Australia and Europe. One evening we took a taxi to a Reggae Pub in the north at the main beach. It was nice but we was happy that we don’t stay at the Chaweng holiday village with many Bars, Restaurants and Souvenir shops. We took a ferry from Surat Thani to the Na Thon Pier. There waiting many taxis who bring you to every place on the island, like everywhere in Thailand is is easy here to find transport. Once we was visiting the Nam Tok Na Muang Waterfall. This Waterfall is easy to reach by taxi. The taxi driver took you out about 500 meter away from the fall.
Na Muang Waterfall
From here it’s a pleasant walk threw the jungle of Koh Samui. The water falls down from about 80 meter in a natural Pool where you can swimming. If you want you can climb up next to the fall to see nice jungle pools with many crabs and fishes on top from the Na Muang. Many butterfly’s let you feel like in paradise. Many people decide to make a Padi diving course. The most scuba schools here in the gulf of Thailand go to dive sites around Koh Tao and in the Ang Thong Marine National Park. In 2006 a Padi Open Water Diver Course cost about 10000 Thai Baht. For fun diving with a boat it was 3000 Baht per day (two dives). The diving in the Koh Samui area is famous for black tip reef sharks and whale sharks in the season. The prices are mostly including pick up from your hotel or guest house and full scuba dive equipment.
Buffalo on Ko Samui
We was leaving from Samui from the pier on the big Buddha beach to Koh Tao. We enjoyed Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s busy but still here are some nice areas to relax. Our highlight was for sure the huge Waterfall in the heart of the beautiful island under the sun of Siam.
Koh Samui Hotels and Accommodation
2004 I was with some friends for holidays in the Republic of Dominican at Punta Cana Beach. This trip was my first time in Central America. I had a direct flight from Frankfurt in Germany to Punta Cana International Airport with the German LTU Airline. I was staying at the Riu Naiboa Hotel in the Riu Resort at Punta Cana. This Hotel was clean and has everything what you need on vacation: air-condition, minibar, TV and a balcony with swimming pool view. The all inclusive of this Riu Hotel was perfect. Cocktails, Beers, mini bar fill up 24 hours, fresh fruit juices, all you can eat buffets and as well snorkeling gear was all inclusive. Just in the Pacha Discotheque witch belongs to the Resort you have to pay your drinks.
International Airport
Our favorite drink was Cuba Libre (rum and coke) and Coco Loco (crazy coconut) witch is a fresh coconut with Brugal Rum inside. You can ask the gardeners for a fresh coconut. For one dollar tip the locals from the Caribbean climb up a palm to take a nut. The Brugal Rum you can take out of your all inclusive minibar at your room. My beer recommendation is the local Presidente beer from the DomRep. If you want to go snorkeling don´t forget bananas to feed the fishes! Many scuba diving schools offer wreck diving on the wreck near the coast of this spot in the Caribbean’s. I don’t hat a scuba license when I stayed in the Dominican Republic, but the snorkeling here is as well good in front of the white hotel beach.
Punta Cana Beach
The booking office in the walking street of the Riu resort offers nearly all kind of daytrips. We was sailing once with a catamaran boat to the beautiful island Saona. Don’t forget sun crème on this trip! The white beach of this island in the Caribbean is perfect, some palms spent you shadow while you watch the turquoise blue water of the Caribbean Sea.
Saona
If you get hot you can refresh yourself by a Cuba libre from a small beach bar or just jump inside the warm water of the sea. I think if we had a Lonely Planet travel guide we where traveling more around. So we did just two daytrips and the rest of the holidays we spent on a cocktail bar or in the Pacha Discotheque of Punta Cana. The second daytrip was to a mangrove forest. Some fisherman’s was fishing crabs. A beautiful travel highlight!
Mangrove Forest
If you take a walk on the perfect Caribbean beach of the Dominican Republic, You will recognize the beautiful souvenir shops under the palms. Here you can buy cigarettes, t-shirts, towels and rum. But be careful, originals are rare. The most, when not all t-shirts and textiles are copies and maybe you get in trouble if you take it back to your home. As well the beach shop names are copies like Aldi Nord which is actually a supermarket in Germany.
Shops at Punta Cana
I like the Caribbean’s because of the perfect beaches like in a picture book and the tropical and friendly weather. The Riu Resort at Punta Cana direct on the Caribbean Sea offer a good all inclusive service. The Republic of Dominican in America is a good travel destination for singles, couples and families.
Temple on Bali
Middle 2007 i was in for two weeks on Bali in Indonesia for travel. I arrived at Denpasar near Kuta beach where i was staying 2 nights at the Poppies Gang 2 in a guest house. Kuta Beach is a party village. Nearly everywhere are bars, hotels, surfboard rental, restaurants, “massage” shops, disco´s and scuba dive schools. The most of the young travelers are Australians who come here to south Bali for holidays. A lot of them are here for surfing because the Indian Ocean have nice waves to surf and the bars give good options for party. My next destination was Sanur Beach witch is much more relax than Kuta. The most tourists here at the Badung strait are Families and Couples.
Beach on Nusa Penida
From here i did a day trip to Padangbai where i did with “Absolute Scuba Bali” two dives at Nusa Penida and one dive at the”Blue Lagoon” dive site near Padangbai. The first dive was on the “Manta Point” at Penida Island. It was amazing! We was just 12 meters deep when we saw six big Manta Rays. The biggest was about 4 meters long and 6 meters wide. Four of this huge fishes was in a group and circle around us during the 5 meters safety stop.
Scuba Diving on Bali
On the second dive at “Chrystal Bay” I saw many colorful fishes and nice marine life. The water temperature of the sea was 26 degrees, a bit colder than on my home Koh Chang, but still perfect for tropical scuba diving. At this time i was an Padi Advanced Open Water Diver but its not necessary. It´s enough if you have your Padi Open Water Diver certification. The Padi 5 star center “Absolute Scuba” was the right choice. Friendly staff and good maintained scuba equipment are normal at this base.
Beautiful Mantis Crab
At next i was going with a minibus to Ubud. Public transport are rare here on Bali in Indonesia but there are some TAT offices who offer some good but expansive possibilities for traveling. In Ubud are tight jungle with some beautiful dragon temples and many monkeys. In the south of the city is the “Monkey Forest Sanctuary”. Here you have to be careful of your snacks and bags because the wild animals are pathological kleptomaniacs. Ubud in southeast Asia is famous for all kind of courses, for more information ask the local tourist office or look in your Lonely Planet southeast Asia travel guide.
Jungle Sedimentary near Ubud
The next destination on the dragon island Bali was the Gunung Batur Area. The view from the Batur temple here, on the volcano Batur and the Danau Batur (Batur lake), is spectacular. From the viewpoint i took some nice pictures of the volcanic Gunung Batur. This trip i can recommend to all backpackers in Indonesia on Bali! The highest mountain here at Batur area is the G Abang with 2152 meters. The mother temple of Batur is build in classical Bali temple architecture.
Vulcano lake at Batur.
From Batur I took a taxi to Lovina at the Bali Sea cost. The sand here is black because of the Vulcan stone. On the next morning i did a Dolphin Sunrise tour. We start early in the morning with small boats at the beach. The heaven was colorful and when the sun comes up we saw many dolphins around our boat, a unforgettable moment. At Lovina I stayed in a small guesthouse direct on the black beach. A little bit out of town is a nice Reggae Pub which i can recommend for good food and live music till late in night.
Sunrise Dolphin Tour
One of the highlights for every scuba diver should be Tulamben Amed. Here at northeast Bali sunk a big U.S. cargo in the second world war by a Japanese submarine. The dive at “U.S.A.T. Liberty” wreck start from the beach. Visibilities are not that perfect here than in other regions of southeast Asia but still 10 meters are ok to see this historical sunken cargo who start at 5m dept and reach till 35 meters in the Bali Sea. We saw some Hump-head Parrot fishes and colorful Lion fishes but the wreck of Tulamben was of course the main attraction on this scuba dive. It was a bit scary to see the big weapons decorated with corals, surrounded of the quiet sea. This dive i did with a local dive center at Lovina Beach. I paid about 70 USD for two dives on the tulamben wreck and we don´t even had enough weights with us. My Padi Divemaster guide took some stones inside his bcd to sink. The wetsuit which i had was old and a lot water comes threw, by nearly 2 hours diving and 25C water temperature not really funny.
Ricefield on the way to south Bali.
On my last day on Bali I traveled back to Denpasar to get my Air Asia flight to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. From here I had conection to Bangkok in Thailand to come back to my home Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand. Bali was a nice trip, i meet many backpackers from around the world. The most buildings on this Indonesian Island are dominated of the dragon cult. Bali is a bit busy but still nice to travel.
Pulau Langkawi has everything you need on vacation: crystal clear water, blonde sand, tight jungle and tropical weather! The Malaysian archipelago of Langkawi comprises 99 tropical islands.
Pulau Langkawi
In the middle of 2007 I was staying at the Gecko guesthouse at the Pantai Cenang Beach. At Pantai Cenang are many options to stay, I get on Penang a recommendation for this hotel with easy rooms for 15 Ringit per night including a fan and shared bathroom.
Gecko Guesthouse
Many Asians of Japan and South Korea spent their holidays here in the straits of melaka. Langkawi Island is easy to reach by ferry from Kuala Perlis and from Pulau Penang where I was coming from. The ferry stop on a pier with many duty free stores and a big eagle statue who invite you to this tropical Paradise Island. ATM´s are widespread and for dinner you can find many traditional Asian restaurants. My highlight on this island in Southeast Asia was the Pulau Payar Marine Park of Malaysia. Here the black tip reef sharks come till the beach and I feed them with fish.
Black Tip Shark on the beach
The scuba diving over here is expansive; i paid about 80 USD for two dives at the National park included the admission fee. The East Marine Scuba Dive School gave me a lunch packed with some food and one bottle with one pint of drinking water. To less for a long diving day. We had 8liter tanks and my buddy used allot of air, so we come up every dive after about 40 minutes. But the conditions for scuba diving was perfect. We had about 20 meters visibility at 28 degrees water temperature. The first dive I did on the “Shark Point” which isn’t just a name. We saw many reef sharks and a nice reef dominated of hard corals with colorful marine life. The second dive spot was “Coral Garden”. Here at this shallow area of six meters are allot of beautiful soft corals protected of the National park.
Bat Fish on Langkawi
Here on Pulau Langkawi it isn’t a problem at all to travel with English. Nearly every Malaysian local speak the European language perfect what isn’t normal here in Southeast Asia. This Island is perfect for holidays but a bit to busy for backpacker and travelers. After 3 nights I was leaving by ferry and bus to the other side of Peninsular (west Malaysia). Kota Baru was my destination for one night. On the next morning I was traveling from this north Malaysian town to Pulau Perhentian in the South China Sea.
Longbeach Pulau Kecil
The Perhentian Islands, composed of Pulau Besar (besar = big) and Pulau Kecil (Pulau = Island, Kecil = small). I call it paradise Island because of the turquoise-blue water from the south china sea and the perfect white sand at longbeach on the small island. There are no streets, no high rises and no ATM´s on this beautiful Pulau at north Malaysia near Kota Baru. The tight jungle start direct where the beach ends and the coralreefs begin when you stay 5 meters in the warm clear sea. I was staying at Long Beach on Pulau Perhentian Kecil in the Lemon Grass Chalet. The beach is around 250 meter long and you can find some small guesthouses two small restaurants with local and western food. Spice Divers have a monopol here on this amazing beach in southeast Asia. The scuba diving is fantastic here! I saw nearly every dive sharks and turtles. The highlight was a Humphead Parrotfish school at “The Iron Cape”. About 50 colosses up to 2 meters around, under and over me, amaizing! One dive with a 12L aluminium tank and full equitment was 80 Malaysian Ringit. From the beach the small boat can reach nearly every divesite in about 10 minutes and you go out every time for one scuba dive. Maximum time here by Spice Divers is one hour or 50 bar.
Humphead Parrotfishs
On Pulau Perhentian Kecil there are more or less just easy backpacker chalets. If you want to have more comfort Pulau Besar will offer you some options with international standart. I recomment the Lemon Grass Chalets or the small huts of Spice Divers. For more options look inside your Lonely Planet travelbook. The “Padi Golden Palm Resort” Spice Divers have beautiful beach terass where you can chill, hang around, meet people and of course book scuba diving for small money. A Padi Open Water Diver for example was 800 Ringit. The exelent dive sites are widespread. The “Sugar Wreck” offer good scuba wreckdiving and with “The Temple of the Sea” Perhentian have a great and intact multilevel reef for beginners and advanced divers.
Seaturtle at Pulau Perhentian
If you want to come to this beautiful part of southeast asia in Malaysia you can fly over Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru. From the airport to the pier are driving minibuses. The ferry need about 1,5 hours till you arived in paradise. With small taxi boats you can visit other beaches for example to watch small seaturtles by the first challenge of their live. The run to the sea is dangerous for the baby turtles because the seabirds wait allready for this nature spectacle. On Perhentian Islands you can find what you eccept of total beach life, allday you will meet every traveler at least two times. You will meet people easy for play beach volleyball, go for dinner or dive with tham. This islands of Malaysia are a tropical dream, take some books and visit Pulau Kecil. The best way to enjoy this marine nationalpark: let your watch and mobile on the mainland and relax on this white beach in a heangmatte direct on the south china sea. The fee for the “Taman Laut Malaysia” (Marine Park) was 5 malay ringit witch is abaut 1,5 US.
Pulau Perhentian Kecil
My result for Perhentian Islands: A “must to go” for all travelers and backpackers in Malaysia and south Thailand. I never saw something like that before, just amaizing! I hope the goverment take care of this perl of Asia to keep the spirit on this beautie small island. This archipelo should be perfect for honeymoon, dive holidays or to come down while traveling. On this trip my Lonely Planet travelguide southeast Asia was my follower and give me good tips where to stay and what to watch in this great islam country.
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Koh Chang – White Sands – Chai Chet – Klong Phrao – Kai Bae – Lonely Beach – Bang Bao – East Coast – Links, Reviews & Hotels
Koh Chang belongs to the Trad province and has about 5000 habitats. I´m one of tease lucky ones, since four years i living here on the island in the northern Gulf of Thailand. It´s the fastest growing tourist and backpacker area in Thailand. Every year from October to February the tourists and traveler come from all around the world here to our island. The most are Europeans like Swedish, dutch, France and Germans but the Russians coming more and more like everywhere in world. My First time on Ko Chang was in 2006 and it was love on the first view! I enjoy here the easy island life and while high season i work as a Divemaster. The area around Koh Chang belongs to the “Mu Koh Chang National park” and is perfect for scuba diving. That means the reefs and the jungle should be protected by law, should be… But still we have here one of the most intact jungle in southeast Asia. And compared to other regions the underwater world and the reefs are in a acceptable situation. Another nice destination is the Wat Klong Prao Temple on the west coast of Chan Island in Thailand.
Jungle "Pool" on Tham Mayom Waterfall
The options what to do on Koh Chang (elephant island) are nearly endless. I can give you just a cut of the attraction’s what we have here. The main attractions on Koh Chang are: scuba diving, round flights, tree top adventure (challenges in the jungle), jungle trekking, snorkeling and of course elephant riding. I recommend the “Ban Kwan Chang” elephant camp because the owner give the money to projects in north Thailand where they bring elephants back in the wild jungle.
Elefant at Ban Kwan Chang
Jet ski and stuff like this they don´t have and they don´t want to have! Here you can still relax on the beach. For the girls: nobody want to see you in a string or without a bikini top!!! It´s too bad that i have to write but allot people don´t respect that part of Thai culture. If you want to lie half nude on the sands, go to Pattaya or to Phuket and not to Ko Chang!! As swell we have some waterfalls but actually in high season they don´t have that much water, it´s better to visit them during the rain time from April to September. The most travelers going to the “Nam tok Klong Plu” or to the “Nam tok than mayom” witch is my favorite. If you go there don´t forget swimsuit if you want to swim in a natural pool in front of the waterfalls.
Every time when i come with the taxi from the ferry the half of the people even don´t know witch beach on Koh Chang they want to stay, so i hope i can give some options where to stay.
Fishermans house at Klong Son
Where to stay on Koh Chang is a difficult question, anytime people ask me this question. My answer is always: what do you accept from your holidays? The possibilities reach from 100 baht for a windy beach hut with atmosphere to 20000 Thai baht per night for a first class luxury apartment.
Chinese style temple at Klong Son
If you come from the ferry and catch a taxi the first village is Klong Son, here are some hotels, resorts and restaurants but Klong Son haven´t that much tourists than other beaches. The follow list shows just the most visited beaches of Koh Chang, for more information visit this homepage.
White Sand Beach (Had Sai Khao)
White Sand Beach is the most popular beach on the Island. The beach is nearly white and you can relax on the sands or cool down in the warm Gulf of Thailand. Here You can find everything what you need during your holidays. On the main road there are many luxury hotels, boutique resorts, restaurants, tour booking offices, bars and souvenir shops. The most hotels here at white sands are family resorts with air condition and swimming pool. My recommendations are KC Grande, Alina Resort and Tantawan Bungalows witch is direct on the beach next to Tapas Bar with a good atmosphere. The restaurants serve farang and Thai food, in the evening there is sometimes live music.
White Sand Beach
The best location for live music is Oodies place in the north of the beach near cookies resort. Another option is Sabay Bar Disco witch open at 9pm till late in the night. Here you can dancing, make party or meet people. You can sit on the beach and smoke a Indian shisha with fruit tobacco. In south of Had sai kao there is a bar complex with many “girlie bars”. The people from Chang island call it “little Pattaya”. You can flirt with Bar girls, play free pool or just drink some Chang beers. Couples are welcome. White sand beach is the right choice for young people who will go out in the evening. Many families prefer had sai khao because of the good offer on high class hotels and restaurants from all around the world. Here on white sands you can find the biggest steak of Koh Chang, with one point two kilos “buffalo bill steak house” offer the biggest meat loaf here on the island. If you eat everything you get a free t-shirt from the Swedish owned steak house. Many Scandinavian people go here to buy Swedish salted candies. The most travelers on white sands come from Scandinavian and west Europe. This is the busiest beach on the elephant island, but some people like to have entertainment at holidays, for this traveler is Had Sai Kao the right option.
Chai Chet
Chai Chet is between white sands beach and Klong Prao. Here you find some hotels on a quiet beach and fire shows at the beach bars and restaurants in the evening. The small center have everything what you need, a good choice of Thai and international restaurants, Thai massage shops, Internet Cafes, supermarket and some cocktail bars at the Koh Chang Plaza. The beach look with the many coconut palms like what you expect from a tropical beach in Thailand. From Chai Chet cape you have a nice place to watch the colorful sunset on the horizon of the Gulf of Siam at the Cape. Chai Chet is a good option for people who like it quiet but don´t want to miss the luxury and food from home. Here are many families, couples and honeymoon tourists.
Klong Prao Beach
Here i´m living, for me the beautifulest village on Koh Chang because of the quiet tropical beach with coconut trees and the good choice of bungalows and hotels. On Klong Prao Beach you can find from windy beach huts till 5star resorts everything what you like. The only think is that there is not a real center but with a scooter witch you can rent nearly everywhere or with a taxi its 5 minutes to Kai Bae or 10 minutes to Chai Chet. Here i was living 1.5 years direct on the beach at Thale Bungalows.
Party at Thale Bungalow
This was really the paradise on earth. The small Beach Huts was handmade from bamboo and a good choice for backpackers and people who like adventure. At Thale Restaurant they served good Thai food for a good price. At least two time per week here you found live music on a perfect beach. The question where to stay on Koh Chang don´t was any question for me when i saw Thalé Bungalows! But now the contract of the rented land is expired and Siri the owner have now new bungalows named Stone Free Bungalows at Pai in north Thailand. But still you can find some nice and easy bungalows on the beach, Tiger Hut is one of these. My restaurant recommendation’s are Yummy Hut, Nids kitchen on the main road and Baracuda Restaurant direct on the beach with a good view for the sunset.
Sunset from Klong Prao Beach
Both serve Sea- and Thai food, the prices are cheap for that what you get and the Thai owners are friendly and will invite you with a smile. Big Elk steak house on the road offer a good mix of Thai and Farang food and nice cheap wood bungalows with a swimming pool for a fair price. Here you can come in the evening for good food, good friends and good atmosphere. Every 1st and 15st here at big elk you have the “Chang Spirit Party”, enjoy by a Chang beer the rhythms of reggae, blues and rock n roll. The Chang Spirit Foundation helps to protect the nature on Koh Chang and bring Thai locals and foreigners closer together. Join this party and support this foundation to keep the nature on Ko Chang. Klong Prao Beach is for everybody who like it quiet and relax in holidays. Here you can lie on the beach or inside a hang mock to read a book or watch the beautiful sunset of Thailand‘s third biggest island!
Colorful sunset at Klong Prao
Kai Bae Beach
The village Kai Bae is a good option for couples, families and people who stay longtime over winter. Scuba diving schools, Internet Cafes, restaurants, supermarkets and souvenir shops are just some of the bright offer that Kai Bae have. Don´t miss a Thai massage at north Kai Bae near the KB Clinic at “Smai Burapa Beauty and Massage”. The possibilities to stay are endless, It starts with small beach huts like “Siam Cottage” go over the Sea Breeze rooms with comfort and style and ends with first class hotels like “The Chill”. In a suit with sea view at The Chill you can spent comfortable Thailand honeymoons or deluxe beach holidays. Hotels and Resorts are widespread on this honeymoon and vacation village. There are some bungalows who offer special prices for long stay tourists like the “Kai Bae Beach Resort” direct on white sand for around 5000 Baht per month. Many good Restaurants like “Sawadee Seafood” offer Thai food. There are as well allot of international restaurants like “O2″, “Jungle View” or “Oodies brothers” witch offer meals in European and western style. Oodies is famous for live music, every evening you can listen to Rock, Blues and Love Songs. The street invite for walking or shopping in the evening. Kai Bae Beach is much more quiet than White Sands but here are nearly the same kind of shops instead of the discos and the Nightlife on Koh Chang in Thailand. “Kai Bae Hut Speedboats” bring tourists for small money to a lonely island named “Koh Yuak” for snorkeling and relaxing. Direct after the 7eleven at the south end you can walk up a way to the jungle and a small but nice waterfall. Drink the best fresh coffee on Koh Chang at “Mochacchino” with a crispy salami baguette from “Papa” bakery and see how easy the life can be in this sleepy and familiar tourist village.
Lonely Beach (Had Tha Nam)
This beach is´t lonely anymore but still it´s number one of many backpackers. Nearly all travelers come to Lonely Beach because of the cheap huts and the bucked party’s at “Treehouse“, Joy Cottage, Stone Free Bar or Ting Tong Bar. In the center are many options to go out and rest. To meet people from all over the world is easy. Compared to other villages the resorts are rare, there are some but the backpacker huts, bungalows and guest houses dominate the city. The atmosphere of this village remember a bit of the 60s.
Lonely Beach near Nature Beach Resort
The most visited Bars at nighttime are “Treehouse” and “Nature Beach Resort”. At Treehouse you can sit direct over the water and drink some beers, meet open minted people or just read a book in your hang mock. At Ting Tong Bar (crazy bar) playing some solo artists live music till late in night. But my absolute favorite for live music and go in the evening to meet open minded people is the Stone Free Bar. Here at lonely beach you will forget the time! Feel a touch of the late 60´s at the Woodstock of Koh Chang.
Bang Bao Fisherman village
Pier at Bang Bao
Bang Bao is a small fisherman village build on a pier over the Gulf of Thailand. From while to while we go here to relax and to run away from the all day turn. If we have a day off we stay many times over night at the “Bang Bao Sea Hut” Hotel which is in the end of the pier. The Nirvana Resort is another top accommodation in Bang Bao on Kochang. The pier at Bang Bao is the biggest on Koh Chang. Many tour operators like snorkeling boats, scuba diving schools and of course fisher boats go out every morning from here to the sea.
Fisherboats at Bang Bao harbor
Many locals earn they money with fishing but like everywhere here the tourist boom come more and more. There are many Guest Houses, Hotels, Restaurants and Souvenir Shops on the walking pier witch invite for a day trip to Bang Bao for shopping and sightseeing. I recommend the “Bang Bao Sea Hut” hotel witch is direct on the pier. They serve the breakfast direct on the balkony with view of the harbor. In the evening You have a nice view of the sunset between two hills, beautiful. The Sea Hut charge at this moment about 1500 Thai Baht for a bungalow with TV, hot shower, fridge and air condition direct on the sea. For budget travelers i can recommended the “Cliff cottage” huts because of the nice view and the warm atmosphere. This small bamboo huts are build on a hill with view over Bang Bao village. They have a sunset terass on the water where you can relax and drink some Chang Beers in the evening.
Sunset from Bang Bao pier
The beach of Bang Bao is one of the nicest of Koh Chang. After 5m walk in the warm Gulf its already deep enough for swimming. The beach is still quiet and you get that what you expect from a tropical beach: white sand, blue water, coconut palms and beverage like cocktails or fresh fruit shakes are served from the cosy The End Beach Restaurant.
We always enjoy to go to Bang Bao because the pier is always busy, but still you have options to relax in the resorts and hotels or take a brake in one of the widespread seafood restaurants on the pier. In the morning you can watch the wife’s of the fisherman’s how they clean and sell fish and all kind of fresh seafood from the Gulf of Thailand.
Koh Chang east coast
The east coast is quiet and possibilities to stay are rare. The most popular beach on this part of the Island is Long Beach, this beach isn´t actually long but very beautiful. Here located is the “Treehouse Longbeach” witch offer easy beach huts for backpackers and a small restaurant for day visitors. Everyday there is a taxi from “Treehouse Lonely Beach” to this beautiful spot and accommodation on Kao Chang.
Long Beach Koh Chang
The coast is better to explore with a scooter because public taxis are really rare and you must be lucky to catch one. If you do a day trip don´t miss the “nam tok than mayom” waterfall in the middle of Koh Chan Island. Near the center point ferry pier there is “Funky Hut” hotel witch is my favorite on the east side. The view over the sea to the mainland is fantastic, a perfect destination for honeymoon because of the distance to the civilization. At Funky Hut Restaurant they serve all kind of food and fresh fruit shakes.
Fell like in paradise and visit Koh Chang for a vacation you will never forget!
New posts of Travel Reports and Pictures.
Koh Chang Hotels Booking & Reviews:
Hotel Bookings and Reservations
Koh Chang Hotels – Koh Kood Hotels – Koh Mak Hotels
Trat province Destinations
Koh Kood – Koh Mak – Mairood – Trad
Koh Chang Topics
Nightlife – Scuba Diving
Koh Chang Accommodation and Hotel Reviews
Aana Resort- Amari Resort – Banpu Hotel – Big Elk – Blue Lagoon – Chai Chet Resort – Chang Buri Resort – Chang Park – Chok Dee Resort – Cliff Beach Resort – Coconut Beach Resort – Cookies Hotel – Coral Resort – Dusit Princess Resort – GajaPuri Resort – Garden Resort – Grand Cabana Resort – Grand Lagoona Resort – Grand View Resort – Joy Cottage – Kacha Resort – KB Resort – KC Grande Resort – Keeree Ele Hotel – Klong Prao Resort – Koh Chang Resort – Koh Chang Sea Hut – KP Huts – Lagoon Resort – Mac Resort – Magic Resort – Mai Pen Rai Guesthouse – New Treehouse – Nirvana Resort – Nisa Cabana Resort – Orchid Resort – Panviman Resort – Paradise Resort – Plaloma Cliff Resort – Remark Cottage – Sang Arun Bungalow – Sanook Sanang Resort – Sea Breeze Bungalows – Sea View Resort – Siam Cottage – Sofia Garden Resort – Tantawan Resort – Thale Bungalows – The Chill Resort – The Dewa Hotel – Tiger Hut – VJ Hotel
Attractions, Activities and Sights
Ban Kwan Chang – BB Divers – Chai Chet Cape – Keeri Phet Waterfall – Klong Plu Waterfall – Koh Yuak – Nang Yom Waterfall – Scenic Area Kai Bae – Smai Burapa Massage – Than Mayom Waterfall – Tree Top Adventure – Klong Prao Temple
Clubs, Bars and Restaurants
Bar del Mar – Buffalo Bill – Cafe de Koh Chang – Mochaccino – Nids Kitchen – Oodies Brothers – Oodies Place – Paddys Palms – Papa Bakery – Sabay Bar – Stone Free – Tapas Bar – The End Beach – Ting Tong Bar – Treehouse – Yes Bar – Yummy Hut
