THAILAND: 7 Day Koh Chang Islands Expedition
South East Asia
Thailand
7 Day Koh Chang Islands Expedition
This seven day charter explores the quieter side of Thailand’s Gulf coast, based around Koh Chang in Trat province near the Cambodian border. The route moves through a scattering of small islands that make up the Koh Chang National Marine Park, far removed from the crowds of the Andaman coast. Koh Ngam, sometimes called Koh Chang’s answer to Phi Phi, offers a striking double bay joined by a narrow sandy spit. Koh Wai is quieter still, with no villages or roads and a fringing coral reef well suited to snorkelling. Koh Mak brings coconut plantations and long, easy beaches, while Koh Kood is known for its waterfalls and jungle interior. A stop at Koh Rang, the marine park’s protected core, offers some of the clearest water and richest coral in the region, and the small twin islands of Koh Rayang round out the week with a peaceful final anchorage. Guests can expect long swims, quiet beaches and plenty of time on the water, with each day bringing a change of scenery within a short sail of the last. This itinerary suits guests looking for an unhurried, nature focused alternative to Thailand’s more visited charter grounds.
- Where | Koh Chang Archipelago — Trat Province
- When | November to April
- Duration | 7 Days - 6 Nights
- Departs | Koh Chang
- Concludes | Koh Chang
Day 1: Koh Chang
EASY EMBARKATION | COASTAL CRUISING | SUNSET AT ANCHOR
Guests board at Ao Salakpet on the southeast coast of Koh Chang, the main island of the archipelago and the charter base for the week ahead. The afternoon is left open for a swim or a short walk before the crew reviews the route. Koh Chang itself is known for Klong Plu Waterfall and its lively White Sand Beach, though the week ahead trades those crowds for quieter anchorages further out.
Day 2: Koh Wai
REEF EXPLORATION | TROPICAL TRAILS | QUIET BEACHES
Koh Wai has no villages or roads, just a sandy northern beach, a forested interior and a fringing coral reef close to shore. The calm, sheltered water makes this one of the best snorkelling stops on the route, with a good variety of reef fish and coral in shallow, easy to reach spots. A relaxed lunch stop on board is typical before continuing south.
Day 3: Koh Ngam
TWIN-BAY EXPLORATION | PADDLEBOARDING | SECLUDED ANCHORAGE
Koh Ngam sits roughly sixteen miles from the mainland and is sometimes nicknamed Koh Chang's answer to Phi Phi for its two peaks joined by a narrow, palm scattered sandy spit. The bay on the southeast side makes for a good day mooring, with clear water for swimming close to shore. The island has no permanent facilities, only the ruins of an abandoned resort, keeping it quiet and undeveloped.
Day 4: Koh Mak
ISLAND CYCLING | COCONUT GROVES | LOCAL LIFE
Koh Mak is flatter and more cultivated than its neighbours, with coconut and banana plantations crossed by bike trails. The island's two main beaches, Suan Yai and Ao Kao, offer calm water and a relaxed strip of small beach bars and guesthouses. It is an easy island to explore on foot or by bicycle between stretches of swimming.
Day 5: Koh Kood
JUNGLE EXPLORATION | FRESHWATER SWIMS | WHITE-SAND COVES
Koh Kood is often described as how Thailand's better known islands looked decades ago, with jungle interior, a handful of waterfalls and around a dozen white sand beaches along its west coast. Klong Chao Waterfall is the best known and a popular stop for a freshwater swim. With no vehicle ferry to the island, its roads stay quiet even in high season.
Day 6: Koh Rang National Park
CORAL REEF DIVING | UNDERWATER WILDLIFE | SNORKELLING
Koh Rang is the protected core of the Koh Chang Marine Park, a group of small islands with some of the clearest water and healthiest coral in the archipelago. A ranger station on the main island offers water refills, and a small marine park fee applies. This is considered the premier snorkelling and diving stop of the week, with visibility that regularly exceeds the other islands on the route.
Day 7: Koh Chang
MORNING SWIM | SNORKELLING | DISEMBARKATION
The twin islands of Koh Rayang sit just off the southwest coast of Koh Mak and are known for calm water and good snorkelling close to shore. After a final swim, the yacht sails back to Koh Chang, where guests disembark at Ao Salakpet. The short return distance keeps the last day relaxed.
Activities+Optional extras
Get off-board and discover even more
Snorkelling
The clearest water in the archipelago is found around Koh Rang and Koh Wai, both known for healthy coral and good visibility for most of the year.
Kayaking
Calm bays at Koh Ngam, Koh Rayang and Koh Wai are well suited to kayaking, with sheltered water close to shore for guests of all abilities.
Waterfall Walks
Koh Kood's jungle interior hides several freshwater waterfalls, including Klong Chao, reachable by a short walk and a good spot for a freshwater swim.
Island Cycling
Koh Mak's flat terrain and quiet roads make it one of the easiest islands in Thailand to explore by bicycle, passing coconut plantations and small local villages.
Thailand: 7 Day Koh Chang Islands Expedition Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to charter here?
+The Koh Chang archipelago is calmest from November to April, with dry weather, steady winds and settled seas. The wetter season runs from May to October.
Where do charters depart from?
+Charters in the Koh Chang Archipelago typically depart from Koh Chang, with Ao Salakpet providing a convenient starting point on the island's southeast coast. Exact embarkation arrangements depend on the yacht, marina access, and charter logistics.
What can be experienced in this region?
+A yacht charter around Koh Chang combines tropical beaches, coral reefs, jungle landscapes, waterfalls, local island life, and protected marine areas. Guests can enjoy snorkelling, diving, kayaking, cycling, swimming, hiking, and relaxed cruising between quieter islands.
Who is this destination suited for?
+Koh Chang is well suited to couples, families, and small groups looking for a relaxed tropical charter away from Thailand's busier cruising grounds. It works particularly well for guests who enjoy a combination of water activities, nature, island exploration, and unhurried time aboard.
What is a typical itinerary like?
+A typical itinerary combines short island passages with time for swimming, snorkelling, diving, beach visits, and activities ashore. Routes can include quieter islands such as Koh Ngam and Koh Wai, more developed stops such as Koh Mak, and protected marine areas around Koh Rang.
What should be considered before booking?
+Before booking, guests should consider the seasonal weather, sea conditions, marine park regulations, and the level of facilities available on the smaller islands. Some destinations have limited shore infrastructure, while protected areas may have entrance fees or restrictions. It is also worth confirming anchorage conditions, planned activities, and shore access with the charter operator in advance.
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