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Koh Chang Marine National Park offers an
array of activities including hiking, elephant trekking, snorkeling,
diving, on-shore & deep-sea fishing, boating, mountain
biking, motorbiking, or visiting the local villages and waterfalls.
Hiking : The main road
west of Koh Chang from Klong Son to Kai Bae is a popular route.
The Kai Bae to Bang Bao hike is a challenging experience.
Passing through some coconut groves and rubber smallholdings
the terrain is steep. Shorter hikes to the waterfalls from
their main entrances are gaining popularity. There are footpaths
to the waterfalls.
Elephant Trekking : Ban
Kwan Chang or the Klong Son Elephant Camp is supported by
the Asian Elephant Foundation to provide a natural environment
for elephants and their mahouts (Kwan, in Thai). It is located
at Klong Son. The camp opens with a half-day tour from 8.30
a.m. to 11.30 a.m. which include elephant bathing, feeding,
performance and a one hour elephant trek into the forest.
The cost is 900 Baht inclusive of transportation to and from
your resort.
A smaller program at 1:00 p.m. include
a 35-minute trek and a 15-minute performance. Fare is 450
Baht inclusive of transportation. For more information contact
Koh Chang Lagoon Resort, Ban Pu Koh Chang Resort, Plaloma
Resort, Jinda Bungalow, Tantawan Bungalow and Klong Prao Resort.
Boating :
Leisure trips can be arranged at most resorts, beaches, fishing
villages and from Laem Ngob. Popular activities are snorkeling,
scuba diving and fishing. There are establishments along the
White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae and Bang Bao that organise
boat trips in groups. You can register to join them. The cost
is about 400 to 600 Baht per person but there is a minimum
required, usually 10 persons, before they embark on a trip.
Vanida Tour organises a full day snorkeling trip to Koh Rang,
Koh Kra and Koh Wai at 600 Baht per head inclusive of lunch
boxes and drinks. Private trips can also be arranged at about
5,000 Baht for a full day of snorkeling.
Speedboats :
Speedboats are available at higher prices. The Klong Prao
Resort offers chartered speedboat trips to Koh Yuak at 2,500
Baht or a 4-island package at 8,000 Baht. There are some resorts
on other islands such as Koh Kood, Koh Mak, Koh Ngam, etc.,
that include boat trips on their package rates. For the coastlines,
try the sea-canoe which cost only about 100 Baht an hour and
can be found along the beaches and some resorts.
Snorkeling & Diving :
Koh Chang Marine National Park offers some of the most delightful
dive & snorkeling sites. The best dive season starts from
October / November to April. The best sites are on the west
and south of Koh Chang where the abundance of techni coloured,
healthy and unspoilt corals and the great diversity of fish
are the main draw. Popular sites include the Ao Klong Son,
Koh Yuak, Koh Man Nai, Koh Man Nok, Hin Larp, Hin Sam Sao,
Hin Look Bard, Hin Run Taek, Koh Rom, Koh Wai, Koh Ngam, Koh
Rang, Koh Laoya, Koh Mai Si Lek, Koh Raet, Koh Mak, Koh Kham,
Koh Rayang Yai, Koh Kra, Koh Thong Lang, Koh Thian, and Koh
Yak.
There are 2 wreck dive sites. The Koh Chang
Wreck is a Thai warship sunken by the French Navy. The wreck
lies in shallow waters near the Salak Petch Bay, south of
Koh Chang.
The other wreck that has been making headlines
recently is the Pak One Wreck. This was the 900-tonne sunken
tanker that was called the Vertical Wreck. Pak One sank after
hitting a coral reef in August 1996 on its way to Vietnam.
It resurfaced on February 6 this year and drifted bow-upwards
into international waters, where it poses a danger to passing
ships. The Thai Navy had drained off its 600 tonnes of liquefied
petroleum gas and resank it between Koh Chang and Koh Samet.
It now lies horizontal, in 35-meter deep waters.
There are a few diving centers on Koh Chang
such as Koh Chang Divers on White Sand Beach, Sea Horse Dive
Center on Kai Bae Beach, Paradise Scuba Divers at the Klong
Prao Resort and Eco-Divers which operates from Ban Pu Koh
Chang Resort at White Sand Beach and Boutique Resort &
Health Spa at Klong Prao. A couple of dive centers operate
out of Koh Mak.
Eco-Divers specializes on PADI courses
for the novice up to professional levels. Boat trips to various
dive sites ranges from 1,300 Baht to 2,000 Baht depending
on distances. Snorkeling trips is 645 Baht. All trips include
2 dives, full equipment, transportation, food & drinks
and a Divemaster.
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