LEISURE ISLANDS

KOH LAOYA
Situated further south of Koh Sai Khao is a group of 3 small islands called Koh Laoya Nai, Koh Laoya Klang and Koh Laoya Nok. They are famous for their long white sandy beaches, sparkling clear seawaters, green forests and an amazingly beautiful coral settlement beneath the shallow seawater, particularly at Laoya Klang. A wooden bridge links the islands of Koh Laoya Klang to Koh Laoya Nai. Here, you will find the water beneath the bridge very transparent. There is only one resort here called Laoya Resort which accepts only full board packages.
Boats to Koh Lao Ya Leaves the Kroma-luang Chumporn Pier in Laem Ngob on Fridays and Sundays at 09.00 am. Travel time is two hours.

KOH WAI
Koh Wai is a bigger island further south of Koh Laoya with huge bays. Koh Wai has some of the best corals for diving and snorkeling. It's a peaceful island only 10 km south of Koh Chang. Small and inviting, Koh Wai can be reached from Laem Ngob once a day at 3 pm, or with the Island Hopper boats (Tel. 01 865 0610) from Koh Chang, which runs several times a week during high season.
The beaches of Koh Wai are beautiful with reddish clean sand, some of which has corals right from the beach, especially the lump corals which are found to be large and in their best condition. The northern beach is the most popular due to its long sandy beachfront and healthy corals. Seawater is relatively shallow and snorkeling is a favourite activity as Koh Wai is blessed with a coral reef of up to 2 kms long. Encircling the island are many rocks making it a perfect fishing ground with a great quantity and variety of fishes. There are 2 accommodations to choose from, the Koh Wai Pakarang Resort offering full board packages and the Koh Wai Paradise Resort offering cheap and simple lodgings. Both are bungalow-style resorts.

KOH NGAM
Koh Ngam is an enchanting island just a few hundred meters off the southern coast of Koh Chang. It is a small island with a very narrow sand dune that forms a gorgeous contour holding the northeast and southwest section of the island together. The almost kidney-shaped island would look like 2 separate islands from afar. Besides holding the island in one piece the sand dune created 2 crescent-shaped lagoons which are only 50 meters apart. The lagoons are excellent for swimming, snorkeling, diving, or fishing. Corals and fishes are plenty. Occasionally, you may see dolphins in the area. For the more adventurous, a hike up the rocks to a 100 meter-tall hill on the southwest side of the island is both challenging and rewarding. Ropes are provided to guide you. Over the hill is a white sand beach where you will also see plenty of decayed corals. The beach is an excellent viewpoint for the islands of Koh Wai, Koh Mak, Koh Laoya, Koh Kradad and Koh Chang. It is also a great place to watch the sunset. Koh Ngam is ideal for a family vacation.
There is only one resort here, the Twin Island Resort, which offers only full board packages. Fresh-water ponds are found on the island. A waterfall flows across the island during the rainy season.

MOO KOH MAI SEE
This is a group of islands southwest of Koh Chang with unspoiled nature most suitable for swimming and fishing. The islands are made up of mostly mountains and forest with some coconut groves around the fishing villages. Koh Mai See Yai has a splendid sandy beach along its bay on the east side.

KOH MAI DANG
A small island east of Koh Wai, Koh Mai Dang is peaceful and tranquil. It’s white sandy beaches and unspoilt corals are the main attractions. A great place to fish and camp.

KO KOOD (Koh Kut) Sub - district
A group of 24 islands south of Koh Chang was designated as the Koh Kood sub-district in 1990. These include the main island of Koh Kood (Koh Kut), 9 islands of Koh Maak (Koh Mak) and 12 islands of Koh Rang. Koh Kood (Koh Kut) sub-district has a very small population of less than 2,000. About 70% of the population is on Koh Kood (Koh Kut) while the rest live on Koh Maak (Koh Mak). Almost all other islands are uninhabited. Fishing and agriculture are the main occupations.
Situated 80 kms southeast of the provincial capital of Trat, Koh Kood (Koh Kut) is the farthest island from the mainland. It is also the easternmost island of Thailand bordering Cambodia. With an area of 129 sq. kms Koh Kood (Koh Kut) is the second largest island of the Koh Chang Marine National Park and fourth largest in Thailand, after Koh Samui. It is supported by essential infrastructure, which includes a hospital, schools, police station, electricity (mainly for state-run facilities), water and telephone system. Fuel and solar energy are the main sources of electricity here. Most resorts generate their own electricity.
The oldest village in Koh Kood (Koh Kut) is the Klong Mad Village where the people are of both Thai and Cambodian origins. These early dwellers had migrated from neighboring Koh Kong since the turn of the 20th century during the French colonization of Indochina. Koh Kood has a mountainous terrain in the central region. About 70% of Koh Kood is covered by tropical rainforest. Development is scarce and mostly in coastal areas. Koh Kood (Koh Kut) boasts of scenic beauty, crystal clear sea, pristine beaches, breathtaking waterfalls and a very pure natural environment.
The resorts tend to cater to the higher priced market and include boat transfers in their packages. For example, The Beach Natural Resort offers a 3 days, 2 nights full board package which is inclusive of round-trip speed boat transfers, accommodation, 8 meals, snorkeling trips, waterfall tour, fishing gears, local guides, music/ karaoke lounge, banana boat, donut boat, sea-kayak as well as tour insurance. All for 4,500 baht per person (air-con rooms)! The Bai Kood Shambala Resort offers similar deals starting from 4,500 baht per person up to 6,500 baht depending on the room type. For those who prefer outdoor living, tents sometimes are available. There are several other resorts, most of them on the west coast. Koh Kood (Koh Kut) is little known to foreigners. Most of the visitors are Thais who find it a paradise. Most resorts have a minimum requirement on number of guests per package, usually 10. However, if you do not have your own group you can join the others to meet the minimum required.
The west coast is lined with a series of pristine beaches, sparkling clear sea, captivating views and a great place to catch the magnificent sunset. Most of the best known beaches are along the bays. Noted fishing villages include the Ban Klong Mad and Laem Hin Dan. The famed Klong Chao Waterfall is situated further inland between Ao Klong Chao and Ao Tapow. This is a fabulous waterfall with a large pool at its front. A 20-minute boat ride from the Klong Chao Bay plus a short hike leads to the fall. Alternatively, you can hike up the 4 kms trail.
Two of the most beautiful islands closest to the shores of Koh Kood (Koh Kut) are Koh Mai Si Lek and Koh Raet. Both are small islands of coconut trees, fine beaches, healthy corals and excellent sunset viewpoints.
Khun Chamorn Chumsai, a former resort owner on Koh Kood, says that the island is now attracting more visitors with higher budgets despite their short term stay. One of the small, specialized cruise lines, Seaborne Cruises has a global travel itinerary which now docks at Koh Kood. "They come for the day and we provide food and day accommodation for what's considered an older crowd with more sophisticated tastes," he says. Meals on the beach can be five-star feasts, which may include barbecues, caviar, etc, and drinks at times may be served by a uniformed waiter wading through the water, right up to a swimmer.