OTHER ACTIVITIES

SNORKELING & DIVING
The best diving season is between October/November and April. The best sites are on the west and southern tip of the island, between Koh Chang (Ko Chang) and Koh Kood (Ko Kut). There you can see soft corals, anemones, myriad reef fish, and sometimes eel. Hin Luk Bat and Hin Lap both have coral seamounts. Further south, white-tip reef sharks can be found near Hin Phrai Nam.
In addition, there are two wreck dive sites. The Koh Chang Wreck is a Thai warship sunk by the French navy in 1941. The wreck is only 15 metres deep in the Salakphet Bay on the southern tip of the island. The other wreck is the Pak One Wreck which sank after hitting the coral reef in August 1996 on its way to Vietnam, and resurfaced almost eight years later. The 900-ton sunken tanker posed a danger to ships in international waters. The Royal Thai Navy drained off its 600 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas and resank it between Koh Chang and Koh Samet. It now lies horizontally in 35-metre-deep waters.
There are a few diving centres on Koh Chang (Ko Chang) such as the Dive Adventure in Bang Bao which offers liveaboard dives to Cambodia and some prime sites. Others include the Koh Chang Dive Center on Kai Bae Beach, Paradise Scuba Divers at the Klong Prao Resort and Koh Chang Divers on Had Sai Khao (White Sand Beach), which offers PADI certification for beginners.
A couple of dive centers operate out of Koh Mak. Boat trips to various dive sites range from 1,800 to 3,000 baht depending on distances, and typically include two dives, full equipment, transportation, food, drinks and a divemaster.

SPAS
If there's one thing Koh Chang (Ko Chang) has, it's a wealth of spas with a plethora of treatments meant to sooth, calm and relax you. To pamper yourself after a day on the beach, places such as the Koh Chang Grand Orchid Resort and Spa features a traditional Thai-styled building nestled within the vicinity of guest bungalows for easy walking. Aiyapura Resort and Spa offers relaxing massage treatments meant to leave you ready to face the next day's activities while Aana Resort and Spa has its spa set amidst swaying coconut trees and a great view of the Khlong Prao area. At V.J. Hotel and Health Spa, treatments that are meant to contribute to long term health while Koh Chang Resort and Spa offers facial massages and treatments, using effective traditional approaches.

MASSAGES, BEAUTY AND BODY TREATMENTS
As in any part of Thailand, masseuses soothe the muscles with traditional Thai massage or foot reflexology right on the beaches. A one-hour massage on the beach costs around 200 baht. Away from the beach are several massage places along the main road. Massage services in the compound of the Boutique Resort and Health Spa is one of several professional places offering rejuvenating treatments.
Other pampering activities are offered as well, such as hair braiding, manicures and pedicures. Other luxury treatments include foot scrubs and skin scraping treatments to ensure that your feet remain smooth throughout your vacation.

TATTOO
Tattoo artists are scattered throughout the island, from serious permanent tattoo to temporary henna designs created right on the beach by wandering henna tattoo artists. Tattoos, whether henna or permanent begin at 400 Baht. Well-known tattooist, Jack offers custom tattoos at Tantawan Pub and Restaurant on White Sand Beach.

BIRD SANCTUARY
Gaining popularity on Koh Chang (Ko Chang) is the activity of bird watching in places on the island such as Khao Leam and Khao Yai for species that are native to the area, such as Koh Chang hornbills, and understanding their relationship to Koh Chang's ecosystem. Such visits are usually organized year-round by the trekkers of Koh Chang and the Nok and Nature Club with renown bird watcher and nature lover Mongkol Wongkalasin. The one-day tour starts at 1,000 Baht. Interested persons can buy tickets from the "Trekkers of Koh Chang" at 09-147-940, 01-578-7513, 039-525-029.

VIEWING FIREFLIES
During the cooler months in Koh Chang (Ko Chang), visitors have the opportunity to rent a boat that glides gently along the waters at night to see fireflies light up the mangrove trees. Thousands of fireflies send out mating signals as they settle into the mangrove forest, making a whole tree come alive with their simultaneous flashing along the dark river waters. It's like seeing rows of Christmas trees in the quiet night. Hotels like Koh Chang Grand Orchid Resort & Spa and Aana Resort & Spa have information on where to go to see the fireflies, complete with a boat and guide.

VISITING CAMBODIA
A recent trend is to visit the neighboringCambodia from Trat. Everyday, mini-buses await passengers who leave in the early morning hours (6.00 am or 8.00 am). There are two routes available; you can go from Trat to Aranyapathet which takes you to the border and onward to Siem Reap, or cross into Cambodia at Haad Lek (Thailand's border town with Cambodia) into Koh Kong province.
Air-con mini buses run between Trat and Haad Lek from 05.00 am until 05.00 pm till 1700 hours. It costs 100 baht for the almost 1? hour trip. Obtain your visa at the border crossing on arrival. You can then go to Sihanoukville by road or by boat. By road, rent a van or motorcycle at the border. Depending on the road conditions (and weather) it can take from 4 to 7 hours. By boat, get a river-boat taxi to Koh Kong city for 20-40 baht. In Koh Kong city take a speed boat to Sihanoukville. It's another 3 hours to Phnom Penh from Sihanoukville.
To go to Siem Reap directly, take a tour bus (about 400 baht) that goes to Aranyaprathet, then cross into Poipet on the Cambodian side. It's a further 3-6 hour bus or taxi to Siem Reap.

INTERNET CAFES
While Koh Chang (Ko Chang) offers the chance to get away from it all, the island nevertheless provides high speed internet cafes in order to keep in touch. The island is dotted with stand alone internet cafes with high speed access. Hotels also offer many medium to high tech options that go beyond surfing the internet and checking email. One of the popular services is burning vacation photos on to CDs, a good thing to do in order to free up memory space for more vacation snapshots. Book your spot early. Many internet cafes like Flipper at V.J. Plaza fill up early with e-mail users.