In a country blessed with a plethora of beautiful islands; Ko Chang stands out as one of the loveliest. It's also Thailand's second largest island (after Phuket); but what makes it so appealing is its rugged aspect; and the way it rises suddenly from the sea; the usual lovely white sand Thai beaches; but backed by a solid hilly interior covered in wild jungle that seems to shelter the coast from the sea.

People visit Ko Chang for these pristine beaches; but also for the jungled interior with its many trails and waterfalls; birds; mammals and of course coral reefs. People also seek out Ko Chang because; despite its increasing popularity; it remains a world away from the commercial development of Pattaya; Phuket and Ko Samui - at least for the present.

The main beaches are scattered along the western and southern coasts of the island; with the east coast both less accessible and more suited to trekking and bird-watching than swimming and sunbathing. Some of the best coral reefs are to be found around smaller offshore islands; especially to the south and west of the main island.

As a general rule; the resort beaches are more developed to the north of the island; and this too is where the most sophisticated restaurants and more up-market accommodations are to be found.