White Sand Beach

White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao) is Koh Chang's most developed and popular beach — a 2 km arc of relatively fine white sand on the island's north-west coast that forms the centre of gravity for the island's tourist economy. The beach has the widest range of accommodation of any Koh Chang beach, from budget bungalows behind the main road to mid-range resorts directly on the sand, and the main road running behind it is lined with restaurants, tour operators, massage shops, bars, and minimarkets.

The beach's character is more relaxed than equivalent beaches on Koh Samui or Phuket — Koh Chang has historically attracted Thai domestic tourists and those seeking a quieter alternative to the more famous islands, and this shapes the atmosphere: less aggressive touts, lower prices, and a mix of Thai families and budget international travellers. The sea is typically calm and swimmable from November to May; October sees the roughest conditions as the tail of the monsoon passes.

Koh Chang's jungle interior is a significant part of its appeal and best accessed from White Sand Beach: several waterfalls are within easy motorbike or songthaew distance, and the island's national park status (Mu Ko Chang National Park) means the interior is largely protected. Klong Plu Waterfall (30 minutes inland) is the most popular, a powerful multi-tier falls with a natural swimming pool below. Trekking guides based on White Sand Beach offer half-day jungle hikes.