National Marine Park
One of the best reasons to visit Ko Chang Island is to spend time in the world-renowned National Marine Park. These crystal-clear waters are the perfect place for spectacular diving and snorkeling, with their amazing underwater worlds of fish, coral and caves.

The Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park was established in 1982, and contains Ko Chang Island, as well as 46 other smaller islands. This area altogether includes 192 square kilometers of land, and 458 square kilometers of sea, perfect for days upon days of exploring. Located only 8 kilometers from the coast of Thai Province, the park is situated in the Southeastern region of the country, close to the Cambodian border.

Upon arriving at Ko Chang Island, the best place to visit is one of its five park offices. Here you can gather information about the best places to explore, both on land and in the water. This is also the place to find out about equipment rentals, as both boats and kayaks can be rented on the island. Also worth visiting in the park is the delicious restaurant and the museum, which educates visitors on the extensive flora and fauna the park holds.

Ko Chang has many accommodation choices to suit all kinds of desired vacations, including resorts, hotels, cabanas and camping.

The island itself has tons of areas to explore. The land is rocky and mountainous, and the large range of mountains that runs through the center of the island is lush and beautiful, covered in Mountain Evergreen forest. There are many swift, clear rivers that run through the land, fed by the huge amount of rainfall the island experiences. This creates some awe-inspiring waterfalls that should not be missed, including Than Mayom, Khirl Phet and Khlong Nonsi.

Jungles abound throughout the island, and provide homes to exotic plant and animal life. Animals that are seen in the island include bats, squirrels, Barking Deer, Javan Mongoose, Soft-Shelled Turtles, Pythons and the King Cobra. The island also provides a prime spot for bird-watching enthusiasts, with its diverse bird population of over 74 different species.

The crowning glory of the Marine Park however, remains its unbeatable waters. Snorkeling and diving in these areas open a gateway to a jaw-dropping underwater scenery. Many different species of tropical fish inhabit these waters, along with endless kinds of coral and plants. The best time of the year to dive is in the spring, and the most interesting place to dive around the island is around the wrecks of the Thai Warships on the Southern tip of the island.