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🇹🇭 Koh Chang · Attraction Guide

Klong Plu Waterfall
Koh Chang's main waterfall — a short jungle walk to a pool you can actually swim in

Inside Mu Ko Chang National Park, a flat, shaded trail leads in under half an hour from the car park to a curtain of falling water and a green plunge pool you can dive straight into — at its fullest in the rains.

What it is

Koh Chang's beaches get the attention — but the jungle is half the island

Koh Chang is known for its sand and its sea, but the real core of the island is the steep, densely forested interior that makes up most of the national park — and Klong Plu Waterfall is the easiest way to step into it. Honestly, if you come to Koh Chang and never leave the beach, you miss half of what the island is about. The waterfall is the obvious, low-effort fix.

Klong Plu Waterfall (น้ำตกคลองพลู, also written Khlong Phlu) is the largest and best-known waterfall on Koh Chang, inside Mu Ko Chang National Park and close to Klong Prao Beach in the centre of the island. From the ticket booth a forest trail of around 600 metres to a kilometre — roughly 15 to 30 minutes on foot — brings you to the main tier, where water drops from a high rock face into a broad pool below that people happily swim and wade in.

What sets Klong Plu apart from the island's other falls is that it is easy to reach and the pool is deep enough to swim — no hard trekking or steep climbing required. The path is mostly level and shaded, with a stream running alongside the whole way; you may spot fish in the water, butterflies, and the occasional monitor lizard. It suits families and anyone wanting a half-day break from the beach.

Klong Plu Waterfall, Koh Chang — a green plunge pool below the falls ringed by large boulders with people swimming, in Mu Ko Chang National Park
Klong Plu Waterfall — the swimming pool below the falls, ringed by big boulders deep in the Koh Chang jungle
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Park entry
Foreigners ~฿200
Kids ฿100 · Thai adults ฿40 (check on arrival)
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Opening hours
Roughly 08:00–17:00
Go before late afternoon to allow time to walk back
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The walk
Around 600m–1km
About 15–30 min · flat with uneven, rooty sections
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Most water
Rains, Jun–Oct
Flow can drop in the late dry months
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Swimming
Plunge pool below
Slippery rocks · no jumping · watch children
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Location
Near Klong Prao Beach
Centre of the island · turn-off from the west-coast road
What you'll find

The 4 parts of a visit to Klong Plu Waterfall that make the half-day worth it

It isn't just a photo of the falls and back — the walk in has plenty going on.

Timing and safety

When the water looks best — and what to watch out for

🌧️ Fullest in the rains — the opposite of beach season

There is one thing to be straight about with Klong Plu: it is fullest and most impressive in and just after the rainy season, roughly June to October, when the forest streams are full, the fall runs hard and the pool is deep and clear enough for an easy swim. That window is also the low season for the beaches — the south-west monsoon brings a rough sea, the snorkelling trips to Koh Rang and the nearby islands often stop running, and many resorts, restaurants and bars close or run reduced hours.

The upside: if you come to Koh Chang in the rains and the sea isn't cooperating, Klong Plu Waterfall is a strong backup plan — lush green forest, a full fall and few people. In high season, November to April, the weather is fine, the sea is clear and everything is open, but by the late dry months (March–April) the flow can drop and in some years slows to a trickle. For a full-looking waterfall and a swimmable sea, aim for the rains or the start of high season just after the rain has stopped.

⚠️ Safety — slippery rocks, no jumping, watch the kids

The pool below the falls is swimmable and it is the highlight, but treat it with respect. The rocks around the pool are very slippery, especially where they are mossy or wet — move slowly and keep a hand on something. Do not jump in: the depth is uneven and there are submerged rocks you can't see. Parents should keep children within arm's reach the whole time. If it has just rained hard or the water is running unusually fast, stay away from the area right by the fall and skip the swim.

Also note that the trail up to the top of the waterfall is closed because it is dangerous — there have been accidents from people trying to climb above the fall. Don't climb past the barriers or wander off the marked park route. Bring water, shoes with grip and insect repellent, and don't leave valuables far from you while you're in the water.

Tip: Go in the morning soon after the park opens around 08:00 — there are fewer people, the light in the forest is lovely and it isn't hot yet, so the walk in is far more comfortable than midday. Allow enough time to walk back, and leave the falls by mid-to-late afternoon so you're not on the forest trail at dusk.
Klong Prao Beach, Koh Chang — a long central beach close to the Klong Plu Waterfall turn-off
Klong Prao Beach is close to the Klong Plu turn-off — many people base here and visit the waterfall as a half-day

🥾 Before you go — what to bring

You don't need much, but a few things make the visit better: closed shoes with good grip (for the trail and wet rocks), swimwear worn underneath, a towel, drinking water, insect repellent and a waterproof pouch for your phone if you want photos near the water. Carry some cash for the park fee and the small stalls at the entrance. A rented motorbike is the most convenient way to get there — but if you're not confident on the island's steep hills, a red songthaew to the turn-off works fine.

Getting there

How to reach Klong Plu Waterfall

Klong Plu Waterfall is in the centre of Koh Chang, near Klong Prao Beach, a short turn-off from the west-coast road. Remember that Koh Chang has no train, no BTS/MRT and no airport on the island — you arrive by car ferry from the Trat mainland, then get around the island by red songthaew or rented motorbike.

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Rented motorbike / scooter
The most flexible option
Take the signed Klong Plu turn-off from the main road · ⚠️ some island hills are very steep — check the brakes and wear a helmet
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Red songthaew (shared taxi)
Ride to the waterfall turn-off
Songthaews run the west-coast road on set per-person fares — flag one down, then walk or hop on transport in
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Half-day tour / resort transfer
Some resorts arrange it
Many places offer a waterfall trip or a multi-stop tour — ask at your accommodation
Building it into a day: Klong Plu pairs well with a day based at Klong Prao — visit the waterfall in the morning while it's quiet, rinse off back at your room, then spend the afternoon on Klong Prao Beach or drive on for sunset at the Kai Bae viewpoint. It makes an easy half-on-land, half-on-the-beach day without overdoing it.
Etiquette

Visiting a national-park waterfall — help keep Koh Chang's forest intact

🌿 Carry your rubbish out, leave nature alone

Klong Plu Waterfall is inside Mu Ko Chang National Park, so the single most important thing is to carry every piece of rubbish back out and dispose of it properly. Don't drop food scraps or plastic in the water or the forest, don't take rocks, plants or animals, and don't feed the wildlife. If you see fish in the pool, just watch — don't catch them. Keeping the place clean is what keeps it worth visiting for the people who come after you.

🤫 Keep the noise down, be considerate

Plenty of people come here for the quiet, and the sound of the falls and the forest is most of the appeal. Keep your voice down and don't play loud music, and look out for each other's safety — for instance, don't jump in where people are already swimming. Small courtesies make the waterfall more pleasant for everyone. And remember the trail to the top of the falls is closed for safety reasons — always stay on the marked park route.

Where to stay nearby

Hotels on Koh Chang and in Trat

Klong Plu Waterfall is near Klong Prao in the centre of the island — these are the popular places to base from for an easy waterfall trip.

10 Best Hotels on Koh Chang & in Trat
Every price point across the Trat province cluster — White Sand, Klong Prao and Kai Bae included
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Which Beach to Stay On in Koh Chang
White Sand, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach compared — which beach suits whom
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Klong Prao Beach — Closest to the Falls
A long, quiet central beach with a range of places to stay, nearest to the Klong Plu turn-off
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Frequently asked

FAQ · Klong Plu Waterfall practical

How much does Klong Plu Waterfall cost to enter?
It sits inside Mu Ko Chang National Park, so a park entry fee applies. Foreign adults pay around ฿200 and children around ฿100; Thai nationals pay around ฿40 for adults and ฿20 for children (prices can change, so check on arrival). Keep your ticket — on the same day it also covers Than Mayom Waterfall on the east side of the island.
When does Klong Plu Waterfall have the most water?
It is fullest and most impressive in and just after the rainy season, roughly June to October, when the forest streams are full, the fall runs strong and the pool is deep enough for an easy swim. In the late dry months (March–April) the flow can drop and in some years slows to a trickle. If the monsoon makes the sea too rough for snorkelling trips, the waterfall is a good backup activity.
How far is the walk from the car park to Klong Plu Waterfall?
It is a short walk. From the ticket booth and car park a forest trail of around 600m–1km leads to the fall, taking roughly 15 to 30 minutes. Most of the path is fairly flat natural trail but has uneven, rooty sections, so closed shoes with grip are better than flip-flops. It suits most ages who can manage a moderate walk.
Can you swim at Klong Plu Waterfall, and is it safe?
Yes, you can swim in the plunge pool below the fall, and it is the highlight here — but take care. The rocks around the pool are very slippery, especially where mossy or wet, so move slowly and hold on. Do not jump in: the depth is uneven and there are submerged rocks. Supervise children closely, and avoid the area near the fall if the water is running hard after heavy rain. The trail to the top of the waterfall is closed because it is dangerous — don't climb past the barriers.
How do you get to Klong Plu Waterfall?
It is near Klong Prao Beach in the centre of the island; a signed turn-off leads in from the west-coast road. The easiest way is to ride a rented motorbike or scooter (mind the steep hills), or take a shared red songthaew to the turn-off and walk or hop on transport in. Some resorts offer transfers or a half-day tour that includes the waterfall. Koh Chang has no train, no BTS/MRT and no airport on the island — you arrive by ferry from Trat.
Koh Chang City Guide
Hotels, beaches, transport and everything practical before you go to Koh Chang
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The Best Things to Do on Koh Chang
The beaches, the Kai Bae viewpoint, the waterfall, snorkelling at Koh Rang, Bang Bao and more — one guide
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Koh Chang Day Trips
Bang Bao village, mangrove kayaking, and the islands of Koh Mak and Koh Kood beyond the west coast
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Klook · Koh Chang activities

Koh Rang snorkelling, island-hopping and Koh Chang activities — book ahead with confidence

Snorkelling trips to Koh Rang, island-hopping boat tours, kayaking, and Bangkok–Koh Chang transfers with the ferry — booking through Klook in advance makes planning your land and sea days much easier.

Browse Koh Chang activities on Klook →
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