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Koh Chang · Attraction Guide

Klong Prao Beach (Hat Khlong Phrao)
Koh Chang's longest, calmest beach — wide sand and a khlong to paddle

The longest beach on Koh Chang, running down the central west coast: calmer and far more spread-out than White Sand, with mid-range and upscale resorts set apart along the sand and an estuary at its middle. If you want quiet but still want food within reach, this is the beach.

What it is

The beach for people who actually want to switch off — and why

Picture this: a broad strip of sand running for the best part of a kilometre, a line of coconut palms and casuarina trees behind it, a scattering of people walking the tideline, and the green ridge of Koh Chang's interior rising at your back. No thumping bars, no wall of shops crammed together. This is Klong Prao Beach — the stretch a lot of Koh Chang regulars graduate to on their second trip, because it is the island's genuine "do nothing" beach.

Klong Prao Beach (Hat Khlong Phrao) is the longest beach on Koh Chang, running for nearly 3.5 kilometres along the central west coast. It splits into a northern section (the Chai Chet end) and a southern section, divided by an estuary — the khlong that gives the beach its name. That length means people spread out: however many visitors are around, the beach itself still feels open and quiet.

Klong Prao sits just south of White Sand Beach, roughly in the middle of the island, which makes onward trips easy — to Klong Plu Waterfall, Kai Bae Beach and the viewpoints. The resorts here are mostly mid-range to upscale, set apart from one another along the sand, with restaurants and cafés on the main road within walking distance. It is not a nightlife strip like White Sand or Lonely Beach. If you are travelling as a couple or a family and want calm, this is the most comfortable base on the island.

Klong Prao Beach, Koh Chang — a wide, long sandy beach with casuarina trees and the island's green hills behind
Klong Prao Beach — the longest, most spread-out stretch of sand on Koh Chang
📏
Length
Longest on the island
Nearly 3.5 km, split north/south by the estuary
💸
Admission
Free
Public beach, no entry fee
🚐
Getting there
Songthaew from the pier
~20–25 min · roughly ฿80–120 per person
🏖️
Best for
Couples · families
Quiet, but with food close by
🛶
Highlight
Kayaking the estuary
Still water past stilt houses and mangroves
☀️
When to go
Nov–Apr
Clear, calm sea; everything open
What to do here

4 things to do at Klong Prao Beach

A long beach, but each part of it feels different.

Swimming, sea and season

Tides — and the best time to come

🌊 The tide is the thing to know before you swim

Klong Prao shelves gently and is wide, which means the tide has a big effect on swimming. At high tide the sea comes in close to the treeline and is deep enough to swim comfortably — the best time to get in. At low tide the water pulls a long way out, exposing broad flats and shallow pools. Children love wandering them for shells, but if you want to actually swim you will be walking out a fair distance.

The simplest approach is to check the day's tide times (ask your resort, or use an app) and plan your swim around high tide. Low tide is better spent walking the beach, taking photos, or paddling a kayak up the khlong instead.

☀️ High season Nov–Apr — clear sea, everything open

The best time at Klong Prao — and on Koh Chang generally — is the dry season, roughly November to April. The sea is clear and calm, the skies are bright, and the resorts, restaurants and beach bars are all open. The snorkelling boat trips out to Koh Rang and the southern islands run normally. December–January and Songkran (April) are peak: busiest and priciest for rooms. For good weather without the heaviest crowds, November and February–March are the sweet spots.

Tip: If you are coming specifically to swim at Klong Plu Waterfall, the late-rains-into-cool-season window (Nov–Dec) is a good bet — the waterfall still has plenty of water from the rainy season, while the sea and the travelling have just come good. You get a clear sea and a full waterfall on the same trip.
Klong Prao Beach, Koh Chang — coconut palms along the shore with the estuary and the hills of Mu Ko Chang National Park behind
Coconut palms along Klong Prao, the green hills of Mu Ko Chang National Park rising behind

🌧️ Low season May–Oct — the honest version

During the south-west monsoon, roughly May to October, Koh Chang gets rain and a rough sea. To be straight with you: in these months many resorts, restaurants and beach bars along Klong Prao close or run reduced hours. The snorkelling boat trips usually stop running because the sea is too rough. Koh Chang is a genuinely seasonal island — far quieter in low season than Phuket or Samui. The upsides are real: lush green jungle, full waterfalls, cheaper rooms and almost no crowds. But before you come, check in advance that the places you want are still open. The car ferry still runs across the strait, though some days the crossing is choppy.

Getting there

How to reach Klong Prao Beach

Koh Chang is an island reached by car ferry from the Trat mainland — there is no train, no airport on the island and no BTS/MRT or metro. Once you are on the island you get around mainly by shared songthaew.

⛴️
Car ferry to the island
From the Trat piers, ~30–45 min
Ao Thammachat / Centre Point piers (Laem Ngop) to Ao Sapparot · always check the last ferry time
🚐
Shared songthaew (red taxi)
Pier to Klong Prao ~20–25 min
Roughly ฿80–120 per person depending on numbers · agree the fare first
🛵
Rent a scooter / car
Total freedom, but the hills are steep
⚠️ The Kai Bae–Lonely Beach road is steep and dangerous: wear a helmet, check the brakes, don't ride at night or after drinking
Planning the day: Klong Prao's central position makes it easy to combine with other sights — swim or kayak the khlong in the morning, then drive or take a songthaew to nearby Klong Plu Waterfall, and come back for the sunset on the beach. You can link to the island's other beaches in a single day.
Good to know

Making the most of Klong Prao — what to bring and how to tread lightly

🎒 What to bring

Klong Prao is a long beach with shops spread out, so you cannot walk to a vendor from every spot the way you can on White Sand. Bring enough water, sunscreen and cash (ATMs on the island are limited). Sandals that handle sand and shallow water are useful. If you plan to kayak the khlong, take a dry bag for your phone, and check with your resort whether kayaks are included.

🐘 Respect the island and the national park

Most of Koh Chang and the snorkelling islands to the south lie within Mu Ko Chang National Park. Tread lightly: don't leave litter on the beach or in the khlong, and don't take home quantities of coral or shells. On dive and snorkel trips, don't stand on or touch the reef. As for the island's elephant camps, if you visit, choose an experience that lets you observe, feed or bathe the elephants rather than ride them, for the animals' welfare. Klong Plu Waterfall and the marine snorkelling trips charge separate national-park entry fees, so budget for those.

Where to stay nearby

Where to stay around Klong Prao and Koh Chang

Klong Prao is known for its mid-range to upscale resorts, good for couples and families — browse accommodation across Koh Chang and Trat below.

10 Best Hotels in Koh Chang & Trat
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Koh Chang Beaches — Which Suits Whom
A beach-by-beach guide covering the views, the swimming and the vibe
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Frequently asked

FAQ · Klong Prao Beach before you go

How do you get to Klong Prao Beach from the ferry?
Koh Chang is an island reached by car ferry from the Trat mainland (Ao Thammachat or Centre Point piers, roughly 30–45 minutes). After landing at Ao Sapparot, take a shared songthaew (red taxi) on to Klong Prao Beach — about 20–25 minutes, roughly ฿80–120 per person depending on numbers. Klong Prao sits just south of White Sand Beach. Agree the fare before you get in, and always check the last ferry time.
How is Klong Prao Beach different from White Sand Beach?
Klong Prao is longer, quieter and far more spread out than White Sand Beach. The resorts are mid-range to upscale and set apart along the sand, rather than a continuous strip of bars and restaurants. It suits couples and families who want calm but still have food within walking distance. White Sand Beach is busier, has everything right on the beachfront and works better for first-timers who want convenience.
Can you swim at Klong Prao Beach, and how do the tides work?
Yes. The water is fairly shallow and gentle in high season, good for children and families. But because the beach shelves very gradually, at low tide the sea retreats a long way and stays shallow — you walk out a fair distance to reach water deep enough to swim. Check the day's tide times and swim around high tide for the easiest conditions. In the monsoon (May–October) the surf is rougher and red flags fly on some days, so watch the warning signs and ask your resort before going in.
What is kayaking on the Klong Prao estuary like?
The estuary (khlong) that splits Klong Prao is the beach's signature. The water in the canal is still, sheltered from waves and wind, so you can paddle a kayak inland past stilt houses and waterside restaurants into quiet mangrove channels — something you cannot do elsewhere on Koh Chang. Many resorts lend or rent kayaks. It is easiest around high tide and in the dry season, November to April.
What is Klong Prao Beach like in low season?
During the south-west monsoon, roughly May to October, Koh Chang gets rain and a rough sea, and many resorts, restaurants and beach bars along Klong Prao close or run reduced hours. Snorkelling boat trips usually stop running. The island is much quieter than in high season. The upsides are lush green jungle, full waterfalls, cheaper rooms and few crowds — but check in advance that the places you want are still open. The ferry still runs, though crossings can be choppy on some days.
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Klong Plu Waterfall — Right by Klong Prao
The island's main waterfall: a short jungle walk to a pool you can swim in, best after the rains
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Klook · Koh Chang activities

Koh Rang snorkelling, island-hopping and Bangkok–Koh Chang transfers — book ahead

Snorkelling and island-hopping boat trips to the southern isles, minivan-plus-ferry transfers from Bangkok, Trat airport transfers and more Koh Chang activities — booking through Klook in advance is more practical than sorting it out on the day, especially in busy high season.

Browse Koh Chang activities on Klook →
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