Koh Chang

Sports & the Outdoors

Ban Kwan Chang (01/919-3995 or 09/815-9566), in Klongson Village on the north end of the island, offers a trekking program supported by the Asian Elephant Foundation, so you can trust that the elephants are treated more humanely than at many businesses. Half-day tours (from 8:30 am until around noon; B900 per person) include a bathing and feeding session and a 90-minute trek into the jungle, plus transportation from your hotel. There are shorter treks as well. Most hotels can arrange trips for you, if you don't want to call yourself.

Hiking trips, particularly to some of the island's waterfalls, are gaining popularity. It's a good idea to hire a guide if you plan to venture farther than one of the well-traveled routes, as good maps of the mostly jungle terrain are unheard of. One such provider is Jungle Way (09/223-4795), based in the northern village of Klongson.

Scuba diving, including PADI courses, is readily available. Divers say that the fish are smaller than in other parts of Thailand, but the coral is better, there are no sharks, and most of the dives are less than 54 feet. Prices generally run from B3,200 for a two-day PADI introductory course to more than B20,000 for dive-master certification.

Ploy Scuba Diving (039/558033. www.ployscuba.com) is one of the big names in the business. They offer a full range of dives and internationally recognized PADI courses, from beginner to dive master. Their main office is on Bang Bao Pier on the south of the island. There are offices on many of the beaches around the island, too.

OK Diving (09/936-7080), which has offices on White Sand Beach and Haad Khlong Phrao, offers day dives, PADI courses, and snorkeling excursions

Water World Diving (Koh Chang Plaza, Khlong Phrao Beach. 09/224-1031) offers day dives, certification courses, and snorkeling.

Snorkeling off a boat costs as little as B500 a day. Snorkelers usually just tag along on dive boats, but boat excursions that feature snorkeling are available. Thai Fon (06/141-7498) leaves White Sand Beach each morning for a 10-hour, 15-island tour of the marine park. The trip includes stops at two or more islands (skirting the shores of the others), a buffet lunch, and two snorkeling stops. The cost is around B800. It's a good way to see some of the archipelago, including uninhabited islands, but it makes for a long day.