Koh Chang vs Koh Kradan
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More scope for a modest-budget stay
Local eateries and a range of guesthouses help with value, while ferry transfers and island transport add to the total.
Easier exploring without a scooter
The compact, road-free visitor area is explored on foot, with boats for excursions and onward travel.
Side by side
What feels different
Our editorial assessments · Select a factor to see how we scored each place.
Why we rate Koh Chang 8/10
Several long west-coast beaches make beach days easy, though the sand and swimming vary by bay and season.
Why we rate Koh Kradan 9/10
An outstanding sandy main beach and smaller shorelines make beach time central, with tides and visiting boats affecting the experience.
What we assess
Beach appeal, convenient access and variety during a beach-focused stay, within the destination itself.
Why we rate Koh Chang 8/10
A mountainous rainforest interior, waterfalls and curving bays give Koh Chang more than a beach-only landscape.
Why we rate Koh Kradan 9/10
Clear-water coastal views, forested slopes and offshore island silhouettes create a striking compact setting.
What we assess
The visual impact of natural surroundings and how central those landscapes are to a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Chang 4/10
Fishing communities, temples and local island life add some cultural interest, but major heritage sights are limited.
Why we rate Koh Kradan 2/10
The visit is centred on beaches and nature, with little village or built-heritage sightseeing in the island stay area.
What we assess
The variety, depth and practical access to historic places, temples, architecture, traditions and cultural experiences during a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Chang 6/10
Seafood, Thai restaurants and familiar international meals are available along the west-coast bases.
Why we rate Koh Kradan 5/10
Resort restaurants provide Thai and international meals, with less everyday variety than an inhabited village island.
What we assess
Food quality, variety, distinctive local cooking and how readily visitors can find good places to eat, regardless of price.
Why we rate Koh Chang 4/10
Beach bars and casual live music are available, but evenings are generally low-key outside a few strips.
Why we rate Koh Kradan 2/10
Evenings mostly mean resort bars and quiet beachside dining rather than a varied nightlife circuit.
What we assess
The choice, variety and liveliness of evening venues, their opening hours and how easily you can enjoy a typical night out.
Why we rate Koh Chang 7/10
Quiet beaches and forested stays are easy to find away from the busiest west-coast centres.
Why we rate Koh Kradan 8/10
Quiet mornings and overnight stays are a major attraction, while day-trip arrivals can disturb the main beach.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a peaceful stay, considering traffic, nightlife noise, crowds and practical quieter bases.
Why we rate Koh Chang 8/10
Boat trips reach nearby islands and snorkelling sites, though routes and frequency depend on season and departure bay.
Why we rate Koh Kradan 7/10
Nearby island and cave trips are available, with fewer spontaneous departure choices than a larger transport hub.
What we assess
The variety of worthwhile sea-island trips, convenient departures, journey times and flexibility under normal operating conditions.
Why we rate Koh Chang 5/10
Shared songthaews and organised trips cover popular stops, but routes are limited and the island’s steep, spread-out roads constrain flexibility.
Why we rate Koh Kradan 9/10
The compact, road-free visitor area is explored on foot, with boats for excursions and onward travel.
What we assess
Freedom to explore without renting a scooter, using walking, public transport, taxis, tuk-tuks, ride-hailing or boats; transport price is assessed separately.
Why we rate Koh Chang 7/10
Local eateries and a range of guesthouses help with value, while ferry transfers and island transport add to the total.
Why we rate Koh Kradan 4/10
Basic stays can reduce room costs, but limited dining choice and boat access make a low-cost holiday less flexible.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a typical stay on a modest budget, including simple accommodation, food, realistic transport and characteristic activities.
Scores out of 10 · Higher means more of that characteristic About these scores
How to read the scale
Scores run from 0 to 10 and describe how strongly a destination offers each characteristic.
Higher does not always mean better
A higher nightlife score means a livelier scene. A higher quietness score means a calmer atmosphere. The right balance depends on your trip.
Close scores mean similar experiences
Small differences should not decide your trip on their own.
Koh Chang
Choose Koh Chang if...
- You want a beach holiday with rainforest and waterfall outings too.
- You like a green, mountainous island with several different beach bases.
- You prefer casual beach evenings and quieter stays over a major party scene.
The trade-off
The island is spread out, with steep roads between some areas. Shared taxis and organised trips help, but beach-hopping and independent exploring take more planning than on a compact island.
Koh Kradan
Choose Koh Kradan if...
- You want the beach and nearby reef to be the centre of your trip.
- You enjoy walking between a small number of beachside places.
- You prefer slow island days over shopping and a busy evening scene.
The trade-off
Food and services are concentrated in a small number of stays, and the mainland boat connection adds planning. Day trips can make parts of the beach busy.
Plan your trip
When to go
See how temperature, rainfall and travel conditions change through the year. Select a month to focus your comparison.
| Factor | Koh Chang | Koh Kradan |
|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 51 mm | 57 mm |
| Rainy days | 4.9 | 6.2 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 82 mm | 26 mm |
| Rainy days | 7.4 | 3.4 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 35°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 140 mm | 102 mm |
| Rainy days | 12.6 | 7.4 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 35°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 196 mm | 149 mm |
| Rainy days | 14.9 | 12.5 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Typical | Typical |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 420 mm | 217 mm |
| Rainy days | 21.9 | 18.1 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 777 mm | 215 mm |
| Rainy days | 25.4 | 17.2 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 1024 mm | 254 mm |
| Rainy days | 26.6 | 17.7 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 970 mm | 286 mm |
| Rainy days | 27 | 19 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 816 mm | 287 mm |
| Rainy days | 24.8 | 20.5 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 338 mm | 283 mm |
| Rainy days | 21.3 | 21.9 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Low |
| Stay prices | Typical | Low |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 85 mm | 226 mm |
| Rainy days | 9.1 | 18.5 |
| Crowds | High | Moderate |
| Stay prices | High | Typical |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 31°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 28 mm | 152 mm |
| Rainy days | 3.5 | 12.8 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang |
32°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
| Koh Kradan |
33°C
|
34°C
|
35°C
|
35°C
|
34°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
31°C
|
| Monthly Rainfall | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang |
51 mm
|
82 mm
|
140 mm
|
196 mm
|
420 mm
|
777 mm
|
1024 mm
|
970 mm
|
816 mm
|
338 mm
|
85 mm
|
28 mm
|
| Koh Kradan |
57 mm
|
26 mm
|
102 mm
|
149 mm
|
217 mm
|
215 mm
|
254 mm
|
286 mm
|
287 mm
|
283 mm
|
226 mm
|
152 mm
|
| Rainy days | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang | 4.9 | 7.4 | 12.6 | 14.9 | 21.9 | 25.4 | 26.6 | 27 | 24.8 | 21.3 | 9.1 | 3.5 |
| Koh Kradan | 6.2 | 3.4 | 7.4 | 12.5 | 18.1 | 17.2 | 17.7 | 19 | 20.5 | 21.9 | 18.5 | 12.8 |
| Crowds | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Koh Kradan | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High |
| Stay prices | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang | High | High | High | Typical | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Typical | High | High |
| Koh Kradan | High | High | High | Typical | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Typical | High |
| Sea conditions | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Variable | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Variable | Calm | Calm |
| Koh Kradan | Calm | Calm | Calm | Variable | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Variable | Calm |
Temperatures are historical average daytime highs, not the highest temperatures you might experience. Rainfall and rainy days are monthly averages, not a forecast. A rainy day need not mean rain all day.
Stay prices are relative to each destination’s usual rates. Holidays can bring extra crowds and higher prices. Sea conditions vary by beach and day; check local conditions before boat trips.
Koh Chang: Thai Meteorological Department — TRAT, 1991–2020.
Koh Kradan: Thai Meteorological Department — TRANG AIRPORT, 1991-2020.
