Koh Chang Noi and Chang Noi Peninsular

Koh Chang Noi is a small, uninhabited islet — just 0.26 sq km — off the northern coast of Koh Chang, separated from the mainland part of the island by a shallow, coral-lined channel that’s one of Trat’s better beginner snorkelling spots. It’s part of Mu Ko Chang National Park, so the standard park entrance fee applies.

Seen from Hat Khlong Son on Koh Chang’s north shore, the small hill on the islet and the peninsula reaching toward it are said to resemble a baby elephant lying down — the source of the name “Chang Noi” (little elephant), applied to both the islet and the cape opposite it. The water between the two holds a genuine coral reef, shallow enough for confident swimmers to snorkel straight from a boat, with a small sandy beach on the islet’s eastern side for a break between swims. It’s a quieter, rockier alternative to the reefs off Koh Chang’s west-coast resort beaches, without the regular dive-boat traffic.

There’s no village, no vendors, and no shade shelter on the islet itself — this is a stop on a longtail boat trip, not a destination with facilities. Boats run out from the northern end of Koh Chang, near Hat Khlong Son and the Ao Tham Noi pier, rather than from the southern piers like Bang Bao that serve the main dive and snorkel islands further offshore.

Because the whole area falls inside Mu Ko Chang National Park, the same conservation rules that apply to the rest of the park apply here — no anchoring directly on coral, no removing shells or marine life, no fishing without a permit. It’s a small, low-key stop rather than a headline attraction, which is exactly the appeal for anyone who’s already done the busier snorkel trips to Koh Rang or Koh Wai and wants a quieter, closer-to-shore option instead.

Insider Tip: Ask at a Hat Khlong Son or Hat Sai Khao dive shop about combining Koh Chang Noi with a longer half-day snorkel trip — the islet alone is a short stop, but it pairs naturally with other reefs along Koh Chang’s quieter northern coast.

Watch out: There’s no shade or facilities on the islet — bring your own water, reef-safe sunscreen, and snorkel gear, and check conditions before heading out in rainy season when the channel can get choppy.

Base yourself on the north or west side of Koh Chang for the shortest boat ride out — the dry season (November-April) gives the calmest water and best underwater visibility.