Unlike Phuket or Samui, Koh Chang still has a slightly rougher edge — the interior is mountainous jungle and the roads are steep and winding, and the beaches reflect that range.
The west coast has most of the developed beaches. White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao) is the longest and busiest, with the widest range of restaurants and bars. Lonely Beach, further south, draws a younger crowd with cheaper accommodation and a relaxed backpacker scene. Klong Prao, in between, is quieter and good for families, with a long stretch of sand broken by a small estuary.
The east coast and southern tip are far less visited. Wai Check Beach and Long Beach are reachable by boat or a rough trail and reward the effort with near-solitude. Bang Bao, at the southern end, is a fishing village built on stilts over the water — the pier is lined with seafood restaurants and dive shops.