July, August and September are the heart of Koh Chang's green season: wet, lush and quiet. Here is what to expect from the weather, the sea and the island, and how to plan around it.
Koh Chang in July, August and September is rainy, green and quiet. Expect heavy bursts of rain with sunshine in between, a rougher sea on the west coast, full waterfalls and the lowest room rates of the year. It is not a beach-and-boats holiday, but it can be a very good one if you like jungle, peace and a hammock.
Koh Chang is one of the wettest parts of Thailand, so these months are properly wet. We would rather tell you that now than have you find out on day one.
What the weather does
The monsoon sets the pattern. Rain usually arrives in heavy bursts, often in the afternoon, and then the sun comes back. Some days are grey from start to finish. You will get dry hours, and you will get days when the rain drums on the thatch for a long time.
We do not have month-by-month rainfall figures to give you here, and we would rather not guess whether August is wetter than July. What we can say is that the rainy season runs roughly from May or June to October, and that by October the rain is gradually easing. Our note on October picks up where this one stops.
For the live picture, check a forecast a few days before you travel. Treat it as a guide, not a promise: the weather here changes quickly.
The sea and the beach
On the west coast the sea gets rougher in these months. From around June to October the waves pick up and the currents at Lonely Beach can be strong. Swim where other people are swimming, respect any warnings, and stay out of rough water.
Boats are the other thing the sea decides. Some days the trips run beautifully, on others they are called off because of the waves. The best snorkelling is in the dry season, roughly November to April, so a green-season trip to Koh Rang is a bonus rather than a plan. If you want one, book it early in your stay so you have a spare day. The details of how the trips work are in our snorkelling guide.
At Paradise Cottage the shore in front of us is rocky, so it is for sunsets rather than paddling, whatever the month. The pool on the deck above the sea is where most guests swim, and the sandy part of Lonely Beach is a 10 to 15 minute walk when the water looks friendly.
Waterfalls and the jungle
This is the real reward. During and just after the rainy season, roughly July to November, the waterfalls are full and powerful, and the forest is at its greenest.
Klong Plu, on the west coast at Klong Prao, is open 08:00 to 16:30. Foreign visitors pay ฿200, and the same ticket covers Than Mayom on the east coast on the same day. Go early, when it is quietest.
Heavy rain has a downside. Trails get slippery and pools can be unsafe, so on stormy days admire the falls from a distance or choose another day. Stay out of the water when it runs brown and fast. If you are heading for the wilder falls in the south-east, such as Klong Neung, ask locally about trail conditions first. Our waterfall guide has hours, fees and the free ones.
What it costs
This is the cheapest time of year. At Paradise Cottage the green season runs from June to September. These are estimates per bungalow per night, with 7% VAT included:
- Front Sea View bungalow with air conditioning: ฿800 to ฿1,200
- Garden Bungalow with a fan: ฿500 to ฿900
The actual price depends on your dates and how busy we are, so message the team on WhatsApp for a real figure. Children under 12 stay free without an extra bed. In high season, from October to May, the same bungalows are ฿1,500 to ฿2,500 and ฿1,000 to ฿1,800.
How to plan your days
Build the trip around the rain, not against it. Put the outdoor things in the morning and leave the afternoon loose.
- Waterfalls early, while the day is usually at its driest and the crowds are small.
- Lunch at the stilt village of Bang Bao, then back for sunset if the sky allows.
- A massage in the afternoon, which is the best answer to a downpour.
- Yoga: BB Gym in Lonely Beach runs daily classes at 10:00 and 18:30. Timetables change, so check before you go. Blue Lagoon in Klong Prao only teaches from November to April.
- A long Thai lunch, a book, and a covered sala to watch the storm roll in.
The sun still sets over the sea on many evenings, even in these months. Be on the deck about twenty minutes early in case it does. If you want the bigger picture across the year, our guide on when to visit Koh Chang sets the three seasons side by side.
What to pack
- A light rain jacket.
- A dry bag for your phone.
- Quick-dry clothes and sandals with grip, as wet rocks are slippery.
- Insect repellent, especially at dusk in the green season.
- A good book for the downpours.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat for the dry hours, because the sun is strong all year.
Come in July, August or September for the jungle, the quiet and the prices. Do not come if your whole plan depends on calm seas and daily boat trips. Keep your days flexible and the island will be generous.
Quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Koh Chang?
It is a good time if you like quiet, green landscapes and low prices. Expect heavy bursts of rain, a rougher west coast sea, some cancelled boat trips and full waterfalls.
Does it rain all day on Koh Chang in the rainy season?
Usually the rain comes in heavy bursts with sunshine between them, though some days are grey from start to finish. Plan outdoor trips for the morning and keep the afternoon flexible.
Can you swim at Lonely Beach in July, August and September?
You can, with care. From around June to October the waves pick up and currents can be strong, so swim where others swim and stay out of rough water. The pool at Paradise Cottage is a calmer option.
How much is a bungalow at Paradise Cottage in the green season?
As an estimate, a Front Sea View bungalow is ฿800 to ฿1,200 a night and a Garden Bungalow ฿500 to ฿900 from June to September, with 7% VAT included. The actual price comes from the team on WhatsApp.
