one
of Koh Chang's best known beaches, Haad Sai Khao lives up
to its name of White Sands Beach. The most popular and consequently
the most densely touristed, the beach front is packed with
concrete bungalows and upmarket resorts. At night the beach
lights up with seafood barbecue restaurants on the sand and
some funky beach bars.
The
main street that runs behind it, under the shadow of tree
covered mountains, is likewise packed with restaurants, resorts,
shops and tour agencies. If you're looking for a quiet secluded
beach or budget accommodation this is not the spot, but of
all the beaches on Koh Chang, Haad Sai Khao certainly has
the most to offer in terms of variety and available amenities.
It's hard to believe that just a few short decades ago there
only a few places to stay, a dirt road and little to do in
White Sands.
There
are a few quieter options at the northern end of the beach,
based around and to the north of the small rocky outcrop where
the last bastions of budget in the area are clinging on. It's
old school, but decidedly pleasant. As development has driven
prices up, the majority of the party crowd have upped and
left for Lonely Beach; these places meanwhile are for the
more laid back crowd who are on a shoestring...
