Ko Chang, referred to as the "Elephant Island" due to its form, lies south east of mainland Thailand. It is a secluded exotic island of incredible beauty, and a popular holiday destination. Ko Chang has an abundance of lush rainforests, immaculate beaches, crystal-clear waterfalls, steep rock cliffs, gorgeous bays and coves, and magnificent historic sites. The island has a fine selection of restaurants, accommodation, great entertainment spots, and activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, diving, camping, swimming and canoeing. There is also a myriad of events and festivals happening each month throughout the year. January is one of the best times of year to visit this tropical paradise.
For those visitors looking to enjoy plenty of sunshine, January is a spectacular month to visit. Each day in January has 9 hours of sunshine on average, which is the annual maximumecember and the following three months have equally as much sunshine.
The absence of clouds also makes January one of the absolute driest months. Receiving only 35mm of rainfall in total, this is, in fact, the second driest months of the year, after December. The chance of experiencing rainfall is quite low, ranging from 9% in the beginning of the month to 14% at the end. If it does rain, it often happens in the form of thunderstorms, which occur on 52% of the 12 days with rainfall this month. Moderate rain and light rain happen respectively on 29% and 19% of those days.
The average high temperature is about 31°C during the day, and at night, the minimum temperature is 19°C. Relatively speaking, during this time of year, the weather is quite cool and temperatures are bearable. The average temperature overall is 25°C in January. The average sea temperature is 28°C, and the humidity is quite low due to the lack of precipitation. The sea conditions at this time are quite tranquil, and provide good visibility for activities such as snorkeling and diving.
You can take a look at the weather forecast for Ko Chang on this page.
Enjoy comfortable accommodation at the Siam Bay Resort, which offers fine dining in the form of seriously fresh seafood and tasty Thai cuisine. This excellent resort was, in fact, one of the very first luxury accommodations on the island. Located right next to the beach, it features bungalows, an outdoor swimming pool and a refined restaurant.
An equally good getaway is the Centara Koh Chang Resort set on the beautiful Klong Prao Beach. This spectacular resort features an oceanfront swimming pool and spa. Visitors can engage in a variety of water sports, as well as explore the stunning attractions in the area, such as spectacular waterfalls and dense forest paths.
Yet another recommended resort for your January beach vacation is the KC Grande Resort & Spa. This upscale resort offers its guests a lagoon-style pool right beside the beach, a superb location within walking distance from restaurants and shops, and various dining and meeting facilities.
With a sea temperature that averages 28°C, plenty of sunshine and calm weather, this is one of the very best months for sunbathing and water sports. The appropriately named White Sand Beach is arguably the most popular beach in Ko Chang. Divided into two sections, the northern part featuring all the sand, activities and most of the accommodation and the southern part a bit rougher with rocks and boulders, this amazing beach is popular among backpackers, families and locals alike.
One of the best rated restaurants on the entire island is Paul's Restaurant. A wonderful place to grab a bite to eat all-day longhey serve everything from breakfast and lunch to afternoon snacks and dinner. On the menu, you will find authentic Thai dishes, fresh seafood and barbecued meats.
For casual drinks and laidback meals, head over to 15 Palms. This fantastic beach bar and restaurant is set right on White Sand Beach and is a superb place for sunset dinners and drinks. They also serve breakfasts and lunches.
Also on White Sand Beach, Rock Sand Restaurant is located on the north end of the beach, in the area most popular among backpackers. Built on stilts above the rocks, this scenic eating establishment is great for lunch, dinner and evening drinks.
One of the main festivals taking place in January is Ko Chang Yutthanavi Day. This important happening is held on Laem Ngop at the Ko Chang Yutthanavi Memorial in commemoration of the Battle of Ko Chang. Visitors can participate in tribute rites as well as enjoy the exhibition put on display by the Royal Thai Navy. A major site related to this horrible day in the island's history is the Ko Chang Naval Battle Monument. This fascinating monumentbsolutely recommended if you want to learn more about the islands located on a sandy beach in the island's far southeastern corner. You can get there by car or motorbike.
With plenty of sunshine and almost no rainfall, January is one of the top months for snorkelling and scuba diving. Visitors who don't have a scuba diving license need not worry; there are a number of dive schools on the island. Snorkelling is another option cheaper one, toond can be done right off the beach in a few places. The crystal-clear water that surrounds Ko Chang is amazing for snorkelling. At Pearl Beach, Chai Chet and Cliff Cottage Cove can you simply wade into the water with your snorkel and flippers and begin snorkelling.
