Salak Khok Mangrove Tour Koh Chang: Gondola Boat Prices & Travel Guide
Salak Khok: a traditional gondola ride through Koh Chang's mangroves
Salak Khok is a quiet fishing village on Koh Chang's east coast, about 20 km from the ferry port. It sits inside a sheltered bay surrounded by mangrove forest. The local community runs a gentle, eco-friendly way to explore it: a ride on a traditional wooden gondola boat called a reua maad.
A paddler rows you through the mangrove channels to the bay mouth, with no engine noise. You can also hire a kayak and explore at your own pace. This guide covers gondola and kayak prices in baht, opening hours and what to expect. It also covers how to get there and where to eat.
- Gondola prices vary by source and year. Wongnai and a May 2025 TripAdvisor review both say ฿200 per person. Earlier TripAdvisor reviews mention ฿400 for two people (May 2022) and ฿500 for one boat trip (May 2023). Expect about ฿200 per person. Confirm when you arrive.
- Kayak prices differ too. Thai Holiday Guide says around ฿100 per hour, but doesn't say whether that's per person or per kayak. TripAdvisor reviews from 2018 mention ฿200 per two-person kayak per hour. I'd budget ฿100 to ฿200 an hour.
- Opening hours differ. TripAdvisor lists the kayak station as open from 8am to 4:30pm. Thai Holiday Guide says the village is open from 8am to 6pm, but doesn't say whether the boats keep the same hours. Go before 4pm to be safe.
- Trip length varies. Musement and TripAdvisor reviewers say about 40 to 45 minutes. Destination Asia says about an hour.
- Booking through an agent costs more. A May 2025 TripAdvisor reviewer said booking directly cost half what an agent charged. Musement's version of the tour lists its price in pounds only, so I haven't included it.
Quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Salak Khok village, east coast of Koh Chang |
| Distance from ferry pier | About 20 km, 20 to 30 minutes' drive |
| Gondola boat price | About ฿200 per person |
| Boat capacity | Up to 4 passengers |
| Gondola trip length | About 40 to 45 minutes |
| Kayak hire | About ฿100 to ฿200 per hour |
| Opening hours | About 8am to 4:30pm (kayak station) |
| Village entry | Free |
| Payment | Cash only |
| Best time | Morning or late afternoon |
Salak Khok Kayak Station, Koh Chang
Salak Khok gondola and kayak prices
| Activity | Price | Source | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gondola boat with paddler | ฿200 per person | Wongnai, TripAdvisor review (May 2025) | View tour |
| Gondola boat (2 people) | ฿400 | TripAdvisor review (May 2022) | View tour |
| Gondola boat trip | ฿500 per boat | TripAdvisor review (May 2023) | View tour |
| Kayak hire | About ฿100 per hour | Thai Holiday Guide | View tour |
| Two-person kayak | ฿200 per hour | TripAdvisor review (2018) | View tour |
| Kayak with a local guide | About double the kayak price | TripAdvisor review (2018) | View tour |
| Typical cost for 2 people (gondola) | About ฿400 |
Wongnai says the gondola price includes a cold drink.
What is the Salak Khok gondola?
Reua maad paddler in traditional dress, Salak Khok
The reua maad is a traditional wooden boat made from ironwood. Destination Asia says its design dates back to the Ayutthaya period, when people used dug-out boats to travel rivers and canals. The paddler wears traditional dress inspired by King Rama V, who visited Koh Chang over 100 years ago.
Passengers sit at a small table under a large umbrella, with room for up to four people. The paddler rows slowly through the mangrove channels to Salak Khok Bay. Locals formed the Salak Khok Community Tourism Club to bring the boat tradition back. They run the trips.
What you'll see
Salak Khok Bay, east coast of Koh Chang
- Mangrove forest: dense mangroves lining the channels, which act as a nursery for fish and other sea life
- Salak Khok Bay: a sheltered bay with only one narrow passage to the sea
- Koh Sakok and Koh Lim: two small islands at the bay's mouth, according to TripNiceDay
- Wildlife: Destination Thailand mentions herons and mudskippers. A TripAdvisor reviewer spotted falcons.
- Village life: fishing boats, stilt houses and local fishermen at work
Stilt houses in Salak Khok fishing village
Kayaking through the mangroves
Kayaking through the Salak Khok mangroves
If you'd rather paddle yourself, the Salak Khok Kayak Station hires kayaks by the hour. TripNiceDay says the village tourism association gives you a route map of the natural canals. Destination Thailand says an hour or two is enough.
Kayaking can be tiring. A gondola is the better choice for families, older travellers or anyone who just wants to relax.
Where to eat
Seafood restaurant over the water at Salak Khok
Thai Holiday Guide says fishing families run simple seafood restaurants built over the water, serving that day's catch. Blue crab and grilled fish are the usual dishes. A TripAdvisor reviewer called the seafood restaurant at the kayak station good value.
For Muslim travellers: these are seafood restaurants, but none are listed as halal. Ask how dishes are prepared before ordering.
How to get there
Salak Khok is on the east coast, so you'll need your own transport. Thai Holiday Guide says there's no public songthaew route.
- By car or scooter: about 20 to 30 minutes from Ao Sapparot pier. From the west coast beaches, Destination Thailand says about 40 minutes. The road over the hill has hairpin bends, so a car is the safer choice.
- By taxi: agree a return fare with the driver.
Combine it with Than Mayom Waterfall (฿200 entry) and the Salak Phet mangrove boardwalk on the same day.
Best time to visit
- Time of day: TripAdvisor reviewers recommend mornings for fresher air. Thai Holiday Guide suggests late afternoon, when fishing boats return and the water is calmer.
- Season: November to February is the most comfortable. June to October brings sudden downpours.
- Tide: paths can be muddy at low tide, according to Thai Holiday Guide.
Tips for Malaysian travellers
- Bring cash. Thai Holiday Guide says card payment is unreliable here.
- Book directly at the station. It's cheaper than going through an agent.
- Bring insect repellent and sun protection, especially at dusk.
- Stay overnight for a local experience. Thai Holiday Guide says homestays with local families can be arranged.
- Contact the station: Wongnai lists 087-748-9497 and 083-115-5677, plus the SalakKhokKayakStation Facebook page.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Arriving after 4pm, when the kayak station may be closed.
- Riding a scooter over the steep east coast road without experience.
- Paying an agent double when you can book at the station.
- Forgetting cash. Destination Thailand says east coast businesses are cash only.
- Visiting in a heavy downpour in the rainy season.
Sourced from Thai Holiday Guide Ban Salak Khok Community, Destination Asia, TripAdvisor Salak Khok Kayak Station, Wongnai Ban Salak Khok, Musement Mangrove Gondola Tour, TripNiceDay and Destination Thailand. Prices checked in October 2026 and may change.