Khlong Nueng Waterfall

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 16.30

 

Khlong Nueng Waterfall in Trat Province is a natural waterfall within the wider landscape of Mu Ko Chang National Park. It is located inland from Ban Salak Phet on the southeastern side of Koh Chang, near Khiri Phet Waterfall. Khlong Nueng is a medium-sized waterfall with 2 tiers, known for its more adventurous setting, forest atmosphere, deep lower pool, and lush plant life around the stream. Unlike the more accessible waterfalls on Koh Chang, Khlong Nueng requires travelers to go deeper into the Salak Phet area, passing local roads, coconut groves, fruit orchards, and old rubber plantations before continuing on foot to the waterfall. This makes it a suitable destination for visitors who want to experience a quieter and wilder side of Koh Chang beyond beaches and resorts.

 

Koh Chang is one of Trat Province’s largest and most diverse islands. It has beaches, mountain forests, freshwater streams, waterfalls, mangrove forests, fishing villages, orchards, and rural communities. Khlong Nueng Waterfall reflects the natural character of the island’s southeastern side, especially around Salak Phet. This part of Koh Chang is much quieter than the main west-coast tourist zones such as White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, and Bang Bao. Around Salak Phet, the landscape is shaped by fishing communities, rubber plantations, fruit gardens, forested hills, and local roads. A visit to Khlong Nueng Waterfall therefore gives travelers a more local and nature-based experience.

 

The waterfall is reached from the Ban Salak Phet–Ban Rong Than road. Before reaching Ban Salak Phet School, travelers take a right-hand turn onto a small paved road. This narrow road passes through coconut groves, fruit orchards, and old rubber plantations for about 2 kilometers. After that, visitors continue on foot for approximately 500 meters to reach the first waterfall tier. The access route is part of the attraction because it allows visitors to experience the agricultural and forest landscape of Koh Chang before entering the stream area. This is not a highly commercialized route, so visitors should prepare properly and travel with care.

 

The first tier of Khlong Nueng Waterfall is the main accessible section. Here, water drops from a narrow mountain channel from a height of several dozen meters into a relatively deep natural pool below. The pool can be used for swimming when water conditions are safe, but visitors should be careful because natural pools can be deep, uneven, and slippery around the edges. Water flow can also change quickly depending on rainfall. Visitors should avoid jumping from rocks, climbing wet surfaces, or entering areas where the depth and current are unclear.

 

The second tier is more difficult to reach. To see it, visitors must climb along a narrow riverbank and steep rock edges. The route can be challenging and may require pulling oneself up carefully along the slope. It is not suitable for visitors who are not comfortable with rough natural terrain, and it is not recommended during heavy rain or when the rocks are wet and slippery. However, the route to the second tier is especially rich in natural beauty. The narrow path is shaded by wild plants and filled with moisture-loving species such as ferns, mosses, bird’s-nest ferns, and wild taro.

 

The plant life around the route to the second tier is one of the most beautiful features of Khlong Nueng Waterfall. Ferns and mosses grow on damp rocks and shaded surfaces, showing the high humidity of the waterfall environment. Bird’s-nest ferns and wild taro add texture and deep green color to the forest setting. These plants are not merely background scenery; they are part of the waterfall ecosystem. Visitors should avoid stepping on them, pulling leaves, or damaging the streamside habitat. Their presence helps show that this area remains moist, shaded, and ecologically healthy.

 

Khlong Nueng Waterfall changes strongly with the seasons. During the rainy season, the waterfall is at its most dramatic. Water flow becomes stronger, the forest turns greener, and the whole area feels alive with moisture and sound. This is the best season for visitors who want to see the waterfall with real power, but it is also the season that requires the most caution. Paths, rocks, and riverbanks can be slippery, and access to the second tier may be unsafe after heavy rain. During the dry season, the waterfall may have much less water, and in some periods parts of the stream can become nearly dry. At that time, visitors can see another kind of beauty: the shapes of rock ledges, cliff patterns, and the structure of the waterfall channel.

 

This seasonal contrast is part of the natural identity of Khlong Nueng Waterfall. In the wet season, the site shows the force of water and the lushness of Koh Chang’s forest. In the dry season, the same place reveals the stone landscape and the carved forms created by years of water flow. Visitors should not expect the same view all year round. Those who want stronger water should visit after rainfall when conditions are safe, while those who enjoy geological forms and quiet scenery may still find value during drier periods.

 

Khlong Nueng Waterfall is best suited for travelers who enjoy real nature rather than full tourist facilities. The area is quieter and less developed than many famous attractions on Koh Chang. Visitors should bring drinking water, shoes with good grip, mosquito repellent, a waterproof bag for phones or cameras, a towel, and a bag for carrying rubbish out of the area. There may not be shops or services directly at the waterfall, so food and supplies should be planned before entering the route.

 

Photography at Khlong Nueng Waterfall can be rewarding. Visitors can capture the narrow channel where the water drops into the pool, the deep lower basin, the surrounding forest, ferns and mosses along the trail, old rubber plantations, fruit orchards, and seasonal rock patterns. Morning or late afternoon light is usually best because the forest colors appear softer and more natural. Phones and cameras should be protected from moisture, and visitors should never climb risky rocks only to take photos.

 

Khlong Nueng Waterfall can be combined with Khiri Phet Waterfall because both are located in the Salak Phet area. Travelers with enough time can also visit Ban Salak Phet, Wat Salak Phet, Ao Salak Phet, and Salak Khok Mangrove Forest. This makes the waterfall part of a broader east and southeast Koh Chang route. The route is ideal for visitors who want to explore beyond the main beach areas and see a more rural, forested, and community-based side of the island.

 

Getting There begins with traveling by ferry from mainland Trat to Koh Chang. After arriving on the island, continue by road toward Ban Salak Phet on the southeastern side of Koh Chang. From the main road near Ban Salak Phet, take the right-hand turn before Ban Salak Phet School. A small paved road passes through coconut groves, fruit orchards, and old rubber plantations for about 2 kilometers. From the end or access area, continue on foot for about 500 meters to reach the first tier of the waterfall. The route can be traveled by car or motorbike, but drivers should be cautious because smaller roads may be narrow and slippery after rain.

 

Motorbike riders should be experienced because roads on Koh Chang include curves, slopes, and surfaces that change with weather. Helmets should always be worn. Families, elderly visitors, or travelers unfamiliar with island roads may prefer local transport or a resort-arranged transfer. Visitors should avoid entering or leaving the waterfall area too late in the day because forest trails and small local roads can become difficult after dark.

 

Food options near Khlong Nueng Waterfall are mainly in Ban Salak Phet and Ao Salak Phet. These areas have local restaurants, seafood restaurants, and resort dining options. Visitors should plan meals before or after the waterfall visit because the waterfall itself is not a major commercial area. Eating in Salak Phet also gives travelers a chance to experience the local fishing community and the quieter southeastern side of Koh Chang.

 

Accommodation choices depend on travel style. Visitors who want quiet surroundings and easier access to Salak Phet attractions can stay around Salak Phet or Salak Khok. Travelers who prefer more restaurants, cafés, shops, and beach facilities may stay on the west coast, such as White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, or Bang Bao, and visit Khlong Nueng Waterfall as a half-day or full-day trip. The route should be planned carefully because distances on Koh Chang can take longer than they appear on a map.

 

Responsible travel is essential at Khlong Nueng Waterfall. Visitors should not leave rubbish, use soap or shampoo in the stream, damage ferns or mosses, step on sensitive plants, disturb wildlife, or carve rocks and trees. The area is relatively natural and can be affected easily by careless behavior. Keeping the trail clean and quiet helps preserve the waterfall’s wild and peaceful character.

 

For foreign travelers, Khlong Nueng Waterfall offers a strong contrast to Koh Chang’s beach tourism. It is a hidden waterfall route with local roads, orchards, rubber plantations, forest plants, a deep natural pool, and a more adventurous second tier. It is suitable for travelers interested in soft adventure, hidden waterfalls, local village routes, and slow nature travel. With proper preparation and safe timing, Khlong Nueng Waterfall can become one of the most memorable inland experiences on Koh Chang.

 

Khlong Nueng Waterfall is therefore a meaningful natural attraction in the Salak Phet area of Koh Chang. It has 2 tiers, a deep lower pool, lush streamside plants, seasonal beauty, and a route that passes through the local agricultural landscape of the island. Although access requires more care than some better-known waterfalls, the reward is a quieter and more authentic nature experience. Travelers who respect the environment, prepare properly, and avoid risky conditions will find Khlong Nueng Waterfall a valuable addition to a Koh Chang itinerary.

 

 

A: Khlong Nueng Waterfall is located in the Ban Salak Phet area of Ko Chang Tai Subdistrict, Ko Chang District, Trat Province, within the wider landscape of Mu Ko Chang National Park.

 

A: It has 2 tiers. The first tier is easier to access and has a deep natural pool, while the second tier requires a difficult climb along a steep rocky riverbank.

 

A: From Ban Salak Phet, take the right-hand turn before Ban Salak Phet School, follow a small paved road through coconut groves, fruit orchards, and old rubber plantations for about 2 km, then walk about 500 meters to the first waterfall tier.

 

A: Swimming is possible in the lower pool when conditions are safe, but visitors should be careful because the pool is deep and rocks may be slippery.

 

A: Yes. Reaching the second tier requires climbing along a narrow and steep rocky riverbank, so it is suitable only for visitors who are prepared and should be avoided during heavy rain.

 

A: The fee follows Mu Ko Chang National Park rates: Thai adults 40 baht, Thai children 20 baht, foreign adults 200 baht, and foreign children 100 baht.

 

A: The rainy season and early cool season offer stronger water flow and greener forest, while the dry season may reveal beautiful rock formations and cliff patterns with lower water levels.

 

A: Nearby places include Khiri Phet Waterfall, Ban Salak Phet, Wat Salak Phet, Ao Salak Phet, and Salak Khok Mangrove Forest.