The short answer
Bang Bao Fishing Village: what visitors should know first
Yes, for an easy half-day outing and a pier walk. Bang Bao has a long wooden deck with souvenir shops, cafes and seafood restaurants, and boats leave from here for Koh Wai and beyond. Expect boards to be slippery when wet.
Useful facts
Bang Bao Fishing Village facts at a glance
- Location
- South coast of Koh Chang
- Experience type
- Harbour walk and boat departure
- Known for
- Long wooden pier with shops and seafood
- Visitor note
- Slippery boards in rain
- Time or schedule
- Boat times are seasonal; check locally
Why it matters
Why Bang Bao Fishing Village is worth your time
Bang Bao is the island's best-known working harbour and its main window on how Koh Chang's older fishing life is now blended with tourism. The pier is still a place where boats come and go, even though much of the deck is given to shops and restaurants.
It is also a practical hub: the departure point for island hopping to the quieter islands of the Trat archipelago. Its position on the south coast also makes it a useful stop on a drive round the island's southern road.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Walk the pier
Shops and cafes line the long timber deck.
- 02
Seafood lunch
Restaurants focus on fresh catch.
- 03
Boat departures
Services run to Koh Wai, Koh Mak and Koh Kut in season.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Drive or take a songthaew to the south coast and walk out along the pier, which is lined with small shops, cafes and seafood restaurants. Wikivoyage lists it as a fishing harbour with a long wooden deck. Go in the late morning for a stroll, or time it for lunch.
Boats to Koh Wai, Koh Mak and Koh Kut depart from here in the travel season, with a slow wooden boat and speedboats on offer. Services are seasonal and change, so confirm times at your hotel. If you plan an island day trip, this is a convenient place to arrange it.
Most restaurants focus on fish and shellfish. Vegetarian diners should ask kitchens to cook vegetables or rice without fish sauce.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Wear non-slip shoes
- Confirm boat times the day before
- Ask for vegetable dishes without fish sauce
- Carry a hat for the open deck
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- South coast of Koh Chang
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
- Best time
- Morning for boats; late afternoon for light
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The pier is flat but made of timber with gaps and wet patches, and the lane is narrow. Take care with walking sticks and wheelchairs; there is little shade at midday.
- Tickets and access
- Walking the pier is free. Boat trips and meals are paid directly with operators; compare fares before booking.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Bang Bao Fishing Village
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The pier is flat but made of timber with gaps and wet patches, and the lane is narrow. Take care with walking sticks and wheelchairs; there is little shade at midday.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Are boats from Bang Bao year-round?
No. Wikivoyage notes some services run only in the travel season; confirm locally.
Is the pier safe for older travellers?
It is flat, but the timber can be slippery when wet. Go slowly.
Can vegetarians eat here?
Possibly, with requests; most menus lean on fish and seafood.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
