🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Kai Bae Beach sits on the west coast of Koh Chang, just south of Klong Prao Beach. It's a stretch of sand about 2 kilometres long with fine sand and fairly calm water, since the little islands offshore help block the waves. What sets it apart from the island's other beaches is the sunset angle, which faces straight out to sea with the small islands as a backdrop, plus the very low tides when the sand is exposed in a long bar you can walk out across toward the island.
Why the sunset at Kai Bae Beach is so good
Kai Bae faces fully west out to sea. In the late afternoon the sun gradually drops into the water with small islands like Koh Man Nai, Koh Yuak and Koh Plee lined up as dark silhouettes against the orange sky. Plenty of people call it the best sunset spot on Koh Chang. The time when the sky is clearest and the sun really sinks cleanly into the sea is the dry season, roughly November to February. In the rainy season (May to October) there's a lot more cloud, and on some days it blocks the sun entirely.
- Get there about 40 minutes before sunset — that's when the light is best, and you can grab a spot before the crowd shows up.
- You can watch from the beach or the hill — if you want your feet in the sand, stay on the beach; if you want to see the islands lined up, head to the viewpoint.
- The dry season has clearer skies — Nov–Feb gives you a much better chance of seeing the sun drop fully into the sea than the rainy months.
Check before you go
In the rainy season Kai Bae can get strong waves and overcast skies, and at times there's a red flag warning you not to swim. Always look at the flags and the surf first. If you're coming specifically for the sunset, the dry season is the better bet.
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The offshore islands — walkable at low tide
Several small islands line up in front of Kai Bae Beach. The closest and most visible is Koh Man Nai, about 400 metres off the beach. Normally you'd paddle a kayak or take a boat out, but during the lowest tides of the year, around May to June, the sand is exposed in a long bar and you can walk straight across the sand toward Koh Man Nai. It's a moment plenty of people wait around to photograph. The other islands further out — Koh Yuak, Koh Plee and Koh Man Nok — you'll need a boat or kayak to reach.
- Check the tide table first — a Trat/Koh Chang tide app will tell you which days the tide drops low enough to walk.
- Walk while the tide is going out, not when it's coming back in — give yourself time to walk back, and don't get caught with water rising across the path.
- Wear water shoes or footwear you don't mind getting wet — the bottom has rocks, shells and slippery seagrass mixed in with the sand.
- If you're not sure, don't push it — if the tide hasn't dropped enough, paddling a kayak or taking a boat out is safer than wading through deep water.
honesty — don't take the tide lightly
Walking out to the island only works on days when the tide drops really low, not every day. The sea comes back in faster than you'd think, so don't walk so far that you can't get back in time, and keep small children by the hand the whole way. In places the bottom is mud and very slippery seagrass.
Kai Bae viewpoint, on the hill by the beach
If you want to see the offshore islands lined up with the wide open sea, drive a short way up the hill from Kai Bae Beach toward Lonely Beach (Hat Sai Kaew). The Kai Bae viewpoint is on your right, easy to spot thanks to the large car park. From here you can see Koh Man Nai and the smaller islands in a row — it's another popular sunset angle. There's a red postbox as a landmark for photos, and The View cafe sits right at the viewpoint so you can sip a drink while you wait for the sun to drop.
- The road up the hill is steep and winding — drive slowly and use a low gear, especially on a motorbike carrying two or more.
- It gets busy in the late afternoon — the car park can fill up, so if you want an easy spot, arrive a bit before sunset.
- There's a cafe/drinks stand right at the viewpoint — you can sit and wait for the sun to drop instead of standing in the heat.
honesty — the island roads are more dangerous than they look
Many stretches of road around Koh Chang are very steep with hairpin bends, especially between Kai Bae Beach and Lonely Beach and on toward Bang Bao. If you're not used to riding a motorbike on steep hills, renting a car or using a songthaew is much safer. In the rainy season the roads get slippery, so take extra care.
Things to do around Kai Bae Beach
Kayak out to the offshore islands
Several resorts and beachfront shops rent kayaks. Paddle out to Koh Man Nai when the water is calm, in the morning or late afternoon.
Snorkelling trips to the nearby islands
Boats leave from the pier in the south (Bang Bao) for Koh Wai, Koh Mak and Koh Kood. Check the weather first, as trips are cancelled during the monsoon.
Stroll and swim along the beach
The water is fairly calm thanks to the islands blocking the waves, good for an easy swim — but always check the warning flags in the rainy season.
honesty — check the sky before any boat trip
Snorkelling trips to the nearby islands are genuinely fun, but during the monsoon (roughly May–Oct) the sea gets rough and many trips are cancelled for safety. Don't force a booking on a stormy, choppy day, and choose an operator that has a life jacket for everyone.
Where to eat around Kai Bae Beach
The Kai Bae area has restaurants and cafes clustered along the main road and the beachfront, from seafood and Thai food to Western dishes for tourists. Here are the names you'll come across often in this area (prices are rough ranges and may change, so double-check at the shop).
Khao Kwan
A Thai restaurant with a nice atmosphere in the Kai Bae area, with well-plated dishes — good for a long, relaxed dinner. A bit pricier than a typical made-to-order spot.
Friend Seafood
A seafood restaurant on Kai Bae Beach. Order prawns, shellfish and fish in season and eat with a sea view as the sun goes down.
Cabana
A laid-back beachfront spot with both Thai food and snacks, and a good place to sit and watch the sunset.
El Barrio
A Mexican spot in the Kai Bae area — tacos and burritos for the day you want a break from Thai food.
Mordi E Fuggi
An Italian place with fresh pizza and pasta that gets good reviews in this area — for when you're missing European food.
Fin
A beachfront restaurant people mention a lot, with both Thai and Western food and a good view in the late afternoon.
The View Cafe
The cafe right at the Kai Bae viewpoint. Sip a cold drink and wait for the sunset with the islands lined up in front of you.
Papa's Bakery
A bakery/breakfast spot in the Kai Bae area — bread, coffee and breakfast before you head out for the day.
honesty — some places close in low season
In the rainy season (roughly May–Oct) there are fewer tourists, and some restaurants and hotels in the Kai Bae area close for a long stretch or don't open every day. If you're coming this time of year, call ahead or check the shop's page before you travel so you don't show up to a closed door.
Where to stay around Kai Bae Beach
Kai Bae is a mid-priced area with options at several levels, from beachfront bungalows to resorts with pools. Names you'll come across often include Gajapuri Resort, AWA Resort, The Chill, KB Resort, Kai Bae Beach Resort and the budget-level Sea View. Many are within walking distance of the beach. If you want to wake up to the sea, pick a place on the beach side; the places across the road are cheaper but you'll have to cross over to the beach.
Want a good-value Koh Chang hotel near a nice beach? See the ones we've picked.
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