🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Koh Chang's main beaches and sights are strung along a single road on the west coast — the side that faces the sea and catches the sunset. That's why nearly all the standout viewpoints sit on this side, running from the middle of the island around Klong Prao down past Kai Bae to the southern tip. The east coast is quieter and better suited to sunrise. We'll start with the most famous spot first.
Kai Bae Viewpoint — a 180-degree view of 4 islands
Kai Bae Viewpoint is the most talked-about lookout on Koh Chang. It sits on a hill along the road between Kai Bae Beach and Lonely Beach, and from the top you get a sweep of sea and small islands stretching about 180 degrees in front of you. Four islands stand out clearly: Koh Man Nai, Koh Man Nok, Koh Pli, and Koh Yuak. The blue of the water against the green of the islands makes this a spot people come specifically to photograph and to wait out the sunset.
- Free entry — there's no charge for the viewpoint, and there's a car park and restrooms.
- There's a cafe up top (View Cafe) where you can order coffee or a drink and sit with the view. You just pay normal drink prices, not an entry fee.
- The best light is in the evening, about half an hour before sunset when the sky starts to change color.
- At low tide you can see sandbars emerge between the islands, which photographs beautifully. Check the tide table ahead of time.
The climb up to Kai Bae is fairly steep
The entrance to Kai Bae Viewpoint is a short, steep slope. If you're riding two-up on a motorbike and aren't used to steep roads, take extra care or park at the bottom and walk up. The evening crowd waiting for sunset fills the car park fast, so give yourself a little extra time and it'll be easier.
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Laem Chai Chet — sunset at the end of Klong Prao Beach
Laem Chai Chet sits at the northern end of Klong Prao Beach — a rocky point reaching out into the sea, with boulders and trees leaning into the wind. It's a sunset spot favored by people staying around Klong Prao and White Sand Beach, an easy walk from the road or from the resorts nearby. In the evening the golden light hits the rocks and the water, making for a calmer, quieter photo angle than Kai Bae. If you're staying in this area and don't want to drive far in the evening, this is the convenient choice.
Pha Suk Niran (Laem Sing) — a rocky spot by the sea
Pha Suk Niran is over by Laem Sing, in the north of the island — a flat rock platform by the sea where people stop to shoot the open sea and the big boulders. It's more of a check-in photo spot than a high hilltop lookout, and it suits people staying in the northern zones like White Sand Beach or Laem Sing who want a sea view close by without driving south. The path down over the rocks can be slippery, so shoes with decent grip will keep you safer.
Viewpoints around the island — in driving order
If you drive along the main road on the west coast, you'll hit spots where the road opens up a sea view worth pulling over for. We've put the standout ones in order, with a note on what each is good for.
Kai Bae Viewpoint
The main one to stop at — a 180-degree view of the sea and 4 islands. Free entry, with a cafe and restrooms. Best at sunset. The climb up is short but steep, so take care if you're riding two-up.
Laem Chai Chet (Klong Prao)
A rocky point at the end of Klong Prao Beach, an easy walk from accommodation in this area. Lovely sunset, quieter than Kai Bae — good for anyone who doesn't want to drive far in the evening.
Pha Suk Niran (Laem Sing)
A rock platform by the sea in the north of the island — a check-in spot with an open sea view and big boulders. Good for people staying around White Sand Beach and Laem Sing. The path down over the rocks is slippery, so watch your footing.
White Sand Beach (beachside sunset)
A popular beach in the north. In the evening it's an easy place to sit on the sand and watch the sun go down, with beach bars playing music. Good for anyone who wants to watch the sunset with food and drinks on hand.
Kai Bae Beach (island view off the beach)
Kai Bae Beach itself has a small island just off the sand — at low tide you can walk out to it. It's a sand-level photo angle with the sunset, a different perspective from the viewpoint up the hill.
Bang Bao Fishing Village (lighthouse)
At the end of the west-coast road, a long wooden pier runs out to sea and ends at a white lighthouse — a photo spot with a view of the bay and the fishing boats. The evening light is lovely. It's not a hilltop lookout but a sea-level angle.
For sunrise, you'll need to cross to the east coast
Every viewpoint above is on the west coast, facing the sea for the sunset. If you want the sunrise, you'll need to drive across to the east coast around Than Mayom or Salak Phet Bay, which are quiet with few people — but you'll have to get up early and allow time for the drive across the island.
Sea and sunset photo angles — getting the shot right
Koh Chang sits on the eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand, with the sun setting straight into the sea on the west — which means almost every beach on this side gets the full golden light. If you want your photos to come out well, try these tips.
- Arrive about 30–45 minutes before sunset to claim a spot and wait for the golden-hour light as the sky starts to change. Don't show up right as the sun is dropping, because the good angles are usually taken by then.
- Check the tide table for Kai Bae and the various beaches. At low tide you'll see sandbars and rocks emerge, which makes for a nice foreground.
- Use a rock, a boat, or a coconut palm as a foreground element to give your sea shots depth so they don't look flat and empty.
- Stick around for another 15–20 minutes after sunset (the blue hour), when the sky turns a beautiful blue-purple. Don't rush off.
- In the rainy season the sky often closes in — lots of cloud, and you may not see the sun at all. If you're set on shooting the sunset, the clear-sky months of November to April give you better odds.
Getting to the viewpoints + things to watch for
Almost all of Koh Chang's viewpoints are right off the main road on the west coast, easy enough to reach by car or motorbike. But this road is notorious for its steepness and hairpin bends, so come prepared and drive carefully.
- The road is steep with sharp hairpin bends, especially the stretch from Kai Bae down to Bang Bao. If you're not used to riding a motorbike on steep roads, don't push it — take a red songthaew (shared taxi) or rent a car instead, it's safer.
- Take extra care driving back in the dark. After sunset the sky goes dark fast, and the road has few lights. Use your headlights, drive slowly, and keep your distance.
- The road is slippery in the rainy season. Leaves and water on the surface make the wheels slip easily, and the climbs up to the viewpoints especially call for caution.
- Fill up before heading south. There are few petrol stations on the island and barely any in the south, so check your fuel before heading out to the far viewpoints in the evening.
A one-day viewpoint loop on Koh Chang
North–central zone, sea photos
Kai Bae for the sunset
Plan your Koh Chang trip in full — beaches, viewpoints, and where to stay
See the Koh Chang travel guide →