Ao Sapparot Pier

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Approximately 06.30 – 19.00

 

Ao Sapparot Pier in Trat Province is one of the most important gateways to Koh Chang. Located on the northern side of the island, it is the main arrival point for many travelers using the ferry service from Ao Thammachat Pier on the mainland. For visitors coming with a car, motorcycle, or as foot passengers, this pier often marks the first real moment of arriving on Koh Chang. From here, travelers continue to Klong Son, White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach, Bang Bao, or the quieter eastern side of the island.

 

Ao Sapparot Pier is not a beach destination in the usual sense. Although it sits beside the sea and carries the word “Ao”, meaning bay, the area is mainly a deep-water pier and transport terminal. The shoreline is rocky and unsuitable for swimming. Ferries, passenger boats, local boats, and fishing vessels use the area regularly, so visitors should treat it as a working pier rather than a leisure beach. Its real importance lies in transportation, logistics, and the movement of people, vehicles, and goods between Trat and Koh Chang.

 

For many travelers, Ao Sapparot Pier creates the first impression of Koh Chang. As the ferry approaches the island, green mountains, a rocky coastline, road access, and waiting songthaews become visible. This transition from the mainland to the island gives the pier a symbolic role. It is not only a structure for boats; it is the threshold between mainland travel and island travel, where visitors step into the landscape of Koh Chang and begin choosing their direction.

 

Historically, Ao Sapparot Pier functioned as a passenger and ferry pier connecting Koh Chang with the mainland around Laem Ngop and Ao Thammachat in Trat Province. As tourism on Koh Chang expanded, this ferry route became one of the most practical ways to reach the island. The ferry service allows passengers, cars, motorcycles, supplies, and commercial goods to cross conveniently, supporting not only tourism but also the everyday economy of the island.

 

The character of Ao Sapparot Pier can be compared with Nathon Pier on Koh Samui in the sense that both act as arrival gateways to major Thai islands. However, Ao Sapparot is much smaller and simpler. It does not have the large town setting of Nathon, but it does have the same sense of movement: ferries arriving, vehicles lining up, passengers looking for onward transport, local shops selling food, and drivers waiting to take travelers to beaches and resorts.

 

Once travelers disembark at Ao Sapparot Pier, they will usually see local songthaews waiting near the pier area. These shared pickup-truck taxis are an important part of Koh Chang transportation. They carry visitors to hotels, resorts, villages, and beaches along the island’s main west-coast route. A common route runs from Ao Sapparot Pier to Klong Son, White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, and Kai Bae Beach, with the distance from the pier to Kai Bae being about 17 km. Travelers can tell the driver the name of their hotel or resort and get off at the appropriate point.

 

For groups, families, or travelers with a lot of luggage, hiring a private songthaew or local vehicle can be more convenient. This allows visitors to go directly to their accommodation or arrange short sightseeing stops around the island. Before departure, it is best to agree clearly on the price, route, and duration of the trip. This makes the transfer from the pier to the hotel smoother, especially for those staying farther away in Kai Bae, Lonely Beach, Bang Bao, or the southern parts of Koh Chang.

 

The area around Ao Sapparot Pier has basic services for arriving and departing travelers. Small restaurants, food stalls, shops, waiting areas, toilets, ticket counters, and vehicle lanes support the flow of passengers and cars. Food near the pier is usually simple and practical, making it useful for travelers who need a quick meal before continuing to their hotel or while waiting for the return ferry. The pier is not designed for long leisure stays, but it is useful, functional, and essential to the island experience.

 

Ao Sapparot Pier is also an important decision point for travel routes on Koh Chang. Turning toward the west leads to the island’s main beach areas such as Klong Son, White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach, and Bang Bao. Turning toward the east leads to a quieter route through Ban Dan Kao, Ban Dan Mai, Khlong Nonsi Waterfall, Than Mayom, Salak Khok, and Salak Phet. These two directions provide very different experiences, and the pier is where many visitors begin choosing between the resort coast and the quieter community coast.

 

The west-coast route is the most common choice for first-time visitors because it has the largest concentration of beaches, hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and tourist services. White Sand Beach is one of the closest famous beaches to the pier. Farther south are Klong Prao, Kai Bae, and other popular areas. This route is convenient for travelers who want beach relaxation, nightlife, a wide range of accommodation, and easy access to tourism facilities.

 

The east-coast route is better suited to travelers who want a quieter experience. From Ao Sapparot, visitors can drive toward Ban Dan Kao, Ban Dan Mai, Than Mayom, and the southern villages of Salak Khok and Salak Phet. This side of Koh Chang offers community scenery, fishing areas, fruit orchards, waterfalls, mangroves, and a slower pace. It is ideal for travelers with a rental car or scooter who want to explore beyond the main beach zones.

 

For travelers driving onto the island, Ao Sapparot Pier is especially important because it is the point where vehicles leave the ferry and enter the island road system. Drivers should prepare before boarding the ferry on the mainland: keep tickets ready, follow staff instructions, drive carefully on the ferry ramp, and be patient during busy periods. On long weekends and holidays, traffic at both the mainland and island piers can be heavy, so extra travel time is essential.

 

Foot passengers can also use Ao Sapparot Pier comfortably because local transport is available on arrival. Shared songthaews are suitable for solo travelers, couples, and small groups who do not want to rent a vehicle immediately. It is helpful to keep the hotel name, beach name, or resort location ready in Thai or English. This reduces confusion and helps the driver drop passengers at the correct place, especially if the accommodation is located away from the main road.

 

During peak travel periods, Ao Sapparot Pier becomes much busier than usual. Vehicles may queue, ferries may operate more frequently according to passenger and vehicle demand, and waiting times can change depending on weather, tide, and traffic volume. Travelers leaving Koh Chang should allow generous time before flights, intercity buses, or other onward travel. Leaving the hotel early is especially important for those staying in Kai Bae, Lonely Beach, Bang Bao, or the southern part of the island.

 

A key point for visitors is that Ao Sapparot is not suitable for swimming. The area is a rocky coast and an active deep-water pier, with regular ferry, boat, and vehicle movement. Visitors should stay within safe passenger areas, avoid walking into operational zones, and be careful around vehicle ramps and ferry lanes. The pier is best used for transit, meals, short waiting time, and onward transport planning.

 

Getting There normally begins on the mainland in Trat Province. Travelers go to Ao Thammachat Pier, then take the ferry across to Ao Sapparot Pier on Koh Chang. After arriving on the island, they can continue by songthaew, hotel transfer, rental vehicle, or private car. Travelers from Bangkok can reach Trat by private car, intercity bus, minivan, flight to Trat Airport, or combined transfer services that include road transport and ferry crossing.

 

The best time to use Ao Sapparot Pier is from morning to afternoon, especially for travelers continuing to hotels farther south on the island. Arriving before evening gives enough time to travel safely to accommodation, check in, and avoid driving unfamiliar island roads after dark. Some roads on Koh Chang are steep and winding, particularly toward the southern west coast, so daylight travel is more comfortable for first-time visitors.

 

From a travel-planning perspective, Ao Sapparot Pier should be understood as the starting point of the Koh Chang journey. Whether travelers are heading to a beach resort, a family hotel, a local village, a waterfall, or the quiet east coast, this pier shapes the first stage of the island experience. Knowing the ferry route, fare structure, songthaew system, and distance to each beach helps make the arrival smoother and reduces unnecessary delays.

 

In summary, Ao Sapparot Pier is one of Koh Chang’s most important ferry terminals. It connects Trat Province with the island, supports passenger and vehicle transport, and serves as the gateway to the island’s beaches, resorts, communities, and natural attractions. Although its rocky shore is not suitable for swimming, its role in transportation is essential. Travelers who prepare ferry information, onward transport, hotel names, and travel time in advance will have a smoother start to their Koh Chang trip.

 

 

A: Ao Sapparot Pier is located on the northern side of Koh Chang in Trat Province. It is the island-side ferry pier receiving ferries from Ao Thammachat Pier on the mainland.

 

A: Travelers can continue to Klong Son, White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach, Ban Dan Kao, Ban Dan Mai, Than Mayom, and other areas of Koh Chang.

 

A: No. The area has a rocky shoreline and functions as a deep-water pier with regular ferry and boat traffic, so it is not suitable for swimming.

 

A: The distance from Ao Sapparot Pier to Kai Bae Beach is about 17 km. Travelers can continue by songthaew, hotel transfer, rental vehicle, or private car.

 

A: Yes. Local songthaews usually wait near the pier to take passengers to hotels, beaches, resorts, and villages around Koh Chang.

 

A: Adult passenger fares start from 80 Baht one way. Children under 110 cm travel free, while cars and motorcycles are charged additional vehicle fees by category.

 

A: Morning to afternoon is best, especially for travelers continuing to hotels farther south on the island, because it allows enough time for onward transport before dark.

 

A: Yes. There are simple food shops and restaurants around the pier area, suitable for a quick meal while waiting for the ferry or onward transport.