SeaTV · Thailand · Eastern Gulf · Trat Province · Charter Base
Island Spirit Yacht Charter — The Ao Salak Phet Charter Base on Koh Chang
The only yacht charter base in the Eastern Gulf · located in Ao Salak Phet on the south side of Koh Chang · floating dock accessible at any tide · Island Spirit Yacht Charter (formerly Gulf Charters Thailand) opened here in 2005 · Phil & Kim run the operation · the entire 52-island Koh Chang Archipelago is within a few hours’ sail · best season Nov-Mar · NE monsoon up to 25 knots peaks Nov-mid Jan.
The Island Spirit Yacht Charter base in Ao Salak Phet is the only charter operation in the Eastern Gulf cruising ground. Sigal sailed here in SeaTV’s Koh Chang series · the company started life in 2005 as Gulf Charters Thailand and rebranded as Island Spirit. The base is built into the entrance of the Salak Phet Seafood & Resort on the southern coast of Koh Chang · the floating dock works at any tide · Phil and Kim run the show, both reachable on WhatsApp 24 hours a day. From the pier the entire archipelago opens to the south — Koh Wai 5 NM, Koh Mak 12 NM, Koh Kut 22 NM, Koh Rang 9 NM. Even the late starters can find a tropical anchorage in less than an hour. ⚠ Approach hazard: a large submerged reef sits 300 m off the SW headland at the bay entrance · marked on the chart but unusually far from shore · take precaution especially when transiting between Salak Phet and adjoining Bang Bao to the W.
️ Interactive Map — Eastern Gulf Anchorages
→ Full interactive map of the SeaTV Eastern Gulf anchorages · use the layer toggles to filter by category · pinch to zoom on mobile · charts 120 (Koh Chang) + 151 (S to Koh Kut)
⚠ Reality check before you arrive:
→ Night sailing is FORBIDDEN in Thai waters · sunset ~17:45 · dark by 18:15 · anchor by 16:00 every day
→ ⚠ Submerged reef 300 m off SW headland at bay entrance · chart-marked but unusually far from shore · keep wide
→ Provisioning is limited in Salak Phet · big shops are on W coast Whitesands (Makro, Tesco-Lotus, Big C) · plan ahead
→ ⚠ Alcohol sale hours in Thailand · 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-midnight only at supermarkets
→ ⚠ Do NOT approach the pier unassisted · contact Base Manager first · or take a mooring ball until contact made
→ Charter deposit: 80,000-120,000 THB held against equipment / dinghy / outboard / extras
→ All yachts carry 50 m chain · scope minimum 4× depth + tide rise
→ ⚠ Watch fishing nets all day · 200 m long, marked with flags either end, often a longtail boat nearby
⚓ Charter Base at a Glance
Operator
Island Spirit Yacht Charter (formerly Gulf Charters Thailand)
Established
Summer 2005
Location
Ao Salak Phet (S Koh Chang)
Coordinates
~12°00’N · 102°23’E
Pier type
Floating dock · all-tide access
Phil (24hr WhatsApp)
+66 81 813 8023
Kim (24hr WhatsApp)
+66 93 131 0844
GCT Office Pattaya
038 237 752
Best season
Nov-Mar (NE monsoon)
Charts
120 (Koh Chang) + 151 (S to Koh Kut)
Cruising area
52 islands · ~30 NM N-S × ~25 NM E-W
Charter deposit
80,000-120,000 THB
⛵ The Charter Pier & Approach
Floating dock at the entrance to Salak Phet Seafood & Resort
The Island Spirit Yacht Charter pier is built into the entrance of the Salak Phet Seafood & Resort property · floating dock means access at any tide · the office is at the resort entrance · showers and toilets for crew use are available before departure or after return.
Approach procedure:
→ Enter Salak Phet bay in the middle · refer to Salak Phet anchorage data for choices.
→ ⚠ Submerged reef 300 m S off the SW headland at bay entrance · chart-marked but unusually far from shore · particularly relevant when transiting to / from Bang Bao Bay (W).
→ Contact the Base Manager on VHF or WhatsApp before approaching the pier · arrange dock assistance · do NOT come alongside unassisted.
→ Alternative: take a mooring ball until contact established.
→ Pier services available: watering, fueling, cleaning, on-water maintenance support.
Provisioning & Logistics
Local Provisioning at Salak Phet (limited)
Salak Phet is a small fishing village · Koh Chang’s largest and oldest settlement, but with limited shopping. Local fresh fruit stands, small markets, and fresh seafood directly from the village fishing community.
→ For full charter provisioning, plan ahead.
Big Shops at Whitesands (W Coast, ~30 min drive)
The W coast tourist hub has the major supermarkets — Makro · Tesco-Lotus · Big C. Full charter provisioning available. Island Spirit will arrange transport for your shopping run on the way to the marina, or pre-order via their provisioning service.
⚠ Alcohol sale hours: 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-midnight only at the bigger Thai shops.
→ V-Mart at Chai Chet is overpriced but well stocked with western brands and good wine selection.
Pre-Order via Island Spirit
Island Spirit’s provisioning service will deliver groceries to the boat. Send the list to Phil or Kim ahead of time · charges added to charter cost · most efficient option for skippers arriving same day as departure.
The Salak Phet Seafood & Resort
The pier is built into the entrance of the Salak Phet Seafood & Resort · pier-side seafood restaurant set over the water · attracts Bangkok diners who travel just for the seafood · modern air-conditioned waterfront rooms · the natural place to spend the night before charter departure or after return.
Use it for: arrival night before charter (avoid the long Bangkok-Trat road in the dark) · final dinner ashore · post-charter unwind night.
Cruising Area & Boundaries
The Koh Chang archipelago is bounded:
→ N: 12°10.00’N (north of Koh Chang)
→ S: 11°30.00’N (south of Koh Kut)
→ E: 102°40.00’E
→ W: 102°14.00’E
52 islands · charter typically does NOT venture to the Thai mainland coast (nothing of particular interest for cruising yachtsmen).
Climate, Tides & Winds
NE Monsoon · November to March (Charter Season)
The prevailing wind is NE from November through March. Winds up to 25 knots are typical · short spells reaching 30 knots can be expected · the peak intensity is November through mid-January.
Sea breezes from the SW develop in the afternoon · stop at sunset · always anchor in a location protected from the NE prevailing wind.
Tides
Tide floods toward the S, ebbs toward the N. Tidal streams generally less than 1 knot except around headlands and in narrow channels · be careful when swimming from the boat at anchor.
Sunset & Daylight
Sun sets ~17:45 · dark within 30 minutes (~18:15). You must be at your overnight stop by 16:00. Night sailing is NOT permitted.
Fishing Nets & Boats
⚠ Fishing nets: 200 m long · marked with a flag at either end · stand 2 m off the bottom · often a longtail boat nearby. Watch all day. Sometimes you can buy fresh fish directly from the fishermen.
⚙ Yacht Operations & Anchoring
Anchor scope: all yachts carry 50 m chain · minimum scope 4× depth + tide rise + 2 m offset for sounder. Read depth on echo sounder, add 2 m, multiply by ≥4 for chain to let out.
Setting the anchor: slow circuit of swinging area first · let chain out to depth + few meters · reverse paying chain to prevent piling · fit chain hook + snubbing line · increase to 2,000 rpm reverse · check transits ashore for hold.
Mooring buoys: NEVER pick up a mooring buoy except where noted in the cruising guide or during your briefing.
Grounding: if you accidentally ground · contact base ASAP · if rising tide, motor off as it lifts you · if falling, full power immediately, all crew to one side · if stuck, wait 12 hours for tide cycle, close seacocks, drop bow anchor toward deep water in dinghy.
BBQ: if your yacht has a BBQ, charcoal and firelighters are aboard · move the dinghy forward when using.
Park Fees
Mu Ko Chang National Park
Established 1984 · 85% of Koh Chang’s rainforest interior is preserved · the park boundaries include many surrounding islands and reefs. The park rangers will collect fees from visiting yachts at Koh Rang.
Park fee at Koh Rang: 200 THB per person + 100 THB per hull · valid 5 consecutive days · once you leave the park boundary and return, you pay again. Keep the receipt.
Beyond the park: Koh Mak and Koh Kut are outside park boundaries · no park fees there.
Emergency Numbers
Island Spirit Yacht Charter Base — Phil: +66 81 813 8023 (24hr WhatsApp)
Island Spirit Yacht Charter Base — Kim: +66 93 131 0844 (24hr WhatsApp)
GCT Office Pattaya: 038 237 752
Police Emergency: 191 or 039 586 191
Tourist Police: 1157 or 039 557 287
Bangkok Koh Chang Hospital (W side · Pearl Beach / S Whitesands): 039 532 735
Koh Chang International Hospital (E side · Dan Mai): 1719
Marine Emergency & SAR: 1196
Coastguard Distress: VHF Ch. 16
Useful Links
The 7 SeaTV Eastern Gulf Pilot Pages
→ 1. Charter Base — Island Spirit Yacht Charter (this page)
→ 2. Salak Phet & Koh Chang East
→ 3. Koh Chang Outer Islands & Koh Wai
Ready for the Eastern Gulf charter?
Phil and Kim run Island Spirit Yacht Charter from Ao Salak Phet · 24-hour WhatsApp · floating dock at any tide. From this pier the entire 52-island archipelago opens to the south. Plan provisioning · pre-pay Koh Rang park fee · check the NE monsoon forecast · arrive the night before and start with a fresh seafood dinner over the water at Salak Phet Seafood & Resort.
“The Island Spirit pier in Salak Phet is the only charter base east of Bangkok and the entry point to a cruising ground that almost no one knows about · fifty-two islands and our small fleet of yachts the only sailing vessels frequenting the area · you’ll have anchorages all to yourself most days · Phil answers WhatsApp at any hour and Kim runs the operation tighter than the rigging · the floating dock works at any tide which matters here because the tides matter everywhere · seafood dinner over the water at Salak Phet Seafood and Resort the night before departure · the 50 m chain on every yacht is for a reason · the boundaries are 12.10 north and 11.30 south and 102.40 east and 102.14 west · within those four numbers is the most peaceful sailing in Thailand.”
— SeaTV · Eastern Gulf Edition · Charter Base
