SeaTV · Thailand · Eastern Gulf · Trat Province · Salak Phet & Koh Chang East
Koh Chang Sailing Guide — Salak Phet Bay & the Eastern Anchorages
Four anchorages clustered around the Island Spirit Yacht Charter base in Ao Salak Phet · A1 just off the pier, A2 Long Beach with the Tree House Resort, A3 the private island group, A4 Koh Ngam — the “mini Phi Phi” with its dual-beach isthmus that funnels NE wind through the southern bay. The natural Day-1 staging ground after charter check-in, and the Day-7 return point on the way back to the dock.
Ao Salak Phet is the south-coast bay of Koh Chang and the location of the only yacht charter base in the Eastern Gulf — Island Spirit Yacht Charter. The bay is large and well-sheltered from the NE monsoon · the village of Salak Phet is the largest and oldest settlement on Koh Chang, still rustic and authentic, home to the island’s primary fishing community. Four anchorages within or just outside the bay (A1-A4) make this the natural overnight before heading south on Day 1, and the return staging point after the charter loop. ⚠ Approach hazard: a large generally submerged reef 300 m off the SW headland at the bay entrance · marked on the chart but unusually far from shore · particularly relevant when transiting between Salak Phet and the adjacent Bang Bao Bay to the W. Enter in the middle of the bay.
⚠ Reality check for Salak Phet & Eastern Koh Chang:
→ ⚠ Submerged reef 300 m S off SW headland at bay entrance · approach in middle of bay only
→ ⚠ Long Beach (A2) is extremely shallow · waist height 800 m from shore at high tide · anchor well off in 10 m
→ ⚠ A3 NOT for overnight in NE winds · only light SW conditions · watch abandoned moorings & shallow water
→ ⚠ Koh Ngam South Bay dangerous in stronger NE winds (Nov-end Jan) · isthmus funnels and accelerates wind
→ ⚠ Rock awash at low tide just SW of Koh Ngam · not accurately charted · stay in +10 m depth approaching
→ ⚠ Extending reef off Koh Ngam, especially on NE side
→ Do NOT approach the charter pier unassisted · contact Base Manager first
⚓ Salak Phet at a Glance
Bay name
Ao Salak Phet (S Koh Chang)
Coordinates
~12°00’N · 102°23’E
Anchorages
4 (A1-A4)
Charter base
Island Spirit Yacht Charter (in bay)
NE shelter
A1, A2 (good) · A3, A4 N (light only)
Key village
Salak Phet (oldest on Koh Chang)
Highlights
Mangroves, fishing village, temple
Best as
Day-1 launch · Day-7 return
⛵ The Four Anchorages
A1 · Pier Anchorage — Just Off the Charter Base
Late-starter anchorage · 8 m mud · NE protection
If you’d like to get off the pier but don’t have time to make it out of the bay, this is a very pleasant option offering privacy in a well-protected location before heading out to explore the archipelago.
→ Anchor: 8 m mud · just off the charter pier · take care not to block pier access for arriving / departing yachts.
→ Holding: good in mud.
→ Best for: Day-0 night before departure · Day-7 return night before disembarkation.
→ Ashore: walk to Salak Phet Seafood & Resort restaurant for dinner over the water.
A2 · Long Beach — Eastern Shore with Tree House Resort
NE wind shelter · 10 m anchor depth · ⚠ extreme shallow shore
A close anchorage in NE winds on the eastern shore of Salak Phet bay. The rustic Tree House Resort serves food with a large menu. ⚠ This is a very shallow bay — the water is only waist-height 800 m from shore at high tide.
→ ⚠ Anchor well off in 10 m · use the dinghy anchor to avoid a long drag back to the restaurant.
→ Holding: good in NE winds.
→ ⚠ NEVER attempt to anchor close to shore · the bay shallows progressively — at low tide the dinghy will ground and you’ll walk in mud.
→ Tree House Resort: rustic, large menu, casual dining over the water.
A3 · Private Island Group — South of Salak Phet Entrance
Day stop only · 8 m mud · NOT NE overnight
A private island group with a resort on the north island that caters to groups. When unoccupied the staff are generally happy to see visiting yachts. Day stop on the way south for a quick dip and a snorkel around the southern rocks.
→ Anchor: 8 m mud · just off the pier · take care not to block access.
→ ⚠ NO overnight anchorage in NE winds · only light SW conditions for overnight.
→ ⚠ Watch for abandoned moorings, lines, and shallow water — common in the area.
→ Snorkelling: the southern rocks of the island group are good for a dinghy explore.
→ Use it as: lunch or swim stop on Day 1 heading south.
A4 · Koh Ngam — The “Mini Phi Phi” Island
North Bay 8-10 m · South Bay 5-7 m · Marine Park
Koh Ngam directly translates to “beautiful island” — the name is not misplaced. Often called “mini Phi Phi” by sailors who’ve seen the Andaman side, due to the slight similarities. Two beaches separated by a low-lying isthmus · two ends of the island are thickly forested hills. Part of the Marine Park · construction restricted, mostly a derelict resort with sometimes a small bar / snack shop in high season.
⚠ The isthmus is the problem. The shape of the island funnels NE wind through the southern bay, greatly increasing wind speed. South bay dangerous in stronger NE winds from November through end of January.
North Bay (preferred in NE):
→ Enter the channel from either side · stay in the centre of the channel · 8-16 m.
→ Anchor: 8-10 m in the channel.
South Bay (light SW only):
→ ⚠ Steer well clear of the rock awash at low tide just SW of the island until in +10 m depth · NOT accurately charted.
→ Anchor: 5-7 m in the middle of the bay.
⚠ Note the extending reef off the land, especially on the NE side of Koh Ngam.
Across the channel: Tantawan Resort with bungalows has a restaurant accessible by dinghy.
Salak Phet Town — Points of Interest
Salak Phet Fishing Village
The largest and oldest settlement on Koh Chang · home to the island’s primary fishing community · remains rustic and authentic. Worth a walk through to see how the fishing economy works · fresh seafood directly from the village pier.
The Mangrove Forest — Koh Chang’s Largest
Salak Phet is home to Koh Chang’s largest mangrove forest. A short drive or bike ride from the bay reaches a well-maintained viewing path that weaves through the trees and shrubs.
By kayak: rent kayaks from the charter base or from small resorts closer to the mangroves for easier access. The Mangrove Hideaway is a small boutique hotel right in the centre of the local village on a mangrove river — interesting stop.
Best time: early morning before the heat builds up.
Salak Phet Temple
Worth a look for the vibrant colours and design. Walking distance from the pier on flat shaded streets · the area is excellent for cycling on flat terrain.
Koh Chang Spa Resort
A short ride from Salak Phet · every imaginable combination of spa treatment, massage, daily yoga classes, and healthy food. A pre- or post-charter pampering option.
Approach to Salak Phet Bay
⚠ ROCK AWASH HAZARD · Just S off the tip of the western point at the entrance to the bay, approximately 300 m out, lies a large and generally submerged reef. The reef IS marked on the chart however take precaution particularly when transiting to / from the adjoining western bay of Bang Bao — the hazard is an unusually long distance from the shore.
Safe approach: enter in the middle of the bay · refer to anchorage data for choices.
Pier procedure: contact the Base Manager (Phil +66 81 813 8023 / Kim +66 93 131 0844) on WhatsApp to arrange dock assistance.
Alternative: take a mooring ball until contact is made · do NOT come alongside the pier unassisted.
Emergency & Contacts
Island Spirit — Phil: +66 81 813 8023 (24hr WhatsApp)
Island Spirit — Kim: +66 93 131 0844 (24hr WhatsApp)
Tourist Police: 1157 or 039 557 287
Police Emergency: 191 or 039 586 191
Bangkok Koh Chang Hospital (W side): 039 532 735
Koh Chang International Hospital (E side · Dan Mai): 1719
Marine Emergency & SAR: 1196
VHF Distress: Ch. 16
Continue the Eastern Gulf Charter
→ 1. Charter Base · Island Spirit Yacht Charter
→ 2. Salak Phet & Koh Chang East (this page)
→ 3. Koh Chang Outer Islands & Koh Wai
“Salak Phet bay is where the charter starts and where the charter ends · the rock awash three hundred meters off the southwest headland is the first thing the briefing tells you and the last thing you remember on the way home · A1 just off the pier for the late starters and the late returners · A2 Long Beach with the Tree House Resort and the eight hundred meters of waist-deep water that catches everyone the first time · A3 the private island group only in light southwest weather, never in the northeast monsoon · A4 Koh Ngam the mini Phi Phi where the isthmus funnels the wind through the southern bay and the rock awash is not accurately charted · the largest mangrove forest on Koh Chang behind the bay and the oldest fishing village still working the same way it has for a hundred years · this is not the Andaman Coast · this is quieter, less developed, less famous, and you’ll have it almost to yourself most days.”
— SeaTV · Eastern Gulf Edition · Salak Phet Bay
