Kai Bae Viewpoint Koh Chang: Best Photo Spots, Sea Views & Nearby Cafes
Kai Bae Viewpoint: one of Koh Chang's classic postcard views
Kai Bae Viewpoint is one of Koh Chang's classic postcard views. It sits on the coastal road on the hill just south of Kai Bae village, on the way to Lonely Beach. From the top, you look out over the Gulf of Thailand to Koh Man Nai, a small forested island a few hundred metres offshore. Sea View Resort sits right below.
Entry is free. There's a small cafe. The sunsets are some of the best on the island. This guide covers the best photo spots and the best time to visit. It also covers how to get there and the cafes nearby.
- The cafe is described differently by each source. Bucketlistly mentions a national park cafe on site. The Guide Koh Chang lists a View Cafe at the viewpoint. Nasha Planeta mentions a small cafe and a postbox for sending postcards. Visit Thailand Today doesn't mention a cafe at all. Expect something small and simple.
- Songthaew fares vary. Nasha Planeta says about ฿50 to ฿200 per person, depending on where you start. Visit Thailand Today lists ฿80 from the ferry pier to Kai Bae. Agree the price before you get in.
- Cafe prices aren't listed in exact baht. The Guide Koh Chang uses price bands instead: under ฿100, under ฿500 or over ฿500 per person, excluding drinks. I've used those bands.
- Halal food is very limited in Kai Bae. None of the cafes below are listed as halal. Vegetarian options at Tofu Kitchen and Fig Cafe are the safest choices for Muslim travellers.
Quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Coastal road on the hill just south of Kai Bae, towards Lonely Beach |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Opening hours | Open 24 hours (Visit Thailand Today) |
| Rating | 4.7 stars from 2,952 Google reviews (Visit Thailand Today) |
| What you see | Gulf of Thailand, Koh Man Nai island and Sea View Resort below |
| Parking | Free |
| Facilities | Small cafe and a rest area |
| Best time | Sunset, or before mid-morning |
| Watch out for | Monkeys in the car park |
Best photo spots at Kai Bae
1The Main Viewpoint Platform
This is the classic shot. I Am Koh Chang lists it as one of the island's postcard views, looking down over Sea View Resort to Koh Man Nai. Visit Thailand Today calls it a short stop rather than a destination. Plan for 15 to 30 minutes.
Best time: I Am Koh Chang suggests before mid-morning, when the sun is behind you, or at sunset. Visit Thailand Today says midday sun flattens the view. The colours are strongest in the last hour of daylight.
2The Southern End of Kai Bae Beach
I Am Koh Chang recommends standing on the southern part of Kai Bae Beach, outside Kai Bae Beach Resort. From there you can take a wide 180-degree shot of the bay and islands. It's a good spot for sunset photos from sea level.
3The Mount Hilltop Cafe
The Mount sits on a hilltop at the far southern end of Kai Bae. The Guide Koh Chang says you reach it by following signs past the elephant camp. It has 360-degree views over Kai Bae valley, Klong Prao village and the sea. It's a quieter alternative to the main viewpoint.
4Rasta View, Above Bang Bao
If you're riding further south, I Am Koh Chang lists Rasta View on the main road above Bang Bao. It looks over the village and the southern islands. It's a good place for a drink with a view.
Photo tips
Sunset at Kai Bae Viewpoint, Koh Chang
- Arrive about 20 minutes before sunset in high season. Visit Thailand Today says parking fills up.
- Shoot in the morning or late afternoon. Midday light flattens the colours.
- Bring a zoom lens to frame Koh Man Nai and any eagles. Bucketlistly says you can sometimes spot eagles here.
- Watch the monkeys. Visit Thailand Today says monkeys gather in the car park. Keep snacks zipped away and don't feed them.
Monkeys at Kai Bae Viewpoint car park
Nearby cafes
The Guide Koh Chang lists these cafes in and around Kai Bae. Prices use its bands: ฿ = under ฿100, ฿฿ = under ฿500, per person excluding drinks.
| Cafe | Where | What they serve | Price band | Views |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Cafe | At Kai Bae Viewpoint | Not detailed | Not listed | Offshore islands |
| The Mount | Hilltop, south end of Kai Bae | Coffee, smoothies, simple snacks | Not listed | 360° views |
| Sea Almond | On Kai Bae Beach | Coffee, smoothies, food | Not listed | Beachfront and rooftop seating |
| Fig Cafe | Opposite Awa, inside Koh Chang Residence | Drip and cold brew coffee, matcha, home-baked items, vegetarian dishes | Under ฿100 to under ฿500 | Garden seating |
| Le Patio | Back of Kai Bae Market (new in 2026) | Breakfast, coffee, smoothies, pad thai, mango sticky rice | Not listed | Not listed |
| Tofu Kitchen | Northern end of Kai Bae | Vegetarian and vegan meals and shakes | Under ฿500 | Not listed |
| Cabana Ocean Bistro | Kai Bae beachfront | Western food | Not listed | Sunsets |
View Cafe
This is the simplest option, right at the viewpoint. Grab a cold drink while you wait for the sunset. Nasha Planeta also mentions a postbox here, so you can send a postcard home.
The Mount
Head here for coffee and smoothies with 360-degree views and fewer crowds. It's a great spot to combine coffee with photos.
Sea Almond
Sea Almond beachfront cafe, Kai Bae
Sea Almond is right on Kai Bae Beach, with garden, indoor and rooftop seating. It's a good choice for a relaxed coffee by the sea after visiting the viewpoint.
Fig Cafe
Fig Cafe garden seating, Kai Bae
A garden cafe with speciality coffee, matcha and home-baked treats. It also has some vegetarian dishes.
Tofu Kitchen
Vegetarian food at Tofu Kitchen, Kai Bae
Fully vegetarian and vegan, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's the easiest option for Muslim travellers looking for meat-free meals in Kai Bae.
How to get there
- By scooter: follow the main west coast road south from Kai Bae towards Lonely Beach. Byklo warns the climbs are steep, so use a bike with good brakes and take descents in low gear. Scooters cost about ฿150 to ฿300 a day.
- By songthaew: flag one down on the main road and ask for Kai Bae Viewpoint. Agree the fare first.
- On foot: Nasha Planeta says it's about 20 to 40 minutes' walk from Kai Bae or Lonely Beach. Walk carefully, as the road is narrow and busy.
Combine with nearby sights
- Klong Plu Waterfall: about 15 minutes north, best in the morning
- Lonely Beach: just south, for sunset drinks and nightlife
- Bang Bao Pier: further south, for a seafood dinner
Tips for Malaysian travellers
- Choose vegetarian cafes like Tofu Kitchen or Fig Cafe if you need meat-free food.
- Visit at sunset, then head to Lonely Beach or Kai Bae for dinner.
- Ride carefully. The road to the viewpoint is steep with sharp bends.
- Keep food hidden from the monkeys.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Visiting at midday, when the light is flat.
- Arriving just before sunset in high season and finding no parking.
- Feeding the monkeys.
- Stopping on a blind bend instead of pulling fully off the road.
Sourced from Visit Thailand Today Kai Bae Viewpoint, I Am Koh Chang Best Views and Sights, Travelfish Kai Bae Viewpoint, Nasha Planeta, The Guide Koh Chang Kai Bae restaurants, Bucketlistly Koh Chang and Byklo Koh Chang Waterfalls and Viewpoints (2026).