Ao Sapparot is located on the northern side of Koh Samet, Rayong Province, and is one of the most important areas on the island for maritime transportation. It's home to "Na Dan Pier," the main pier for passenger boats from Ban Phe that transport tourists to Koh Samet throughout the day. Most tourists arriving on the island pass through this area before reaching the beaches and accommodations, making Ao Sapparot the primary gateway to Koh Samet. The surrounding area is bustling with tourists, local songthaews (shared taxis), restaurants, convenience stores, souvenir shops, and motorbike rental shops, all operating from morning until evening, coinciding with the ferry schedules.

Ao Sapparot is a small bay with relatively calm waters, ideal for docking passenger boats and speedboats. Historically, it was a fishing community and a small boat docking point for local residents before being developed into the central transportation hub of Koh Samet. This development followed the increasing popularity of tourism on the island, particularly in recent decades. The improvement of Na Dan Pier has made travel to the island more convenient and safer, and has the capacity to accommodate a large number of tourists during long weekends and peak seasons. This is a key factor in Koh Samet becoming one of the most popular seaside destinations in Eastern Thailand.

The pier area at Na Dan is also where tourists must pay the entrance fee to Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park. Since most of Koh Samet is under the national park's jurisdiction, tourists will often find park officials providing information about tourist routes, regulations for entering the area, and conservation efforts. In addition, near the pier, there are tourist service points, ticket shops, and luggage transport services to various resorts and beaches, catering to tourists traveling with large suitcases or equipment for water activities.

Although Ao Sapparot (Pineapple Bay) isn't as popular for swimming as Sai Kaew Beach or Ao Wong Duean, it plays a significant role as the economic and transportation hub of Koh Samet. Tourists can witness the local way of life, the transportation of goods, fresh seafood, and the arrival and departure of passenger boats throughout the day, especially during the busy morning and afternoon hours. This creates a lively atmosphere different from the quieter beaches on the other side of the island. Many tourists prefer to stop here for meals, to buy necessities, or to rent a car before continuing to their accommodations elsewhere.

Another advantage of Ao Sapparot is its convenient access to other important beaches on Koh Samet, such as Sai Kaew Beach, Ao Pai, Ao Wong Duean, or Ao Prao, with local shared taxis available throughout the day. This area also offers private speedboat services for tourists who want quick travel or to return to the mainland at special times. Therefore, this area serves as a transportation hub, the starting point for tourism, and the heart of the logistics system on Koh Samet, ensuring that tourism on the island can continue uninterrupted throughout the year.

• Take a passenger ferry from "Ban Phe Pier" in Rayong, which operates throughout the day. Upon arrival at Koh Samet, ferries dock at the Na Dan Pier in Ao Sapparot. From there, local songthaews or motorbike rentals are readily available to transport you to your destination.

• Book ferry tickets and accommodation early during holidays.

• Carry enough cash, as some island shops may not accept cards.

• Arriving in the morning helps avoid long songthaew queues.

• Always confirm ferry schedules before your return trip.

Admission Fees:

• Entrance fee for Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park

• Thais: Adult 40 THB/person, Child 20 THB/person

• Foreigners: Adult 200 THB/person, Child 100 THB/person

• Vehicles: Motorbike 20 THB/vehicle, Car 30 THB/vehicle

Opening Hours:

• Open daily from 08:00 - 18:00.