Bang Bao always seems like a great place to spend a couple of hours, the boats and restaurants and cafes have a certain charm that is hard to find in other places. Granted, some people think it should just be a pier and some dive shops but it is a good place to spend a couple of hours at least.
If your looking for some gifts to take back home then we would recommend Bang Bao for a quick shopping trip, probably it has the best selection of tourist gifts on the island on the smallest space. Lots of t-shirts, Thai carvings, custom oil paintings, etc… abound up and down the pier.
For restaurants there are a few really good ones with Buddha View and Chow Lay seafood topping the list. Personally we like going to Buddha View and just watching the view for a bit. But no matter where you go be sure to try the seafood!
Of course if you are going diving this is the place to go with all the major dive companies having an office along the docks. Take some time and talk to them, then figure out who is best for you.
There are a lot of good picture opportunities along the way and for easy parking just sneak in around the 7-11.
At the end of the day, have fun!
