Fisherman's Pier, Hua Hin
Hua Hin Fishing Pier is a popular recreational spot and a viewpoint for watching an ocean sunrise or taking in panoramas of Hua Hin town. It remains the centre of Hua Hin’s fishing trade, although to a much lesser extent than in the past. In the evening, locals often come here for a spot of recreational fishing.
Located at the northern end of Naresdamri Road, which runs parallel to the beach, the fishing pier is a narrow strip of concrete platform jutting out into the ocean. It is an ideal place to watch sunrise. Silhouettes of the boats and their masts provide a nice contrast against the sky’s bright orange backdrop.
The fishing pier is surrounded by an extensive lineup of ocean-side seafood restaurants. Walk down Naresdamri Road and find all kinds of selections from typical Thai style (with little décor) to classic Hua Hin style (with painted wooden tables and chairs and a slight romance in the air) to international style (English tavern, tapas bar, country French, and more). The choice is wide, so ask around or do some research beforehand before deciding which one to try.
Early mornings see the arrival of fishing boats, though not many, and a congregation of traders and middlemen descending with their trucks or trishaws to pick up their orders; these usually head for restaurants, hotels or Chat Chai Market. You might get a chance to purchase fresh seafood – fish, squid, mussels, clams, crabs – directly from the merchants. Once the business hours are over, these boats head back to a small fishing village nearby the fishing pier.
Going in the evenings gives you a more leisurely feel. Locals and expatriates as well as visitors stroll along the 300-metre-long pier, some with cameras on hand ready to snap up photos, while others equipped with fishing poles and buckets. Fishing is a popular pastime here, and you can join in if you bring your own equipment.