THAILAND SAILING / CRUISING NOTES
July 2010 – September 2012
Ketoro is a 40’ Admiral catamaran with a 1.2m draft. The anchoring depths given are all under the keel.These notes cover all anchorages we have experienced in the following areas: the west side of Phuket; the islands south of Phuket; Phang Nga Bay, also Krabi side; the mainland and islands north of Phuket to the Myanmar border; the Surin and Similan Islands; and the islands on routes down to Malaysia.
1
Phuket
Island West Coast
These anchorages should only be used in
the NE monsoon season. Areas are covered from north to south.
Nai YangAnchored in 3m at 08:05.518N 98:17.737E. Lovely long beach with many loungers, massage, eating opportunities; great market on Tues, Thursdays, Saturdays. Take dinghy to beach near mid beach, a few metres north of the longtail anchorage; beware if taking the dinghy to the north end of the beach opposite the park as the water is rougher for landings here. Can be noisy at night with all the firecrackers and parties!
Ko Waeo
A nice day stop to snorkel around the
small rock island; many mooring buoys available. We have also stayed overnight at
08:02.030N 98:15.584E and for calm conditions it was good.
Ko Kala
Anchored in 4.5m at 08:01.652N
98:17.125E. Very calm tucking in behind island, great rustic restaurant with
good food on shore: Tomato. Take dinghy up left of the dive-flag poles or even
further left, to be in the protection of the island therefore less swell.
Lovely beach walking in this area, tide recedes far and leaves pretty sand
patterns etc. River behind island can be explored at high tide; give yourself 2
hours (take water/drinks) to explore fishing boats, river, lagoon.
Ao Ban Thao
Anchored in 8m at 08:00.369N 98:17.354E.
Long beach serving many resorts. Two young elephants (from Fantasea Show) are
taken to the beach for tourist entertainment at 9:30 and 15:00.
Surin Beach
Anchored in 11m at 07:58.504N 98:16.517E.
Beautiful small beach; best to get the dinghy onto the beach where the jet skis
are based. Good range of restaurants and massage places. Can also take mooring
buoys in front of Pla Seafood restaurant, they have rolly jetty in high season.
Laem Sing
Anchor 8m at 07:57.933N 98:16.627E. Pretty small beach, serviced with
regular food/massage etc; only access from the road is steep rough path.
Anchored off the lovely rock/tree area to keep away from longtails.
Kamala Beach
Anchored in 6m at 07:57.576N 98:16.757E.
Nice beach; particularly beautiful at night time.
Patong Bay
Anchored in 4.5m at 07:53.323N
98:17.239E. Huge bay, many anchoring opportunities. In high season there is a
long dinghy jetty onto the beach (at southern end) but it is best to keep a short
distance away from this as there are many boats going to and from it, causing
wake.
Freedom Bay
Anchored in 11m at 07:52.554N 98:16.362E. Beautiful small bay, used in
day time by many longtails with day trippers but at night you will probably be
alone in the bay. Nice snorkeling especially deeper at the rocks; we tied the
dinghy onto the buoyed swimming line demarcation. The beach in front of the resort at the north
end of bay is fringed by coral at low tide.
Kata Beach
Anchored in 7m at 07:48.963N 98:17.759E.
This is a long beach; on the north half is the Club Med and south of this is
the general beach. Restaurants on the beach range from very pricey (top few) to
reasonable (the two in the southern corner).
Nai Harn
Anchored in 10m at 07:46.431N 98:18.251E
and in 10m at 07:46.385N 98:18.169E. Access to the beach by dinghy can be very difficult;
most dinghies head down the buoy line demarcating the swim zone, or make for
Jungle beach at the north end of the bay where there is a very small dinghy
landing spot on the sand. Some also swim
into the main beach to get directly to the restaurants, massages, shops, etc. (The
channel between the small island and Phuket may be used with care; err towards
the island side where the shelf is more abrupt and visible.)
2
South
of Phuket
Ko Hae (Hi) – Coral Island
This
anchorage gives good protection from winds and swells from the S and SW. We anchored at 07:44.871N 98:22.441E in 14m excellent holding. Took the dinghy to the beach, spoke to dive people who said snorkeling was best off Banana Beach where we took the dinghy (tied it off on the buoyed marker rope on the east side of the boat channel) and really enjoyed the snorkel in the slightly deeper area.
On
another occasion, we anchored the boat off Banana Beach for the day’s snorkel,
in about 17m: 07:44.774N 98:23.008E. We were happy with leaving the boat for a
few hours, but would not have anchored there overnight. They now have buoys at
07:44.771N 98:22.981E.
Ko Racha YaiIn the SW monsoon season we anchored on the E side of the island, which is the back door to the main beaches and facilities but it is a short walk across the island! We anchored in 4m at 05:12.923N 99:03.978E. Walked the island but places were closed for the low season; the up-market resorts are all the other side, best to go NE season!
In
the NE season we went to a bay on the west side. There are many mooring buoys;
during the day most are taken up by day trippers and dive boats but if you get there
later they may be free. Some buoys look to be too close to each other. If not
available, anchor off in the bay in 10-15m.
3
Phang
Nga Bay Area
We were here in both the SW and NE monsoon
seasons, dictating anchorages: on the East side of the islands in the SW
monsoon and west of the island during the NE monsoon.
Ao Po Marina Call 6907:48.955N 98:17.711E Better in SW season, they may be exposed in a very strong NE wind, although there are new breakwaters built. Restaurant nice but expensive; few services.
Ko Wa Yai
In the channel on the way to Yacht Haven marina; anchored in 6.5m at 08:07.278N 98:26.479E. Small beach, easy dinghy access.
Yacht Haven Marina Call 68
08:10.253N
98:20.354E. Large marina to tie onto; can also anchor off in good holding,
apparently.Very nice marina, well supervised and organized, good place to leave the boat (but we would not recommend Sea Marine services to care for the boat).
Boat Lagoon Marina Call 67 / 71
07:57.802N
98:23.212E. Very shallow channel, only accessible at high tide; boats sit in
mud at low tide. You may request a pilot for entry and exit. Great services
offered by the marina, many facilities, good location.
Ko Rang Yai
This
island is to the east of the entrance to Boat Lagoon / Royal Phuket Marina and
therefore is a convenient stop-over to wait for high tide before entering the
channel to these marinas.
We used two anchorages: on the east side at 07:57.374N 98:27.390E and on the west side at 07:57.103N 98:26.801E. The former is particularly protected in SW winds, but is functional and gives no access to the beach; the latter gives fair protection in both seasons if weather is not too strong, and in addition provides access by dinghy to the long beach, restaurant, pearl shop etc. Take the dinghy onto the beach near to the shop area; too far right of this and you will be caught at low to mid tide by extensive rock-reef. Watch for strong tidal current if swimming from the boat.
We used two anchorages: on the east side at 07:57.374N 98:27.390E and on the west side at 07:57.103N 98:26.801E. The former is particularly protected in SW winds, but is functional and gives no access to the beach; the latter gives fair protection in both seasons if weather is not too strong, and in addition provides access by dinghy to the long beach, restaurant, pearl shop etc. Take the dinghy onto the beach near to the shop area; too far right of this and you will be caught at low to mid tide by extensive rock-reef. Watch for strong tidal current if swimming from the boat.
Ko Naka
There are apparently lovely anchorages on the
east but we have never used them (those on the south end have lots of jet-skis
in season; the one on the north advertising “Cold Beer” is great!
We rafted up to friends anchored in about 3m at
08:02.651N 98:27.808E. There is extensive drying reef, so keep way off. A small
river feeds into the sea; take this line out and use it to guide your dinghy
in, but at low tide it is very shallow. Lovely soft beach to BBQ.
Ko Phanak
East side: We recommend 3 explorations on this eastern side of Ko Phanak.We anchored at 08:11.375N 98:29.743E in 4m sand in good holding. Good protection unless winds are strong from north or east. This anchorage is a good spot from which to observe the day boats and see where they enter 2 of the caves/hongs:
- The furthest north is a walk-in cave entrance (leave dinghy on small beach to the right (north)) to be done with shoes and torches at mid-to low tide. Follow the tunnel to the most beautiful double hong.
- To the left of this entrance is an
entrance for the dinghy or canoes (use torches); paddle in at mid-tide,
ebbing. This takes you to a lovely underwater hong.
West side: We have only been at one of the hongs on this side; anchored at
08:11.540N 98:29.109E in 5m. There is a small beach (with monkeys) south of
which is a hong entrance at the top of the bay. Go into the hong at low to mid
tide only; it may be very tight for a dinghy at the entrance and exit only, but
a paddle-canoe will do. There were independent Thai dinghy operators at the
entrance who coerced us into using their services (500ThB for 2pp)… and we
enjoyed the facility.
Ko Hong (Phand Nga)This anchorage gives protection in all winds except from the north. It can be a little rolly in the NE and the tidal current is strong; beware possible dragging.
We anchored at 08:13.604N 98:30.118E in 11m sand.
Very
pretty island, anchored under sheer cliffs. At mid- to high tide, take the
dinghy south (on this east side) into the beautiful lagoon. Once inside the
lagoon, on the SW side of this lagoon is an entrance to a hong that can be
accessed by the dinghy at mid tide, but it is quite tight (the lagoon is
stunning, the hong not as lovely as those described above).
Ko Daeng YaiVery pretty anchorage north and west of James Bond Island, in the channel with Ko Raya Ring to the east (beware very shallow areas on this east side). We anchored at 08:16.602N 98:29.010E in 3.7m. Approach is very shallow, to be taken slowly!
Ko
Thalu
Dropped anchor in 8m at 08:17.986N 98:28.613E for
a short visit to the lovely tunnel that goes right through the base of the
island / mountain. Lovely.
Ko Raya
/ Ko Thalu Nok
This is on the way to the gypsy village, Pan Yi,
and gives easy access to getting the dinghy into all the hongs and through the
tunnel here; you cannot miss it, as there will be many tourist canoes in the
area, but it is fun to see and do. We anchored in 2m at 08:17.734N 98:30.334E
but coming from the deeper channel you can easily stop further out where
deeper.
Ko Khai
08:15.239N 98:30.537E in 5.4m. Ko Khai is really
beautiful, with interesting overhangs and a balcony to climb onto to see the
small cave; tiny pretty beach on the east side.
Ko Roi
This
is a really beautiful anchorage but can be a little rolly in the SW. Wave
refraction round the sides of the island in seas from the N make for a complex
pattern under the boat too, but avoid the temptation to tuck in too close as there is a shelf of reef!
Nonetheless we always felt comfortable and the holding is excellent in thick
mud…. This needs to be sprayed off with the deck-wash as the anchor is lifted. Anchored
in 8m at 08:11.582N 98:36.611E.
To
the south of the smaller (more northerly) beach is the entrance (on foot) to a
very large and really lovely hong, exceptionally easy access at all but high
tide. The other beach is accessible at mid to high tide.
Ko Khai Nui
Ko Ku
Du
6.5m at 08:11.849N 98:38.081E; beautiful
anchorage, explore around both islands by dinghy; the lagoon on the south is
beautiful.
Ko Yao Yai: Ao Labu
Fairly
large bay but has extensive shallow areas, so before using the dinghy to go to
shore, watch where the local fishing boats go, to get an idea of the channels.
We anchored on the north side in 5m at 08:01.613N 98:33.721E, in good holding
mud.
Ko Yao Yai: South Bay
Very
big bay which gives good protection except to winds from the south. However, even
when there is no weather, the water gets a roll from the day boats passing the
bottom of the bay at speed, but this is not bad. We anchored in 3m at 07:53.549N
98:35.319E. Access to the village difficult at low tide: watch where longtails
go.
This is not named on the charts; small rock island north of very busy day-time Ko Khai Nok. There are several mooring buoys, quite close together; 07:53.840N 98:30.742E was good overnight. There is a lovely restaurant on shore (expensive, especially drinks), the Chok’D; they are apparently only open at day time, closed Mondays, but when we have been there out of those hours the staff has opened for us nonetheless! (Enterprising/moonlighting!?) Owner: +66817889470
Ao Chalong
Prior to 2012, most
yachts anchored to the north of the long pier but we have anchored quite
comfortably on the south side (near the edge of the diveboat moorings) at 07:48.959N
98:21.278E in about 6m with good holding. Anchor brings up mud and the deck
wash may be needed when lifting. There are now a large number of mooring buoys on the yacht side that we have been most comfortable with, although some are placed quite close together.Getting the dinghy tied up is now very easy as there was a new marina planned (south of long jetty) but it now simply acts as an extensive dinghy-tie area: very easy access for yachties now where before, getting the dinghy tied up (and you out of it) on the floating pontoon at the end of the pier was a real mission….
Panwa Bali
(This
is in Ao Chalong, opposite the Novotel.) We anchored in 6m at 07:48.684N
98:22.977E. Lovely anchorage, great beach restaurants, can hire a bike/car from
here.
4
Krabi
Side of Phang Nga Bay
The
following are co-ordinates taken from our track when passing through the
channel between Ko Yao Yai and Noi. We passed east to west, entering the
channel 90 minutes before high tide with a high declared 3.1m above CD. We had
up to a knot of current in our favour; current floods from Krabi to Phuket. We
saw least depth 2.6m under our keel.08:04.683N 98:97.003E
08:05.084N 98:36.102E
08:05.374N 98:35.508E
08.05.395N 98:34.463E
08:05.724N 98:33.466E
08:06.540N 98:32.226E
08:07.180N 98:31.806E
Khlong Marui
and Khlong Pak Lao
This is easiest approached by going north from Ko
KuDu or the north end of Yao Noi. The khlongs are mangrove-sided rivers feeding
back from the bay. Very interesting to travel and observe local fishing and
tiny homes hiding amongst the mangroves.
The following waypoints give our track
to anchor in Khlong Marui, starting from between the two sisters.
08:21.139N 98:36.914E
08:21.466N 98:36.983E
08:22.262N 98:37.757E
08:22.513N 98:38.090E
08:22.677N 98:38.758E
We anchored in 5m at 08:22.697N 98:39.444E.
08:21.466N 98:36.983E
08:22.262N 98:37.757E
08:22.513N 98:38.090E
08:22.677N 98:38.758E
We anchored in 5m at 08:22.697N 98:39.444E.
The tide races up and down this muddy river; you are not going to swim!
Go by dinghy into Khlong Pak Lao; the waypoint
where it feeds into Khlong Marui is 08:23.002N 98:40.105E (facing the mountain,
Pak Lao is the entrance on the left of it). Khlong Pak Lao is a really
beautiful river; once in it, take the second turn to the right and tie up at
the steps which can be seen from Pak Lao itself: beautiful caves with paintings
(very faint) and stalactites etc. Return to Pak Lao and turn right into it,
then right again (about 40m away) into the next tributary. Follow the river
into and through a magnificent tunnel through / under the mountain: wonderful!
We went at mid-tide, incoming, but do not think the tide would affect access to
this.
Ko
Chong Lat
Anchor in 9m at 08:16.570N 98:37.855E; a very
lovely area with fish-farm homes along one side of this large bay. Tide races
through here. There is a huge rock not on chart (except as a drying area) at
08:16.697N 98:37.771E
Ko
Khlui
4.5m at 08:14.385N 98:38.687E. (There are several
anchorages given in the pilot books for this island.) Lovely area to explore,
with extremely friendly fishermen and any number of opportunities to buy
delicious prawns from them.
Koh Ba Tang
3m
at 08:12.931N 98:35.471E for a pretty lunch stop.
Ao Muang (Ko Yao Noi)
Mooring
buoy at 08:10.398N 98:38.246E. Nice visit to the Paradise Koh Yao Resort on
shore to swim and have a meal. They will collect you from the boat; call Nadine
Oliver +66818924760 or +6676584450.
Ko Hong (Krabi)
Took
a mooring buoy at 08:04.539N 98:40.816E. This looks onto a beautiful beach;
take the dinghy north and round the top to see the very large, easy hong. When
you exit the hong, a few hundred metres NE are some rocks which provide
interesting snorkeling (I fell into a shoal of about 10 of the hugest barracuda
seen for a very long time!)
Ko Dam Khwan (Chicken Island)
Beautiful
anchorage but many day boats. Walked on the spit (“talay waek”) and saw 2 small
black-tips; snorkeled west, north and east sides…. Great lion fish at latter.
Several anchorages:- Anchored east in 13m at 07:57.384N
98:48.711E, good holding.
- Anchored NW in 9m at 07:58.137N
98:48.308E (this was beautifully situated under the climbing rock-face)
- Anchored west in 12m at 07:57.552N
98:48.429E
Pinched a mooring buoy at 08:01.708N 98:49.081E to visit for the day; be off it before the fishing boat returns!
Rai Lee Bay
Beautiful
anchorage; 5m at 08:00.542N 98:49.957E. Use the dinghy to explore the cliffs further
east; lovely restaurants; walking street ok but other side filthy.
Ko Phi Phi Don (this is just outside Phang Nga
Bay)
Ton
Sae Bay: There are many mooring buoys but these appear to be privately owned.
We anchored in 14m at 07:43.892N 98:46.203E, good holding.
West
side: Yongkasem Bay; anchored in 14m at 07:44.675N 98:45.691E. Pilot guide says
this bay is good in all seasons but we found that a strong west wind deflects
round the headland and comes at you from the north, hence pushing the boat
close to the coral; beware!
NE
side of island: Anchored in 15m at 07:46.723N 98:46.018E, good holding. Beware:
when the tide goes out it leaves 200m of shallow waters and can leave you
perilously exposed to reef!
This looks onto a long beach with several resorts and smaller eateries; dinghy access is via two channels…. Best to watch the day boats and longtails to see these.
Ko Phi Phi Ley, Maya BayThis looks onto a long beach with several resorts and smaller eateries; dinghy access is via two channels…. Best to watch the day boats and longtails to see these.
Go early or late in the day to avoid the day trippers (millions of them) then you can take a mooring buoy and enjoy peace on this beautiful beach (movie “The Beach”).
5
North
of Phuket to Myanmar border
Kao Lak
Long
pretty beach, many resorts; good holding in sand in 4m at 08:38.638N
98:14.413E.
Ko Ra
Beautiful
quiet peaceful anchorage; we reached it going up the waterways from the
southern end. Pretty mangroves, low islands, mainland in distance. 7m at
09:11.534N 98:17.630E, good holding.
Ko Kan Nui
Gorgeous
islands, remote and quiet, anchored in 6.5m at 09:29.170N 98:22.201E
Ko Phayam
Buffalo
Bay (the NW Bay): in 3m at 09:45.429N 98:24.253E. Dinghy access to the beach
starting to get a little difficult as we were late in the season; easiest at
the N end of the bay. Variety of resorts and restaurants.
Long
Beach (SW Bay): in 5.4m at 09:43.588N 98:23.105E. Beach is very long…. And very
wide at low tide, a long way to pull the dinghy! Dinghy landings easiest at N
end. Lovely bars, restaurants; hire bikes mid-way up the road to travel the
island; pier area interesting.
Ko ChangNorthernmost Thai island on this side; very pretty, very rustic; no bike hire; walk the island in 2 hours; a few eateries; small temple. Anchored in 5m at 09:50.190N 98:26.190E.
6
The Surin
Islands
Beautiful
islands with a few pretty beaches (tiny at high tide) and stunning steep forested
faces. Good snorkeling, diving; National Parks’ office and restaurant on shore.
We were charged ThB400pp and ThB 100 per day for the boat. Well provided with
mooring buoys; we had no need to anchor.
Ko
Surin Nua Big Bay on south-east side of main island, eastern end of main bay 09:25.281N
97:53.896E; snorkeling interesting near the buoy and around the point.
Ko
Surin Nua North West Bay 09:26.356N 97:51.226E; nice protected bay, can walk
across to Parks area; not great snorkeling.
West
end of channel between Ko Surin Nua and Ko Surin Tai 09:25.705N 97:51.400E;
take dinghy through channel (not sure about low tide).
Ko
Surin Tai SE side 09:22.782N 97:52.726E; swim to good snorkeling. Diving lovely
off the rocks on the SW tip of the island and also on the east end of Koh
Torinla, the small island west of these moorings.
Richelieu
Rocks; mooring buoy at 09:21.775N 98:01.427E. Take dinghy to the mooring buoy
at the pinnacle rocks and drop down the mooring line. Magnificent dive around 5
pinnacle rocks but beware of very strong currents here.
7
The Similan
Islands
Wonderful
islands to visit in the NE monsoon season. When we were there, Similans 1, 2
and 3 were closed to protect the coral reefs. The National Parks charged 200ThB
per person and issues a ticket that shows validity until the following Friday.
Most of the islands have mooring buoys; they are generally reliable but should
be checked by snorkeling; we found some that were very shallow.
Good
scuba dive along the west coast of Similan 6. Access is by yacht and needs to
hold station for duration of dive. There
is a mooring buoy at the southern edge of the
area but too far to swim.
Ko Similan 8Mooring buoy at 08:40.016N 97:38.745E, 10m.
Ko Similan 5
Mooring buoy at 08:34.150N 97:38.691E, 8m.Good scuba dive off the dinghy or from the moored yacht around the point to the east.
Ko Similan 4
Mooring
buoy at 08:34.444N 97:38.021E, 7m.
8
Phuket
to Langkawi: North to South
Ko Lanta- Hat Kan Tiang
We anchored in 6.2m at 07:29.685N 99:04.281E; easy access to the shore…. There was a jetty belonging to a resort and when we tried to use it we were chased off. Super beach to walk; drinks at the Why Not? Bar were fun. - Had Klang Dao (Ao Phra-Ae)
Mooring buoy at 07:35.972N 99:01.941E.
Ko Ngai (Hai)
Anchored
in 9m at 07:24.781N 99:12.851E, good holding.Several resorts on the long beach, possibility to get a massage (resort prices).
Ko Muk
Anchored
in 5m at 07:21.587N 99:18.494E, good holding. Lovely bay, good to explore on
foot or dinghy. Many longtail boats. Also anchored in 3m at 07:21.547N
99:18.521EKo Muk West has “Emerald Cave” (Morakot), which is famous; one can anchor or take the mooring buoy at the entrance (07:22.136N 99:16.969E) and explore in dinghy or swim in (an easy 80m swim; use torch).
Ko Rok Nok
We
have been here several times as this is a beautiful and convenient stop-over.
Picnic supper on the beach!Mooring buoy: 07:12.923N 99:03.978E; easy to snorkel from here but we believe the mooring buoy closest to the northern side of the bay has the best snorkeling.
Anchored in 11m at 07:12.750N 99:04.075E, good holding; beware of bommies when you put your anchor down…. Snorkel the anchor to check.
Do not take the mooring buoy close to the southern island west of the channel: there are very shallow areas here.
The
National Parks charges 200ThB per person and issues a ticket that shows
validity until the following Friday. However we were only charged once, in all
our stops here…. If you arrive after they have finished work for the day you
will not be approached for payment!
Ko Phetra
Anchored
in 10m at 07:02.024N 99:28.268E. This island has a bad reputation for rolly
waters, on both sides, but it was not too bad.
Ko Bulon Le
Anchored
in 9m at 06:49.748N 99:32.727E, good holding.There is a nice village on land and many fishing boats anchor off here.
Ko Bulan
Anchored
initially in 5m at 06:49.058N 99:41.103E; this is a lovely bay but this day had
a roll coming in from the south so we moved to Ko Bulan north (below). Another
day anchored in 3m at 06:48.973N 99:41.044E
Ko Bulan North / Ko Khao Yai
Anchored
at 06:50.184N 99:41.036E. This is a very pretty anchorage, looking onto two
islands, and it appears seldom used by yachties so you are alone.
Ko Tarutao
- Ko Laen: Anchored in 12m
at 06:42.740N 99:40.254E, good holding. Looks onto a pretty beach but
litter at high tide mark; difficult to access beach in dinghy due to reef.
Fish eagles.
- Anchored at 06:42.570N 99:39.947E in 11m,
between Ko Laen island and Tarutao.
- Anchored in 17m at 06:37.481N
99:40.910E, good holding but sticky mud needs washing off. This is a
really beautiful anchorage near natural forests and tiny beaches. There
are nice walks on surfaced roads; take dinghy to the beach or tie to jetty/pier.
- Anchored in NE season at 06:41.853N
99:38.400E in 7m off long beach with mangroves.
- South Bay, well protected most weather,
probably. Anchored in 5m at 06:31.215N 99:41.244E.
Butangs
- Ko Rawi
Mooring buoy at 06:32.460N 99:09.729E in 12m. This is a beautiful area, lovely snorkeling, beautiful clear water
·
Ko Lipe
SW monsoon season: Anchored in 8m at 06:29.945N 98:18.667E, good holding in a pretty anchorage. Reasonable snorkeling near the rocks. On land, can eat at the Mountain resort. Also walk through village to the other side: there are several dingy places in this low season but also a really beautiful resort with pool etc.
NE monsoon season: Take a mooring buoy (do not get the ones too close to the square floating platform as the ferries tie on here to offload many passengers) or anchor off. We took the dinghy onto the beach on the north side of the northernmost buoyed swimming area. Lots of lovely small restaurants on the beach, ‘walking street’ across the island, is very worth a visit.
SW monsoon season: Anchored in 8m at 06:29.945N 98:18.667E, good holding in a pretty anchorage. Reasonable snorkeling near the rocks. On land, can eat at the Mountain resort. Also walk through village to the other side: there are several dingy places in this low season but also a really beautiful resort with pool etc.
NE monsoon season: Take a mooring buoy (do not get the ones too close to the square floating platform as the ferries tie on here to offload many passengers) or anchor off. We took the dinghy onto the beach on the north side of the northernmost buoyed swimming area. Lots of lovely small restaurants on the beach, ‘walking street’ across the island, is very worth a visit.
- Ko Ta Lang
This is an amazing day stop to scuba dive straight off the boat.
Take the mooring buoy at 06:29.064N 99:20.106E. The buoy is in good condition and tied onto a pinnacle at about 7m down. The dive round the pinnacle goes down to 15m and is magnificent.
