Andaman Sea Pilot - the definitive cruising guide for the Andaman Sea...and more

The definitive guide to 380 anchorages in more than one million square miles of ocean

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HOMFRAY STRAIT & INTERVIEW ISLAND

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Interview Island | North Reef Island

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Homfray Strait & Andaman Strait

Navigating Homfray Strait on a yacht is a unique experience, the narrow waterway dwarfed by the towering trees on either bank.

Anchoring overnight along the strait is fascinating with the sounds of the jungle close at hand – just make sure you have lots of mosquito repellent.

Homfray Strait opens up the islands to the north west of the Andamans – an area that is very rarely visited. The strait is perfectly navigable with care.

Depths shown on the chartlet are reduced to LAT. Passage through the eastern part of the strait should be timed for high tide.

The high voltage electricity pylons which used to cross the strait and restrict mast height to 25 metres were removed in 2006.

At the western end of the narrow part of the strait is a mud bank with coral bombies around it. through this section. This bank is usually marked with a pole with a cross on it.

Stay well to the eastern side. Be aware that there are many large salt water crocodiles that live in the strait and in the lagoon behind Spike Island.

The Andaman Strait is also navigable by keel yachts.

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Interview Island

These superb islands are rarely visited by yachts. However, by navigating through Homfray Strait, they can be included in a circumnavigation of the Andaman Islands.

These islands are remote and wild. There are salt water crocodiles on the eastern side of Interview Island, so only swim on the western side and never swim at night in this area.

Interview Island also has a small herd of wild elephant, occasionally seen on the beach or playing in the sea. Interview is also a superb island for jungle walks.

Admiralty charts of this area are largely fictional with entire islands missing and reefs drawn in the wrong place. The chartlet provided is more accurate, but use it with care.

This is a superb anchorage in a natural harbour. Approach from due south and anchor on a white sand bottom in 6-8 metres surrounded by reef.

South Reef Island has spectacular beaches and snorkelling. The gap between South Reef Island and Interview Island is not navigable by keelboat.

Another natural harbour formed by the fringing reef. Anchor on a sand bottom in 8-10 metres surrounded by reef.

The southern channel of the reef gap provides all tide access to the beach. This is a great area for walking.

Yet another perfect “marina” formed by a gap in the fringing reef. Anchor on a sand bottom in 8-10 metres surrounded by reef. Access to the beach is at high tide only. There is great fishing off the edge of the reef in this area.

Anchor in 15-20 metres off the reef edge on a sand bottom. The reef comes up very quickly here.

To the west is a small mangrove estuary which provides easy access into the jungle – there is some superb walking in this area. This is a great base from which to explore the extensive mangroves along the eastern coast by dinghy.

Taking a keel yacht to the east of Interview Island is not recommended.

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North Reef Island

This small island must rank amongst the most spectacular in the Andaman Islands.

It is surrounded by an extensive coral reef with an incredible marine life – during a 10 minute snorkel in 2006 we counted over 50 turtles.

It is completely encircled by a great white soft sand beach and there is superb jungle walking here.

Anchor in 12-15 metres on a sand bottom clear of the reef edge.

Anchor in 15 metres on a sand bottom clear of the large coral bombies. The sand comes up very quickly from 25 metres.

There is excellent snorkelling along the reef edge from this anchorage.

Anchor in 10 metres on white sand taking care to avoid the large coral bombie in the middle of this bay. There is superb fishing and snorkelling around this anchorage.

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate, the charts of anchorages are based on personal experience and satellite imagery and are intended as a guide only. They should not be used for navigation. Please refer to Official Hydrographic charts of the respective countries.

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