|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Click links below to go to anchorages |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
Koh Tao |
|
|
|
This island, 34 miles northeast of Koh Samui has a boulder rock coastline and the clearest waters and best diving in the Gulf. The island is booming with many dive shops and resorts in this now well established Scuba destination.
Access is by ferry from Phangan and Samui or from the mainland at Paknam, Chumpon, due west of Koh Tao, from which a daily speed boat service is available. There is also at least one daily speed boat service from Samui.
In the northeast season, November to February, the seas can become rough enough to stop all boat traffic and cut the island off for a few days at a time.
The one small town on the island, which has a jetty, is on a long beach along the west coast. The unusual three-armed beach formation between Koh Hang Tao, Koh Nang Yuan and the small islands on the northeastern point of Koh Tao is spectacular. |
|
|
 |
Both of these bays offer protection in the northeast season in 10-15 metres, although the bottom is fairly rocky.
There are restaurants and bungalows ashore, with good access at high tide only.
In the southwest monsoon can be found just to the north in Ao Leuk. Anchor well out into the middle of the bay in 10-12 metres. This bay is a popular diving spot and moorings may be available. |
|
|
 |
Anchor in a minimum depth of 8-12 metres well outside the corals, and beware of the huge boulders on the hard bottom, which are visible.
This large bay offers the best protection in the southwest season and given the relatively short distances to other parts of the island is a good location to make your base.
There is a floating pontoon for dinghies in the northwest corner of the bay close to the small resort and restaurant.
This is a deep anchorage and the snorkelling is excellent. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
 |
This is a stunning spot, with coral sand beaches having joined the three islets. The beaches are just covered at high water, but still provide protection from swell and waves.
Sandy patches can be found in 6-10 metres to the north of the smallest island on the east side of the group, and the bottom is clearly visible. Alternatively, good holding is found well off the beach in 12-15 metres.
Bungalows, a restaurant and dive shop are available on the middle island at Nang Yuan Resort. There are many underwater rocks to the west of these islets which are marked by dive-boat buoys and are excellent for diving. |
|
|
 |
This beach gives access to the main village on Koh Tao, where most of the passenger boats arrive at the jetty in the south of the bay. The bay is extremely busy with over seventy dive boat operations and frequent ferries using the jetty. All sort of shops can be found ashore and it is a great spot to re-provision.
Anchor in 8-10 metres off the very shallow coral fringing the beach. Care should be taken going ashore at low tide due to the coral heads near the beach. |
|
|
Ang Thong Islands |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The rocky karst formations of this north-south string of islands – similar to those of Phang Nga Bay – have been declared a marine National Park. The many high, sheer-sided islands with narrow passages between them offer lots of scenic cruising.
The water is rather murky and there are no detailed charts of this group, so care must be taken in the following two places.
|
|
During the calm season several tour boats bring tourists to these islands each day from Samui. The islands are a very popular destination with local Thai tourists, since Ang Thong is on the list of ‘must see’ places for any Thai who wishes to say he’s seen the entire country.
Fishing boats also seek shelter amongst the steep, protective islands here. There are not many beaches, and so only a few places to go ashore. |
|
|
|
 |
Anchor in 8 metres on a muddy bottom on the northeast side of the island. This anchorage can be approached from the north or east giving Koh Phi plenty or clearance to avoid underwater reefs.
Since Koh Ang Thong is the main island in this group, the National Park headquarters have some bungalows available and there is a fee of 200 baht per person.
If you feel like a good hike, a 45-minute climb will take you to a viewpoint overlooking the islands. Shoes are a must, and a bottle of water will prove a treat once you get to the top. South of the main beach you’ll find a huge cave; keep an eye open for wild monkeys and bats. |
|
|
 |
| Approaching from the northeast a course of approximately 230 degrees, north of Koh Sam Sao and Koh Hin Tak avoids all rocks on the way into the anchorage. |
|
|
Approaching from the southeast, there is a large rock mid-channel, which should be left to starboard. Off the small beach is a red buoy, which marks an underwater rock.
Look for a good anchorage in about 7-8 metres off the second beach coming from the south, on the east side of the island. Steps and a little platform offer access to a path leading to an inner lake, and a cave under the mountain. |
|
|
 |
| The anchorage is well off the island on the northeast side in 10 metres on a hard bottom. It is not suitable for overnight stays. This island, at the northern end of the group, away from the worst of the riverine sediment from the west, has reasonable coral formations in limited visibility. |
|
Rocks in the water
Between Koh Wua Ta Lab and Koh Hanuman (Sphinx Head): sharp point of rock only visible at extreme low tides. Heading north from Koh Ang Thong to Koh Wua Ta Lab, coral head in the middle of the passage. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
