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From Koh Lanta to Tarutao covers 110 miles of coastline and islands, encompassing the three mainland provinces of Krabi, Trang and Satun at the Malaysian border. It includes Hat Chao Mai National Park, which covers 360 sq km and takes in 52 islands.
This area is popular for yachts travelling between Langkawi and Phuket − a regular run for non-Thai registered yachts checking out of Thailand every 6 months.
The closest airports are Trang and Krabi, which both have regular services from Bangkok; Krabi also has direct flights to Singapore. Overseas tourists and many Thai holidaymakers are now accessing the small resorts on the islands off Trang, which provide a wide range of peaceful protected havens set amid spectacular scenery.
The inshore islands south of Koh Lanta are characterised by a mix of steep limestone cliffs similar to the seascapes of Phang Nga Bay and Krabi and lower lying inshore islands. The larger island groups of Tarutao and Butang, on the other hand, are granitic outcrops similar to the west coast of Phuket and the Similan Islands.
Coral and small fish are plentiful and underwater visibility for snorkelling and diving ranges from 3 metres near the inshore islands, to 25 metres around the Butang group.
The islands closer to the mainland offer many protected anchorages in shallow water, similar to that of Phang Nga Bay. With its many secluded anchorages and protection in both seasons, the whole region offers itself for year-round exploration. |
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Click links below to go to anchorages |
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Koh Lanta
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The twin islands of Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai are 14 miles from north to south, forming a bay protected from the southwest monsoon on the east side.
Road access is via highway 4206 and two short ferry crossings. The first is Ban Hua Hin to Koh Lanta Noi, followed by an 8 km drive across the island to Saladan Pier for the ferry to Koh Lanta Yai. In low season ferries may be infrequent.
Direct access by fast passenger ferries is available from Krabi and Phi Phi to the Saladan pier during the high season and from Bor Muang on the mainland to Lanta District Pier on the east coast all year round.
The Lanta islands are low lying in the north and hilly in the south. The small islands in the north of the bay on the east coast are reminiscent of karst stacks of Phang Nga Bay, but to the south are relatively flat.
Koh Lanta is fast developing from an alternative low budget destination, but still has many small, low-cost bungalows. This is unlikely to change until the island has a bridge or its own airport.
It is possible to anchor anywhere along the west coast in less than 10 metres. There are many new resort and bungalow developments, some easily seen from seaward on headlands and beaches the entire length of the island. |
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The west coast of Koh Lanta provides plenty of anchorages during the northeast monsoon season, but none in the southwest.
The best protection and holding is in the northern bay of Hat Khlong Dao tucked in behind the low rocky promontory of Laem Kaw Kwang (Deer Neck Cape).
Anchor in the middle of the bay in 4-6 metres. If entering from the south, beware of the rock awash off Laem Yung headland.
Many of the beaches offer bungalow accommodation, and limited provisions are available. Ashore there are 50 small bungalow developments and many restaurants, with a road that follows the coast but is set back at least 500 metres from the beach.
One mile south is Ao Phra-Ae beach separated by a dangerous rock awash at low tide. There is a mooring available in 6 metres in front of the Layana Resort and Spa. This luxury 50-room boutique resort built, owned and operated by the very amiable Bob and Margie Guthrie welcomes yachties.
Five miles further south mid island is Hat Khlong Nin where the new 200 room orange roofed Rawi-Warin Resort and Spa covers an entire headland and can be seen from many miles offshore.
The hotel beach is littered with rock outcrops so anchor just south, go by dinghy to the beach and walk up from there. This is a brand new huge rambling complex with some great restaurants. |
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Recommended during the northeast monsoon season only, anchor close inshore in 5 metres on a sandy bottom opposite the hotel resort. The Pimilai Resort and Spa is a 5-star resort nestled amongst the foliage against the beach.
Visiting yachts are welcomed and can use the floating jetty at the north of the resort, which is dismantled and taken away at the end of each season. The top of the jetty is black and can get scorching hot in the midday sun. Tie close to the beach or wear footwear.
The river at the north of the bay leads to a waterfall and there are good restaurants ashore mid-beach behind the village and at the south end of the bay. |
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| The southernmost accessible beach, also known as Waterfall Bay, has good holding close inshore in 6 -10 metres on a sandy bottom. At the north end is a river clearly visible from the sea, at the head of which are the Phru Bon Falls – well worth a visit. Further south the road stops close to the lighthouse at the ranger station for Mu Koh Lanta National Park. |
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Koh Po, off the eastern coast of Koh Lanta, offers good protection during the southwest monsoon season. We recommend the large area between Koh Klang and Koh Po, where secure holding in mud is found in about 5 metres, as the best overnight stop.
500 metres north of the village on Koh Po is a very dangerous and hard-to-spot rocky patch which is submerged most of the time. The safest approach to this anchorage is from the south, leaving Koh Po to starboard.
Southwest of this anchorage, you will find the main provincial town of Talat Lanta and a 300-metre jetty south of the stilted village, where regular ferries depart for the mainland at Bor Muang. This township was the original settlement on the sheltered east coast before tourism made Hat Khlong Dao the most densely populated area. The Lanta Island Post Office and Government Hospital ( with one qualified doctor on call ) are located here.
Approach the new public jetty by dinghy only from mid tide upwards. Diesel and gasoline are available in small quantities. There are many food stalls and a supermarket near the jetty. |
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| Koh Kam Yai offers excellent protection in both seasons. Do not attempt the passage between Koh Kam Yai and Koh Kam Noi. Approach from the south between Koh Bubu and Koh Kam Noi and anchor in the 5-metre basin where you see a small jetty. Ashore is an abandoned resort. |
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| A perfectly protected anchorage in 3-6 metres is created by the vertical cliffs of Koh Talabeng and Lanta Noi. One of the only accessible Phang Nga-like islands of this bay, dinghy exploration is a must. Further north, the shallow mangrove river that creates the passage between Lanta Noi and the mainland is interesting and undisturbed, until you reach the ferry pier with highway access. |
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Koh Ha Yai |
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Koh Ha, or “Five Island”, is a group of small, interestingly-shaped limestone outcrops that poke up out of the sea between Koh Phi Phi and Koh Rok Nok.
It is well worth planning your voyage, whether heading north or south, to spend a few hours at this spectacular location. The geology of these stacks is totally unique and the islands look like the work of a drunken bricklayer.
The west coast of Koh Ha Yai, the larger southern island, is one of the best dive sites in the area and, despite some damage from dynamite fishing, the coral in the shallow waters surrounding the smaller islets can be superb.
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This little island group is exposed, offering no real protection in either season. Take special care when anchoring and never leave your vessel unattended. Motor slowly towards the beach on the eastern coast of the south island and, when conditions permit, anchor off the reef edge on a sandy bottom in 10 metres or pick up a mooring at anchorage (C).
If you are not diving, the better anchorages can be found at (A) and (B) as conditions permit. There are daytime moorings used by light shallow-draft dive boats in all three locations.
Perhaps the most spectacular anchorage is at (A), where there is a silica low-tide-only beach nestled between the rocks offering superb snorkelling off a shallow sand bank littered with coral heads in 5 metres.
The island just north of (A) looks like a floating island and can be swum under at certain states of tide. |
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Koh Rok Group |
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The two islands of Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai were the location for the filming of the French version of the hugely popular “Survivor” series. They offer a semi-sheltered anchorage during the northeast monsoon.
Anchor in 12-15 metres in the eastern approach to the channel on the east side of Koh Rok Nok or in 6-8 metres on the north end of, depending on the ground swell. Anchorage B is the most secure. The channel is deep and can be navigated with care. The water is clear with a sandy bottom.
The National Park headquarters is on the south side of Koh Rok Nai. Barbeques are prohibited on the beach. |
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| There is great snorkelling and diving around the islands. Hin Daeng, 12 miles west-southwest, is a pinnacle rising out of 70 metres depth and was a spectacular dive site until recent illegal dynamite fishing incidents. |
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Koh Ngai, Koh Muk & Koh Kradan
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These three islands are the northernmost in the Hat Chao Mai National Park and are the most visited by tour boats. Quite different from each other in geology, they all have some bungalow development and interesting features.
The area just south was part of Malaya until 1909 and its ancient Muslim culture migrated north, with mosque temples still dominating these remote fishing villages.
In addition to the pristine beaches and fertile scenery of the islands, Tham Morakot (the Emerald Cave) at Koh Muk is the must-see highlight of the region.
Probably the most amusing event during the survey, was the man living in a grass hut on the offshore rock, no more than 10 metres diameter, at the north end of Koh Muk.
This exposed site is just outside the entrance to some birds’ nest caves. The man claims to be on a 1-year contract to protect the valuable bird’s nest harvest from would-be birds’ nest pirates.
Perhaps the best way to really explore the area is to rent a longtail boat for the day which can be arranged through the shoreside bungalows, with prices ranging from 300 Baht per person.
Trang town, the provincial capital with its airport, is some 30 km inland and there are ferry piers at Pak Meng and Had Yao giving main road access. |
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Anchor anywhere off this coast in 6-8 metres.
On the southeast corner a small jetty serves bungalows and a restaurant where limited supplies are available. The east coast is a long white sand beach fringed with coral and, at the north end, the Koh Ngai Villa is the most upscale in the area with spacious fan bungalows and a restaurant with stunning panoramic views.
There is a Sea Gypsy fishing village on the northeast end of the island. Koh Ma and Koh Chuak, both large rocky outcrops, offer great possibilities for exploring by dinghy or canoe. |
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| Anchor in 8-10 metres off any of the three beaches with small resorts ashore on the west coast. These anchorages offer excellent protection in the northeast monsoon. |
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This anchorage is our pick of the group. Anchor in the northeast monsoon only in 6-8 metres between the two towering cliffs and off the very small beach. The shoreline north and south is honeycombed with crevices and caves, making for excellent dinghy exploring. The beach leads to a small freshwater creek.
A few hundred metres south of the anchorage is the entrance to Tham Morakot − the “Emerald Cave” − easily recognisable by the mooring buoys with ropes leading into the entrance of the cave.
The entrance is an 80-metre pitch dark passageway leading to a completely enclosed circular, cathedral-like Hong, with a diameter of 60 metres. |
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The walls are draped in lush foliage above a tiny patch of grey silica sand beach and an ethereal glow makes it seem as if you were encased inside an emerald, looking out. Access is possible at most tides by swimming or canoe.
Do not take a motorised dinghy as there is a delicate bat population living in the ceiling of the very narrow passage. Do not try to go through the passage without a reliable waterproof torch.
Never mind the untidy lines, moorings and jostling day boats at the entrance. This experience will remain etched in your memory for the rest of your lifetime. Awesome! |
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This secluded anchorage in 6 metres offers good holding on a muddy bottom. Sometimes there is also a buoy available.
Facing southwest, the bay has an all-tide beach and makes an ideal overnight haven in the northeast monsoon season.
A small village in the middle of the bay has a shop and two small resorts. A track leads from the village to the southeast facing beach where there are more restaurants and bungalows. |
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Anchorage can be found in the shallow southeast facing bay in 3-5 metres on a sandy bottom.
Ashore are Sawadee Resort and Charlie’s Bungalows on the 800-metre-long, jungle-backed beach.
Shallow anchorage is also possible east and north of the sandy headland halfway up the east coast. A long jetty is situated at Hua Laem Muslim village and Koh Muk Resort is to the north. |
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Look for anchorage off the small southeast-facing bay with a small resort ashore. The bay remains deep until close in, and vessels can either pick up a mooring or anchor in no less than 10 metres.
This makes a nice day anchorage although, depending on the prevailing season, better overnight holding can be found on the east or west coasts. The resort has a pleasant restaurant, and welcomes visitors. Anchorage is available no less than 12 metres anywhere along the east coast taking care to approach the visible fringing reef very slowly and preferably perpendicular to the beach.
There is a small National Park HQ on the beach. |
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| Reasonably sheltered in the northeast season, this anchorage lies in 10-12 metres on a muddy bottom. This stunning beach is palm-fringed and a track cuts through the island to the eastern side where there are two restaurants. |
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Koh Talibong & the Koh Liang Group |
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Approaches to Kantang (Trang River)
Kantang is the harbour for Trang, a major southern provincial town which has grown rich mainly on rubber and other agricultural products.
This fishing port has an excellent shipyard, though decidedly ethnic and only for the hardier yachts. The approach is marked; the entrance is south of Tali Bong Island. Use Chart #336 or follow a large fishing boat into the estuary and harbour. |
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Favour the west side, as it is well buoyed in the channel. In the river there is a fast-ferry jetty at Taaverlarp Fishing Co. This is more a work venue than a leisure destination.
Koh Tali Bong has good anchorage all along its west coast, but beware of the reef extending at the southern end. On the mainland north of the island and facing south are picnic grounds and safe anchorage can be found in shallow water anywhere in the passage. |
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This area is home to the Talibong Archipelago Wildlife Reserve because the sea channels are home to more than 40 rare dugongs that graze on the sea grass that flourishes in the north bay.
Using this passage to enter the river into Kantang from the west above Koh Tali Bong is possible with shallow draft boats at high tide. Do not attempt at night; lights from work barges can easily be confused with channel markers. |
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Koh Liang Nua and Koh Liang Tai are tall limestone islands similar to those of Phang Nga Bay. The only reasonable anchorages lie on sandy patches on the southeast, northeast and west sides of Koh Liang Tai. Take special care in anchoring, as the reef edge extends some 250 metres offshore and rises vertically from 6 metres. On the sandy patches it’s best to drop the hook in 8-10 metres, well off the reef edge.
There is a Sea Gypsy village ashore where seafood and coconuts can be acquired for money or barter. The small islets of Koh Bulabot and Hin Bae Wa are safely accessible from the west. They provide a great snorkelling and fishing day anchorage, but only in calm conditions. |
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Koh Phetra |
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| Koh Phetra is a spectacular limestone ridge. The jungle-fringed cliffs are honeycombed with caves and overhangs, and this island is one of the main birds’ nest collection points in the area. Anchor near the southeast bay in 8-10 metres. Give Hin Raya, clearly visible to the east, a wide berth. |
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| The west coast of Koh Phetra provides good holding in 7-8 metres along its length, but avoid the numerous fish traps. There are no long beaches on this coast, but it has numerous caves and small coves ideal for picnicking and swimming. |
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