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Click links below to go to anchorages |
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Southern Channel
Enter via the channel between Ko Khon and Ko Chang. Ko Khon has a lighthouse on it. The entry channel now also has a number of large steel lateral marks so keep a very good lookout at night in case these are unlit.
From there follow the obvious channel east then northeast to take you up the eastern side of Ko Mo. From there head for the eastern side of Pulau Ru just off the Andaman Club jetties and then into the Kawthaung anchorage.
Western Channel
Approach on a course of 090º heading for the highest point of Pulau Ru (Andaman Club island).
Once the southern point of Pulau Palin bears 062º, turn and head for it. This brings you through a shoal area and into the channel just south of Pulau Palin.
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The drying bank of rocks and mud to your south is marked by a post with an X topmark.
From there, head just to the south of Victoria Point on a course of 095º.
Northern Channel
While the channel to the west of Pulau Besin may look shallow on the chart, it is perfectly navigable with a minimum depth of 5m.
On leaving Kawthaung, head south into the deep water channel to avoid the extensive mud bank to the west of Victoria Point.
Once in mid channel, alter course to head for the monastery Pagoda on Pulau Palin (approx. 275º). Once the western point of Pulau Besin bears 315º, turn and head just clear of it. |
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There is a rock and coral reef that juts out off this point – the extent of the reef is marked with wooden sticks with a cross on them. Gradually come onto a northerly heading aiming just to the west of Thane Island.
There is a drying rock reef marked with a metal beacon about ½ a mile to the west of Thane Island.
Pass between this and Thane Island then continue on a northerly heading. After a further ½ a mile alter course on to 330º and hold this course until you are in more than 10 metres of water.
Around the 10 meter depth there are substantial fish traps which are made of large bamboo staves driven into the mud bottom – keep a sharp lookout. |
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Kawthaung Town (Victoria) |
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Approach from the south staying close to Victoria Point. Anchor in 4-8 metres in thick mud between the main Kawthaung town jetty and Mwe Island (Browning Island).
This anchorage is well protected and is out of the main flow of current that thunders past at 2-3 knots further out.
There is, however, significant risk of collision with drifting boats in this anchorage, a permanent racket from longtail boats and, at night, there are large, hungry mosquitoes.
It is recommended to use this anchorage during the day and to move to either anchorage (B) or (C) overnight. Let MTT know where you are going if you do move.
If you choose to stay in the town anchorage overnight it is a good idea to fender both sides of the yacht and to leave lots of lights on. Dinghies can be safely left at the town jetty or there is a water taxi service available from dawn until about 21:00 at night.
On arrival, contact MTT to assist with checking in. The MTT office is on the southern end of the waterfront.
Kawthaung is a fascinating town, particularly if you take the time to explore. The Buddhist monastery on the hill at the northern end of town is particularly worth a visit with impressive guardian dragons and great views over Kawthaung. |
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| Kawthaung has a variety of good restaurants and bars along the waterfront and up the hill behind the clock tower. The Honey Bear Hotel on the waterfront offers air-conditioned accommodation and is so proud of its two large generators, it has them arranged as a showpiece either side of the foyer. |
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| The best overnight anchorage while in Kawthaung. Anchor in 5-8 metres to the eastern side of the channel between Pulau Nyor and the mainland. This anchorage is perfectly protected and has excellent holding in thick, black mud. The large concrete jetty ashore has good diesel, fresh water and cooling ice. Approach the southern side of the jetty for diesel. Payment is in Thai baht. |
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| A good overnight anchorage while in Kawthaung. Anchor just inside the bay in 6m just outside of the main current flow. |
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Thay Yae Kyunn (Barwell) |
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| This channel makes an excellent first and last night anchorage as it is only 15 miles from Kawthaung. |
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A | A beautiful anchorage just to the southwest of the sand spit in 8-10 metres of water on a white sand bottom. The surrounding islands offer all round protection.
B | Superb protection can be found mid channel. Anchor in 10 to 12 metres on white sand. |
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The Mid Group |
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The islands to the south of Pu Nala offer a wide variety of day and overnight anchorages.
We have chosen only one of the prettiest spots in this group, although you can spend days here exploring all the smaller rocky islands and hidden coves and beaches. |
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The Frost brothers of South East Asia Liveaboards (SEAL) discovered this jewel anchorage.
Anchor in 12-15 metres off the white sand beach. The all-tide, sandy beach here is breathtaking, and the fringing coral reef provides excellent snorkelling.
There are uncharted rocks to the south and west of this anchorage. |
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Fantastic overnight anchorage with a white sand beach and a small spring ashore.
Heading north from this anchorage there are several uncharted rocks along the coast of Potter Island. |
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Another idyllic overnight anchorage with a spectacular white sand beach ashore.
There are a variety of unusual trees along this beach including one of the biggest fig trees ever.
Every evening the local hornbills congregate in this tree to squabble and squawk over delicacies. |
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This imaginatively named island is a perfect lunchtime stop en-route to Kawthaung.
Anchor in 12 to 15 metres on white sand, clear of the fringing reef.
There is excellent snorkelling here with good coral, blue spotted rays and small black tip reef sharks. |
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Kyunn Phi Lar (Great Swinton) |
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It would be possible to spend several weeks exploring this spectacular island.
Only four anchorages shown — in reality there are many more great spots. The island has everything with superb beaches, great snorkelling and diving, loads of wildlife, good jungle walking and stunning scenery.
Note that the chart provided shows much more detail and many offlying rocks that do not appear on the Admiralty chart. Be aware there may be more underwater “features” and keep a good bow watch in water shallower than 15m. |
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A stunning anchorage that is well protected even in North Easterlies. Anchor in 12m on a sand bottom clear of the fringing reef.
There is great snorkelling from the anchorage to the southern point of the bay, but beware of ferocious rip tides off the point.
Ashore there is good jungle walking with a stream and a small waterfall. The mangrove estuary around the southern point is perfect for kayaking, particularly in the evening when the local wildlife is on the move. |
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An even more beautiful anchorage, with a mile and a half crescent of gleaming white sand backed by pristine jungle ashore.
Anchor in 5m in the middle of the eastern section of the bay between the small island and the east side of Kyunn Phi Lar. Do not go further west than this as there are lots of large coral bombies in this area.
There is all tide access to the eastern end of the beach. Three miles to the north “Shark Cave” is a superb dive site with a cave swim through that is home to several grey reef sharks. |
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Yet another great anchorage in this well protected horseshoe shaped bay. Anchor in 8m clear of the reef on a sand bottom.
The shallow fringing reef is excellent for snorkelling. The huge mangrove estuaries to the west of this anchorage are fascinating to explore by dinghy or kayak.
There are lots of pythons that live in this estuary – they are completely harmless and tend to snooze on low branches that overhang the water. |
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Probably the most spectacular anchorage of the lot. Anchor in 15m on sand clear of the reef edge. The reef comes up very quickly further inshore.
There is great snorkelling here. There is tidal access to the stunning beach but be careful you do not end up stuck inshore of the reef on a falling tide.
The small rocky islands and outcrops off the west end of Kyunn Phi Lar have great snorkelling and some amazing rock archways. |
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Kyunn Mee Gyi (Clara Island) |
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| The eastern side of Kyunn Mee Gyee has a military base and is off limits. The previously superb dive sites of North and South Sentinel islands have been heavily dynamite fished and as a result have no surviving fish or coral. |
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| Anchor in 8 metres on a sandy bottom off the fringing reef in the south bay. There is a superb beach ashore and great jungle walking. The water clarity in this area is exceptional. |
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Anchor in 12-15 metres on white sand to the southern side of the bay. The visibility here is so good that you can see the bottom in 30 metres of water.
At the southern end of the beach is a spectacular waterfall that brings crystal clear, cold mountain water down to the beach. |
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Kyunn Tann Shey (Lampi Group) |
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It is possible to anchor just about anywhere off the western coast of Lampi Island.
Lampi is the largest island in this southern group and, apart from the occasional nomadic fishing village, is uninhabited.
The size of Lampi allows it to support much larger wild animals including leopard and a small herd of elephant. |
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| Anchor anywhere on sand in 6-12 metres. The Mangrove River is superb for dinghy exploring with plenty of wildlife and huge century-old mangrove trees towering overhead. |
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The channel of water separating the islands of Lampi and Wa-Ale Kyunn is about 200 metres wide and about 2 miles long. On either side, the channel is banked with steep sloping rainforest and by fringing coral reef below. Anchorage in the middle of the channel is in 10-15 metres. This anchorage is safe to sit out any storm.
Salet Galet is an area of outstanding beauty and is a good place to spot monkeys, wild pigs, hornbills, sea eagles and other creatures. There is a great jungle walk up west peak on Lampi with spectacular views over Salet Galet channel. The mangrove river on Wa-Ale Kyunn is ideal for kayaking and ends in a small fresh water stream and waterfall. |
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Enter the passage either side of the small rock island and south of the drying rock in mid-channel. Anchor in 7-10 metres on a mud and sand bottom off the eastern end of the small village. The currents can run up to 3 knots at mid-tide so put out plenty of chain.
This village is the only habitation in the area and is definitely worth a visit. The local monk at the Buddhist temple is a very welcoming and interesting character. A local boat builder has recently set up shop behind the bridge in the village. He is constructing traditional Moken boats that are being hand sawn from trees on site. Take your camera. |
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| A small island with a spectacular white sand beach backed by casaurina trees. Anchor in 6-8m on a sand bottom clear of the fringing reef. |
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This is a highly unusual area of mangroves and shallow waterways which is ideal for exploring by kayak and dinghy.
There are around 30 small beaches on these islands and probably as many anchorages.
The islands support a thriving bird and wildlife population. It is common to see flocks of over 100 wreathed hornbills competing for a particularly desirable perch on the highest trees. There are also Asian wild cats, fruit bats and macaque monkeys that make this home. |
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