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Ao Chalong |
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Ao Chalong is the only year-round anchorage at the southern end of Phuket. It is the big shallow bay facing south and is protected by the large island of Koh Lon at its entrance.
Only 10 kilometres from Phuket Town by road, this is traditionally the first port of call for visiting yachts, and offers many restaurants and marine service outlets on shore. The one-stop port control centre is located at the landward end of the main concrete pier. The Thai Marine Department have made a request that all visiting yachts conduct their formal check in procedures at Ao Chalong pier before proceeding to other locations.
The long government jetty gives access to the west side of the bay at low water for dinghy and shallow draft vessels, which can be easily tied on the leeward side at the steps, halfway to the shore.
The floating pier head allows larger vessels to come along side. There is a fee of 100 baht per yacht visit to access the jetty. |
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Fuel and water are available near the jetty head. Large areas of sticky mud dry on low spring tides, making dinghy access to the beach impossible.
There are two approaches to Ao Chalong.
From the south, care should be taken to stay closer to Koh Lon on your starboard side than to the mainland because here |
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both the bank and the reef extend farther than the Admiralty and Thai charts suggest. Just south of the jetty there is a shallow sandbank, so motor until east of the jetty to find the best anchorage.
From the east, head approximately 285 degrees, leaving Koh Thanan, the small mid-channel island to port. |
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| From there proceed towards a prominent rocky patch on the hillside directly ahead. You will then see port and starboard pylons marking the entrance to the anchorage and jetty approach; thus avoiding the shallow bank in the north of the bay. |
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Anchor on the muddy bottom in 3-7 metres well offshore. Preferably well beyond the end of the 800 metre long concrete jetty or to the north of it as it is used daily by express ferries of all shapes, sizes, and speeds. Holding is excellent, and the most likely hazard is other boats with inadequate ground tackle dragging into you in a strong wind.
Alternatively, moorings are available at a monthly fee. Check with some of the local yachtsmen at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club for details of cost, location and safety of the moorings.
In the southwest monsoon season, this is one of the few perfectly protected anchorages on the island (although some ground swell may be experienced). In the northeast season, on the other hand, conditions can be a little choppy because of the long fetch in the bay and this can make dinghy transfers to the beach uncomfortable. There are about 10 days per month when, due to the tide, dinghy access to the beach is impossible for a few hours.
The Ao Chalong Yacht Club can be found on the beach to the north of the new jetty. Twice monthly races for keelboats and multihulls are held and visitors are welcome.
This club is a well-oiled yachtie’s gathering place and good for trading information. There is a useful notice board here where prospective boat crews advertise their availability, and boats advertise needs for additional crew and items for sale, etc.
The building with a decorative lighthouse in fact is a restaurant called Jimmy’s Lighthouse and is another popular meeting point for cruising yachts, as are other small restaurants and bars along this beach.
Around the jetty and on the road leading to the Chalong Circle, a five-way roundabout is a bustling commercial centre. |
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| From the junction roads lead to Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata, Phuket Town and the main highway to the north of the island, passing the new out-of-town shopping centre developments on the way to the airport. |
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On the west side of Cape Panwa, there is a concrete jetty serving as a base for the Hydrographic, Fisheries, and Marine Biological Departments.
On shore, you will find the Phuket Aquarium. Anchor anywhere in the bay in 6-8 metres on a muddy bottom keeping well clear of the floating peal-farm on the west side. When rounding the cape, keep well clear of the off-lying rocks and reefs.
To the northwest lies Ao Yon. This bay offers good shelter in both seasons, has a fine beach and the original Phuket Yacht Club ashore. It is a predominantly a dinghy sailing club but many cruising yachts make this bay their base. Anchor in 4-6 metres on a muddy bottom well clear of the fish farms. |
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On the north coast of Koh Hae there is a sandy bay with live coral fringing the beach. In the southwest monsoon season, sheltered anchorage is available on a sandy bottom in 8-10 metres.
Beware coral heads on the fringe of the reef rising from depths of up to 6 metres. Ashore, bungalows and restaurants cater to day visitors, while many tour operators bring their customers for snorkelling. |
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For a lunchtime stopover, try the small bay in about 14 metres on a rocky bottom on the south side of Koh Hae.
This is a very pleasant anchorage – quiet, nice coral and lots of fish. A small sandy beach is accessible at high tide. |
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In the northeast season, this is more protected from the chop than the main anchorage directly across Ao Chalong bay. In the southwest season, the anchorage is open to a long fetch across the width of the bay.
A drying coral reef fringes the sandy beach, but there is an access channel at low tide. Two miles further north in Chalong Bay is a mangrove creek, which can be accessed by dinghy from mid-tide leading to a picturesque seafood restaurant on stilts.
Ashore at the anchorage are some private housing developments and some restaurants. Just behind the beach is a road that runs to the top of the mountain to a spectacular viewpoint giving a 360-degree panorama of Phi Phi islands and the south end of Phuket. The trip to Phuket town takes just 15 minutes, though finding transport can be difficult. |
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Ao Makham (Deep Sea Port) |
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The sea port terminal, Ao Makham is a channel between Koh Taphao Yai and the main island of Phuket north of Cape Panwa. Having been well dredged during the construction of the Phuket deep-water port, the passages north and south are buoyed and easily navigable.
Fuel and water can be delivered to the quayside by trucks, although this is really only practical for larger vessels, since the wharf is designed for ships and consequently is not kind to topsides of cruising yachts. Regular ferries depart from the main port to Koh Mai Thon Resort and the port is also the main stopover for Cruise liners plying the Andaman Sea and the Malacca straits. |
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The best anchorage for yachts lies on the north side of Koh Taphao Yai in front of a small resort in 5-8 metres on a muddy bottom. It is safe in all seasons, but can be a little choppy in the northeast monsoon.
Not the most picturesque location, it is nevertheless convenient for town. Opposite this anchorage on the main island next to the petroleum depot is a small jetty with a floating pontoon that has road access to Phuket Town. |
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Koh Siray |
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| Koh Siray is on the eastern tip of the southern part of Phuket, separated from the main island by a small river – the area’s main fishing depot – and gives access to three shipyards, two on the left on Phuket Island, the other on the right on Koh Siray. |
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These yards mostly take care of local fishing vessels and shallow draft tour boats; but after some years’ experience, they are able – and have the facilities – to handle keelboats. Appropriate cradles are available but bookings must be made in advance.
A photograph or plan of your underwater hull shape will assist the yard foreman in safely slipping your boat. All yards offer electricity, water and transport to town. If you decide to slip your boat in the local yards, consider seeking advice from one of the marine services companies for the best options. Many projects are under way in the yards, which may be of interest to boat building enthusiasts.
Close to the river bridge (town side) is Tien Sin Pier where ferries depart for Koh Yao Yai twice daily. At the entrance to the river on the west side on reclaimed land is the Rassada passenger terminal, with ferries to Phi Phi and Krabi. |
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Approaches to Koh Siray
Pass between Koh Taphao Noi and Koh Taphao Yai, and proceed to the first channel marker shown on the chart. Head towards the second channel buoy and then proceed directly to the headland on the east side of the river entrance.
There are leading marks on shore but this channel is constantly moving, and the best advice we can give is to negotiate the entrance on a three-quarter tide rising and if possible follow a large fishing boat in the river.
There is a light on Laem Tukkae but this approach is inadvisable at night. Once in the waterway, the depth is adequate for most vessels, but the number of boats tied on each side of the river severely restricts its navigable width.
Diesel fuel in large quantities, water, ice, and provisions are available at the fishing port and at the shipyards further upstream on the left and on the right. |
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South Koh Yao Yai |
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Approaching this anchorage, keep well off the rocky point to the west and set your anchor on the muddy bottom in 4-6 metres. Holding is firm enough that this spot not only offers good overnight protection in the northeast monsoon, but may be used in lighter winds during the southwest season too.
There is a small Muslim fishing village on stilts in the northwest corner of the bay. Approach by dinghy using the shallow creek on the west of the bay, and please observe the usual Muslim dress code. |
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| This small island offers a great daytime anchorage in 8-10 metres off the sandy point to the northeast. |
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Snorkelling and diving are best on the seaward edge of the fringing reef on the northeast side the island. There is also an all-tide access beach on this end of the island.
Alternatively, good overnight anchorage can be found anywhere on the West Coast of Koh Yao Yai when the northeast monsoon prevails. |
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Koh Khai Nok |
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Koh Khai Nok is another great daytime anchorage. The brilliantly white, all-tide beach on its northern end can be seen from miles distant.
Anchor in 10-15 metres and be careful, as the bottom rises very quickly onto a sandy ledge scattered with coral heads. In either monsoon season, you will find a couple of places to tuck in close to avoid the occasional ground swell, which can occur in this open anchorage.
A wide variety of fish and corals make this island a favourite for scuba divers and snorkellers at slack water and neap tides. An excellent day destination for families because of the small cove teeming with brilliantly coloured Sergeant Major Fish, which will feed from your hand. |
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By far the busiest destination for speedboat tours from Phuket, there is a daytime restaurant on the beach.
A 200 Baht fee per boat and 30 Baht per non-Thai visitor are levied by the local Or Bor Tor (Council) for visiting vessels. There is also a 150 Baht charge per couple for deck chairs, whether you use them or not! Take your wallet. |
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Koh Mai Thon |
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| Koh Mai Thon is a small, beautiful island only six miles from Ao Chalong with a hotel development on its east coast. The resort is five-star with the rooms in high quality villas. There is a jetty protected by a concrete breakwater with regular guest and staff ferries to Ao Makham. Dolphins are often found around the island. |
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During the northeast monsoon season, a very small bay in the middle of the west coast offers good overnight holding, for one or two boats, in 10-12 metres on a sand and rock bottom.
A carved track leads to the Mai Thon Resort in 15 minutes walk across the island to its east coast. This anchorage is rumoured to be a great spot for catching red snapper at night. Try hand lines with fresh bait. |
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| In the southwest monsoon, look for anchorage in 6-10 metres on the sandy bottom south of the concrete jetty off the resort. Take care when rounding both the northern and southern points of the island; give lots of clearance to both the northern and south-eastern reef areas. Ashore, the deluxe Mai Thon Resort offers first class amenities and a ferry back to the Deep Sea Port. |
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Koh Yao Yai and Ao Labu |
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In the northeast monsoon season good holding in 5-6 metres on a muddy bottom, and excellent shelter, can be found on a line roughly due east of the headland. It is unwise to try anchoring too close in; there are some coral outcrops in the bay, and the recommended anchorage is perfectly sheltered.
At very low tide the bay is shallow some distance from the beach. Ashore is a long sandy beach fringed with casuarinas and other tropical trees typical of the area. In the northern corner of the bay lies the mouth of a river which extends 800 metres and more into the headland toward a small settlement where coconut and rubber is cultivated.
This is an extraordinarily peaceful anchorage, and it presents a rare opportunity for extended walks on level ground surrounding the bay. |
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In the southwest monsoon season there is good overnight anchorage in 4-5 metres behind the small island of Koh Nui. Do not attempt to get farther south in the bay, as it is extremely shallow and the channel which the local fishing boats use is constantly shifting.
When approaching the anchorage, head due east to the centre of the bay before heading south, in this way avoiding a rock some 400 metres north of Koh Nui and just visible at high tide.
For the adventurous, a dinghy trip to the village at the southern end of the bay is an interesting experience; but do not expect restaurants or Western provisions. Once again, this is a Muslim community, and appropriate, polite dress should be worn, and alcohol should not be brought into the village area. |
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Koh Rang Group |
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Anchor in 6-9 metres off the beach on a sand and mud bottom, with a good holding in both seasons on either coast. A brisk current runs through the anchorage on springs so don’t try and swim ashore.
The west side is a remarkably beautiful location with a lovely beach. You will gain access to the middle of the beach just south of the floating pearl cage at all tides.
Given the proximity of west Koh Rang to the shallow, muddy eastern coast of Phuket, this anchorage is truly a bonus as a stopover en route either north or south, or whilst waiting the tide to enter Boat Lagoon.
Ashore is a full recreation facility with restaurant, (daytime only) canoes, mountain bikes and trails, mini golf and snorkelling gear for hire. The northeast side is sometimes more comfortable in the strong southwesterlies. |
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Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina |
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| Boat Lagoon (top) Royal Phuket Marina (bottom) |
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The Boat Lagoon was Phuket’s first marina complex. It has been fully operational since 1994. This circular, 168-berth lagoon was originally a tidal flat at the head of a shallow, meandering 2-mile creek, Klong Tha Rua.
Klong Tha Rua was once the main port of the island, long before Phuket Town was built by the predominantly Chinese tin miners who arrived over 100 years ago. Phuket-based entrepreneur and pleasure-boat enthusiast Khun Kanit Yongskul started the project some years ago, damming the stream and digging the basin to a depth of five metres before reopening the entrance.
Royal Phuket Marina was opened in 2005 and shares the approach channel with The Boat Lagoon. The entrance is on port, closer to the sea by about 1 mile. The rectangular outer basin has berthing for 76 yachts.
The Boat Lagoon is situated further up the channel after a 90-degree turn to port. Services in both marinas are comparable with facilities elsewhere in the world. |
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The Channel
The well-marked channel has concrete pilings set approximately 13 metres apart all the way from Ao Tha Rua, starting at 07° 58.65’ N, 98° 24.9’ E. The channel meanders through the large shallow open bay until it enters the mangrove creek. Both the depth and width of this very tight channel vary along its length.
Keeled or deep-draft vessels up to 35 metres length and draft 2.5 metres can enter either side of high tide. It is wise to check with the harbour master on the latest channel dredging information. The shallowest depths in the channel, at the time of writing, were 2.5 metres at a 2.8 metre high tide.
While in the open water channel, keep the pilings 10-15 metres off the port side all the way in. Allow approximately 45 minutes from the open water channel entrance to arrival in either marina basin (at five knots, which is the speed limit from the entrance to the mangroves onwards). We strongly suggest deep draft vessels negotiate this difficult channel during the last hour of the rising tide. |
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The phase 1 basin has a minimum depth of 4 metres and berths for 76 yachts up to 30 metres. The 60-ton travel lift services a hard stand that can accommodate 40 yachts. Dockside on the ground floor of the condominium blocks are commercial units housing restaurants, including Les Anges, a fitness club and many top-level retail outlets.
The Yacht Harbour Association has given Royal Phuket Marina a 5-Star Gold Anchor award for excellence in service and facilities.
Call the Marina Office on channel 79 when entering the channel or phone 076-379397.
www.royalphuketmarina.com
marina@royalphuketmarina.com
Phase 2 will comprise a prestige development of 150 homes and 300 condominiums around an inner locked basin with 250 berths and a minimum depth of 3.2 metres. |
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| At time of going to press, Royal Phuket Marina is the newest marina on the island. With its stunning architecture, musical water fountain in the central ‘town square’ and already host to many spectacular events, it is fast becoming an island landmark. |
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| A canal complex of condominiums, a hotel, serviced apartments and restaurants, shops and offices surrounds the Boat Lagoon. Short and long-term accommodation is available overlooking the marina. |
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The harbour master is available during office hours on channel 71 or call 076-239055.
www.phuketboatlagoon.com
thana@phuketboatlagoon.com
There are also many yacht service companies with on-site management.
The Boat Lagoon is currently the centre of marine services in Phuket, with many service companies located in the ring of shops immediately around and facing the berths.
Several boat charter, brokerage and tour companies have joined the more typical marine services, which include haul-out, repair, electrical, canvas, cleaning and others. |
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It’s an interesting and useful mix of water related industries. Quite a few fascinating characters, some with many years experience in Phuket and other ports around the world, can be found working in these shops.
Boat Lagoon is the home to the annual Phuket International Boat Show-PIMEX. This show every December has become the definitive showcase for the regional marine industry.
There are several restaurants around the marina, including Watermark, Boat Lagoon Resort and The Bakery. |
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Ao Po and Naka Group |
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Approach this anchorage from the north using the larger passage between Naka Yai and Koh Reat. Once through the passage keep close to Koh Reat and anchor on the muddy bottom in 3-6 metres. When coming up on the anchorage from the south, stay close to Koh Naka Yai. The drying rocks marked on the chart definitely exist, and none of these has any navigation markings or buoys.
Some 400 metres long, the new jetty will be the main departure point for day boats to the Naka Noi Pearl Farm and for most of the Sea Canoe operators. Some shops can be found ashore, and no doubt more will develop with the new jetty and marina developments close by. There is transport to either Phuket Town or the airport. Fuel, provisions, and ice can be bought in the small village. |
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The best anchorage is found in 5-8 metres to the south of the access jetty on the mid-west coast of the island. Keep well clear of the rocks on the north side of Naka Noi if approaching between Naka Yai and Naka Noi. Keep Koh Phae to port if coming from the south. When heading north from this anchorage beware of a rock on the direct line of the passage between Koh Reat and Koh Naka Yai – it is visible only at very low tides. Once clear of the channel, steer well offshore to avoid a second reef, one seldom visible at any tide.
Koh Naka Noi is known as ‘Pearl Island’ because of the cultured pearls grown in traps on its north-eastern coast. Educational demonstrations on the techniques of pearl farming are given twice a day. There is a seafood restaurant for lunches only at the pearl farm, as well as a souvenir shop where pearls are sold at a discount. An admission fee is levied for going ashore via the jetty. |
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This pretty anchorage in 8-10 metres on a sandy bottom is a suitable overnight stop in either season.
On the northeast coast, two beaches divided by a rocky outcrop afford great swimming together with shady coconut groves, and a sometimes-open seafood restaurant.
The silica sand middle beach is all-tide, whilst the north and south are accessible only at high tide. The southernmost beach has (at the time of publishing) an almost finished, then suddenly abandoned, high-end Thai-Style resort project on the hill to the left of the concrete road. Great for exploring but footwear is essential.
The middle beach has the best swimming in the North Bay.
This is a favourite daytime stopover for tour boats from Yacht Haven and Boat Lagoon. |
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in the early afternoon up to 100 Sea Canoe clients visit as a last stop on their return from the caves. Beware swimming from the beach on spring low tides, as painful but not poisonous cone shells are a seasonal annoyance on the shallow sandy sea-grass bottom.
Despite the many mid-afternoon visitors, it is an excellent anchorage for the independent yachtsman, offers a great beach for a barbeque and has a stunning panorama of the dramatic islands of Phang Nga Bay. |
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Koh Raet will be the home of Barama Bay Private Island, a high-end villa and resort development managed by Jumeirah. The private, security conscious, luxury project will cover the entire 80 acres of the island and is planned to include a 73-berth, 24-hour deep-water-access marina.
Due to open in 2008, this marina will sit inside a 10,000sqm lagoon on the eastern side of the island. Dredged to –5m LAT for the entrance and larger berths, and –4m LAT for the basin, berths will range from 12 to 48m, with six mega-yacht berths up to 70 metres. Barama Bay will have crew facilities and all amenities that would be associated with a five-star resort. Barama Bay is 500m from Phuket’s shore and 24-hour speedboat transfers from Ao Po Pier are planned. |
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| With construction of the pilings and docks well under way, this new marina is on schedule to open late 2007. 195 berths will be provided, including docking for up to 15 superyachts. Haul-out facilities and the marina complex are all part of phase 1, with hotel and villas to follow. The approach will be from the south, towards the well marked entrance (8˚ 04.04 N, 98˚ 26.44 E ). |
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Chong Pak Phra Channel and the Yacht Haven Marina |
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Approaches to the channel
To find Yacht Haven from Phang Nga Bay, approach Koh Ngam on a bearing due west (270 degrees), leaving Koh Payu well to starboard as there are coral outcrops just south of the island. Continue past Koh Ngam keeping it to port on the same bearing until the northern power pylon shown on the chart is sighted.
Keep Koh Ngam astern and steer approximately 320 degrees towards the pylon. When the marina is in view a pair of red and green buoys consistent with the IALA system (red: port, green: starboard on entry) guide you into the marina entrance from the north. |
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The same applies for night time access except there is a sector light (red, white and green) to assist passage up the channel. Follow the white light (red or green indicates that you are off course) and look out for the red and green buoys at the marina entrance, which are not lit but have reflectors.
Approaching Laem Phrao, beware of shallow water on the port side after passing Koh Nok and the drying sandbanks on the east side of the channel, opposite the marina entrance. |
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A great advantage of the Yacht Haven is its proximity to Phang Nga Bay, the major all-year yachting playground for Phuket. Laem Phrao is a safe year-round anchorage with The Yacht Haven Marina providing berthing with facilities.
Access to The Yacht Haven is from the east on all tides, though deep draft vessels need to take additional care to follow the channel during lows. We recommend all first time approaches during daylight hours. The minimum depth on the approach is 2.5 metres at low tide.
Phase 1 was completed in 1997 with 150 berths for vessels up to 60 metres. In 2006, an L-shaped 320-metre outer dock wave-attenuator added berths for up to 25 more super-yachts. At the time of printing, The Yacht Haven boasts 220 berths and is one of three operating marinas in Phuket, or in fact along the entire Andaman coast of Thailand. |
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Berthing is available for vessels up to 70 metres on the outer berths with depths of 5 metres. Minimum depth in the smaller berths is 2 metres at LAT. The new outer wave attenuator caters for super-yachts and is the breakwater for future additional internal docks.
Facilities include single and 3-phase power, WiFi internet connection via satellite, a special work dock for smaller jobs, fresh water and fuel delivery services. GPS position, 8 10.2N, 98 20.5 E. Phone 076-206704. VHF 68.
info@yacht-haven-phuket.com |
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On shore is the marina office, dockside service companies, the Haven Restaurant and Bar, showers, lockers, toilet facilities, showers, toilets and some rent-a-car, tour and taxi operators. Yacht Haven management can arrange fuel, water and provisioning services.
Visiting yachts can make use of Yacht Haven’s work dock facility which is ideal for smaller jobs that do not require haul out facilities; such as teak decks, varnishing and all sorts of interior works |
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A small island at the entrance to the sound affords good shelter for either season. Anchorage is in approximately five metres. The passage between Koh Wa Yai and Koh Wa Noi is narrow but navigable with care.
There is a sandy beach on the northwest point, commonly visited by hoards of returning sea canoe day tourists between 3pm and 5pm. |
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