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The stunning beach and sea-mountain scenery of Krabi is now famous, many visitors extolling some of the beaches here as amongst the most beautiful in the world.
This is a geographic extension of the karst sea mountains of Phang Nga, reaching south into deeper, clearer waters and thus offering fine snorkelling and diving. In the northeast monsoon season anchorages here are protected, though the region is completely exposed during the southwest monsoon.
First discovered by cruising yachties and backpackers some years ago, there are now several 5-star resorts and many restaurants. However, in Ao Nang many budget bungalow resorts still exist. The Sheraton and Central Krabi Bay Resorts have opened on beaches north and south of Ao Nang respectively.
Krabi Town, with provisioning of a similar standard to Phuket available, can be accessed from Phra Nang by longtail boat or dinghy, or by road from Ao Nang. |
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Koh Hong Archipelago (Krabi)
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The Koh Hong archipelago is a group of small islands between Krabi and the northern part of Phang Nga Bay, and east of Koh Yao Noi. Among the small islets there are many places to anchor for swimming or lunch but, generally, depths are not ideal until close in. Often it is best to use a light anchor and rope for easy recovery.
About 5 miles to the east is the mainland of Krabi Province. In the northeast monsoon season, overnight anchorage can be found near Ao Talen, approaching the coast until you find depths of around 6 metres.
In contrast to those of northern Phang Nga Bay, the waters here are clear enough for snorkelling, with visibility best at slack water in springs, or any tide on neaps. Many of these islands have fringing coral reefs rich in colour and marine life.
Larger fish such as Spanish Mackerel, Jackfish, Rainbow Runners and Barracuda readily go for trolling lines in these waters. If unsuccessful, you can always purchase fresh fish from the many local fishing boats. |
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This island offers a secluded anchorage – a useful stop over on the way to or from Krabi. It is acceptable overnight in the northeast monsoon season or in very calm weather. The best anchorage can be recognized by a mushroom-shaped rock in the middle of the small indentation facing south. Approach from the south until the bottom shelves to about 15 metres, and anchor on the sandy bottom.
Towards the western end of the bay lies a spectacular spit of white sand, which gives excellent access for swimming, exploring and beachcombing.
To the north of the sandy spit is an enticing bay, particularly good for snorkelling and diving. Anchoring is not advised here since large coral heads, rising from depths of about 20 metres, fringe the bay.
It is best to take your dinghy from the recommended anchorage or else swim from the beach. |
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Protection with good holding in 15 - 20 metres in the southwest monsoon season, although an uncomfortable ground swell sometimes curves around the eastern headland. Koh Hong is so named because of its large internal lagoon, accessible only by dinghy across a shallow reef on tides above 1 metre.
This large Hong (Thai for room) has a small entrance which sometimes has gill nets strung across its width on the ebb tide. The Hong, about 200 metres across, is the biggest in the area, and the sheer cliffs on all sides make a picturesque backdrop for photography. You can swim in the hong at high tide.
East of the entrance to the hong is a superb silica sand beach nestled between two small cliffs. At the far eastern end of the beach and behind the undergrowth is a small entrance to a deep amphitheatre limestone cave complete with bats, stalagmites and stalactites. Bring a flashlight. |
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This is an excellent overnight stop during the northeast monsoon. Anchorage is in 15 - 20 metres, or take a mooring if your draft allows. During the northeast season, there is often a small restaurant on the beach each day, and it will open for an evening meal, if requested, before sunset.
A beautiful white silica sand beach is broken by huge monolithic rocks which provide shade on shore all day long. Fringed by a coral reef, this is one of the prettiest bays in the area but is not accessible at low springs by dinghy. A National Park Ranger station is ashore and the park entrance fee is 200 baht per head. |
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For anchorage location, see [D] on chart on left
Anchor in 4 - 5 metres about 300 metres offshore in front of the resort. The beach dries a long way out at low tide and the best dinghy access is near the creek which runs into the sea in the centre of the beach. The Sheraton hosts one of the Phang Nga Bay Regatta parties each year and provides all the usual resort amenities. |
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Ao Nang |
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Anchor in sand just south of the pair of islands in depths of around 4 - 5 metres. The water is very clear, and the shallows can easily be spotted. This is an excellent overnight stop in the northeast monsoon.
Dinghy excursions up the river are possible keeping close to the western shore at the entrance. Once over the bar, the water is deeper and the inlet is bounded by sandy beaches. The entrance is also suitable for speedboats and shallow draft vessels.
Inside the river are two jetties used by small local boats. On the west bank is a bungalow resort development and on the east bank a road with many local food stalls alongside provides access to the main road to Krabi and Ao Nang. |
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This wide, shallow bay lends a secure haven in the northeast season, with anchorage in about 4 - 5 metres well offshore. Definitely not suitable in the southwest season when a 2-metre wave can develop.
Ao Nang is important due to its access to the main road to town, though it is the beauty of the beaches on the peninsula immediately south that have made Krabi world-famous. Rock walls prevent road access to these beaches. |
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Resorts, bungalows, shops and restaurants are all along the beachfront esplanade at Ao Nang. Telephone, transport, nightlife and all the usual amenities of a bustling resort town are on offer.
Under the headland on the east side of the bay is the recently opened Central Krabi Bay Resort.
Road transfer to Phuket Island takes about 2 ½ hours, a little less to Phuket airport. Transport for this trip is near the resorts.
The local bus service into Krabi town, about 20 km away, is by ‘song taew’, a small truck with benches in the back. The bungalows hidden on Koh Dam Hok can be booked through Krabi Resort.
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| The recently opened Krabi airport is to the northwest of the town, about 40 minutes from Ao Nang. There are regular direct flights to Phuket, Bangkok and Singapore. |
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Laem Nang |
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Anchorage is in 4-5 metres on sand in the centre of the bay. This bay has spectacular stacks of rock forming headlands to the north and south. In the shade of the coconut palms fringing the beach, restaurants and bungalows tend to be frequented by budget travellers, contributing to the easygoing ambiance. Some comfortable private houses are set back from the north end of the beach, for rent on a daily basis.
A reef, easily seen in the clear waters and a magnet for snorkellers, extends into the bay at the southern end of the beach. Walk along the headland at low tide, and find several caves, fissures and spectacular overhangs.
Going to the right on the beach, there are longtail boats for hire; there is no road access to this area due to the enclosing rock walls. |
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Just around the corner from the tall stack which forms Koh Nang is the most strikingly attractive palm-fringed bay in the region.
Anchorage with reasonable swinging room is possible for 3 or 4 vessels in 5-6 metres on a sandy bottom in the northeast monsoon season.
Between Koh Nang and the beach is a colourful coral reef, excellent for snorkelling. |
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This passage is definitely impassable for keel-boats, and even for dinghies it’s advisable only at high water, whatever the activities of the local longtail boats might seem to suggest.
There is a famous cave at the south end of the beach with a colourful phallic shrine inside. Lots of rocky overhangs and outcrops offer themselves for exploring.
Behind the beach lies the Rayavadee Resort, with 100 pavilions in a spectacular coconut-grove setting. Hotel facilities are for guests only. There is no access by road.
A new activity is now thriving in this location on the steep sided limestone pillars – sport rock climbing. |
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This anchorage provides reasonable shelter, particularly during wind or swells from the west, and is the one used by supply boats from Krabi Town that service the hotels and bungalows on the rock-enclosed peninsula.
The headland to the east is the famous fossil shell beach locally known as the Su San Hoi which has huge slabs that look like poured concrete embedded with 75 million year old shells. |
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Koh Dam Group |
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A fairly secure overnight anchorage in 12 metres exists, in both seasons, between the main island and the small islet. The bottom is sandy giving way to coral outcrops towards the beach.
On shore is a nice beach and flat sandy ground shaded by casuarinas - fine for cool walks around the island.
A bungalow resort with a restaurant nestles up against the hill. Snorkellers should swim off the north-eastern end of the beach, where there is an area of shallow coral reef. |
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If you are in the mood for lunch or a refreshing swim, drop anchor in 5 - 6 metres on the edge of the sandy beach which projects from the north-eastern tip of the island.
The bottom comes up very rapidly from about 18 - 20 metres in crystal water, making it easy to find a good anchoring depth. Be sure to leave enough swinging room for an onshore breeze. Do not leave your vessel unattended. |
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This beautiful anchorage in about 12 metres is secure for overnight stops in the northeast monsoon season. Tuck in behind the large expanse of coral reef extending from the main island to a group of rocky islets off the north end of Koh Dam Khwan.
The snorkelling is superb, and the large reef area closing the passage between Dam Hok and Dam Khwan is easily reached by dinghy. |
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The middle of the reef is studded with coral heads, offering good snorkelling and diving. Never attempt the passage in any vessel other than a dinghy or a longtail boat.
The small island to the east of this anchorage sometimes has a small daytime bar where limited food and drink is served. |
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Just north of the small island, a sandy bottom in 10 - 12 metres of water provides a secure overnight anchorage in the southwest season.
It will be evident from your first sight of the anchorage why this group of islands is known locally as the ‘Chicken Islands’. Each day tourists pass this area by longtail from Krabi, but anchoring yachts have it to themselves most of the time. Enjoy good diving and snorkelling around both the headland and the island. |
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Koh Yawasam |
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The northwest side of the island offers anchorage in both seasons, but only as a daytime stopover, and in calmer wind conditions. Anchor in 3 - 4 metres on the sandy shelf between the two islands.
Snorkelling and diving are excellent, but leave enough time to reach your overnight destination before sundown. |
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