Phuket & Phang Nga Bay

Thailand

Thailand

Thailand gives cruisers two seas on opposite monsoon clocks. On the Andaman side, Phuket is the yachting hub of Southeast Asia, with five marinas, the region's best haul-out yards and a one-stop clearance office at Ao Chalong. From there the cruising runs north to the granite boulders of the Similan and Surin parks, east into the limestone towers and hidden hongs (sea-cave lagoons) of Phang Nga Bay, and south past Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta and the Trang islands to Koh Lipe and the Butang group on the Malaysian border, a classic route that ends at Langkawi. On the Gulf side, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the 42-island Ang Thong Marine Park make a compact island group about 20 nm apart, and Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kut in Trat province offer quiet, sheltered water near Cambodia. Most of the best spots are national marine parks with per-person fees, mandatory moorings and seasonal closures, so check the rules before each stop.

Top of the list

1. 1Koh Hong Lagoon (Phang Nga)The signature Phang Nga Bay experience: you paddle a dinghy or kayak through a cave into a hong, a lagoon open to the sky and ringed by sheer limestone. Anchor nearby, in mud, in either monsoon.
2. 2Maya Bay (Phi Phi Le)The cliff-ringed bay from The Beach. Five park moorings allow an overnight stay after the day boats leave. The beach is closed to yachts, and the bay closes every August and September.
3. 3Rai Lei West Beach Anchorage (Railay)A sand anchorage under towering limestone, with Phra Nang Beach, the Princess Cave, world-class sport climbing and beach restaurants a short dinghy ride away. There is no road access.
4. 4Koh Rok Anchorage B (South Channel)Two uninhabited park islands with white sand, clear water and reef. Arrive late in the afternoon to have the moorings and beaches to yourself. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are 12 nm away.
5. 5Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot), Koh MukYou swim through an 80 m pitch-dark tunnel to a hidden beach inside the island. Bring a torch, and go early before the day boats arrive.
6. 6Koh Similan Anchorage (Donald Duck Bay, #8)The best-protected overnight stop in the Similans, with granite boulders above and below the water and some of Thailand's best diving. The park is open mid-October to mid-May only.
7. 7Koh Bon West Ridge (mantas)The Similans' manta cleaning station, where mantas are almost guaranteed in high season. Anchoring is impossible because of the depth, so use the orange park moorings on the southwest side.
8. 8Richelieu RockA horseshoe pinnacle rising from 40 m, famous for whale sharks in March and April. It is Thailand's most celebrated dive site, about 10 nm east of Surin.
9. 9Koh Surin Nua Park HQ Anchorage (Chong Khad Bay)A remote park anchorage 108 nm from Patong, with Moken sea-nomad villages, fringing reefs and almost no development.
10. 10Koh Phing Kan (James Bond Island)The Koh Tapu spire from The Man with the Golden Gun. Visit at dawn or late afternoon to beat the tour boats, and combine it with Koh Panyi.
11. 11Koh Panyi Sea Gypsy VillageA Muslim fishing village on stilts, built out from under a limestone cliff, with a floating football pitch and seafood restaurants over the water.
12. 12Ao Muang Anchorage (Paradise Koh Yao)A calm, muddy-bottom anchorage off a boutique resort on Koh Yao Noi, with a view of Phang Nga Bay's karsts and a quiet rural island to cycle ashore.
13. 13Koh Lipe North Anchorage (Sunset Beach)Thailand's southern gateway, with customs and immigration on the island, a lively walking street and clear water. It is the jumping-off point for the Butangs and Langkawi.
14. 14Chado Cliff Viewpoint, Koh AdangA steep jungle climb from the park HQ to one of the great views in the Andaman, looking over Koh Lipe and the Butang islands.
15. 15Koh Rawi Southwest AnchoragePark moorings on a sandy shelf beside reef snorkelling, with a ranger station, a freshwater tap and a jungle trail to a waterfall.
16. 16Ao Batok (Racha Yai Main Bay)The easiest blue-water escape from Phuket, at 14 nm. Sand, clear water and wreck dives in nearby Ter Bay.
17. 17Ao Chalong AnchorageThe Andaman port of entry, with good mud holding, the one-stop clearance office, fuel, water and the Phuket Cruising Yacht Club.
18. 18Koh Wua Ta Lap ViewpointA 345-step climb from the Ang Thong park HQ to a panorama over the 42-island marine park.
19. 19Emerald Lake (Thale Nai), Koh Mae KoA saltwater lake inside a limestone island, reached by a short stair climb from the Koh Mae Ko beach. It is the photo stop of Ang Thong.
20. 20Koh Nang Yuan Anchorage and MooringsThree islets joined by coral-sand bars off Koh Tao, with free orange public moorings, a viewpoint, and snorkelling at the Japanese Gardens.
21. 21Ao Hin Wong MooringsKoh Tao's best southwest-monsoon shelter, a rocky cove with excellent snorkelling and diving. Anchoring is banned, so pick up a mooring.
22. 22Sail Rock (Hin Bai)The Gulf's best dive site, a lone pinnacle between Phangan and Tao, with a vertical chimney swim-through and frequent whale sharks.
23. 23Koh Kradan Southeast Bay AnchorageTrang's prettiest island, with exceptional snorkelling off the park HQ and a palm-backed sunset beach on the west side.
24. 24Koh Wai Northeast Anchorage (Paradise Resort)A gem of the Koh Chang group, with reef snorkelling off the anchorage, a jungle path across the island and almost no roads.
25. 25Hin DaengThailand's most dramatic deep wall, a red soft-coral pinnacle rising from 70 m, where mantas and whale sharks come through in season. Combine it with Hin Muang.

When to go

Andaman coast (Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta, Trang, Satun, Similan and Surin): the northeast monsoon from November to April is the main season, with dry weather, moderate NE breezes, flat water on west-facing shores and the best visibility. The Similan and Surin parks open only in this window, roughly 15 October to 15 May. The southwest monsoon from May to October brings 10 to 30 kn SW winds, swell on the west-facing coasts, squalls and afternoon rain. Sheltered sailing continues year-round inside Phang Nga Bay and along Phuket's east coast, and experienced crews enjoy the stronger winds. The 2025 closures ran 16 May to 14 October 2025 for the Similan and Surin parks and the Adang–Rawi group, and 1 August to 30 September for Maya Bay. Gulf of Thailand (Samui, Phangan, Tao, Ang Thong, Koh Chang): the Gulf runs largely opposite to the Andaman, so it is the natural choice when the Andaman is rough. Samui operators give January to April, with steady easterlies, as the most reliable window, and May to October as fair sailing with heat and squalls. The northeast-monsoon surges from about November to January can blow hard for days. In the eastern Gulf (Koh Chang), the charter companies run only from October to May.

Weather and hazards

Southwest-monsoon squalls with sudden 30 kn gusts and heavy rain, most common May to October. Northeast-monsoon surges in the Gulf blow 20 to 25 kn for days, usually strongest at night and in the morning, with roll from NW or SW swell in many anchorages. Fishing hazards are everywhere: unlit fishing boats, squid boats with bright lights at night, fish and pearl farms, and gill nets strung across channels and hong entrances. Many reefs and rocks are not accurately charted on digital charts. Hin Bida, Hin Klai and Hin Klang off Phi Phi, Hin Klang off Ao Po and the Koh Tien spire at Koh Rang in Trat are all named in the Southeast Asia Pilot, so keep a lookout and avoid night entries. Longtails and speedboats are fast and heavy throughout the day, from about 10am to 5pm. Ferry wakes at Koh Muk and elsewhere can flip dinghies. Seasonal jellyfish in Phang Nga Bay and the mangrove creeks are mostly mild, though there are occasional reports of more dangerous species, so wear rash guards. In 2026, Noonsite warned that the container ship SEALLOYD ARC sank southwest of Ko Kaew Noi, Phuket, on 7 February 2026 with 297 containers. Stay 100 m from any floating container and report sightings to the Maritime Security Command Centre on 1465 or the Pollution Control Department on 1196. Anchoring on coral is illegal in the national parks and is fined. Do not run dinghy engines inside caves or hongs.

Hurricane season

Tropical cyclones are rare at this latitude, but they do happen. The Andaman side is rarely hit directly. The Gulf of Thailand can be affected by typhoons and their remnants crossing from the South China Sea, mainly June to January, with the late-season storms (October to January) the most dangerous for southern Thailand. Tropical Storm Pabuk made landfall at Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, on 4 January 2019. It was the first tropical storm to make landfall over southern Thailand since Linda in 1997, and it killed eight people in Thailand. Watch the Thai Meteorological Department and the JTWC, and plan a bolt-hole when you are in the Gulf in the late season.

Entry and clearance

Ports of entry listed by Noonsite: Phuket (Ao Chalong), Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Satun, Ranong, Koh Samui, Chumphon, Pranburi, Pattaya, Bangkok and Koh Chang. Phuket (Ao Chalong): a one-stop office on the Chalong pier houses Immigration, Customs and the Harbour Master, and you must check in within 24 hours of arrival. Register online for a first entry, either in advance or on arrival at the Yacht Control Center. Noonsite gives check-in hours of 9am to 2:45pm and check-out hours of 9am to 2:10pm, with lunch from 12pm to 1pm. The Harbour Master is officially closed on Sundays, and weekend or holiday clearance costs extra. All crew must attend for photos and fingerprints. AIS has been mandatory for foreign yachts entering, leaving and moving within Thai waters since 1 January 2016, and a substantial fine applies if you have no transponder. Noonsite reports that Chalong's system is separate from the Marine Department single window (md.go.th), so you must register on both. Moving between provinces (Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang, Satun) requires a harbour-master check-out and check-in, and cruisers have reported fines of 500 to 5,000 THB, with one 5,000 THB fine for arriving in Krabi without confirming with the Phuket Harbour Master in 2022. Koh Lipe: Immigration and Customs are on the island, with fees paid at the ferry office. There is no Harbour Department on Koh Lipe. A 2024 report gave check-in as Immigration 500 THB per person, Customs 400 and Marine 200, and check-out as Immigration 500 THB per person, Customs 600 and Marine 800, with weekday hours only. Koh Samui: Customs and Immigration are at Ao Nathon. Koh Chang group: Immigration and the port office are at the Laem Ngop pier, and Customs is about an hour away by road. Krabi: Customs and the Harbour Department are near the Klong Ji Lard pier, and Immigration is beside the Marine Police office. Visas: from 15 September 2026, Thailand cut the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days, tourism only, for 60 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and the EU. The 60-day scheme stays valid for entries up to 14 September 2026. Check your own nationality before arrival. Verify every fee and procedure locally, because they change often and differ by office.

Permits and fees

No general cruising permit is needed for a foreign yacht on a temporary visit, but customs entry, harbour-master clearance and inter-provincial movement reports are required, as described under entry and clearance. National marine park fees are charged per foreign person, usually collected by ranger speedboat at the anchorage or through the DNP e-ticket system. Published figures include: Similan 500 THB per person per day plus 400 THB per vessel and 400 THB per scuba diver per day (Southeast Asia Pilot), with a daily quota and QueQ/e-ticket booking reported in 2024; Phi Phi, Koh Rok, Koh Hong (Phang Nga) and Emerald Cave 400 THB per person; Ang Thong 500 THB per person; Tarutao (Ao Pante) 500 THB per person; Koh Hong (Krabi) 300 THB per adult; Koh Rang in Trat 400 THB. Koh Khai has local council charges of 200 THB per boat plus 40 THB per foreign visitor. Mu Ko Chang was reported at 200 THB per person per day plus 50 THB per boat. All of these come from guides of various years, so verify locally. Rules: anchoring on coral is banned; use park moorings where they are laid. Fishing, spearfishing and feeding fish are prohibited in the parks, and arrests have been reported at Koh Khai for feeding fish. Barbecues are banned on park beaches, for example at Koh Rok. Waters near the Myanmar border, north of Surin, need prior permission. Leaving a yacht in Thailand without its captain aboard has involved a 2,000 THB fee or a 20,000 THB refundable bond at Phuket Immigration, a figure reported in 2017, so verify it.

Tides and currents

The Andaman coast has mainly semidiurnal tides, two highs and two lows a day. Phuket's spring range reaches about 2.5 to 2.6 m, referenced to the Ko Taphao Noi station of the Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy. Tide height decides a lot here: hong and cave entries in Phang Nga Bay and at Koh Hong (Krabi), which needs more than 2 m to clear the reef; the Boat Lagoon channel, where deep drafts should enter in the last hour of the flood; Chong Koh Yao, where high tide should exceed draft by at least 0.5 m; the Krabi rivers; dinghy landings on drying mud at Chalong and Bang Bao; and the Koh Lipe walking-street jetty, which has no access at low tide. Wind against tide kicks up confused seas between south Phuket and Racha Yai. Currents of about 2 kn run in the Koh Panan / Koh Belitung Besa passage off Tarutao at mid-tide, and strong currents run in the Koh Rawi passage and the Koh Miang east channel in the Similans. Gulf of Thailand tides are smaller and largely diurnal. Official sources: the Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy, National Tide Tables (hydro.navy.mi.th), from a network of 29 permanent gauges with near-real-time data.

Money

Thai baht (THB). ATMs are common on every inhabited island, often beside 7-Eleven stores. Koh Lipe has ATMs but no bank branch. Foreign-card ATM withdrawals carry a fixed fee. Park fees, longtail rides and most beach restaurants take cash only. Noonsite has warned of counting tricks at money-changer booths in Phuket, so count your notes.

Radio and phones

VHF 16 for calling and distress. Marinas reported by the Southeast Asia Pilot and Noonsite: Royal Phuket Marina on Ch 79, Phuket Boat Lagoon Harbour Master on Ch 71 during office hours, Ao Po Grand Marina on Ch 69 before arrival, and Ch 19 or 69 for a local guide into Khlong Son, Koh Chang. Thailand's Maritime Security Command Centre emergency hotline is 1465. Mobile data from AIS, True and DTAC is cheap and covers most anchorages, though coverage varies by island; Koh Adang west has none. Many cruisers carry two SIMs. AIS transmission is mandatory under way in Thai waters.

Charter bases

• Phuket Yacht Haven MarinaMai Khao / Thalang, north-east PhuketDream Yacht Charter
• Ao Po Grand MarinaNorth-east Phuket, at the entrance to Phang Nga BayThe Moorings, Sunsail, Simpson Yacht Charter
• Phuket Boat Lagoon / Royal Phuket MarinaEast coast Phuket (Koh Kaew)various skippered and bareboat operators (verify)
• Petcharat MarinaBophut/Bangrak, Koh SamuiDream Yacht Charter (cabin charter)
• Salak Phet / Bang Rong Than PierSouth-east Koh Chang, TratGulf Charters Thailand, Sailing Koh Chang (Aqua Charters), Island Spirit Yacht Charter

Getting there

• Phuket International Airport — HKTThe main Andaman gateway, with international flights. It is close to Yacht Haven and about 35 to 50 minutes from Ao Po Grand Marina, Boat Lagoon or Chalong by road.
• Krabi International Airport — KBVBest for joining a boat at Ao Nang, Railay or the Krabi River marinas.
• Trang Airport — TSTDomestic flights. About 30 km from Pak Meng for the Trang islands (Koh Ngai, Muk, Kradan).
• Hat Yai International Airport — HDYThe nearest major airport for Satun and the Pak Bara piers, the ferry ports for Koh Lipe and Tarutao.
• Samui International Airport — USMA small airport mostly served by Bangkok Airways, about 15 minutes from Bophut and Bangrak. Bangrak anchorage lies under the approach path.
• Surat Thani International Airport — URTLower-cost alternative for the Gulf islands, with bus and ferry connections via Donsak to Samui and Phangan.
• Trat Airport — TDXBangkok Airways service to Trat, for the Laem Ngop and Ao Thammachat ferries to Koh Chang.
• Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Bangkok) — BKKLong-haul hub with connections to all of the above. Koh Chang is about 5 hours by road.

Charts and guides

• Southeast Asia Pilot, 7th edition (Bill O'Leary & Grenville Fordham), formerly the Andaman Sea Pilot, covering 600+ anchorages from the Andaman Sea to the Spice Islands; southeastasiapilot.com has the anchorage index and the Phuket–Langkawi cruising map
• Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy: official charts, National Tide Tables, Sailing Directions, and the List of Lights and Buoys in Thai Waters
• Noonsite Thailand country and port pages (formalities, recent cruiser reports)
• Gulf Charters Thailand free sailing guide to the Koh Chang archipelago
• Navionics / C-MAP electronic charts (reef positions around Phi Phi and elsewhere are not accurately charted, per the Southeast Asia Pilot)

Sample routes

• 7-day Phuket & Phang Nga classic loop (NE season, The Helm route, 136 nm)Day 1 · Phuket marina → Koh Phanak – Koh Hong (Phang Nga) · 24 nmPhang Nga Bay limestone islands; dinghy through the Koh Phanak cave into a hong; Koh Hong's largest hongDay 2 · Koh Hong (Phang Nga) → Koh Panyi – Ao Muang (Paradise Koh Yao) · 19 nmKoh Panyi stilt fishing village; resort on a half-moon bay; cycling and cooking classes ashoreDay 3 · Koh Yao Noi → Koh Dam Hok (Chicken Island) · 17 nmSand beaches and fringing reef; the chicken-head rock; snorkellingDay 4 · Koh Dam Hok → Phi Phi Don (north) · 12 nmPowder-sand beaches; reef snorkelling; beachfront dining; dive tripsDay 5 · Phi Phi Don (north) → Ton Sai Bay (Phi Phi Don) · 11 nmSheltered bay under limestone cliffs; village nightlife; Maya Bay by longtailDay 6 · Ton Sai Bay → Ao Batok (Racha Yai Main Bay) · 25 nmUp to 30 m visibility for diving; two white-sand beachesDay 7 · Koh Racha Yai → Phuket marina (via Koh Rang Yai) · 28 nmSwim stop at Koh Rang Yai's 1 km beach; seafood; return to the marina
• 7-day SW-season sheltered loop from Ao Po Grand Marina (The Moorings route)Day 1 · Ao Po Grand Marina → Koh Naka Yai (east) · 2 nmSheltered east coast in SW winds; beachfront resort for sunsetDay 2 · Koh Naka Yai → Ao Muang (Paradise Koh Yao) · 15 nmPhang Nga Bay karsts; mangrove kayaking; resort mooringsDay 3 · Koh Yao Noi → Ao Nam Mao Anchorage · 20 nmQuiet bay under cliffs near Railay; access to Krabi and Ao NangDay 4 · Ao Nam Mao → Phi Phi Don (east coast) · 20 nmEast coast shelter in the SW season; Ton Sai village by short boat rideDay 5 · Phi Phi Don → Racha Yai East (Ter Bay) Anchorage · 27 nmUnderwater sculptures and wrecks; Ter Bay is sheltered in the SW monsoonDay 6 · Koh Racha Yai → Koh Rang Yai Anchorage and Moorings · 22 nmLong sand beach; pearl farm; mooring buoysDay 7 · Koh Rang Yai → Ao Po Grand Marina · 7 nmCall the marina on VHF for a berth; return the boat
• 14-day one-way Phuket to Koh Lipe (Phang Nga, Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta, Trang, Butang; NE season). Distances are straight-line between Southeast Asia Pilot waypoints, so add 10–20% for routingDay 1 · Ao Po Grand Marina → Koh Hong Anchorage A (Phang Nga) · 10 nmDinghy into Koh Hong lagoon at mid to high tide; dawn visit to James Bond Island the next morningDay 2 · Koh Hong (Phang Nga) → Ao Muang Anchorage (Paradise Koh Yao) · 9 nmKoh Panyi stilt village en route; rural Koh Yao Noi by bicycleDay 3 · Koh Yao Noi → Koh Hong South Anchorage (Krabi) · 6 nmKoh Hong (Krabi) lagoon on tides above 2 m; bat cave; beach restaurantDay 4 · Koh Hong (Krabi) → Rai Lei West Beach Anchorage (Railay) · 10 nmPhra Nang Beach and Princess Cave; climbing; sunset at RailayDay 5 · Railay → Maya Bay National Park Moorings · 20 nmPick up a park mooring in the evening as the day boats leave; Loh Samah and Pileh Lagoon by dinghyDay 6 · Phi Phi Le → Ton Sai Bay Anchorage (Phi Phi Don) · 4 nmPhi Phi viewpoint hike; provisioning in Ton Sai village; Bida Nok dive. Distance approximateDay 7 · Phi Phi Don → Hat Kan Tiang Anchorage · 22 nmKoh Lanta's prettiest bay; Lanta Old Town by road. Clear with the Krabi harbour master for the province change. Distance approximateDay 8 · Koh Lanta → Koh Rok Anchorage B (South Channel) · 17 nmArrive late afternoon; reef snorkelling; dive Hin Daeng and Hin Muang the next morningDay 9 · Koh Rok → Koh Kradan West Bay (Sunset Beach) Anchorage · 13 nmExceptional snorkelling off the east coast; palm-fringed beachDay 10 · Koh Kradan → Koh Muk West (Sabay Bay) Anchorage · 4 nmSwim the Emerald Cave tunnel early, before the tour boats; Charlie BeachDay 11 · Koh Muk → Koh Bulon Le East Anchorage · 35 nmLongest leg; quiet island with trails to hidden coves. Little shelter in a strong NE surgeDay 12 · Koh Bulon Le → Koh Rawi Southwest Anchorage · 27 nmButang group park moorings; Koh Hin Ngam's stone beach; Rawi waterfall trailDay 13 · Koh Rawi → Koh Adang West Moorings · 5 nmChado Cliff Viewpoint hike; Koh Yang and Koh Kra snorkellingDay 14 · Koh Adang → Koh Lipe North Anchorage (Sunset Beach) · 3 nmClear out at Koh Lipe immigration and customs (weekdays) before Langkawi, 23 nm to Telaga; walking-street dinner
• 7-day Koh Samui, Ang Thong, Koh Tao & Koh Phangan loop (about 115 nm, adapted from a World Yacht Charter route, World Yacht Charter route)Day 1 · Thong Krut Pier (longtails to Koh Taen) → Koh Taen (Koh Tan) Anchorage · 3 nmMangrove walk; reef snorkelling; quiet once the day visitors leave; 3 nm is from the Thong Krut roadstead on Samui's south coast, add about 20 nm if starting from the Bangrak/Bophut charter basesDay 2 · Koh Taen → Koh Wua Ta Lap Anchorage (Ang Thong Park HQ) · 20 nmKayaking among limestone; 345-step viewpoint climbDay 3 · Koh Wua Ta Lap Anchorage (Ang Thong Park HQ) → Koh Phaluai Anchorage · 10 nmDinghy under the Koh Sam Sao arch; Emerald Lake on Koh Mae Ko (about 2 nm north to Koh Sam Sao, then about 8 nm south to Koh Phaluai; straight-line distances)Day 4 · Koh Phaluai → Ao Mamuang (Mango Bay) Moorings · 36 nmCoral snorkelling; calm early and late in the dayDay 5 · Koh Tao (north) → Shark Island (Koh Tao) · 6 nmSnorkelling and paddleboarding after the dive boats leaveDay 6 · Koh Tao → Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat) Anchorage · 23 nmRemote north-coast bay of Phangan, reached mainly by boatDay 7 · Koh Phangan → Ao Chaweng Anchorage · 17 nmLunch near Haad Rin; Chaweng evening; short hop back to base
• 7-day Koh Chang, Koh Mak & Koh Kut loop from Salak Phet (NE season, Nov–Apr; about 52 nm). Distances are straight-line between Southeast Asia Pilot waypoints, so add 10–20% for routingDay 1 · Koh Chang Marina (Salak Phet) → Koh Mak Southwest Bay (Ao Suan Yai/Ao Kao) Anchorage · 12 nmLunch and reef snorkelling at Koh Wai Northeast Anchorage (Paradise Resort) (5 nm), then on to the NE-season overnight off the Koh Mak ferry jettyDay 2 · Koh Mak Southwest Bay (Ao Suan Yai/Ao Kao) Anchorage → Koh Mak Southwest Bay (Ao Suan Yai/Ao Kao) Anchorage · 8 nmDay trip to Koh Rang National Park HQ Anchorage for the Koh Rang Reefs (4 nm each way); afternoon at Ao Kao Beach (Koh Mak) or the Elephants Underwater SculpturesDay 3 · Koh Mak Southwest Bay (Ao Suan Yai/Ao Kao) Anchorage → Ao Khlong Chao Anchorage · 12 nmCross to Koh Kut; dinghy up the khlong and walk to Khlong Chao Waterfall (NE season only at this anchorage)Day 4 · Ao Khlong Chao Anchorage → Koh Kut Maisi Lek Anchorage (Soneva Kiri bay) · 5 nmStop at Koh Raet Anchorage (Koh Kut) for the Temple Statues Dive and Koh Raet Firefly Creek; overnight in the year-round shelter of Soneva Kiri bayDay 5 · Koh Kut Maisi Lek Anchorage (Soneva Kiri bay) → Koh Mak Southeast (Ao Tar Nid) Anchorage · 6 nmDinghy-only look at Koh Kradat Deer Island (2 nm on; keelboats cannot approach); Baan Ao Nid village ashoreDay 6 · Koh Mak Southeast (Ao Tar Nid) Anchorage → Ao Bang Bao Anchorage · 17 nmDay stop at Koh Ngam Day Anchorage (9 nm; watch the rock south of the bay), then Bang Bao Pier Village seafoodDay 7 · Ao Bang Bao Anchorage → Koh Chang Marina (Salak Phet) · 5 nmRound the south coast to Salak Phet; Salak Phet Seafood Pontoons for the last dinner