Anchorage· Koh Tao· Thailand
Ao Leuk Moorings
10° 4.3′ N · 99° 50.5′ E · approximate
A pretty, steep-sided bay on Tao's southeast coast with clear water, a beach and an artificial reef, just north of Shark Bay and the SE Asia Pilot's SW-monsoon alternative to it.
Practical
Position approximate: the OpenStreetMap coordinate for the bay (Ao Luek), not a surveyed mooring. The SE Asia Pilot says shelter in the SW monsoon is available just north of Ao Thian Og in Ao Leuk; it has an artificial reef, so do not anchor, but orange moorings are available. New Heaven Dive School lists an artificial reef in Aow Luek and moves its freediving base here from May to October. Crystal Dive: 4–16 m, gentle slopes, clear visibility, parrotfish, juvenile groupers and the occasional turtle; beginner-friendly. Koh Tao's orange public moorings are free; each is designed for up to three moderate-weight vessels in reasonable weather, and dive boats may tie to your stern for a couple of hours while diving (SE Asia Pilot). Where mooring lines are laid, assume coral or artificial reef beneath; anchoring is a last resort and damaging coral can bring prosecution and fines.
Best for
SW-monsoon shelter on the southeast corner
Season
SW monsoon (May–Oct); exposed to E and NE
Nearby
- Ao Leuk Restaurants (Chabalay, Baan Talay)0.1 NM away
- Shark Island (Koh Tao)0.6 NM away
- Ao Thian Og (Shark Bay)0.8 NM away
- Chalok Baan Kao and Shark Bay Restaurants (Taa Toh, The Cape)0.9 NM away
- Chalok Baan Kao Shops (7-Eleven and Orchid Minimart)0.9 NM away
- Love Koh Tao Viewpoint0.9 NM away
- Tanote Bay Moorings0.9 NM away
- John-Suwan Viewpoint1 NM away