Anchorage· Koh Phangan· Thailand
Ao Mae Haad Anchorage
9° 47.7′ N · 99° 58.6′ E
A broad sandy bay at the northwest tip of Phangan, sheltered by little Koh Ma and joined to it by a sand spit, and the island's best-documented north-coast anchorage for snorkelling and diving.
Practical
Southeast Asia Pilot waypoint 09°47.680N 099°58.594E (anchorage F), about 10 nm from Haad Rin Nai. Approach clear of the charted rock on the east side of the bay; the Pilot also warns of an unmarked drying rock bank about 400 m off the eastern fringing reef. Anchor nearer the western side for the best shelter from westerly swell, in 6–7 m, or 8–12 m on sand. Several bungalows and restaurants ashore, and a supermarket near the beach (OpenStreetMap). The Pilot calls it a good swimming and diving location. Walk round the headland north to Haad Khuat (Bottle Beach) side or west to the fishing town of Chaloklum.
Best for
Overnight base for Koh Ma's reef and sandbar
Season
Best Nov–Apr; western side gives the most shelter from W swell
Nearby
- Koh Ma Reef Dive (northwest Phangan)0.4 NM away
- Koh Ma Sandbar (Mae Haad)0.4 NM away
- Mae Haad, Haad Salad and Haad Yao Reefs0.6 NM away
- Ao Thong Lang and Koh Tae Nok Reefs0.7 NM away
- Haad Salad Anchorage0.7 NM away
- Haad Yao (Phangan) Anchorage1.3 NM away
- Haad Yao Bars (Eagle Bar, Jungle Roots, Rasta Home)1.5 NM away
- Ao Chaloklum Anchorage1.6 NM away