Anchorage· Koh Tao· Thailand
Ao Mae Haad Anchorage (Koh Tao)
10° 5.2′ N · 99° 49.3′ E · approximate
The open bay in front of Koh Tao's ferry port, where yachts drop crew, clear the shopping list and watch the sun set behind Nang Yuan from the pier-front bars.
Practical
Position approximate: the OpenStreetMap point for Ao Mae Hat bay, about 370 m off the shore and north-west of the ferry piers; it was checked against the OSM coastline to be in open water. The SE Asia Pilot groups Mae Haad with Sairee (waypoint 10°05.901N 099°49.498E, see Sairee Beach Anchorage) and says the bay is very busy, with more than 70 dive operations and frequent ferries using the jetty; it recommends it only for short stops such as crew drop-offs or quick provisioning, and many cruisers prefer Ao Hin Wong. Keep well clear of the ferry approaches to the Lomprayah, Seatran and Songserm piers. Koh Tao's orange public moorings are free; each is designed for up to three moderate-weight vessels in reasonable weather (SE Asia Pilot). Where moorings are laid, assume coral or artificial reef beneath; anchoring is a last resort and damaging coral can bring prosecution and fines. Coral heads and lines near the beach make landing at low tide tricky; the pier-front bars and dive shops are the usual dinghy landings (ask first). West-facing: usable in the NE monsoon, exposed to the SW monsoon (roughly May–Oct).
Best for
Crew changes, banks, hospital and a quick provision run
Season
NE monsoon (Nov–Apr); exposed to W and SW
Nearby
- Koh Tao Dive Shops and Tank Fills (Mae Haad)0.2 NM away
- Mae Haad Pier-Front Restaurants (Cafe del Sol, Zest, Safety Stop)0.2 NM away
- Koh Tao Clinics (Mae Haad)0.3 NM away
- Koh Tao Fuel and Water (Mae Haad, by jerry can)0.3 NM away
- Koh Tao Hospital and Ocean Medical Hyperbaric Chamber0.3 NM away
- Mae Haad Pier, Koh Tao0.3 NM away
- Mae Haad Provisioning (7-Eleven, supermarkets and market)0.3 NM away
- TAOFESTIVAL (Koh Tao Music and Underwater Festival)0.3 NM away