Anchorage· Koh Samui· Thailand
Bangrak Anchorage (Big Buddha Bay)
9° 34.4′ N · 100° 3.6′ E
The most-used cruiser anchorage on Samui, a shallow bay under the gold Big Buddha with the airport, ferries to Koh Phangan and plenty of restaurants close at hand.
Practical
Southeast Asia Pilot position 9°34.394'N 100°03.645'E. The bay is shallow, about 4 m up to a mile offshore; anchor on sand (some mud) in 2-4 m. The Pilot says the Bangrak-Bophut-Maenam bays give the best shelter from swell and wind on Samui in either monsoon, and the northeast peninsula blocks the prevailing NE winds in winter. Hazards: reef at the western end when approaching from the northwest; from the east use the Koh Som passage (4 m). It lies under the airport approach path, so expect aircraft noise. A large concrete ferry pier in the southwest corner is deep enough to go alongside (check with the ferry operators first). Fuel and water can be arranged at the tour-company jetties; laundry and car hire nearby. Noonsite (May 2019) calls Ao Bangrak the anchorage of choice for local yachts and speedboats in the NE monsoon: anchor mid-bay or further east in 5-6 m, good holding in mud, avoiding the sand bars and old tin-mine rubble/reef on the western shore. The Island Spirit charter guide (2023) is less keen, calling the holding soft mud and the bay crowded, so dig in well. Ashore: Bangrak fresh market east of the Seatran jetty and the Bangrak Minimart opposite Petcharat jetty.
Best for
Year-round base on Samui with the best all-season shelter
Season
Year-round; best shelter on the island in both monsoons
Nearby
- Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)0.2 NM away
- The Sunset Bar and Restaurant (Bangrak)0.3 NM away
- Wat Plai Laem0.4 NM away
- Bangrak Fresh Market (east of Seatran pier)0.5 NM away
- Bangrak Tour-Boat Jetties (fuel and water by arrangement)0.7 NM away
- Coral Grand Dive Center (Bangrak)0.8 NM away
- Petcharat Marina (Bophut/Bangrak)0.8 NM away
- Samui Haul-out, Slipway and Chandlery (no yacht yard on the island)0.8 NM away