Anchorage· Koh Phangan· Thailand
Haad Chao Phao Anchorage
9° 45.8′ N · 99° 57.6′ E · approximate
A small, quiet golden-sand bay on Phangan's west coast between Sri Thanu and Haad Yao, fringed by palms, with a handful of bungalow resorts and beach bars and a clear sunset line out to sea.
Practical
Position approximate: the OpenStreetMap node for the bay off the beach (Ao Niat, OSM node 4790931693; the beach itself is mapped at 9.7641N 99.9621E), not a surveyed anchorage. The SE Asia Pilot gives no anchorage here, so sound in and anchor on sand clear of the coral fringe; the Pilot warns of a cleared fishing-port channel through fringing reef just south at 09°45.186N 099°57.719E, so assume reef along this whole shore. The islet Koh Kong Nui lies about 750 m south-west (OSM 9.7580N 99.9530E): give it a wide berth when coming up from Sri Thanu. West-facing, so a NE-monsoon (roughly Nov–Apr) stop; exposed to SW-monsoon winds and swell. Ashore (Wikivoyage, OpenStreetMap): Phangan Cabana Restaurant (open 8:30am–11pm per Wikivoyage), Heaven Beach Bar (formerly Seaflower) with occasional live music, Pirates Bar, a resort wash-and-fold laundry, and a fuel station on the road behind the bay; Thong Sala pier is about 15 minutes by taxi.
Best for
Quiet west-coast sunset anchorage between Sri Thanu and Haad Yao
Season
NE monsoon (Nov–Apr); exposed to W and SW
Nearby
- Haad Chao Phao Restaurants and Bars (Phangan Cabana, Heaven Beach Bar)0.2 NM away
- Haad Son (Secret Beach)0.4 NM away
- Sri Thanu and Secret Beach Cafés (Orion Cafe, Secret Beach)0.4 NM away
- Sri Thanu Beach Bars (Grasshopper, The Monkey, Honey Pot)0.4 NM away
- Haad Yao Restaurants (Absolute Island, Haad Yao Villa, Pura Vida)0.5 NM away
- Sri Thanu Village Restaurants (Sri Thanu Kitchen, Mama Market)0.5 NM away
- Ao Sri Thanu / Zen Beach0.6 NM away
- Haad Yao Bars (Eagle Bar, Jungle Roots, Rasta Home)0.6 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).