Anchorage· Koh Ha Yai· Thailand
Koh Ha Yai Moorings
7° 25.7′ N · 98° 53.8′ E
Five jagged limestone islets standing alone in deep water west of Lanta, ringed by some of the region's best snorkelling and diving. National park moorings let you stop in the middle of it.
Practical
Anchoring is not permitted near the islands, and the water closer in is foul with coral heads, so use the heavy National Park mooring buoys at the three Southeast Asia Pilot positions (A, B, C). Speedboats crowd mooring A during the day; the moorings behind A on the quieter west side see less traffic. The group is exposed, with no real protection in either season, so it is a calm-weather day stop. The current picks up round the corner of the island, so wear fins when snorkelling back to A. Part of Mu Ko Lanta National Park; Southeast Asia Pilot gives 400 THB per person (verify locally). Closed with the other small park islands from 16 May to 14 October (thainationalparks.com).
Best for
Calm-day stop for the area's best snorkelling
Season
Mid-Oct to mid-May, settled weather only