Snorkel· Koh Khai Nok· Thailand
Koh Khai Nok Day Moorings
7° 53.6′ N · 98° 30.9′ E
The busiest speedboat island off Phuket: a dome of rock ringed with brilliant white sand, clear water and swarms of sergeant-major fish right off the beach, plus simple restaurants and two beach bars. Come before 10am or after 3pm to have it nearly to yourself.
Practical
Many orange day moorings on the east side, which SEAP considers safe for daytime use and prefers to anchoring; if you must anchor, use 15-20 m on the sandy ledge, which rises very quickly onto scattered coral heads. The west-side spot is at 7 53.432 N, 98 30.848 E. Open to occasional ground swell in both monsoons, with a couple of spots closer in that are more sheltered. Diving and snorkelling are best at slack water and neap tides. All-tide beach on the north end. Koh Khai island charges per SEAP (date not stated, verify locally): 200 THB per boat, 40 THB per non-Thai visitor, and 150 THB per couple for deck chairs whether used or not; Phuket 101 (2026) says chairs on Khai Nok are 150 THB for two or free if you order food. Feeding fish is illegal and visitors have been arrested for it.
Best for
Crystal-clear snorkelling straight off the beach
Season
Year-round daytime; calmest Nov-Apr