Photo: Benedict Quirbach · Public domain · Wikimedia CommonsAnchorage· Koh Nang Yuan· Thailand
Koh Nang Yuan Anchorage and Moorings
10° 7.1′ N · 99° 49.0′ E
Three small granite islets joined by curving coral-sand spits off Tao's northwest coast, among the most photographed spots in Thailand, with reef on every side and moorings on clear sand.
Practical
Southeast Asia Pilot waypoint 10°07.147N 099°49.010E (anchorage D, Koh Hang Tao & Nang Yuan), 5 nm from Ao Thian Og. The sand spits are covered at high water but still break the swell and waves. Orange moorings lie on sandy patches north of the smallest, east-side islet, where you can see the bottom; there are alternative moorings west of Koh Hang Tao on sand in 12–15 m. Underwater rocks lie west of the islets, marked by dive buoys. Koh Tao's orange public moorings are free; each is designed for up to three moderate-weight vessels in reasonable weather, and dive boats may tie to your stern for a couple of hours while diving (SE Asia Pilot). Where mooring lines are laid, assume coral or artificial reef beneath; anchoring is a last resort and damaging coral can bring prosecution and fines. The island is privately run by Nangyuan Island Dive Resort: day visitors pay a 250 THB per person landing fee (resort website, year not stated, verify locally), may be ashore only 10am–3pm, and single-use plastic bottles are banned. The Triple Beaches View restaurant and a beach bar are ashore. Day-tripper boats crowd the bay at midday and leave in the late afternoon.
Best for
Overnight on a mooring for dawn and dusk at Nang Yuan without the crowds
Season
Usable most of the year; spits give shelter from both monsoons in moderate weather
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