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Anchorage· Koh Phanak· Thailand

Koh Phanak Anchorage

8° 10.5′ N · 98° 29.2′ E

A secluded southwest bay under Koh Phanak's four limestone peaks, with good mud holding in about 4 m and overhangs and a tidal cave to explore by dinghy right beside the boat.

Phuket & Phang Nga BayKoh Lanta to Koh LipeKoh Samui & the Gulf of Thailand

Practical

Southwest Bay: Southeast Asia Pilot waypoint 08°10.487N 98°29.230E, about 12 nm from Yacht Haven. About 4 m, mud, good holding; an ideal overnight stop in the NE monsoon. Approaching from the south, a drying rock lies about 1 nm west of the island's southern tip. Visibility in the water is poor, so anchor by chart, sounder and tide. Allow plenty of swinging room in soft mud. The Pilot notes that mooring buoys are increasingly required here to protect coral; some suit only small, light boats, so check each one and move if a ranger or the owner asks. Ao Phang Nga National Park fee is collected in cash by rangers who come to the boat: Southeast Asia Pilot quotes 400 THB per person per day (undated, verify locally); a cruising yacht in January 2025 paid 300 THB per person on a receipt valid five days. No fuel, water, provisions, restaurants or rubbish disposal; the nearest services are Ao Po and the Phuket east-coast marinas.

Best for

First night out of Ao Po or Yacht Haven, with caves next to the boat

Season

Best in the NE monsoon (Nov–Apr)

Nearby