Koh Similan Anchorage (Donald Duck Bay, #8)

8° 39.9′ N · 97° 38.7′ E

The best-protected overnight stop in the Similans: a bay on the northwest side of Island #8 (Ao Kuerk, better known as Donald Duck Bay), with white sand, giant granite boulders above and below the water and some of Thailand's best diving right off the stern.

Phuket & Phang Nga Bay Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe Koh Samui & the Gulf of Thailand

Practical

Southeast Asia Pilot position 08°39.921N, 97°38.730E. Government moorings for general use lie on an 8–12 m shelf of sand and coral outcrops inside the bay; vacant dive-boat moorings can be used, but dive boats come back in the late afternoon to claim them. If everything is taken, anchor on the outer edge of the bay in 15–30 m on sand only (anchoring on coral is banned). In high season (November–April) up to 50 dive boats can shelter here, and they refill tanks with noisy compressors in the late afternoon and evening, so going deeper and farther out buys quiet. Sheltered in the NE monsoon; not recommended in the SW monsoon. The Koh Similan light (Fl 20s, 17 M) on the island's south part is reliable and visible about 15 nm on an overnight approach. Park fees: per-person day fee (500 THB foreign adult per Thai National Parks, 2026 page; Southeast Asia Pilot also lists 400 THB per vessel and 400 THB per scuba diver per day, year not stated, so verify locally). No fishing within 5 nm of the islands. No water, fuel or provisions; a small park restaurant and souvenir shop operate ashore in season. Overnight shore accommodation was removed in 2018 (Wikivoyage), so the older pilot's mention of bungalows and camping is out of date.

Best for

Overnighting in the Similans and diving Turtle Rock, Beacon Reef and the boulders off the bay's north point

Season

Open mid-October to mid-May; park closed and passage not recommended in the SW monsoon

Practical

Best for

Season

Nearby