16 miles from Yacht haven
In the northeast monsoon, there’s good holding in 5-6 metres on a muddy bottom, and excellent shelter, on a line roughly due east of the headland. There are half a dozen government moorings here, although we’ve received reports of yachts finding themselves aground at low tide on these moorings. Take care!
It’s unwise to anchor too close in; there are some coral outcrops in the bay and the recommended anchorage is perfectly sheltered. This is a favoured first or last stop for yachts chartering from Ao Po and Yacht Haven. The bay is tranquil and calm in the northeast season with few longtails and speedboats to destroy the serenity.
At very low tide the bay is shallow some distance from the beach; ashore is a long sandy beach fringed with casuarinas. In the northern corner of the bay lies the mouth of a river, extending two miles into the headland, toward a small settlement where coconut and rubber is cultivated.
This extraordinarily peaceful anchorage presents a rare opportunity for extended walks on level ground surrounding the bay or dinghy exploration up the creek.
Further north, towards the entrance of Chong Koh Yao, are a few sandy beaches with good holding and shelter from the northeast monsoon. Approximately five miles north of anchorage ‘L’, and less than two miles south of our anchorage ‘M’, is Coco Beach Resort, a facility with shore side restaurants, beach activities and an extensive water park in the sea. This is currently marketed at day trips from Phuket but, with the amount of construction going on, there may be accommodation coming soon. A great stopover if you have kids on board.
