2 miles from Ao Nang, Krabi
Anchor in sand just south of the four islets in around 4-5 metres. The water is very clear, and the shallows are easy to spot. This is an excellent overnight stop in the northeast monsoon.
Dinghy excursions up the river are possible keeping close to the western shore at the entrance. Once over the bar, the water is deeper and the inlet is bounded by sandy beaches. The entrance is also suitable for speedboats and shallow draft vessels.
Inside the river are several jetties used by small local boats. On the west bank there’s a road, with local food stalls alongside, that provides access to the main road to Krabi Town and Ao Nang. The east side jetty is the transit point for all guest and staff vessels to Centara Grand Beach Resort on the east side of the Ao Nang headland.
5 miles from Ao Nang, Krabi
Anchor in 4-5 metres about 300 metres offshore in front of the resort. The beach dries a long way out at low tide and the best dinghy access is near the creek which runs into the sea in the centre of the beach. Transport to ao Nang is readily available.
This wide, shallow bay lends a secure haven in the northeast season, with anchorage in about 4-5 metres well offshore. Definitely not suitable in the southwest season when a 2-metre wave can develop.
Ao Nang is important due to its access to the main road to town, though it’s the beauty of the beaches on the peninsula immediately south that have made Krabi world-famous. Steep limestone rock walls prevent road access to these beaches.
Resorts, bungalows, shops and restaurants are all along the beachfront esplanade at Ao Nang. Transport, spas, nightlife and all the usual amenities of a bustling resort town are on offer. Around the headland on the east side of the bay is the landlocked Centara Grand Beach Resort with its long floating jetty.
Road transfer to Phuket Island takes about two hours. There’s a local bus service into Krabi town, about 20 km away by ‘song taew’, a small truck with benches in the back. The rustic bungalows on the nearby islands of Koh Dam Khwan and Koh Dam Hok can be booked through travel agents here.
Krabi International Airport is to the northwest of the town, about 40 minutes from Ao Nang. There are regular direct flights to and from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Chengdu and Macau as well as seasonal direct charter flights from various countries.
