If you intend sailing in these waters then purchasing a copy of this book is a must on any-ones’ shopping List. The book Sail Thailand provides detailed excerpts, maps and depths. More information about this publication can be obtained at http://www.aapress.net/

We thank Sail Thailand's publisher, Artasia Press, for their assistance.The greater Phuket area including the provinces of Phang Nga, Krabi and Trang have emerged as star performers in Thailand’s thriving tourism industry.

Pristine beaches, crystal clear blue waters, warm winter climate and isolated magical islands are the prime attractions that lure millions of tourists here every year. It is these very same attractions that 'yachties' from all over the world seek out.

The first amongst the boating attractions of the area is Phang Nga Bay, famous for its stunning limestone mountains that rise vertically out of a tranquil aquamarine sea.

The bay offers year round shelter, even during the heavy months of the monsoon a yacht can find calm waters, tranquility and dramatic beauty. When the northeast monsoon season arrives in November/December, the bay transforms itself into a fabulously beautiful playground and great day sailing destination.

Safe anchorages are numerous in the bay. When exploring the bay, a dinghy, or a sea canoe is needed to get into the many little coves, bays and tidal seacaves which open up to hidden lagoons within the center of many islands.

Moving south from northern Phang Nga Bay you'll discover that the water clarity changes from a thick milky green to a near crystal clear clarity around the islands off Krabi.

These islands offer outstanding pristine beaches.

Krabi itself is one of the most dramatically beautiful places you'll ever see. Phra Nang beach, where moutainous slabs or limestone tower over each end of the beach has been called one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Heading further south from Krabi the snorkelling becomes even more interesting. There are beautiful coral reefs and an abundance of small, colourful reef fish.

The Phi Phi Islands are a must see port of call in the common, circular route taking in the three provinces that enclose Phang Nga bay. Anchorages here are plentiful, usually deserted and always beautiful. From here boats sail east, then turn south to the Ko Hong (Krabi) group of islands. If weather permits, these make a delightful overnight stop. Phra Nang, Krabi is the next overnight stop for most.

Phuket Marinas and Area Anchorges

Yacht Haven Marina

Accessible at all tides and in a beautiful setting, at the northern end of the island. Yacht Haven has a minimum depth of 2 metres and caters for vessels up to 50m in length. It is a favourite facility for cruising yachts and Round the World Rallies. Fuel, water and provisioning services are available.

Phuket Boat Lagoon

The Boat Lagoon is centrally located on Puckett's east coast and has excellent marine facilities and accommodation including full maintenance and repair services, a large hard stand, fuel dock and a 60 ton travel lift. The tidal entrance limits access but dredging programs are improving the situation.

Ao Chalong

A year round anchorage at the southern end of Phuket island, 10km from Phuket Town. The bay has many moorings and is very busy with tourist vessels of varying sizes. Port control for vessels checking in is located at the Fishing Lodge adjacent to the prominent "Jimmy's Lighthouse, just north of the major jetty.

Koh Siray

Koh Siray is separated from the main island of Phuket by a river, which, despite a tricky entrance, gives access to the area's major fishing port and two shipyards. Ratanachai Shipyard handles many yachts and has full service and maintenance facilities on site,

Phuket

The west coast of Phuket, and the islands to the south of it offer some of the clearest water and finest beaches of the region. Consequently, the highest density of hotel and beachside activity in the region is found here. All the anchorages listed below are ideal in the northeast monsoon.
Although the eastern coast of Phuket itself is generally unattractive, some of the islands off it are quite attractive and provide both sheltered anchorages and interesting stop-overs.

Our Favourite Anchorage

Koh Racha Yai Bay

A picturesque anchorage with crystal waters and a white sand beach. Anchor well offshore to stay clear of the isolated coral heads further inshore,
Nai Harn Bay

You can anchor just about anywhere in the bay in moderate depths with good holding. Some times dinghy approaches to the beach can be exciting is a decent set is running.

Patong Bay

If you looking for a quiet, pristine anchorage, don't go here. Patong is the island's premier tourist and entertainment area. Good holding is found in moderate to deep water just about anywhere in the bay.

Ao Bang Tao

Good holding in moderate depths is found in the southern end of the bay off the resorts. Beware of the rocks when you approach.

Phang Nga Bay

The sheer sided sea mountains that rise vertically out of Phang Nga Bay form some of Thailand's most spectacular scenery. While the bay itself is not that large, the number of islands and inlets to be explored ensure that no matter how long a yachtsman spends here, new experiences will always be nearby.

Our Favourite Anchorages

Koh Hong

This anchorage is one of the safest and most picturesque in the area. Suitable in both seasons, you anchor in deep water with good holding nestled beside a sheer cliff and looking out at the awesome islands of the bay.

Koh Yang

A well sheltered anchorage with good holding in adequate depth and beside a spectacular monolith.. The small fishing community on the beach will often sell you fresh seafood and coconuts.
Koh Roi

A spectacular anchorage in the north-east monsoon and an interesting place to explore.

Koh Kuda

Yet another spectacular anchorage, this time between two sheer sided islands. With good holding in moderate depths, this is a good all season anchorage.

Koh Hong (Krabi)

The southern bay at Koh Hong is an excellent deep-water anchorage in the northeast

Phi Phi Islands

Said to be one of the three most beautiful islands in the world, Phi Phi is a major tourist destination. The combination of sheer cliffs and idyllic bays and beaches make cruising in the group an absolute delight. Words of warning, the more popular bays have a lot of tourist activity so are best visited early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Our Favourite Anchorages

Ton Sai Bay

Ton Sai is the primary port of the island and a good all season anchorage. Good holding is close in clear of the local moorings. The ever-growing village has a full range of facilities and provisioning.

South West Bay

A good anchorage to escape the crowds during the southwest monsoon. Reasonable holding and deep water are found off the sandy beach.

Maya Bay (Day)

Maya Bay is spectacularly scenic lagoon. Surrounded by soaring limestone cliffs, with three sandy beaches. Pick up a mooring, if they are not all being used by tourist boats, as anchoring is will damage the coral. If there is a big southwesterly set running the bay gets very choppy and entry is not advisable.

Loh Sam (Day)

Although not specifically mentioned in Sail Thailand. Loh Sam is the small inlet on the south-east end of Phi Phi Le. It has moorings, that are available if not being used by dive boats, and a pretty beach, which is accessible at high tide.

Krabi

The stunning beaches, sheltered bays and sea-mountain scenery of Krabi are world famous. This are is another favourite cruising area and, as with most places, facilities are developing.

Our Favourite Anchorages

Ao Nang

This wide, shallow bay is a good anchorage in the northeast monsoon with good holding well offshore in moderate depth. There are good facilities on shore with a bus service to Krabi Town.

Rai Lay

Another great anchorage in the northeast monsoon. You can use one of the moorings in the center of the bay if they are available. Alternatively, good holding in moderate depth will be found well offshore. A favourite holiday destination, Rai Lay is not accessible by road.

Ao Nam Mao

A protected anchorage in the southwest monsoon. Anchor well out and make sure your anchor(s) are well bedded in as holding can be difficult.

Koh Dam Hok

Although sheltered, we only use this as an overnight anchorage in settled weather. Anchorage is deep water off a great beach, which makes this a great day stop.

The Similan Islands

Ko Similan is one of the best known island groups in the Andaman Sea, largely because of the wonders that wait beneath the clear blue waters that surround it.

They are generally counted among the 10 most interesting dive areas in the world but now this little archipelago has also become a favourite destination for yachts and tour boats.

The past years has brought big changes to the Similans. In the early 1980s, you could spend a whole week out among these islands and encounter no one beyond the occasional longtail boat full of Sea Gypsies.

What is it that makes these islands so attractive? The Similans aren't as dramatically scenic as the limestone islands of Krabi or Phang Nga Bay which many people have come to associate with the Andaman Sea. Instead, you find low-lying formations covered with thick forest.

Another highlight, as the visitor soon discovers, are the white coral-sand beaches, splendidly picturesque and often deserted.

A variety of forces have given shape to these islands. To begin with, the Similans were intrusions, upwellings of hot magma that found their way through weak spots in the Earth's crust 100-150 million years ago, working their way through thick layers of sedimentary rock already laid down at least 100 million years earlier still.

Due to volcanic forces, piles of curious stones, some of them as big as houses, lie as though collected and later abandoned in careless heaps by some ancient race of beachcombing giants.

Even Sailing Boat Rock, the distinctive formation teetering high above the cove on Koh Similan (Island No.8), has been shaped in this way. Boulders just like these spill in jumbled piles down beneath the surface of the sea to 35m and beyond.