One mile offshore the northern tip of Bang Tao is Koh Weao and a collection of rocks, which offer the best snorkelling on this part of the coast. Late in 2008, a new artificial reef nicknamed The Coral Reef Squadron was created near Koh Weao using old military aircraft. Within a couple of years this is sure to develop into a spectacular west coast dive site.
On the headland is Trisara luxury boutique resort within a private villa development. There is a floating jetty in the high season for visitors and an excellent restaurant for that very special occasion.
From Bang Tao to Nai Yang Beach, there are three idyllic white sand beaches nestled between the rocky headlands. Seldom visited by large numbers of tourists, these three hideaways are a quiet and welcome change from some other, busier, west coast beaches.
North of Laem Sai and Nai Yang Beach, Mai Khao, a 7-mile long beach now beginning to be developed, stretches longer than any other on Phuket’s west coast. A National Park borders the ocean along some of this beach. There are several hotel resorts hidden behind trees at the southern end, and Phuket International Airport’s terminal can be seen, about one mile north of the hotel. Transport can be arranged from the hotel either to the airport or to town.
Many small, open-air restaurants and small shops line the south end of Nai Yang Beach.
In the middle and the largest of the three beaches on the headland, Laem Sai offers good holding in the middle of the bay in 6-10 metres on a sandy bottom.
Good snorkelling may be found on either point. Ashore, you will find Andaman White Sands Resort which extends the length of the bay and a road which leads to the airport.
Anchor in approximately 8-10 metres on a sandy bottom to the north or south of the reef outcrop in front of the hotels visible behind the trees.
Good facilities are available at the hotels and many local restaurants ashore, and transport to town or the airport may be arranged.
Look for anchorage 100 metres offshore from the little squatters’ restaurants, about 1 mile or more south of the bar marking the entrance to the bridge.
The sand bars around the channel entrance are constantly shifting, and entry is not recommended in a keeled vessel. It should not be attempted without local knowledge even in a shoal-draft boat.
The beach is steep, and the sand coarser than that on other west coast beaches. The highway runs close to the beach, near the restaurants, and local buses can be hailed heading north or south. Just south of these restaurants you will find the 5-star JW Marriot Resort, time share condominiums and the new Anantara Resort and Spa.
Although anchorage is possible anywhere along this beach, do not anchor within half a mile of the airport runway, which is clearly visible from seaward.
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate, the charts of anchorages are based on personal experience and satellite imagery and are intended as a guide only. They should not be used for navigation. Please refer to Official Hydrographic Charts of the respective countries.
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