Anchor in 7-10 metres well clear of the jetties. Na Thon, the main town on the island, offers a market as well as shopping, banking, postal and other facilities. This is also where you go to deal with Customs and Immigration. The main jetty is designed for fast passenger and car ferries, the local fishing fleet and bulk transport. Fuel and water are available on the jetty by arrangement only.
This is the location of another car ferry terminal from Donsak, and it is not particularly recommended unless you are meeting passengers from the ferry.
Approaching from the east beware of the unmarked rocks just past Lamai Beach. Anchor between the islands in 5-6 metres on a muddy bottom, clear of the fringing reef on Koh Katen’s west coast. The approach from the west is clear and deep, following Koh Katen’s north coast.
There is a small resort on the island, a pleasant and secluded overnight spot or an ideal day destination from the main island. There are trails through the mangroves leading to caves ashore.
The best anchorage is in 6-8 metres on a sandy bottom in the middle of the bay. Take care to avoid the coral outcrops to the north of the bay. The anchorage may become uncomfortable in the southwest season due to ground swell.
Ao Lamai is the second-most developed bay on the island, with plenty of action ashore. Accommodation of all types is available, together with the usual minimarts, bars, discos and restaurants.
This small indention in the coast north of the headland makes a nice lunch stop and is used as such by many local fishing boats. Anchor outside the bay in 10 metres on sand, as the inner bay has a rocky bottom.
The main tourist bay on Samui Island, Ao Chaweng is separated by a rock formation into two beaches: Chaweng Noi (southern end) and Chaweng Yai (northern end).
The gradually sloping sandy bottom permits anchorage in 5-10 metres anywhere in the bay. In the southwest season, even in quite strong prevailing westerlies, a ground swell from the east can make this anchorage uncomfortable.
Major hotels, resorts, bungalows, restaurants, shops and discos sprawl along the entire beach road. The main part of town is at the northern end.
Towards the southern end of Chaweng Yai, the red roofs of the Central Samui Resort can be clearly seen. Next door to the north is the Tradewinds Resort.
Central is the headquarters for the Koh Samui Regatta, raced each year in May; Tradewinds is yachtie friendly and has a fresh water tap on the beach.
Transport can be arranged by local bus or taxi from many points on the road, and Na Thon is about half an hour away.
This is a reasonable daytime anchorage, affording access to the resorts ashore, but it is not suitable for overnight stays due to the rocky bottom. Anchor in 8-12 metres well clear of the beach.
One large bay divided by a rocky promontory forms Bo Phut to the west and Bang Rak to the east. These bays are shallow, only 4 metres up to a mile offshore with anchorages on a sandy bottom in 2-4 metres. They offer the best protection from swell and wind during the southwest season.
Approaching either bay from the northwest, beware of the reef at the western end. Arriving from the east, the passage between Koh Som and the headland has a depth of 4 metres. Inside the bay keep well west of the wooden jetty ashore.
These north-coast beaches have developed more recently than Chaweng and Lamai and are not as built up. In Bang Rak, look for the huge sitting Buddha on Koh Fan, the island north of Haad Bang Rak.
This bay is directly on the approach path of the airport so it can be a little noisy. There is a large concrete ferry pier in the southwest corner of the bay which is deep enough to go alongside.
Ashore in each bay you’ll find clusters of small resorts and bars and a variety of small shops and local markets along the road. Sunsail‘s charter base is at Bo Phut in the fisherman’s village.
Many restaurants and small resorts line the bay. Local boats offer passage north across Chong Samui to Koh Phangan.
Further west at Maenam, anchor in 4-6 metres on a sandy bottom. Beware of the submerged rock off Laem Na Rang.
On the southwest corner of Samui are five islands where the locals collect bird’s nests.
The waters around the islands are deep, so this is not one of our recommended overnight anchorages although day anchorage can be found on the eastern side of Koh Mae Tap.
Many small shacks cling to the steep cliff faces and bamboo scaffolding used by the nest collectors can be seen rising to the top of the sheer rocks.
On the southwest side, shelter can be found from the strong winds without dropping the pick. There is cave that runs right through the island. Koh Bon is great spot for a swim to cool off.
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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