The Koh Hong archipelago is a group of small islands between Krabi and the northern part of Phang Nga Bay, and east of Koh Yao Noi. Among the small islets there are many places to stop for a swim or lunch but depths are not ideal for anchoring until close in. For day stops best use a light anchor and rope for easy recovery – or better still, pick up one of the public mooring buoys.
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12 miles from Ao Nang, Krabi
A secluded anchorage and a useful stopover on the way to or from Krabi. It is acceptable overnight in the northeast monsoon season or in very calm weather. The best anchorage can be recognised by a mushroom-shaped rock in the middle of the small indentation facing south. Approach from the south until the bottom shelves to about 15 metres; anchor on the sandy bottom.
Towards the western end of the bay lies a spectacular spit of white sand, which gives excellent access for swimming, exploring and beachcombing.
To the north of the sandy spit is an enticing bay, particularly good for snorkelling and diving. Anchoring is not advised here since large coral heads, rising from depths of about 20 metres, fringe the bay. It is best to take your dinghy from the recommended anchorage or else swim from the beach.
14 Miles from Ao Nang, Krabi
Just north of the commercial jetties on the mainland is an anchorage off the 5-star Phulay Bay resort, currently managed by Ritz Carlton. Anchor in 2-5 metres about 600 metres off shore to access the resort pool deck and restaurants by dinghy. This luxury hotel was designed by one of Thailand’s premier architects and landscape gardeners and has won many accolades for its contemporary style.
To the south between the bulk cargo terminal and Laem Hang Nak are a number of 4- and 5-star resorts and anchorage in similar depths can be found anywhere along this coast.
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10 miles from Ao Nang, Krabi
This bay has good holding in 15-20 metres with some National Parks moorings also available. In the southwest monsoon season an uncomfortable ground swell sometimes curves around the eastern headland. Koh Hong is so named because of its large internal lagoon (hong), accessible by dinghy and speedboats across a shallow reef on tides above 2 metres.
This large ‘hong’ has a small entrance between limestone walls which sometimes has gill nets strung across its width on the ebb tide. The hong, about 200 metres across, is the biggest in the area, and the sheer cliffs on all sides make a picturesque backdrop for photography. You can swim inside at high tide.
East of the entrance to the hong is a superb silica sand beach nestled between two small cliffs. At the far eastern end of the beach and behind the undergrowth is a small entrance into a deep amphitheatre limestone cave complete with bats, stalagmites and stalactites. Bring a flashlight.
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11 miles from Ao Nang, Krabi
This is an excellent overnight stop during the northeast monsoon. anchorage is in 15-20 metres, or take a mooring if your draft allows. There is a small restaurant on the beach each day, and it will open for an evening meal, if requested, before sunset.
A beautiful white silica sand beach is broken by huge monolithic rocks that provide shade on shore all day. Fringed by a coral reef, this is one of the prettiest bays in the area but is not accessible at low springs by dinghy. A National Park Ranger station is ashore; the park entrance fee is 500 baht per head.
