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Ban Thap Lamu is an all-weather anchorage – a good coastal stopover on the way to the Similan or Surin Islands. It’s actually an enclosed river estuary, one used regularly by the Thai navy. On the eastern side is a small village and the Thai Navy base.
Only 90 minutes by regular bus service from Phuket Town, and 34 miles to the Similans by sea, it’s the closest shore base with facilities to the islands.
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43 miles from Patong Bay
When entering the estuary at Ban Thap Lamu, keep well clear of the coral patch on the northwest side of Laem Ao Kham. The point has a light flashing every 4 seconds, but we do not recommend night entry unless essential.
Pass well north of Laem Ao Kham on a heading due east towards a red buoy. This marks the beginning of a buoyed channel. It turns south following the deep water close to the east coast of the headland.
Pass the Royal Thai Navy jetty (forbidden to yachts) to anchor in 6-9 metres in front of the village of Ban Thap Lamu. An alternative is across the passage with the other yachts. There’s good holding in mud, with strong tidal currents in the passage running north and south.
Read more45 miles from Patong Bay
Approach Khao Lak Beach from the west, taking care to avoid the rocks around the headland and the isolated rock outcrops just to the north of the anchorage.
Anchor in 3-6 metres on a sand/mud bottom. This anchorage offers good protection in the north east monsoon. A short dinghy ride ashore gives access to bungalow resorts and hotels.
The main road leads to National Park headquarters, the spectacular Lampee waterfall and the route south to Phuket.
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