8 miles from Ao Chalong
One of the most favoured west coast anchorages in high season, holding can be found in 8-10 metres virtually anywhere in the bay. The surf can make dinghy landings exciting early and late in the season.
This southwest facing beach is particularly attractive, with The Nai Harn (formerly the Royal Phuket Yacht Club), a recently renovated 5-star resort of considerable fame, perched on the north side of the bay. The view from the hotel’s deck is unbeatable.
Nai Harn is one of the main gathering points for cruising yachts over Christmas and there are many bars, massage huts and local style beach restaurants, with several upmarket restaurants a short taxi ride inland. Phuket Town is 45 minutes away by taxi or bus. Just behind the beach is a fresh water lake with running track and children’s play areas inside.
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8 miles from Ao Chalong
There is secure anchorage in 10 metres off the fringing reef in front of the small sand beach at Baan Krating Jungle Resort. The Laem Mum Kok Road gives access back to the main bay and passes right underneath The Nai Harn resort. There is a local restaurant and bar on the beach with rustic bungalows ashore.
9 miles from Ao Chalong
This deep, rocky bay – a throwback to what Phuket was like 40 years ago – sits in a deep cleft in the mountainous north headland of Nai Harn, where anchorage is in about 12 metres. There’s a small beach onshore with a restaurant, and only enough swinging room for two or three boats.
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10 miles from Ao Chalong
Anchorage is in 8-10 metres off the sandy beach. Kata Noi is home to Katathani Phuket Beach Resort, which occupies most of the beach, and to other smaller bungalows on the southern hillside.
Behind the hotel is a road leading to Kata and Karon Beaches, with a branch south to Nai Harn. Phuket City is 45 minutes by road.
11 miles from Ao Chalong
The ward-winning luxury resort and private residence, Kata Rocks, perched on the headland between Kata Noi and Kata Beach, has earned accolades for its blend of style, serenity and hospitality.
This unique resort has a private floating jetty during the northeast (high) season, and welcomes visiting yachts who wish to sample the resort’s iconic bar and restaurant, the 35-metre infinity pool or its ‘Infinite Luxury Spa’.
By prior arrangement, Kata Rocks can make transport available for, and/or help arrange, provisioning trips to a plethora of nearby major supermarkets.
Kata Rocks has been a supporter of yacht racing on Phuket for many years and is the organiser of Phuket’s annual superyacht event, Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR).
For more information visit www.katarocks.com
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12 miles from Ao Chalong
The southeast corner of the bay offers anchorage in 8-10 metres on sand. This bay offers one of the best beaches on Phuket. For a passing yacht looking for a beautiful beach, with activity – but at a quieter pace than Patong, Kata is difficult to beat.
There is a public road that follows the beach from north to south. Behind the beach road, Club Med covers almost half of the bay.
On the south side is Beyond Resort (formerly Kata Beach Resort), a 400-plus room hotel, co-host to the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta since 1998. This 4-star resort is the largest of many reasonably priced resorts here. On the road behind the hotel frontage are numerous restaurants, bars and shops within easy walking distance.
Beside Kata Beach Resort is The Boathouse, a long-time favourite of the yachting community. Its former owner and designer, ML Tri Devakul, was one of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta founders. The Boathouse used to call itself “a restaurant with a few rooms attached” and it still affords a similar experience and has a beach club. Reservations are a ‘must’ in high season. The wine cellar is excellent, with upwards of 250 labels.
Diving and snorkelling around Koh Pu (Crab Island) is good. A note of caution, however: the passage between Koh Pu and the headland is not recommended without local knowledge; there are rocks awash in the channel.
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