SeaTV · Thailand · Andaman Coast · Phuket Region
Andaman Coast — Phuket Region · The 7-Day SeaTV Charter Circuit
The W coast of Thailand · ~120 NM of charter sailing from Phuket Yacht Haven through Phang Nga Bay, Krabi mainland, Phi Phi Islands, and Ko Lanta · 4 charter marinas on Phuket, ten pilot pages covering every anchorage on the standard 7-10 day route · two National Parks (300 THB Phang Nga + 400 THB Mu Ko Phi Phi) · best season Nov-Feb · Maya Bay closes 1 Aug-1 Oct each year.
The Andaman Coast around Phuket is the W-coast charter region of Thailand and the most sailed cruising ground in Southeast Asia. The standard 7-10 day route runs E from Phuket Yacht Haven into Phang Nga Bay (limestone karst islands and hidden hongs), then SE across the bay to the Krabi mainland (Ao Nang, Railay), S past the Chicken Islands to Ko Lanta, then NW to Ko Phi Phi (Don and Le, Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon), and back to Phuket via Ko Mai Phai for a dawn run. Two different National Parks cover the route — Ao Phang Nga NP in the N (300 THB / 150 THB child) and Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi NP in the S (400 THB / 200 THB child) — plan park fees for each. Below are the ten SeaTV pilot pages covering every anchorage on the circuit, organized in the order you’ll sail them, plus the marinas, regulations, and seasonal logic that make the difference between a smooth charter and a struggle.
⚠ Reality check for first-time charterers in Thailand:
→ Night sailing is forbidden in Thai waters · plan to anchor by 16:00 · daylight 06:00-18:00
→ Two park fees, not one · 300 THB Phang Nga + 400 THB Phi Phi/Krabi/Lanta if you sail both regions
→ Maya Bay closure 1 Aug – 1 Oct each year for reef recovery (since 2022)
→ ⚠ Sarasin Bridge blocks the N approach to Phuket E coast · always go around the SE end of the island
→ Significant tidal range (~2 m+ daily) · plan tender access for mid-tide rising
→ Reef-safe sunscreen only in National Park waters · 5,000 THB fines for chemical sunscreen
→ Watch for fish nets along the coast · sometimes marked with flags, sometimes not · keep watch under engine
⚓ Region at a Glance
Charter base
Phuket Yacht Haven (NE coast)
Airport
Phuket Intl (HKT) · 15-30 min to marinas
Total circuit
~120 NM · 7-10 days
Best season
Nov-Feb (NE monsoon)
Wind
5-20 knots NE in season
Park fees
300 THB Phang Nga · 400 THB Phi Phi
Charter marinas
4 main: Yacht Haven, Ao Po, Royal, Boat Lagoon
Pilot pages
10 SeaTV docking pages
Tides
~2 m+ daily · plan tender + hong access
Best Time to Sail
Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate · warm year-round but with two distinct sailing seasons. The W-coast Andaman side has very different patterns than the E-coast Gulf of Thailand side, so plan carefully.
NE Monsoon · Mid-Oct to Mid-Feb (Charter High Season)
The classic Andaman charter window. Wind 5-20 knots from NE, stable, dry, sunny · temperatures around 30°C. December and January are the most reliable. Recommended.
Note: the East Coast of Southern Thailand still gets rain through October-November, so the Eastern Gulf cluster (Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Kut) operates on a different calendar.
Pre-Monsoon · Mid-Feb to Mid-May
Transitional period · weather warmer, especially in upper Thailand. April is the hottest month. Still workable for charter, but expect higher humidity and lighter winds. Acceptable shoulder season.
SW Monsoon · Mid-May to Mid-Oct (Avoid)
SW monsoon brings rain across Thailand. Wettest period: August-September. Most W-coast anchorages exposed to SW swell · Phang Nga Bay still works (sheltered). Most charter operators close or move E. Maya Bay closure: 1 August – 1 October every year.
For the official climate document: The Climate of Thailand (Thai Meteorological Department PDF).
⛵ Phuket’s Four Main Charter Marinas
Phuket has four full-service marinas, all on the sheltered E and NE coasts. The choice between them comes down to charter operator location, distance from the airport, and access to Phang Nga Bay (the standard Day-1 destination).
NE coast · 15-20 min from HKT airport
Phuket Yacht Haven Marina (PYH) — The SeaTV Charter Base
320 berths for vessels up to 60 m · 24-hour access · the closest marina to Phuket airport (~15-20 min) · positioned at the doorstep of Phang Nga Bay · the standard charter base for most fleet operators including Dream Yacht Charter, Sunsail, and Moorings. Fuel dock with PTT diesel · provisioning · two restaurants · pool, gym, laundry · this is where most charters start and end.
→ VHF Ch 68 · ⚠ approach SE only (Sarasin Bridge blocks N).
NE coast · 25-30 min from HKT airport
Ao Po Grand Marina (APGM) — Superyacht Base
300+ berths opened 2008, expanded since · 24-hour access independent of tide · accommodates vessels over 100 m · 10 m wide walkways · positioned at the entrance to Phang Nga Bay (closer than Yacht Haven). Deepwater fuel dock, restaurants, taxi stand, car rental.
Use it for: superyacht charters · backup if Yacht Haven is full · fastest access to Phang Nga.
E coast · ~30 min from HKT airport
Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) — 5 Gold Anchor Luxury
100 wet berths + 60 covered dry stack + 26 hard stand · the only 5 Gold Anchor certified marina in Thailand · waterfront restaurants, shops, residential complex, 5-star hotel · adjacent to Boat Lagoon. Premium service, luxury positioning · used by high-end yacht charters.
Use it for: luxury charters · maintenance · long-term berth.
E coast · ~30 min from HKT airport
Phuket Boat Lagoon — The Original (1994)
~180 berths · Phuket’s oldest marina (1994) · the maintenance and service hub · 3 service cranes, 80-ton lifting · dry stack 20 speedboats, hardstand 144 vessels. Surrounded by condominiums, resort hotel, restaurants, supermarket.
Use it for: maintenance · supply runs · alternative berth.
The Two National Parks
The charter route crosses two different National Parks · they have different fees, different rules, and different ranger stations. Plan park fees for each.
Ao Phang Nga National Park · 300 THB / 150 THB child
Established 1981 · 400 km² · largest mangrove forest in Thailand. Covers Ko Phanak, Ko Hong, Ko Roi, Ko Kudu Yai, James Bond Island (Ko Tapu / Khao Phing Kan), Ko Pan Yi.
→ Park HQ: +66 76 481 188
Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi NP · 400 THB / 200 THB child
Covers Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le (Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon), Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai), Chicken Islands (Ko Dam Khwan group), Krabi mainland (Ao Nang, Railay).
→ Park HQ Phi Phi: +66 75 661 145
Mu Ko Lanta NP · 400 THB / 200 THB child
Covers the S tip of Ko Lanta, Ko Rok, Ko Haa (Ko Rok and Ko Haa CLOSED 16 May – 31 Oct each year).
→ Park HQ: +66 75 660 7112
Pre-pay e-tickets: DNP National Park e-Ticket System (mandatory pre-registration since Jan 2025 for Phi Phi Le special permits).
The 7-Day Charter Circuit — Pilot Pages in Sailing Order
The standard SeaTV Andaman charter follows this chronological sequence. Each day links to a full pilot page with waypoints, anchorage detail, hong access rules, park fees, and seasonal warnings.
Charter Base — Phuket Yacht Haven
Day 0 · Check-in & provisioning · 08°10.2’N · 098°20.5’E
Phuket Yacht Haven Marina — The NE-Coast Charter Base
320 berths · 30m fuel dock with 40,000L PTT capacity · 24-hour access · 15-20 min from HKT airport. Dream Yacht Charter, Sunsail, Moorings all base here. Provisioning at the on-site minimart for daily essentials, then a 25-min drive to the major shopping centre for full charter provisioning.
Day 1 — Phang Nga Bay (Limestone Karsts & Hongs)
Day 1 · 12-25 NM E from Yacht Haven · Ao Phang Nga NP (300 THB)
Phang Nga Bay — Ko Phanak, Ko Hong, Ko Roi & Ko Kudu Yai
Four limestone karst islands · seven anchorages · multiple hidden hongs (sea-level lagoons accessed by tunnels). Highlights: Ko Phanak’s 50 m bat tunnel (tide 1.5-2.0 m only), Ko Hong’s iconic three-island lagoon, Ko Roi’s walk-in hong at low tide, Ko Kudu Yai’s wildlife sanctuary with eagles, hornbills, and giant fruit bats. Bonus stops: James Bond Island and the floating Muslim village at Ko Pan Yi.
Day 2 — The SE Crossing & Krabi Coast
Day 2 transit · ~25 NM SE · Park boundary crossing
Sailing Phang Nga to Krabi (Route)
The classic Day-2 transit · 4 segments through the Ko Yao channel and across open water. Bonus detour to the 2,000-year-old Sea Gypsy cave paintings at Khao Khien · lunch stop at Ko Pak Bia or Ko Ka mooring buoy. Park fee transition from 300 THB Phang Nga to 400 THB Phi Phi/Krabi.
Day 2 destination · Mu Ko Phi Phi NP (400 THB)
Krabi Coast — Klong Muang, Ao Nang & Railay Beach
Six anchorages along the mainland · Klong Muang for the lunch stop in front of Dusit Thani / Sheraton · Ao Nang for the overnight and provisioning · Railay Peninsula for the world-class climbing and Phra Nang Cave Beach. ⚠ NO boat landing on Phra Nang. 700+ bolted climbing routes on the limestone walls. Krabi airport (KBV) ~30 min for crew rotation.
Day 3 — Chicken Islands & Ko Lanta NW
Day 3 · ~26 NM total · Mu Ko Phi Phi NP (400 THB)
Ko Dam Khwan — Chicken Island, the Krabi Sandbar Group & Lanta NW
From Ao Nang ~4 NM SW to the Chicken Islands group: Ko Dam Khwan = Chicken Island = Koh Kai = Koh Hua Khwan · Ko Dam Hok = Koh Poda Nai · government moorings · Talay Waek (the Y-shaped sandbar that emerges between three islands at the lowest tide). Then ~22 NM S to Klong Dao on the NW tip of Ko Lanta for the overnight. ⚠ NEVER pass between Ko Dam Hok and Ko Dam Khwan — coral reef closes the channel.
Day 4 — Ko Lanta (W Coast)
Day 4 · Ko Lanta W coast · Mu Ko Lanta NP (400 THB)
Ko Lanta — Klong Dao to Kantiang Bay (Plus Lanta Old Town)
Five anchorages: Klong Dao (NW), Phra Ae/Long Beach, Klong Khong, Klong Nin, Kantiang Bay (S), Lanta Old Town (E coast for SW-monsoon shelter). Steve Lanta Marine Services (+66 84 729 1828) is the only marine professional on the island · no fuel on Lanta · Ko Lanta Hospital +66 75 697 100. ⚠ Ko Rok, Ko Rok Nok, Ko Haa CLOSED 16 May – 31 Oct.
Day 5 — Phi Phi Islands
Day 5 morning · Mu Ko Phi Phi NP (400 THB)
Ko Phi Phi Don — The Seven Anchorages
Seven anchorages around the twin-bay island: Tonsai S (busy), Loh Dalum N, Loh Bagao NE, Laem Tong NE tip, Loh Moo Dee E, Lanah NW, Nui W. NW-monsoon vs SW-monsoon seasonal strategy applies. Phi Phi Hospital +66 75 622 151. ⚠ Tonsai E-side reef drops 20m to 1m sharp · Loh Dalum shallow at LAT.
Day 5 afternoon · DNP permit required · Maya Bay closes 1 Aug-1 Oct
Ko Phi Phi Le — Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Viking Cave (2026 Regulations)
⚠ Maya Bay 2026 closure: 1 Aug – 1 Oct. NO anchoring at Maya · floating pier from Loh Samah · 200 m boardwalk · NO swimming, knee-deep wading only · 300 ppl per 45-60 min slot. Pileh Lagoon March 2024 rules: DNP permit required, 3-knot speed limit, mooring buoys only, 300 ppl/50 boats max, 45-min window. Viking Cave: NO ENTRY (swiftlet nest harvesting · criminal offence). Bida Nok/Bida Nai = Ko Phraya Nak group, dive site.
Day 6 — Bamboo Island Dawn Run & Return W
Day 6 · 5 km NE of Phi Phi Don · day-stop only · 400 THB
Ko Mai Phai (Bamboo Island) & Lanah Bay — The Outer Phi Phi Anchorages
Three sites: Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai) · Mosquito Island (Koh Yung) · Lanah Bay on NW Phi Phi Don. Bamboo Island circumference ~700 m, casuarina trees, reef 500 m offshore. The “dawn run” strategy: anchor Laem Tong overnight → 06:30 sail to Bamboo → empty beach until 09:30 → leave before the day fleet arrives → continue NW to Phuket. No overnight allowed at Bamboo.
Top Recommendations — SeaTV Picks
Personal recommendations from Sigal at SeaTV
Top Sailing Places in Thailand — My SeaTV Picks
Seven anchorages picked from personal experience after sailing the Andaman Coast end to end · Ko Hong, Ko Phanak bat tunnel, Phra Nang Beach, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, Kantiang Bay, Bamboo Island dawn run · plus three honourable mentions. The places that anchored well, timed correctly, and left a memory.
Sailing Tips for Thailand
Sailing in Thailand is challenging in places but manageable for new sailors who pay attention to depths and tides. Most anchorages on this circuit are 4-15 m · some are 10-20 m so check anchor chain. Most of the W-coast sailing is in relatively shallow water · keel depth is rarely a problem on charter monohulls or catamarans.
Provisioning: on-site at Yacht Haven for daily essentials · the major shopping centre is ~25 minutes’ drive from the marina · pre-order via the charter operator for full 7-day stock. Fresh seafood from longtail boats in Phang Nga Bay · fresh fruit and vegetables on Phi Phi.
Fuel and water: available at Yacht Haven (PTT diesel, water) · Chalong on the S coast · Phi Phi Island. Top up before leaving Yacht Haven — Lanta has no fuel.
Charts: use paper charts as the primary reference · GPS and chart plotters as support · electronic sea charts in this region are not as precise as paper. Especially in shallow water and around the limestone karsts, trust the paper.
Channel marking: European-standard buoyage — red on port, green on starboard when entering ports.
Sailing license: ICC, ASA 104, RYA Day Skipper, or proven coastal cruising experience required by most charter operators · pre-arrange with Dream Yacht Charter or your operator.
Communications: VHF Ch 16 distress · Ch 68 for Yacht Haven · cell phone is primary contact ashore · WiFi at marinas only.
Joining a flotilla is a convenient and social option for new charterers · structured routes · assistance with any issues · standard Andaman flotilla runs the same 7-day circuit.
Emergency Numbers — Andaman Coast
Tourist Police (24/7, English): 1155
Marine Emergency & SAR: 1196
Coastguard Distress: VHF Ch. 16
Yacht Haven Marina (Ch 68): +66 76 397 908
Ao Phang Nga National Park HQ: +66 76 481 188
Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park HQ: +66 75 661 145
Mu Ko Lanta National Park HQ: +66 75 660 7112
Phi Phi Hospital: +66 75 622 151
Krabi Hospital: +66 75 611 200
Ao Nang Hospital: +66 75 695 999
Ko Lanta Hospital (Saladan): +66 75 697 100
Useful Links
→ DNP National Park e-Ticket System
→ Ao Phang Nga National Park (DNP)
→ Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi NP (DNP)
→ Thai Hydrographic Department · Tides & Charts
→ Thai Meteorological Department · Weather
All 10 SeaTV Pilot Pages — Quick Index
Charter Base & Phang Nga (N)
→ 1. Phuket Yacht Haven Marina
→ 2. Phang Nga Bay · Ko Phanak, Ko Hong, Ko Roi, Ko Kudu Yai
Krabi Mainland & Sandbar Group (E/SE)
Ko Lanta & Phi Phi (S)
→ 6. Ko Lanta · Klong Dao & Kantiang Bay
→ 7. Ko Phi Phi Don · 7 Anchorages
SeaTV Recommendations & Hubs
→ 10. Top Sailing Places · SeaTV Picks
Planning Your Andaman Charter?
Seven nights from Phuket Yacht Haven · ten nights gets you to Lanta. Two National Park fees · Maya Bay closes Aug-Oct · Ko Yao channel needs the right tide. Pre-pay e-tickets via DNP, bring reef-safe sunscreen, time the hong tides, anchor by 16:00.
“Seven days from Phuket Yacht Haven east into the limestone karst islands of Phang Nga Bay where the hongs hide inside the cliffs and the bat tunnel only opens at the right tide · southeast across the Ko Yao channel to the Krabi mainland for Ao Nang and Railay and the climbing peninsula · southwest to the Chicken Islands and the sandbar that emerges at the lowest tide · south to Ko Lanta and the quiet Kantiang Bay · northwest to Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le and the Maya Bay arrival window before Bamboo Island for the dawn run on the way home. Two National Park fees, three hundred Thai baht for the Phang Nga and four hundred Thai baht for the Phi Phi · the difference matters · keep both receipts. Anchor by sixteen hundred because night sailing is forbidden in Thai waters · the daylight ends at six in the evening sharp · the daylight begins at six in the morning sharp · the Andaman Coast does not need help being beautiful, it needs help being timed correctly.”
— SeaTV · Andaman Coast · Phuket Region
