SeaTV · Thailand · Eastern Gulf · Trat Province · Outer Islands
Koh Chang Outer Islands & Koh Wai — Hin Rap Rock, Turtle Island & the Day-Trip Bay
Four anchorages on the outer Koh Chang islands inside the Marine Park · A10 Ko Maisi Yai & Lek (lunch stops with small fishing villages), A11 Ko Khlum (uninhabited cliffs · ⚠ Hin Rap rock has sunk boats), A12 Ko Bai Tang / Turtle Island (deserted park HQ, reef-rimmed beaches), A13 Ko Wai (the popular day-trip bay · ⚠ shoaling coral reef has ended several charters early). The Day-1 outbound run from Salak Phet · 5-15 NM to most stops · Park fee 200฿ + 100฿ hull collected at Koh Rang.
The outer islands of Koh Chang are inside the Mu Ko Chang Marine Park · the few small communities that existed before the park was established in 1984 were permitted to stay and maintain their infrastructure, but otherwise there is essentially no development. No mini-marts, no ATMs · just a scattering of small fishing villages, a private resort or two on Koh Rayang Nai and Koh Wai, and pristine beaches and bays with abundant snorkelling. Having a small palm-tree-lined bay and white sandy beach all to yourself is infinitely doable here. The four anchorages below (A10-A13) cover Ko Maisi Yai & Lek (twin islands with small fishing villages), Ko Khlum (uninhabited limestone cliffs · ⚠ Hin Rap rock to the west has sunk a few boats in its time), Ko Bai Tang (“Turtle Island” with deserted park HQ), and Ko Wai (the most popular day-trip bay from Koh Chang · ⚠ the shoaling coral reef has ended several charter voyages early). Sail south from Salak Phet on Day 1 · 5-15 NM to reach this group.
️ Interactive Map — Eastern Gulf Anchorages
→ Full interactive map of the SeaTV Eastern Gulf anchorages · use the layer toggles to filter by category · pinch to zoom on mobile · charts 120 (Koh Chang) + 151 (S to Koh Kut)
⚠ Reality check for the Outer Islands:
→ ⚠ HIN RAP ROCK awash to the west of Ko Khlum · has sunk boats · 14 m around it, deepens fast · approach Ko Khlum from the W with extreme care
→ ⚠ Ko Wai shoaling coral reef · has brought several charter fleet to early end · anchor 8-10 m well off the beach · check anchor doesn’t drag toward reef
→ ⚠ Ko Wai NO NE wind protection · day stop only in NE monsoon · overnight only in SW bay
→ ⚠ Ko Bai Tang reef-rimmed beaches · best to swim ashore · only light wind overnight
→ ⚠ Ko Khlum gets deep fast all around · careful with anchor scope on overnight stops
→ ⚠ Extending reefs off Ko Maisi Yai / Lek shores on both sides
→ No amenities on most islands · provisioning required before departure
⚓ Outer Islands at a Glance
Anchorages
4 (A10-A13)
Status
Inside Mu Ko Chang Marine Park
Park fee
200฿/person + 100฿/hull (collected at Koh Rang)
Distance from Salak Phet
5-15 NM (depending on island)
Amenities
Minimal · provision before arrival
Best for
Day 1 outbound · snorkelling · solitude
Best season
Nov-Mar (NE monsoon)
Holding
Sand or mud · 5-15 m typical
⛵ The Four Anchorages
A10 · Ko Maisi Yai & Ko Maisi Lek — Twin Lunch Islands
Lunch stop · 5-10 m sand & mud · small fishing villages
Twin islands generally used as lunch stops · Ko Maisi Yai is the big one and Ko Maisi Lek is the small one. Ko Maisi Lek offers better protection in NW winds. Both islands have small fishing villages in their bays · low-key, authentic, no commercial development.
Ko Maisi Yai (big):
→ Anchor in sand 7-10 m between the islands.
→ Or in the NE bay of Yai: anchor 5-7 m outside the middle of the bay.
Ko Maisi Lek (small):
→ Anchor off or in the middle of the bay 5-7 m mud bottom.
⚠ Watch out for the extending reef off the shore on both sides of both islands.
Use it as: midday lunch and snorkel stop on the Day-1 sail south.
A11 · Ko Khlum — Uninhabited Cliffs & the Hin Rap Hazard
Uninhabited · cliffs · 4-10 m · ⚠ Hin Rap rock to W
Ko Khlum is uninhabited · steep cliffs reaching to the water’s edge · not much beach but you can find a sandy spit or two at low tide · picturesque rocky beach in the south.
⚠ HIN RAP HAZARD ⚠
→ Approaching the island from the W · be aware (very aware) of the rock awash to the west — Hin Rap · has sunk a few boats in its time.
→ Hin Rap is well known to the local diving and fishing communities · features on most local trips.
→ Depth around Hin Rap: 14 m and gets deeper fast.
→ Be careful if you stop for a snorkel · watch the weather · the rock is the dive site here.
Anchorages around Ko Khlum:
→ W side: anchor 7 m anywhere along the west side · good NE wind protection.
→ S side: a Tahitian-looking spot · anchor 9-10 m toward the middle of the small bay.
→ NE side: anchor 4-7 m · good SW wind protection · white sandy beach at low tide.
→ ⚠ Gets deep fast all around the island · be careful staying overnight.
A12 · Ko Bai Tang — Turtle Island
Day stop only · 8-13 m · ⚠ reef-rimmed beaches · light winds only overnight
Ko Bai Tang is known as Turtle Island because of its shape · there’s a deserted park headquarters on shore and a reef around the edge of the beaches that’s often good for snorkelling. ⚠ There’s not much protection here — only in light winds should you consider staying overnight at this anchorage.
Anchorages by side:
→ SW or SE side: anchor 10 m · best to swim ashore — the island beaches are rimmed with reefs.
→ W side: anchor 8-10 m · leave swing room to avoid the reef on the south edges · swim ashore for a snorkel around the rocky outcroppings.
→ E side: anchor 10 m off the reef · snorkel the reef or swim ashore for your own private beach. Walk across the island to either side.
→ N beach: deep at 13 m+ · not really suitable for anchorage · day stop for snorkelling only in the right conditions.
Use it as: snorkel and beach explore on the Day-1 outbound run.
A13 · Ko Wai — The Day-Trip Bay (Charter Boat Killer)
North bay 8-10 m · ⚠ shoaling coral reef · NO NE protection
Ko Wai’s north-facing big beautiful bay is a favourite day-trip destination for people travelling from Koh Chang · considerable infrastructure ashore, fun shallow snorkelling all along the beach to the NW tip · a few resorts in the bay. ⚠ NO protection in NE winds.
⚠ THE CHARTER FLEET KILLER ⚠
→ The coral reef in this bay shoals up very quickly and has brought several of the charter fleet to a quick end to their voyage over the years.
→ If dropping anchor for a beach-side lunch: anchor 8-10 m well off the beach.
→ When bedding the anchor be sure you don’t drag all the way to the reef.
Overnight strategy (SW bay):
→ For an overnight, drop anchor in the small rocky SW bay.
→ There’s a not-very-well-marked trail to the north bay · take a flashlight, footwear, and bug repellent (try in daylight first).
→ Tie the dinghy to a tree to avoid a nasty swim back when you return.
→ Keep an eye on the weather · you’ll be out of sight of the yacht.
→ Best advice: have dinner on board, enjoy the serenity and the beautiful sunset.
South bay alternative:
→ Walk across the bottom finger to the SE bay · if you’re lucky, the place will be open for a cold drink and maybe a snack.
→ Heavy weather tip: fishermen tend to hide on the south side · option of fresh fish or squid · they want only beer and not money — bring a few cold ones in the dinghy and you’ll have the freshest seafood around.
Use it as: Day-1 lunch & snorkel · or rare-light-wind overnight in SW bay.
Emergency & Contacts
Island Spirit — Phil: +66 81 813 8023 (24hr WhatsApp)
Island Spirit — Kim: +66 93 131 0844 (24hr WhatsApp)
Tourist Police: 1157 or 039 557 287
Bangkok Koh Chang Hospital (W side): 039 532 735
Koh Chang International Hospital (E side · Dan Mai): 1719
Marine Emergency & SAR: 1196
VHF Distress: Ch. 16
Continue the Eastern Gulf Charter
→ 1. Charter Base · Island Spirit Yacht Charter
→ 2. Salak Phet & Koh Chang East
→ 3. Koh Chang Outer Islands & Koh Wai (this page)
“The outer islands of Koh Chang are where the cruising actually starts · A10 the twin Maisi islands for the lunch stop · the small fishing villages on each one and the extending reefs on every side · A11 Ko Khlum the uninhabited cliff island where Hin Rap rock to the west has sunk a few boats over the years · the rock is fourteen meters around it and gets deeper fast · the local diving and fishing communities all know it and feature it on their trips · A12 Ko Bai Tang shaped like a turtle with reef-rimmed beaches and you swim ashore not dinghy · A13 Ko Wai the famous day-trip bay with the shoaling coral reef that has ended several charter voyages early · anchor eight to ten meters well off the beach and watch the anchor when bedding because the reef does not move and the boats do · the outer islands have no amenities and that is the point · you provision in Salak Phet before you leave and you have these bays almost to yourself.”
— SeaTV · Eastern Gulf Edition · Outer Islands
