SeaTV · Thailand · Andaman Coast · Phuket Region · The 6-Day Route
The Ultimate 6-Day Sailing Route in Thailand — From Phuket Yacht Haven to Maya Bay
The master charter circuit on the Andaman Coast · 6 nights from Phuket Yacht Haven through Phang Nga Bay, Krabi, the Chicken Islands, Ko Lanta, and the Phi Phi Islands · ~120 NM total · two National Parks (300 THB Phang Nga + 400 THB Phi Phi/Krabi/Lanta) · best Nov-Feb · Maya Bay closes 1 Aug-1 Oct each year. The standard SeaTV route, day by day, with the warnings and tide windows that determine whether the charter goes well or goes wrong.
This is the master Andaman Coast route — the 6-day charter circuit from Phuket Yacht Haven that covers every headline anchorage on the W coast of Thailand. Day 1 takes you E into the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay (Ko Phanak’s bat tunnel, Ko Hong’s three-island lagoon, Ko Roi, Ko Kudu Yai). Day 2 sails SE across the Ko Yao channel to the Krabi mainland (Klong Muang for lunch, Ao Nang or Railay for the night, Phra Nang Cave Beach for the photo). Day 3 turns SW past the Chicken Islands and the Talay Waek sandbar to Klong Dao on Ko Lanta NW. Day 4 explores Ko Lanta’s W coast and Kantiang Bay. Day 5 sails NW to Ko Phi Phi Don’s seven anchorages. Day 6 covers Phi Phi Le (Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave), Bamboo Island for the dawn run, and the return W to Phuket. Two National Park fees apply — 300 THB Phang Nga + 400 THB Mu Ko Phi Phi — pre-pay both via DNP e-ticket. Each day below links to the full pilot page with waypoints, anchorage detail, hong rules, and the warnings specific to that destination.
⚠ Reality check — Read this before departure:
→ Two park fees, not one: 300 THB Phang Nga + 400 THB Mu Ko Phi Phi · pre-pay e-tickets via DNP
→ Maya Bay closure 1 Aug – 1 Oct each year (since 2022) for reef recovery
→ Pileh Lagoon (March 2024 rules): DNP permit, mooring buoys only, 3-knot speed, 45-min window
→ Night sailing forbidden in Thai waters · daylight 06:00-18:00 · anchor by 16:00
→ ⚠ Hongs only at the right tide. Ko Phanak NW tunnel = 1.5-2.0 m only · NEVER enter on rising tide (12+ hr trap)
→ ⚠ Ko Yao channel: tides >0.5 m above your draft only · sail around the E side if wrong tide
→ ⚠ Sarasin Bridge blocks N approach to Phuket · always sail around the SE end
→ Reef-safe sunscreen only · 5,000 THB fines for chemical sunscreen in National Park waters
⚓ The Route at a Glance
Charter base
Phuket Yacht Haven (NE Phuket)
Total distance
~120 NM (round trip)
Duration
6 nights · 7 days check-in to check-out
Best season
Nov-Feb (NE monsoon, 5-20 kn)
Park fees
300 THB Phang Nga + 400 THB Phi Phi
Anchorages
~25 across 6 days
Daily distance
15-30 NM per day
Time afloat
3-5 hours per day
Crew handover
HKT or KBV (Krabi airport)
Day 0 — Check-In & Provisioning at Yacht Haven
08°10.2’N · 098°20.5’E · 15-20 min from HKT airport
Phuket Yacht Haven (PYH) — 320 berths, 24-hour access, the standard charter base for Dream Yacht Charter, Sunsail, Moorings, and most Andaman fleets. Check-in 17:00 · briefing the next morning · sail at 09:00 on Day 1.
Provisioning: on-site minimart for daily essentials · drive ~25 minutes to the major shopping centre for full charter stock · or pre-order via the charter operator.
Top-up at marina: diesel (40,000 L PTT capacity), water, ice. Lanta and Phi Phi have NO fuel — fill the tank before leaving.
Park e-tickets: register on the DNP system · pay 300 THB (Phang Nga) + 400 THB (Phi Phi) per person · keep digital and printed copies.
Day 1 — Phang Nga Bay (Ko Phanak, Ko Hong, Ko Roi, Ko Kudu Yai)
Day 1 · ~14 NM E · Ao Phang Nga NP (300 THB)
The limestone karst islands — vertical cliffs rising 100-300 m straight from the water · sea-level tunnels leading into hidden inland lagoons (hongs). Sail E from Yacht Haven into the bay · expect calm sheltered water · light NE wind.
Suggested anchorages:
→ Morning: Ko Phanak NW Bay (08°11.28’N · 098°29.107’E) for the 50 m bat tunnel (tide 1.5-2.0 m only · check Krabi tide tables · ⚠ NEVER enter on rising tide).
→ Midday: Ko Hong (08°13.518’N · 098°30.098’E) for the iconic three-island lagoon · dinghy access at any tide · best at high tide.
→ Afternoon: Ko Roi (08°11.540’N · 098°36.639’E) for the walk-in hong at low tide · or Ko Kudu Yai (08°11.697’N · 098°38.029’E) for the wildlife hong (eagles, hornbills, fruit bats).
→ Overnight: Ko Phanak SW Bay in NE wind · Ko Phanak East Bay in SW wind.
Bonus stops: James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan / Ko Tapu) for the photo · Ko Pan Yi for the floating Muslim village lunch.
⚠ Inside hongs: engines OFF · paddles only · do not feed wildlife · pack out rubbish.
⛵ Day 2 — Phang Nga to Krabi Coast (Ao Nang, Railay)
Day 2 · ~25 NM SE · park boundary crossing
The classic SE crossing — sail down the E coast of Ko Yao Noi, through the Ko Yao channel (⚠ tides >0.5 m above your draft only · or sail around the E side), past Ko Pak Bia and Ko Ka, across the open bay to the Krabi mainland. Park boundary crossing: Phang Nga NP → Mu Ko Phi Phi NP (different fees).
Suggested anchorages:
→ Lunch stop: Klong Muang Beach (08°02.955’N · 098°44.830’E) in front of Dusit Thani / Sheraton resort · 4-7 m sand · upmarket lunch ashore.
→ Afternoon: Ao Nang (08°00.637’N · 098°50.094’E) for the mainland tourist hub · supermarkets, ATMs, restaurants · Krabi airport (KBV) ~30 min for crew rotation.
→ Iconic stop: Phra Nang Cave Beach (08°00.214’N · 098°50.252’E) — ⚠ NO BOAT LANDING · anchor at Railay W and walk across · Princess Cave with lingam shrine · 700+ climbing routes on the limestone walls.
→ Overnight: Railay W (08°00.586’N · 098°50.619’E) for sunset · or Ao Nang for provisioning ease.
⚠ Tidal range ~2 m · Ao Nang dries 100+ m at low tide · time tender for mid-tide rising.
→ Route page — Phang Nga to Krabi · → Pilot — Krabi Coast & Railay
Day 3 — Chicken Islands & Ko Lanta Northwest
Day 3 · ~26 NM total (Ao Nang → Chicken Is. ~4 NM SW · → Klong Dao ~22 NM S)
A morning at the Chicken Islands, then the long S leg to Ko Lanta. Ko Dam Khwan = “Chicken Island” = Koh Kai = Koh Hua Khwan — named for the limestone outcrop on its E end that resembles a chicken’s head and neck. The Y-shaped sandbar (Talay Waek) emerges between Ko Dam Khwan, Koh Tup, and Koh Mor at the lowest tide of the day · time it right and you can walk between three islands on a strip of white sand.
Suggested anchorages:
→ Morning: Ko Dam Khwan SE (07°57.608’N · 098°48.386’E) — 11-12 m sand · ⚠ coral heads on bottom (dive on the anchor after settling).
→ Alternative: Ko Dam Hok N (07°58.542’N · 098°48.681’E) — government moorings in 6 m · 12 m anchorage.
→ Sandbar: Talay Waek emerges 1-2 hours per day at lowest tide · check Krabi tide tables.
→ Overnight: Klong Dao Ko Lanta NW (07°38.322’N · 099°01.299’E) — 4-6 m sand · NE-monsoon only · taxi to Saladan town for dinner.
⚠ NEVER pass between Ko Dam Hok and Ko Dam Khwan — coral reef closes the channel · always go around.
⚠ Don’t feed sergeant majors at Ko Dam Khwan — criminal offence in National Park.
Day 4 — Ko Lanta · Klong Dao to Kantiang Bay
Day 4 · Ko Lanta W coast · Mu Ko Lanta NP (400 THB)
A slow day on Ko Lanta’s W coast · the most peaceful day on the circuit. Sail S from Klong Dao along the W coast · five anchorages to choose from. Kantiang Bay at the S end is the antidote to the Phi Phi crowds — crescent of sand, two boutique resorts at the back, calm holding in 6-8 m sand. Lanta Old Town on the E coast is the SW-monsoon shelter when the W coast is unworkable, and the best dinner ashore in the region (wooden stilt seafood houses).
Suggested anchorages:
→ Klong Dao (NW · 07°38.322’N · 099°01.299’E) — wake up here, sail S after breakfast.
→ Phra Ae / Long Beach, Klong Khong, Klong Nin — quieter intermediate stops along the W coast.
→ Kantiang Bay (S · 07°29.635’N · 099°04.368’E) — the day’s destination · 6-8 m sand · ⚠ Pimalai pontoon is private, beach the dinghy on sand.
→ Lanta Old Town (E coast · 07°32.152’N · 099°06.484’E) — alternative if SW wind, or for an early-evening dinner ashore.
⚠ Ko Rok, Ko Rok Nok, Ko Haa CLOSED 16 May – 31 Oct each year for reef recovery.
⚠ No fuel on Ko Lanta · Ko Lanta Hospital +66 75 697 100 · Steve Lanta Marine Services +66 84 729 1828 (only marine pro on island).
Day 5 — Ko Phi Phi Don (Seven Anchorages)
Day 5 · Ko Lanta → Phi Phi Don (~20 NM NW) · Mu Ko Phi Phi NP (400 THB)
Sail NW from Ko Lanta to Phi Phi Don’s twin-bay limestone island. Seven anchorages around the island for different wind directions and crowd avoidance. Phi Phi Hospital +66 75 622 151. Phi Phi Don has the most-developed shore-side infrastructure of any Andaman anchorage — restaurants, dive shops, ATMs, supermarkets, longtail piers.
Suggested anchorages by purpose:
→ Tonsai Bay (S) — the busy main pier · access to town · day-tripper traffic · ⚠ E-side reef drops 20m to 1m sharp.
→ Loh Dalum (N) — the back-side bay across the isthmus from Tonsai · ⚠ shallow at LAT.
→ Loh Bagao (NE) — the quietest of the seven · sheltered NE bay · sand bottom · holding good · the alternative when Tonsai is too crowded.
→ Laem Tong (NE tip) — the NE corner · stage anchorage for the Day-6 dawn run to Bamboo Island.
→ Loh Moo Dee (E), Lanah (NW), Nui (W) — alternative anchorages by wind direction.
NW-monsoon strategy: Tonsai or Loh Dalum · SW-monsoon: Laem Tong or Loh Bagao.
Day 6 — Phi Phi Le, Maya Bay & the Return W
Day 6 morning · Phi Phi Le · DNP permit required · special regulations
The most regulated waters in Thailand. Phi Phi Le is a short sail S from Phi Phi Don · the headline destinations are Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, both subject to strict 2024-2026 regulations.
Maya Bay (SW side):
→ ⚠ CLOSED 1 Aug – 1 Oct 2026 for reef recovery (also Loh Samah).
→ ⚠ NO anchoring · floating pier from Loh Samah on the back side · 200 m boardwalk.
→ ⚠ NO swimming · knee-deep wading only · 300 people per 45-60 min slot · pre-register via DNP e-ticket.
Pileh Lagoon (E side · March 2024 rules):
→ DNP permit required · 3-knot speed limit · mooring buoys only (anchoring forbidden) · 300 ppl / 50 boats max · 45-min window · reef-safe sunscreen mandatory.
Viking Cave: ⚠ NO ENTRY · swiftlet nest harvesting concession · trespass is a criminal offence.
Bida Nok / Bida Nai (Ko Phraya Nak group): world-class dive site · mooring buoys for divers.
Day 6 sunrise · Bamboo Island dawn run · day-stop only
The dawn-run strategy — anchor at Laem Tong (Phi Phi Don NE) the night before · 06:30 departure · 30 min sail · arrive Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai) at 07:00 with the entire beach to yourself · 700 m circumference, casuarina trees, reef 500 m offshore for snorkelling. Leave by 09:30 before the day fleet arrives. No overnight allowed at Bamboo.
Day 6 afternoon · ~30 NM NW back to Yacht Haven
The return W — sail NW from Phi Phi Don / Bamboo Island back to Phuket Yacht Haven. ~30 NM open water · 5-6 hours under sail · arrive by 16:00. Final overnight at the marina · check-out 11:00 the next morning.
⚠ Sarasin Bridge blocks N approach to Phuket E coast — always go around the SE end of the island.
Suggested 6-Day Schedule
Day 0 (Sat): Fly into HKT · taxi 15-20 min to Yacht Haven · check-in 17:00 · briefing.
Day 1 (Sun): 09:00 sail E to Phang Nga Bay · hongs, bat tunnel, James Bond Island · overnight Ko Phanak.
Day 2 (Mon): 09:00 sail SE through Ko Yao channel · lunch Ko Ka · arrive Klong Muang or Ao Nang · Phra Nang Beach photo · overnight Railay.
Day 3 (Tue): 08:00 sail SW to Chicken Islands · Talay Waek sandbar at low tide · 22 NM S to Klong Dao · overnight Ko Lanta NW.
Day 4 (Wed): Slow day · sail S along Lanta W coast · Kantiang Bay · sunset, swim, dinner at the boutique resort or Lanta Old Town.
Day 5 (Thu): 09:00 sail NW to Phi Phi Don · Tonsai for lunch ashore · move to Laem Tong for night (sets up dawn run).
Day 6 (Fri): 06:30 dawn run to Bamboo Island · 09:30 departure to Phi Phi Le · Maya Bay slot + Pileh Lagoon · ~30 NM NW back to Yacht Haven · arrive by 16:00.
Day 7 (Sat): 11:00 check-out · 15-20 min taxi to HKT · home.
The Park Fees — Plan Both
Ao Phang Nga National Park · 300 THB / 150 THB child
Day 1 only. Covers Ko Phanak, Ko Hong, Ko Roi, Ko Kudu Yai, James Bond Island, Ko Pan Yi.
→ Park HQ +66 76 481 188 · DNP page
Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi NP · 400 THB / 200 THB child
Days 2, 3, 5, 6. Covers Krabi mainland (Ao Nang, Railay), Chicken Islands, Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Bamboo Island.
→ Park HQ +66 75 661 145 · DNP page
Mu Ko Lanta NP · 400 THB / 200 THB child
Day 4 only. Covers Lanta S tip, Ko Rok, Ko Haa (Ko Rok and Ko Haa CLOSED 16 May – 31 Oct).
→ Park HQ +66 75 660 7112
Pre-pay all fees: DNP National Park e-Ticket System · keep digital and printed copies aboard.
Seasonal Strategy
NE Monsoon · Mid-Oct to Mid-Feb (Charter High Season)
The classic Andaman charter window. Wind 5-20 knots from NE · stable, dry, sunny · ~30°C. December and January are the most reliable. All anchorages on the route work well in this season.
Pre-Monsoon · Mid-Feb to Mid-May
Transition · weather warmer, lighter winds. April hottest. Workable but expect more motoring and humidity.
SW Monsoon · Mid-May to Mid-Oct (Avoid)
Most W-coast anchorages exposed to SW swell · most charter operators close. Maya Bay closure 1 Aug-1 Oct each year · Ko Rok and Ko Haa closure 16 May-31 Oct. Phang Nga Bay still works (sheltered).
Pro Tips for the Andaman Charter
Pre-pay all park fees on the DNP e-ticket system before departure · saves hours at ranger stations · keep digital and printed receipts.
Top up fuel and water at Yacht Haven · Ko Lanta and Phi Phi have NO fuel · Krabi has limited options · this is the only reliable refuel.
Check Krabi tide tables daily. The hong access at Ko Phanak (1.5-2.0 m), the Ko Yao channel (>0.5 m above draft), the Talay Waek sandbar emergence — every key activity depends on the tide.
Anchor by 16:00. Night sailing forbidden in Thai waters · daylight ends 18:00 sharp · build buffer for late arrivals or unexpected wind.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen. Standard chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, octinoxate) are banned in National Park waters · zinc-oxide products only · 5,000 THB fines.
Watch for fish nets all day · sometimes marked with flags, sometimes not · slow the engine in shallow water · the prop will tangle.
Hong rules · engines off, paddles only, NEVER enter on rising tide, bring a torch, do not disturb wildlife, pack out rubbish.
Sailing license: ICC, ASA 104, RYA Day Skipper, or proven coastal cruising experience required by most charter operators · pre-arrange documentation.
Crew rotation via Krabi airport (KBV) is possible mid-charter on Day 2 · ~30 min taxi from Ao Nang · easier than going back to Phuket if your timing allows.
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: +66 76 481 188
Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park: +66 75 661 145
Mu Ko Lanta National Park: +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
→ Thai Hydrographic Department · Tides & Charts
→ Thai Meteorological Department · Weather
→ The Climate of Thailand (PDF)
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
Recommendations & Hubs
→ 10. Top Sailing Places · SeaTV Picks
→ Andaman Coast · Phuket Region overview
Ready for the Andaman Charter?
Six nights from Phuket Yacht Haven · ~120 NM through Phang Nga Bay, Krabi, Ko Lanta, and the Phi Phi Islands. Two National Park fees · Maya Bay closes Aug-Oct · pre-pay e-tickets, bring reef-safe sunscreen, time the hong tides, anchor by 16:00 each day. The Andaman Coast does not need help being beautiful · it needs help being timed correctly.
“Six days from Phuket Yacht Haven · day one east into the limestone karst islands of Phang Nga where the hongs hide inside the cliffs and the bat tunnel only opens at the right tide · day two southeast across the Ko Yao channel to the Krabi mainland and Phra Nang Beach where no boats land and the climbers are on the limestone walls · day three southwest to the Chicken Islands and the sandbar between three islands at the lowest tide · day four slow on Ko Lanta to Kantiang Bay and dinner in Lanta Old Town on the wooden stilts above the water · day five northwest to Phi Phi Don and the seven anchorages and the dawn run set up at Laem Tong · day six to Phi Phi Le for Maya Bay in the slot before the rules close it again and Pileh Lagoon in the forty-five minute window the rangers allow and Bamboo Island for the empty beach at seven in the morning before the fleet arrives. 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. The route does not change · the timing changes · the tide changes · what you see depends on whether you arrived at the right hour.”
— Sigal Segev Kurtz · SeaTV · Andaman Coast Edition
