Thailand — Phuket & Phang Nga Bay

Rawai

Ao Rawai · Rawai Beach

7°46.6'N 98°20.1'E

Depth

14m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

60m

Holding

Good

Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius

60m

Set 60m radius. The bay is very shallow — some areas dry at low tide. Anchor in 2–4m at low water and check the tidal range carefully before settling. Excellent protection from N and NE.

About This Anchorage

Rawai is a local fishing village on Phuket's southern tip with a working pier and a community of sea gypsies (Chao Le). The anchorage is shallow and not suitable for deep-keeled yachts at low tide. However, it is well-protected from N–E–W winds and makes a convenient lunch stop or short stay during exploration of the southern islands. The waterfront has excellent seafood restaurants and a fresh fish market.

Protected From

N · NE · E · W

Exposed To

S

Anchoring Rules

Anchoring fee
Free
Permit required
No

Hazards

  • !Very shallow — 1–2m at low water in many areas; dry patches exist
  • !Working fishing boats and longtails — maintain clearance from pier
  • !Tidal range 2–3m — careful scope calculation required

Skipper's Tips

  • Best for shoal-draft vessels or as a lunch stop at high water
  • Excellent fresh seafood restaurants along the beachfront
  • Longtail taxi to nearby Koh Bon and Koh He available from the pier
  • Fresh fish market on the beach — great provisioning opportunity

Facilities

Water Fuel Restaurant Provisions WiFi

Multiple excellent seafood restaurants on the Rawai beachfront

Nearest provisions: Rawai Market (0.2nm)

Best Months & Season

November, December, January, February, March, April

NE monsoon season (November–April) best. Sheltered enough to be usable year-round but the shallow depth limits use for deeper keels.

Recommended Anchor Types

DanforthRocna

Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m

In Phuket and Phang Nga Bay, the 2–3m Andaman tidal range means your boat's position changes dramatically with the tide. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can explore the hongs, beaches, and karst formations with complete peace of mind.

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