Port Takola Yacht Marina Krabi: Berthing, Facilities & Visitor Guide

Port Takola Yacht Marina is a boutique marine resort complex and yacht club set across a 100-acre private estate on the Isara Estuary in Sai Thai, Krabi. Originally established in 1912 as a coconut plantation by former provincial governor Phya Gangadharadhipati, the property was later transformed by his descendants, retired Royal Thai Navy Surgeon Admiral Suriya na Nagara and Matthew na Nagara. Occupying a sheltered inlet near the mouth of the Krabi River, the marina sits midway between Krabi Town and the beach resort of Ao Nang. Positioned roughly 30 nautical miles east of Phuket, it provides private yachts and charter vessels with direct marine access to Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea while avoiding the congestion of busier commercial harbours.

The development incorporates a low-density layout surrounded by mangroves, woodland, and estuary gardens. At its core, a dredged inland marina basin maintains a minimum water depth of three metres at all tides, accommodating monohulls and multihulls up to 40 metres in length alongside a dedicated hardstand boatyard. Onshore amenities include The Capitainerie clubhouse, waterfront dining at Café du Port, and departure points for local boat excursions. Situated a ten-minute drive from Ao Nang and approximately 40 minutes from Krabi International Airport, Port Takola functions as a peaceful mainland homeport for regional cruising and an unhurried marine base on the southern Thai coast.

Berthing Facilities and Basin Infrastructure

Port Takola Yacht Marina combines deep-water berthing with working boatyard facilities and waterfront hospitality along the Isara Estuary in Sai Thai. Developed on private estate land bordered by dense mangroves, the facility provides a homeport and transit station for cruising yachts, multihulls, and visiting motor vessels travelling Krabi's Andaman coastline.

The marina basin occupies a sheltered inland position within the estuary, buffered by surrounding terrain and mangrove forests from southwest monsoon swells and open-sea tidal surge. Vessels moor alongside heavy-duty concrete floating pontoons manufactured by Marinetek. Engineered with a continuous deck width of four metres, these stable walkways facilitate passenger movement, trolley transport, and the transfer of cruising gear directly alongside each moored craft. Wet berths accommodate boats ranging from 10 metres in length up to 45-metre superyachts, secured with stern-to and alongside configurations.

Water depth within the excavated marina basin is maintained at a minimum of 3.0 metres below Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT), providing sufficient under-keel clearance for deep-draft monohulls at all stages of the tide. Navigating into the basin, however, requires careful attention to the clock. The 400-metre approach channel leading from the Jilad River creek has an approximate dredged depth of 1.2 metres below LAT, or 2.6 metres at Mean Low Water. Skippers of deep-draft vessels must therefore coordinate transit times with high or rising tides rather than attempting arrival at extreme spring low water.

Each pontoon berth is fitted with an individual utility pedestal featuring dedicated metering. Cruisers have access to treated fresh water alongside single-phase electrical connections rated at 32 amps or 64 amps, as well as three-phase connections delivering up to 125 amps for larger motor yachts and superyachts. For skippers seeking a more economical stopover option or looking to leave an unoccupied boat on sheltered moorings, the marina maintains 20 permanent bow-and-stern swing moorings inside the protected inner harbour. These moorings cater to vessels between 12 and 18 metres in length and are subject to regular inspections by the marina team.

Dock staff monitor VHF Channel 69 daily during standard office hours between 08:00 and 17:00, providing approach guidance past the channel markers and physical line-handling assistance on arrival. On-site security personnel and dockhands remain on duty 24 hours a day, and pilotage assistance through the estuary channel is available upon request for visiting crews unfamiliar with the mangrove transit.

Boatyard Operations and Technical Marine Services

Adjacent to the berthing basin, Port Takola operates a dedicated marine service yard equipped to handle routine servicing, emergency repairs, and seasonal vessel storage. Haul-out operations rely on a 38-tonne Roodberg submersible hydraulic boat-lift trailer, which operates down a 12-metre-wide reinforced concrete slipway. The trailer's width and open-frame design allow the yard to lift wide-beam cruising catamarans as well as deep-draft monohulls drawing up to 2.5 metres of water without subjecting hulls to the strap pressure typical of conventional travel hoists.

The hardstand maintenance apron covers approximately 10,000 square metres of level, well-compacted ground, accommodating roughly 50 dry berths. The open layout permits owners, independent contractors, and marina technicians to execute routine maintenance tasks, including high-pressure hull washes, gelcoat polishing, antifouling applications, and running-gear repairs. An on-site technical workshop supports mechanical engine servicing, marine electrical troubleshooting, rigging inspections, and joinery work. Marine supplies can be sourced from a small on-site chandlery stocked with maintenance hardware, sealants, filters, zincs, and marine coatings, with additional parts ordered via established trade networks across Phuket and Bangkok.

Bunkering is handled through a dedicated fuel dock positioned within the basin, dispensing both marine diesel and clean Gasohol 95 petrol straight to onboard tanks. For visiting yachts arriving on foreign registers, marina administrators assist skippers through official inbound and outbound clearance protocols. Krabi's Marine Department and Immigration offices sit directly across the river in Krabi Town, while the Customs checkpoint operates from Chao Fah Pier, accessible by a short tender trip or vehicle transfer arranged through the office.

Capitainerie Clubhouse and Shore Amenities

Shore facilities centre on the Capitainerie, a single-storey reception and administration clubhouse constructed in a contemporary Thai style. Positioned with an open view across the water, the pavilion acts as the operational contact point for berthing check-in, rental storage arrangements, and day-to-day guest inquiries. The clubhouse houses air-conditioned meeting rooms, a yacht-club lounge, a small convenience store, and modern bathroom blocks equipped with hot-water shower suites and self-service laundry machines that cater to long-distance crews after offshore passages.

Stepping out from the clubhouse terrace, guests have access to a 15-metre freshwater swimming pool flanked by a sun deck and loungers. High-speed Wi-Fi covers the clubhouse area and surrounding pontoons. The marina property itself forms part of a private family estate originally planted with coconuts in 1912 along the banks of the Isara Estuary. Shaded walking and cycling tracks wind through the surviving palm groves and coastal forest, giving visiting crews space to exercise away from roadway traffic while observing regional birdlife in the estuary canopy.

Café du Port and Provisioning Services

Situated immediately on the waterfront overlooking the pontoon docks, Café du Port serves as the main culinary and social meeting place for marina residents, crew members, and visiting sailors. Operating daily from 08:00 to 20:00, the semi-outdoor dining pavilion captures ambient river breezes and provides unhindered vistas of daily basin operations.

The kitchen serves a dual menu of classic southern Thai specialities and Western comfort food. Mornings start with fresh espresso coffee, tropical fruit juices, and cooked breakfast plates, while lunch and dinner menus feature stir-fried noodles, curries, fresh local seafood, burgers, and pasta. The adjoining bar serves chilled beers, spirits, and wine, making the venue a popular retreat as the sun drops behind the limestone cliffs of Sai Thai.

Beyond restaurant meals, the marina team and café staff coordinate provisioning logistics for departing expeditions. Yacht crews can arrange water deliveries, bottled cooking-gas refills, block ice, and secure parcel receiving. Supermarket orders from Krabi Town and Ao Nang can also be delivered directly to the estate for dockside loading before extended voyages.

Cruising Grounds and Local Charters

Port Takola serves as a functional stepping stone for coastal cruising in Phang Nga Bay and across the Krabi archipelago. Its sheltered location inside the river mouth shields vessels from open-water wind and waves while keeping passage distances short to regional limestone anchorages. Sailboats and motor cruisers departing the marina enter the wide waters of the Andaman Sea without having to negotiate the commercial ferry traffic and congestion found at municipal piers such as Ao Nam Mao or Klong Jilad.

Cruising itineraries from the marina reach the towering cliffs and protected anchorages of Railay Beach, Koh Poda, and Koh Gai within an hour of motor-sailing. Farther west, the sheltered lagoons and emerald waters of Koh Hong provide daytime anchorages suitable for paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkelling. Commercial charter vessels and day catamarans regularly utilise the marina's boarding pontoons as a calm dispatch base for chartered island excursions and offshore diving expeditions heading south toward Koh Phi Phi and Shark Point. Local longtail boat skippers can also be engaged directly at the nearby riverbank for low-draft exploration through the extensive network of mangrove channels that line the Krabi River estuary.

Location and Getting There

Port Takola Yacht Marina sits at 252 Moo 6 in the rural sub-district of Sai Thai, within Krabi's Mueang district. Established on the Isara Estuary where the Jilad and Krabi rivers converge, the private estate occupies a sheltered mangrove basin roughly ten kilometres west of Krabi Town centre and eight kilometres east of Ao Nang beach. Across the water, Krabi Town's civic offices and riverfront promenade lie less than a kilometre away, though road traffic skirts the estuary via rural roads branching off Highway 4034.

Krabi International Airport (KBV) lies approximately 25 kilometres to the east. A pre-booked private minivan or airport taxi transfer takes around 40 minutes to reach the marina gates, typically costing between 600 THB and 800 THB (£14 to £19). Travellers heading over from Ao Nang can use local tuk-tuks, songthaews, or app-based ride-hailing services like Grab, completing the eight-kilometre journey in roughly 10 to 12 minutes for around 200 THB to 300 THB (£4.50 to £7).

Skippers arriving by sea enter from Phang Nga Bay into the marked Jilad River fairway, using waypoint coordinates 08° 02.77' N, 098° 54.15' E. From the main river channel, vessels turn into a dedicated 400-metre dredged access channel cut along a natural creek bed, designed to provide 2.5 metres of depth below Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT). Marina operations monitor VHF Channel 69 daily between 08:00 and 17:00 to assist inbound craft with entry guidance and berthing directions. For international yachts requiring clearance, Krabi Marine and Immigration offices sit directly across the river, while Customs formalities are handled at Chao Fah Pier.

Costs and Booking

Berthing fees at Port Takola Yacht Marina are calculated according to a vessel’s length overall (LOA), beam width, and the duration of stay. The marina provides short-term, monthly, and seasonal berthing agreements, with occupancy reaching its peak during the Andaman dry season between November and April. Visiting skippers can select between fully serviced concrete pontoon berths accommodating yachts up to 45 metres and sheltered moorings inside the inner harbour basin. Rather than swinging freely on a single buoy, the inner-harbour moorings use bow and stern lines to secure yachts between 12 and 18 metres in place. These buoy moorings are offered on monthly, semi-annual, or annual agreements, with rates starting from 7,000 THB (approximately £160) per month.

Pontoon berthing includes 24-hour marina security, Wi-Fi across the docks, dockhand assistance, and refuse disposal. Potable fresh water and shore power—supplied via 32-amp and 64-amp single-phase connections as well as 125-amp three-phase outlets—are metered at each berth pedestal and billed separately according to consumption. For technical repairs and extended storage, the 9,000-square-metre boatyard hardstand accommodates up to 50 vessels in dry berths. Haul-out and launching are handled by a 38-tonne Roodberg hydraulic trailer lift that can accommodate multihulls with beams up to 11 metres and drafts up to 2.4 metres, with lifting operations charged separately from hardstand rent. Long-term berthing leases spanning 5, 10, or 25 years can also be acquired for yachts between 12 and 40 metres, carrying an ongoing 10% annual service charge. Because Port Takola does not publish a fixed public pontoon tariff, owners must provide their vessel’s exact dimensions, draft, and electrical requirements to receive a formal quotation prior to arrival.

Who It Suits

Port Takola suits independent bluewater cruisers, multihull charter parties, and yacht owners seeking a quiet coastal base away from the busy tourist strips of Ao Nang. Long-distance sailors and liveaboards benefit from the sheltered inland basin, which provides protection from heavy swell during the southwest monsoon, alongside hardstand space and on-site marine contractors for maintenance.

Families, multi-generational groups, and charter guests embarking on private catamarans find the facility especially practical. Concrete walk-on pontoons permit level, dry-shod boarding directly onto vessels with pushchairs and luggage, avoiding the awkward beach landings and open-surf wading common to longtail boat departures around Krabi.

Conversely, the marina is a poor match for backpackers and holidaymakers focused on late-night beach venues, budget hostel culture, or bustling social hubs. Because Port Takola sits in a rural estuary pocket in Sai Thai, it also frustrates travellers who expect to walk straight out into shopping centres, evening street markets, or dense clusters of restaurants. Anyone staying here without prearranged road transport will find the isolated setting restrictive.

What to Know Before You Book

Port Takola does not operate an on-site hotel or guest rooms. Visiting crew and land-based guests joining charter vessels must stay off-site unless sleeping aboard. Several accommodation options sit within three kilometres along the coastline towards Ao Nam Mao, including The Shell Sea Krabi, allowing quick transfers to the pontoons for morning departures.

Navigating to the marina requires careful tidal planning. While the inner harbour basin maintains a minimum depth of 3 metres below lowest astronomical tide (LAT), the 400-metre entrance channel carries approximately 1.2 metres below LAT, rising to 2.6 metres at mean low water. Fin-keel yachts and deep-draft craft cannot enter or leave at all states of the tide and must calculate arrivals against the local tidal curve rather than expecting deep water throughout the passage. Skippers can request pilotage assistance from marina staff prior to entering the channel.

Berths accommodate craft up to 45 metres in length. Pontoon pedestals supply fresh water alongside electricity across 32-amp and 64-amp single-phase connections, as well as three-phase 125-amp supplies. Utility consumption is metered individually at each pedestal and billed separately from standard berthing fees, so extended air-conditioning use adds noticeably to the final account.

Skippers arriving from international waters must also account for border formalities. Port Takola is not an official port of entry; vessels entering Thailand from abroad must clear customs and immigration at a designated clearance port before berthing in the basin, though marina staff can assist with domestic inter-provincial paperwork.

Practical Tips

Hiring a car or scooter is the most practical way to get around during an extended stay. Port Takola occupies a quiet rural setting in Sai Thai, roughly halfway between Krabi Town and Ao Nang. While ride-hailing apps operate in Krabi, securing on-demand drivers from the marina entrance can involve long wait times, and fares quickly add up when making regular trips for provisions or dining out in Ao Nang. Having your own wheels provides total flexibility for moving between the berths, surrounding beaches, and local markets.

Provisioning runs require little effort if planned along the main route towards Ao Nang. Both Makro Food Service and a Lotus's supermarket sit within a 15-minute drive of the pontoons, stocking wholesale pantry staples, fresh produce, and bulk beverages. A specialist deli nearby carries imported cheeses, cured meats, and international groceries. For everyday sundries, bottled water, and basic toiletries, convenience stores including 7-Eleven cluster around the Ao Nam Mao roundabout, approximately six kilometres southwest of the marina gates.

For crews arriving on international voyages, Krabi operates as an official Thai port of entry. Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) offices are situated directly across the river in Krabi Town rather than inside the marina compound. To save captains an awkward overland trek, the Port Takola team can arrange a dinghy transfer across the water to the Krabi Immigration office. Cruisers must ensure domestic online pre-arrival paperwork is logged within required timeframes, and keep vessel registration and crew passports readily accessible.

Schedule haul-out and hardstand slots well in advance if you require boatyard maintenance during the dry season. Between December and March, cruising yachts arrive in Krabi from across the Andaman Sea to carry out antifouling, hull polishing, and mechanical overhauls before heading on longer passages. The yard's hydraulic trailer and service bays see steady demand throughout these peak months, meaning walk-in bookings for major work are rarely accommodated.

Pack effective insect repellent for early mornings and dusk. The estate borders mangrove wetlands along the Isara Estuary, where mosquitoes and sandflies become active as the daylight fades. If you prefer not to cook aboard or drive into town, Ban Koh Lek Riverside offers an easy dining alternative roughly ten minutes on foot from the marina gate, serving local seafood and southern Thai curries on an open-air deck beside the water.

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