Sailing Thailand Review
Away went the 210% yacht import tax and sailing Thailand became a realistic proposition for all who wished to indulge. Sailing in Thailand experienced a renaissance; more boats and facilities, more accessibility, more choice.
Thailand became one of the regions top leisure sailing destinations and maintains that accolade today with stunning cruising grounds, favourable weather and some world-class regatta competition (Kings Cup Regatta Phuket) spanning dinghy’s, multi-hulls, mono-hulls and not a few gin-palaces!
Refreshed by predictable monsoon winds and bathed by emerald waters, Thailand’s coastline is bejewelled with rock karsts and island archipelagos each sprinkled liberally with an ample coating of crunchy powder white sand. This is island hopping at its finest but the best bit is being able to escape the crowds entirely, to go where you want to go, when you want to go, to snorkel, dive and swim wherever you choose to do so and to discover that elusive cove, cast your anchor and enjoy the absolute serenity of the surroundings.
But lets satisfy the needs of the high pressure junkies first! Yacht racing; the adrenalin is flowing, skippers are shouting, winch hands are grinding . . . except Thailand is a little different. Competitive? Certainly. Fun? Definitely! The evening entertainment is as renowned as the regattas themselves.
The now world-renowned annual King’s Cup Regatta Phuket is traditionally held in the first week of December and attracts competitors from all corners of the globe. It is Asia’s largest and most popular regatta and spans a week of competitive sailing and evening fun. If you fit the bill, crewing opportunities generally abound. Expect wind speeds of 10-20 knots, competitive adventure and drama on the high seas.
Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand stages the annual Koh Samui Regatta normally at the beginning of June. Consisting of 5 classes from beach cat to racing machine the regatta has become a highlight of the Asian yacht racing circuit attracting participants from Asia. Australasia, Europe and America. Arguably more laid-back than its Phuket counterpart, the regatta is managed from a palm-fronded beach bar and consists of 5 days of “fun-filled racing action and passionate partying”.
And then there is Pattaya on Thailand’s eastern seaboard, a town with more of a reputation for hosting randy revellers than earnest yachtsmen and women. Don’t be fooled though. Yes, you will find “vibrant” nightlife in areas of Pattaya but here you will also find the Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC), a dinghy sailing oasis frequented by Thais and Expats alike. You will also find the Ocean Marina Yacht Club who hosts the fun, hotly-contested annual Top of the Gulf Regatta with events for keelboats, beach cats, dinghies and others.
But now Bossa music infuses the air once again as we leave Thailand’s yacht racing scene and navigate towards a Phuket sailing course, Koh Samui yacht charter or Koh Chang island-hopping. A Thailand sailing holiday is ideal for families, couples and corporate clientele and, depending on the type of yacht you choose, yacht charter need not be prohibitively expensive.
Although it is perfectly possible to sail all-year-round in both the Andaman Sea (Phuket) and the Gulf of Thailand, the monsoon does wield influence and it is wise to select your cruising ground accordingly. Phuket’s high season runs from November through to April during which time the climate is generally sunny and dry and the seas calm. Koh Samui’s high season begins in May and ends in September (SW Monsoon) while Koh Chang is best from October to April.
Phuket is gifted with the most developed yachting infrastructure with 3 yacht havens and marinas including the Royal Phuket Marina; a chic entertainment and lifestyle hub and magnet for international celebrities and socialites. Phuket also offers extensive nautical choices from fully crewed yacht charter to bare boat, day sailing, flotilla sailing and a variety of accredited, country specific sailing courses.
But Phuket’s real sailing allure is the vast and very sparsely populated expanse of cruising grounds on offer. As yachting is comparatively new to Thailand the waters are very uncrowded. Plot a course to the east or northwest of Phuket for Phang Nga Bay and the Similian Islands respectively and don’t forget your snorkel and facemask either.
For less humidity and sea breeze consider Phuket from November through to April during the NE Monsoon period when temperatures range from 75°F to 89°F. April to May get dramatically hotter when temperatures can be as high as 95°F. September and early October are the least suitable months for Phuket sailing but much of the cruising ground is sheltered and for diehard sailors it is perfectly possible to continue sailing regardless.
On the other side of the Peninsula, Koh Samui sits in an archipelago of 50 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Once again sailing is possible all year round but calm seas and clear skies are more likely to happen during the SW Monsoon season from May through to September. Much of the island archipelago is within the boundaries of a Marine Park offering blue-chip blue water cruising and adventure amongst uninhabited tropical islands.
Easily accessed by air from Bangkok, join your boat at Koh Samui and escape its commercialism by heading first to Koh Phangnan, an island famous for its full moon parties, but don’t let that put you off. By comparison Koh Phangnan is far quieter and less developed than Koh Samui and offers beaches only accessible by boat.
Consider also visiting Koh Tao (Turtle Island), an important breeding ground for Hawksbill turtles and Green turtles and an island also renowned for its dive sites where whale sharks are regularly spotted. Koh Tao, uninhabited then a penal colony then largely uninhabited again before being discovered by backpackers in the 1980’s, is today less developed than Koh Samui and Koh Phangnan, but has become increasingly popular, particularly for scuba diving.
But the jewel in Koh Samui’s crown where yacht sailing is concerned is Ang Thong National Marine Park which presents an island hopper’s paradise. Migrate at your own speed from one exotic beach to another, discover secret coves and hidden bays as you sail from one idyllic anchorage to the next. This is not hardcore cruising, it is island hopping in paradise and perfect for couples, honeymooners and families alike. Note that Ang Thong National Marine Park is closed during November and December each year.
A third cruising option is the far less known island archipelago of Koh Chang, but a stone throw away from Cambodia. Koh Chang itself is Thailand’s second largest island, Phuket being the largest, but development of the islands tourism infrastructure has only very recently begun. Vertical rock karsts and sheer cliffs dominate the islands interior, effectively protecting it from the developers bulldozers while the Thai Government has also imposed development restrictions in an attempt to retain the islands natural beauty.
As with Thailand’s other islands, Koh Chang was discovered by backpackers and was a “hippy” enclave until very recently. Island life is still quiet, sleepy and far more traditionally Thai than other more developed islands. Don’t expect loud, raucous nightlife on Koh Chang – the ambience is far more laid-back, “Poi-on-the-beach” style.
Because Koh Chang has only very recently found its way onto the commercial tourist circuit, sailing in the archipelago remains the least discovered cruising ground in Thailand which is great as you will have over 50 islands, most uninhabited, to explore undisturbed.
The crunchy, powdery white sand is without doubt one of Koh Chang’s highlights but as you explore Koh Chang’s off-lying islands, drop anchor and go ashore. Many of these islands hide the type of tropical waterfalls that romantic dreams are made of. The archipelago is also renowned for its abundant coral reefs and to truly appreciate them take a yacht charter between December and April when water visibility will be at its best.
Sailing Thailand is by far the best way to escape the well trodden tourist path, to really appreciate the beauty of Thailand’s coastline and to meet local Thais who remain untainted by the ill-effects of mass tourism. Yacht charter is a perfect family adventure getaway brimming with activities to keep the kids entertained including swimming, snorkelling, caves to explore and secret beaches to discover.
Sailing in Thailand is also ideal for Corporate Entertainment, Team Building, Team Bonding & Adventure Training enhancing communication and leadership skills or simply a platform upon which to entertain in style.
