Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is endowed with unparalleled tropical beauty. Of its four distinct regions, the southern peninsular reaches of the country are of the most interest to sailors. The cruising grounds off the east coast of the island of Phuket are among the finest anywhere, making it the ideal location for a blissful Thailand yacht charter.
What makes Thailand one of the best sailing destinations in the Exotics, and the world? Towering pinnacles of limestone jut from the emerald-colored and sheltered waters of Phang-nga Bay. To the south, the famous Phi Phi Islands stand as jewels of the Andaman Sea. More than 130 picturesque isles lie within the province of Krabi alone, so you can spend your Thailand yacht charter uncovering limitless hidden treasures. The offshore marine preserves of the Similan and Surin islands are also internationally famous as one of the world’s top scuba diving sites.
A Phuket cruising vacation offers a multitude of scenic and secure anchorages, pristine white-sand beaches, rugged uninhabited islands, and lively nightlife and resorts. The warm, hospitable people of Thailand enhance the enjoyment of a Phuket yacht charter, making the offshore adventure all the more memorable in a nation often called the Land of Smiles.
Why go Sailing a Yacht?
A Thailand yacht charter offers some of the most sensational views, temperatures and sailing conditions in the world. The waters off Phuket’s east coast are situated in a protected swath of the Andaman Sea, ensuring excellent and safe cruising all year long.
There is a wet and a dry season, all based on the monsoons that influence the weather and wind directions, similar to the Seychelles. On Thailand’s west coast, the northeast monsoon begins in November, ushering in light to moderate northeasterly winds between 10 and 20 knots, cooler temperatures, and drier conditions.
In May, the southwest monsoon begins. Southwesterly winds gradually strengthen to more than 20 knots at the peak of the rainy season, which occurs in September and October. In most other rainy season months, it only rains for a couple of hours during the late afternoon. Learn more about the sailing conditions you can expect to experience on a Thailand boat charter in our useful information section.
During your Thailand sailing vacation, you will find that navigation is often line-of-sight. However, a careful eye on the chart and GPS is advised if you are taking the helm on a bareboat charter in Thailand because of the numerous coral reefs.
A Phuket charter vacation is well within the reach of captains confident in basic coastal navigation, so whether this is your first time skippering a yacht in Thailand, or your fifth, we know you’ll have a fantastic time cruising through the open waters of the Andaman Sea.
