Thailand’s top 10 yachting destinations - Royal Phuket Marina
There’s really no better place to experience life on a yacht than the Land of Smiles.
From The Gulf Of Thailand To The Andaman Sea
This story was written by Barbara Woolsey and originally publishedm on LuxurySocietyAsia.com
Thailand is one of the worlds best Yachting destinations ! FACT
There’s really no better place to experience life on a yacht than the Land of Smiles. Thailand’s become quite a destination for putting up the sails, and with good reason: beautiful expanses of calm water, postcard-perfect islands and impeccable ground service on marinas are just a few of the draws of docking here.
Also thanks to prestigious boat shows such as Phuket International Boat Show PIMEX, yacht enthusiasts from around the world are heading to Thailand for sailing adventures. Whether it’s for racing, a weekend getaway or even the most luxurious stopovers, there’s a little something for everyone.
1 Koh Samui
Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations, popular for its white sand beaches and luxury five-star resorts. Naturally, yachting fits right into that equation, with plenty of luxury boats up for charter. Don’t miss sailing through the archipelago of Ang Thong National Marine Park, and its distinctive shores from Sleeping Cow Island to Three Pillars Island.
2 Phuket
Phuket’s is a big star on the global yachting map, thanks to the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. It’s Asia’s biggest and most popular regatta, a jam-packed week of yacht racing on the Andaman Sea coupled with mega-parties on the island. Plus, the Regatta attracts several world-renowned names from the yachting world. Phuket also plays host to a prestigious consumer’s Phuket International Boat Show, where big deals for most high-end yachts are brokered right on the marina.
3 Pattaya
It’s easy to fall in love with yachting in Pattaya, the home of the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show. The event offers up a first glimpse into the luxurious yachting lifestyle with free cruises and demonstrations of all the latest and greatest industry technology. It often spurs people to go out and rent a motor yacht of their own. The Royal Varuna Yacht Club, Thailand’s premiere sailing club and the prestigious organizer of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, is also located nearby, between Pattaya and Jomtien.
4 Krabi
In Krabi, yachting is quickly becoming one of the latest attention-grabbing attractions for tourists who want to see southern Thailand from a whole new perspective. At Krabi Boat Lagoon, the island’s premier marina complex, it’s easy to rent a boat or hop on-board one as a passenger. Krabi leads into another gorgeous yachting destination, Phang Nga Bay, where it’s also easy to charter a fabulous, luxury ride to other must-see islands like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Kai.
5 Koh Phi Phi
With lots of small islands to discover, each one as breathtakingly unique as the next, Koh Phi Phi is the perfect location for a yacht cruise. The two biggest islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh have spectacular cliffs and dives for those who are interested in a snorkel and a swim, but there are lots of other uninhabited islands to explore in between.
6 Surin and Similan
The Similan and Surin Islands are among the world’s top dive destinations, and that’s what makes it prime territory for sailing too. This group of nine islands northwest of Phuket boasts beautiful coral reef and a superfluous amount of fish species below the water. An absolute must for those who think that dropping anchor and diving into this underwater world is the ultimate adventure.
7 Koh Chang
Koh Chang offers up perfect yachting experience for those who want to go off the beaten track and get away from the tourist crowd. Unlike in Koh Samui or Phuket, you’re likely to cruise for quite some time without seeing any other bareboats. There are also plenty of coves and remote beaches in the Koh Chang archipelago to discover.
8 Hua Hin
Hua Hin is a well-known laidback beach town. Plenty of families come here seeking good seafood and a memorable sailing adventure. It’s not as much of a yachting destination as nearby Pattaya, but does offer a wide range of boats to sail the Gulf of Thailand, whether your style is bareboat or crewed.
9 Phang Nga Bay
Nestled between Phuket and the western coast of mainland Thailand, this bay contains perhaps the most beautiful and famous group of islands in the Land of Smiles. Phang Nga Bay is a wonderful sailing destination and a World Heritage Site, with many unique characteristics to discover from a 200-metre long cave tunnel from Koh Phanak to Khao Phing Kan, to the island where the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun” was filmed years ago. Unfortunately, these days James Bond Island, as it’s now called, is over-crowded with tourists, but that’s what makes charting a boat the perfect way to explore the bay – you feel as though you’re escaping the crowd, and embarking on unchartered waters.
10 Koh Lipe
The Butang Archipelago, the group of 51 islands that Koh Lipe belongs to, is simply divine. Taking off from Koh Lipe, you will very quickly get the full experience of being away from civilization, sailing past uninhabited islands covered in lush tropical rainforest and foliage. It’s also a great spot for fishing, and all kinds of kingfish, red snapper and tuna are fair game in these crystal blue waters.
This story was written by Barbara Woolsey and originally published on LuxurySocietyAsia.com
Royal Phuket Marina is a distinguished world-class destination combining luxury waterfront living with a state-of-the-art marina. Asia’s most sophisticated high-tech yachting haven, Royal Phuket Marina is the proud holder of the prestigious 5 Gold Anchor Award bestowed by the British Yacht Harbour Association.
Royal Phuket Marina is also the holder of CNBC’s well-known Best International Design award, as well as Cityscape’s Best Waterfront Development in Asia 2010 award.
Royal Phuket Marina’s residences are lavish and utterly unique. The Aquaminium condominium is home to the world’s first and only triplex penthouse with its own private yacht garage, and the Royal Villas are the most prestigious properties on the island, each one complete with its own direct-access private yacht berth.
Situated on the east coast of the tropical island paradise of Phuket, Royal Phuket Marina is right on the doorstep of Asia’s best cruising waters, with the limestone cliffs of Krabi and Phang Nga Bay, the white sand beaches of Koh Phi Phi, the diving paradise that is the Similan Islands, and not to mention hundreds of deserted islands, all but a few hours’ sailing away.
Royal Phuket Marina is a playground in itself, complete with Phuket’s most exclusive residences, fine dining, boutique shopping, health club and spa and a gorgeous setting that makes simply strolling along our boardwalk a pleasure.
Conceived and developed by Gulu Lalvani, Royal Phuket Marina is the product of a commitment to and passion for creating a yachting paradise and entertainment, leisure and lifestyle hub on par with the best in the world. We’d like to invite you to join us in a way of life that is unhurried, elegant and where the finer things in life are enjoyed and celebrated.
Royal Phuket Marina – Our Services
- Marina Berths that can accommodate 100 vessels from 10 meters to 35 meters –
- Hardstand space which can accommodate 35+ vessels – Online Hardstand Booking
- Centrally located so close to suppliers and contractors
- Easy access to Phang Nga Bay
- 24 Hours Security
- Haul out services by 50 Ton travel lift or 2 tons jib crane
- Pressure wash service, cradles/boat supports and scaffolding
- Forklift services at the Hardstand
- Fuel Dock with Diesel, Petrol 91 and outboard oil
- Service dock for temporary berthing (when you need to repair your boat when in water)
- Sewage Pump Out service (available at the Fuel dock)
- Trolleys are available for free usage all the way to your boat at your berth
