Sailing Thailand’s islands on a superyacht is a feast for the senses, as you cruise through limestone outcrops scattered through the turquoise sea and drop anchor off tropical islands. Coral reefs lie beneath the water for your diving pleasure, and white sand beaches beckon you ashore, edged by thick jungle and laid-back beach bars under the coconut palms.
There are a multitude of charter itineraries to consider when sailing Thailand’s islands. A Thailand itinerary on a charter yacht offers a little of everything for the discerning yacht guest. The luxury resorts, boutique shopping, and fine dining restaurants of Phuket, Krabi, and Ko Samui indulge the need for glamour, while elephants and monkeys, golden temples and street food markets offer an authentic taste of Thailand’s vibrant culture.
There are numerous Thailand charter itineraries to choose between, all of which deliver a superb yachting experience.
Thailand Itineraries on a Luxury Yacht
Phuket and Krabi Region: Andaman Sea
The majority of Thailand charter itineraries depart from Phuket, an increasingly popular yachting base in the Southeast Asia region. Phuket is a stunning superyacht destination in itself, offering celebrity chef restaurants and dazzling spa hotels, and powder-soft beaches backed by lush rainforest and steep mountains. Patong is the famous party district, while the Old Town offers traditional restaurants and architecture. Outside Phuket city you’ll find quiet Buddhist temples and jungle adventures, as well as secluded beaches and coves away from the busier areas.
From Phuket, your charter yacht will cruise out into Phang Nga Bay, where limestone karsts loom out of the emerald sea and sea caves and coral reefs are home to colourful marine life. Nearby is the spectacular steep coastline of Krabi Province, where curved longboats are pulled up on picture-perfect beaches, and resorts and thatched bungalows line the shore. Pi Pi Island, made famous by the movie The Beach, is Thailand’s most celebrated island and a highlight of the region. As you head south, there is a myriad of other stunning islands, beaches, and national parks to explore, including those of Koh Rok Nok, Rok Noi, Koh Muk and Koh Lanta.
Alternatively, if your yacht is heading north from Phuket, the Similan Islands and the Surin Islands are much quieter than those destinations around Phuket and offer very good diving and snorkelling. Richelieu Rock in the Similan Islands is known as Thailand’s best spot for diving with whale sharks and are a popular choice for dive charters while sailing Thailand’s islands.
Ko Samui and Ko Phang Ngang: Gulf of Thailand
Off Thailand’s east coast lie two more of Thailand’s most-loved islands, Ko Samui and Ko Phang Ngang. Both of these large islands became famous in the 1970s as travellers discovered their mountainous rainforests and sugar-white beaches, and they soon became the home of Thailand’s legendary full-moon parties as well as hundreds of bungalow resorts and lively beach bars. While the islands are still both well-known for their party vibe, they are both going increasingly upscale, with Ko Samui in particular leading the charge when it comes to ultra-luxury spa hotels and fine dining.
Away from the nightlife, beach resorts and glamour, there are plenty of hidden treasures, including secret waterfalls and swimming holes, Buddhist temples and saunas, and plenty of difficult-to-access beaches which are perfect to discover by yacht.
Promising a dazzling combination of ancient culture, modern glamour, incredible diving and breathtaking islands, embarking on a Thailand itinerary is to discover an exotic yachting playground.
