Phuket, a sailor’s paradise

Imagine that your boat is the only one from horizon to horizon, gently navigating on the mystical waters off an untouched, secluded, tropical island shore. No! This is not only possible in a magnificent dream. Boating enthusiasts might experience this as a common reality when sailing in the blue waters around Phuket in the south of Thailand.

The weather in this popular cruising and holiday destination is truly unique too as here there never will be winter while typhoons and hurricanes never take place in this area. Year-round temperatures are generally between 24° and 31°C while the seawater’s temperature almost never drops below 28°C.

Geographically positioned in the Andaman Sea, regional yachters know Phuket the best due to its reputation boasting the country’s most comprehensive sailing facilities.

Phuket is one of the globe’s finest cruising bases. Sailors have the option to make unforgettable boating trips to destinations such as the breathtakingly beautiful Similan Islands, Phanga Bay’s stunning limestone karsts or Burma’s practically untouched Mergui Archipelago.

The Butang Group is almost uninhabited and belongs to Hat Chao Mai National Park located to the south, featuring 51 islands. This environment boasts a rich and unusual wildlife. The mysterious Tarutao Island can be accessed by a short navigation eastwards. This unspoiled island lies only four nautical miles away from Malaysian Langkawi Island and from Phuket it can be reached within one day sailing. Mountainous Tarutao is blessed with numerous hidden creeks and spectacular caves.

The jaw-dropping Phang Nga Bay itself is bounded by the provinces of Phuket, Krabi and Phang-nga featuring more than 100 islands and vertically, out of the ocean rising, sheer-sided mountains. Some of Thailand’s most famous photographic tourist images were shot here. Phang Nga Bay has become an extremely popular tourist destination with kayakers and day trippers exploring the bay’s ocean caves and islands. However, despite being a well-visited spot, by mid-afternoon the superb bay is nearly deserted.

For sailing fanatics who demand high standards of luxury and modern comforts during their sea voyage, today Phuket houses three marinas of international-standards! These include: the Boat Lagoon Marina, the Yacht Haven Marina, and the new Royal Phuket Marina. In the near future more marinas will open.

Attracting about 100 yachts, the annual King’s Cup Regatta in Phuket each year takes place during the first week of December. Taking place during Chinese New Year is the more laid-back Phanga Bay Regatta attracting about 40 competitors for a more relaxed week. Compared with all the others this regatta probably features the most dramatic panoramic background. Phuket’s newest regatta is known as the Phuket Race Week. This sailing competition takes place during windy weather conditions in July.

Whether participating in one of the tropical island’s regattas or leisurely sailing among the tranquil islands in the region, the welcoming friendly locals, tasty cuisine and the charming cultural traditions all make Phuket a world-class boating and yachting destination. Phuket offers sailing adventures you won’t easily forget! Phuket water sports guide.