Thailand (Koh Chang, Koh Samui, Phuket)
Thailand, also known as ‘The Land of Smiles’, owes its nickname to its warm and welcoming people. The premium services BoatPlanner has crafted for those of you who decided to embark on the ultimate Thai-sailing experience will also make you smile! But let’s first sail along on a virtual tour!
While this Southeast Asian gem is famous for its exotic culture, golden temples, and its peculiar cuisine, it is also home to some of the world’s most highly coveted sailing spots, namely Koh Chang, Koh Samui, and most certainly Phuket.
Phuket: Major marinas like Ao Po Grand Marina, Yacht Haven Marina, and Chalong Bay provide top facilities. Around the islands, you may find a couple of secluded spots to anchor, like Nai Harn Beach Anchorage.
Koh Samui: Chaweng and Maenam are well-sheltered mooring spots with plenty of services. Bophut Bay Marina offers essential facilities and Taling Ngam is more of an isolated anchorage. Prefer Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks) to anchor near Lamai Beach.
Koh Chang: Its limited list of marinas draws sailors to opt for alternative anchorage along the island’s coast. Ao Sapparot Anchorage is a peaceful mooring location. Salak Phet Bay is a secluded natural harbor and Klong Son Bay.
Weather & Climate
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with a hot and humid season from March to May. The rainy season runs from May to the end of October, giving frequent torrential downpours. The best time of year for sailing spans from November to February, during the cool and dry season.
History & Places of Interest
The insular beauty and cultural richness have nothing to be jealous of the Thai mainland. Explore the charming streets of Phuket Old Town, showcasing a blend of Sino-Portuguese architecture and cultural sites. Visit the impressive temple of Wat Plai Laem on Koh Samui, an excellent sample of Thai architecture featuring an18-armed goddess statue. Explore underwater history by diving into World War II shipwrecks around Koh Chang. And don’t miss the Ang Thong Marine Park in Koh Samui and the Mu Koh Chang National Park.
Beaches
Phuket: Often dubbed as the ‘Pearl of the Andaman Sea’, it’s the most touristy among Thai destinations. The first and foremost reason is the diverse coastline offering beaches for all kinds of tastes. Kata Beach is a beautiful family-friendly sandy beach, ideal for surfing and dining in beachfront restaurants. Karon Beach is one of the island’s longest beaches, with a more relaxed atmosphere. Nai Harn Beach is a beautiful blend of azure waters and greenery. A hidden gem for snorkelers and divers, Ao Sane Beach is known for its underwater boulders and coral formations.
Koh Chang: Often referred to as the ‘Emerald Isle’ is a haven made of lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and serene beaches. North White Sand Beach is the busiest beach on the island, knowing a frenzy of touristic development in recent years. South White Sand Beach is a bit quieter, yet not as majestic as its northern counterpart. North Clong Prao is a marvelous bay divided in half by a river estuary and a completely different scenery from its southern counterpart, the white-sanded South Clong Prao. Pearl Beach is suitable for snorkeling with a small reef just offshore. Wai Chaek Beach is ideal for sunset vistas and Klong Kloi Beach, also known as Bang Bao Beach is a fishing village that has known full tourist development lately.
Koh Samui: A stunning coastline with palm-fringed beaches and a lively atmosphere is home to the lively and cosmopolitan Chaweng Beach and the popular Lamai Beach. Maenam Beach is a peaceful family-friendly sandy beach and Silver Beach, also known as Crystal Bay, is a serene cove for swimming and snorkeling fans.
Activities
Phuket: Phuket is a world-class diving site and a scuba diving haven, with numerous options like Racha Islands, Phi Phi Islands, and Similan Islands. Go snorkeling on Coral Island and Paradise Beach, kite surfing on Nai Hang Beach and Chalong Bay, or try wakeboarding at Anthem Wake Park.
Koh Chang: Discover colorful marine life by snorkeling at the coral reefs spots of Koh Rang and Koh Wai or join fish excursions to catch your own dinner, as Koh Chang is all about beach and sun. However, the island offers some unique inland experiences too, such as elephant trekking and wildlife spotting through the jungle or kayaking through the serene mangrove forests.
Koh Samui: Try the exhilarating experience of flyboarding at Chaweng Beach, paddleboard across the calm waters of Choeng Mon or Maenam Beach, or take advantage of the strong winds at Lamai Beach and Taling Ngam if you are a versed windsurfer. Koh Samui is also a hotspot for freediving courses, yoga sessions, and parasailing.