SAIL DESTINATIONS

DESTINATIONS FROM Phuket

The Rang Islands

Racha Island

THE RACHA ISLANDS

The Racha Islands are 10nm south of Phuket and a great day sail from Chalong Bay. There is protection in either season but it’s probably best to visit in the NE monsoon when more of the beaches are accessible. There are beautiful walks through the islands passing local villages, resorts and bungalows of all qualities. Life here is relaxed and the islands are still pristine. There are snorkeling and diving opportunities around both the islands. Racha Yai Bay is the preferred anchorage in the NE Monsoon. You approach it from the Northwest and it has plenty of depth and a wide entrance. There are plenty of moorings but they are often taken by the day boats. Anchor in 10m to 15m of water on the sandy bottom. Please watch out for the coral heads. There are several restaurants to choose from on the beach and a 5-star resort, The Racha, to visit.

THE RANG ISLANDS

The Rang Islands consist of Yai and Noi and are 4nm from Boat Lagoon Marina on Phuket’s the east coast. They are a great destination in either monsoon and have a stunning long sandy beach. During the high season there is a day resort offering different activities and a Thai restaurant. There is also a pearl farm on the shoreline.

You can anchor on either the southwest side of Rang Yai, or for more protection in the SW monsoon, in between the islands. Beware of the coral drop off and ensure you anchor with enough room to swing well away from it. Anchor in 6m to 10m.

Coral Island

Koh Kai Nai and Nok are off the SW point of Koh Yao Yai and a great day trip out of the east coast marinas or Chalong.

Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to avoid the crowds. Nok is usually the busier though the day. There is great snorkelling and a real ‘desert island’ feel. There is a bar and a restaurant on both islands and deck chairs on Nok.

Be very careful when anchoring as there is a lot of coral and a deep drop off. There are moorings but these are not advisable for larger vessels. If in doubt, anchor well off in 20+ metres of water. The Naka Islands consist of Naka Yai and Noi. The islands can be found a few miles off the east coast just north of the Boat Lagoon. They are a great stop over when cruising between the Boat Lagoon and the Yacht Haven marinas. Both islands are inhabited by locals and Naka Yai has a large offshore pearl farm as well as a daily pearl farm demonstration.

To anchor off Naka Noi, keep an eye out for the pearl farm and anchor south of the jetty in 5m to 8m. At Naka Yai, find the long white sand beach south of the rocky outcrop on the east coast and keep an eye out for the coral drop off. Anchor in 8m to 10m.

The Naka Islands

The Kai Islands

CORAL ISLAND (KOH HAE)

Chalong is surrounded with islands that can be sailed around within a day and Coral Island is a good late lunch stop for day sails out of Chalong Bay. It can be busy with day trippers so it’s best to visit later in the afternoon. There are a few restaurants on the northern beach. The southern beach is much quieter but is only accessible at high tide.

To anchor at the northern beach, find a spot in 8m to 10m on the sandy bottom. For the southern anchorage (not suitable in the SW monsoon) find the small bay and anchor in 15m on a rocky bottom.

TOP OVERNIGHT SAIL DESTINATIONS FROM

Phuket

PHI PHI ISLANDS AND SURROUNDINGS

One of the landmark destinations in Thailand, Phi Phi island is not only famous for being a casualty of the infamous tsunami back in 2004, but also because of the huge amount of effort the country put into rebuilding the island to match the expectations and desires of new visitors and adventurers. Take your pick of the southern (Tonsai Bay) side or the northern side (Loh Dalam Bay) of the island and make your way to shore for a bit of nightlife and lots of tourists attractions, including trekking trails, plus a wide variety of restaurants. This is a popular place to stop off for a trip to the Viking Cave, where gatherers will demonstrate how bird’s nests are harvested for the popular soup, and to Phi Phi Leh, made famous by Maya Bay, which was used in the movie “The Beach”.

Phang Nga bay is one of the most appealing locations when it comes to exploring the beauty surrounding Phuket Island. Indeed, its towering limestone formations are well known around the world and used as a background in movies such as “The Man with the Golden Gun” from the epic James Bond series. Koh Ping Gan (James Bond Island), as well as Koh Phanak are probably the first formations. The area is also the home of the sea gypsies, who retired to Koh Panyi years ago and maintain a traditional lifestyle. The village on stilts hosts a mosque, plenty of restaurants and tourist attractions, but is a must see as it is one of the less visited heritage sites Thailand has to offer and might also be the only place in the Bay where you’ll be able to buy supplies. Krabi province offers numerous stunning islands to be explored. Head to Railay Beach for some picture perfect snorkelling (off koh Yawasan) and water skiing options. It also offers a few bungalows for those who want to step off the boat for a night and some nice chilled out restaurants. The area also accommodates 5-star travellers in high-end resort hotels. A little further south, you’ll find Bamboo and Chicken Island, which are two very famous destinations for snorkellers and divers and can also host you in a little restaurant, only open during daylight hours. If you decide to head north and find yourself in proximity of Koh Chong Lat, you could eventually be visited by not so wild sea/mangrove otters that come out at dusk for a bit of fun and hunting! The Similan Islands are by far the most popular diving destination off Phuket and this is more than evident as soon as you arrive. Dive boats aplenty drop tourist divers into the big blue on a daily basis, but the Similans are nevertheless an amazing destination, allowing you to sail between a group of nine islands that form a pristine national park. A Bt500 fee is collected by a ranger (Ranger HQ on island no.8) when and if you wish to visit the island. This is also the place to anchor safely, although moorings get busy during the day.

SURIN ISLANDS

Northwest of Phuket and a little further past the Similans are the Surin islands, also a favourite among diving aficionados for their underwater rock formations, such as the stunning Richelieu’s Rock and the reefs of Koh Tachai. The islands are not as busy as the Similans but remain a popular destination for those who have a bit more time. Please note this is also a national park and local rules and customs apply whenever visiting the local sea gypsy villages.

Koh Yao Noi is a beautiful little island, so named after its shape, which means ‘little long island’. The place provides is a mix of upscale the local villages, where you’ll be able to buy local crafts. A floating jetty provides access to ferry passengers to Phuket so the island is also a popular day trip spot.

There are several villages on the island and exploration is encouraged, provided visitors respect local customs and avoid bringing any alcoholic beverages ashore. Head to the northeastern side of the island and anchor in a protected bay with an access channel; you can dinghy for a candlelit dinner on the beach in front of the Koh Yao resort. Or head south to the next bay and enjoy the beauty of Villaguna, an exclusive village of luxurious villas that can accommodate

you overnight and which offers incredible onsite facilities. Koh Yao Noi also has a modest clinic and a helicopter landing pad for emergency transfers back to the mainland airport or a Phuket hospital. You’ll also find ATMs, a post office and police station, although all seems to be very much the way it was 50 years ago.