Asia Pacific Boating - Best SE Asian Marinas

THESE ARE SOUTHEAST ASIA’S LEADING SUPERYACHT MARINAS

Catering to the increasingly larger yachts being delivered to or cruising the region, Southeast Asia’s marinas are upping their game to compete for the lucrative superyacht market

-

STORY BY RODERICK EIME

Marinas throughout Southeast Asia are fast becoming much more than simply somewhere to park your superyacht. Skippers can now expect a complete, selfcontained lifestyle precinct with five-star hotels, award-winning restaurants and shopping malls along with all the services required to maintain and refit your multimillion dollar vessel.

Whether for locally-based vessels or international visitors, the waters surrounding the former Indochina, Malay Peninsula, Indonesian Archipelago and South China Sea present plenty of spectacular cruising opportunities for both private and charter vessels and the marina industry has responded accordingly with increasingly sophisticated facilities geared to the ever-larger vessels berthing in the region.

ONE°15 MARINA SENTOSA COVE, SINGAPORE

Many boat owners would suggest One°15 stands as a benchmark for the modern, 272-berth, superyacht-ready marina. Constructed to the highest international marina standards, it achieved Superyacht Ready status in 2022 after a major overhaul of all infrastructure.

“ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove is well on its way to becoming the number one superyacht pit stop in the region,” says Arthur Tay, CEO of SUTL Enterprise, which operates the marina and its new sister venue on Nirup Island. “One of the main objectives of the reconfiguration was to cater for the projected trend of increasing yacht sizes by significantly extending our marina’s berthing flexibility within the region. While keeping the number of berths the same, we have managed to increase the number of superyacht berths (80ft and above) from 15 to 33 by eliminating smaller berths.”

Located within Sentosa Cove, on

Mthe island of the same name, the multiaward-winning facility, which recently hosted the inaugural Singapore Yachting Festival, complements this premium residential district with a 26-room, five-star ‘clubhouse’ hotel and is within easy walking distance of numerous restaurant, entertainment and shopping precincts. one15marina.com

ONE°15 NIRUP ISLAND MARINA & FERRY PIER, INDONESIA

The paint is still drying on this brand-new

facility, the product of a collaboration between ONE°15, Singapore-based global marina operator SUTL Enterprise, and Indonesian real estate developer PT Tritunas Sinar Benua. With 44 berths initially, this world-class development not quite 8NM from Singapore aims to become the next destination for the Lion City’s boating and yachting community with extensive leisure facilities, a marine conservation area and diverse ecological habitat to serve as an educational base for students and institutions. one15marina.com

AO PO GRAND MARINA (APGM), PHUKET, THAILAND

Located at the northeastern tip of Phuket, on the threshold of the famous Phang Nga Bay, the expanded APGM now offers 230 berths with deep-water access and the ability to accommodate yachts up to 500 tons or 45m, something that’s being focused on during a redevelopment.

“In our desire to deliver the most modern facilities for our clients, Ao Po Grand Marina is currently undertaking extensive upgrading to our pontoons and

general facilities,” says general manager Kevin Quilty. “As Phuket is a key marine hub for the region, many of our customers will base themselves and their superyachts here for the season and enjoy the many delights of the island.”

Shoreside facilities at Ao Po include the Port of Call Restaurant and D’ Deck Bar, both open daily, while a fully equipped gym, spa and pool are also available to marina clients and their guests. Several Phuket resorts have offices at the marina and offer transfers direct to

their properties plus short- and long-term condominium rentals. aopograndmarina.com

GOLD COAST YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB, HONG KONG

Much more than just a marina, the Gold Coast Yacht & Country Club is a genuine resort destination with a five-star hotel, fitness centre, swimming pool, tennis courts plus children’s indoor and outdoor play areas. A double winner of the Best Asian Marina of the Year, the popular Hong Kong facility boasts more than 200

ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove acheived Superyacht Ready status in 2022 and has space for 33 superyachts along with a 26-room five-star hotel

typhoon-proof wet berths, and features the ability to accommodate superyachts up to 60m. sino-hotels.com

LANTAU YACHT CLUB (LYC), HONG KONG

When the Discovery Bay Marina Club closed for renovations at the end of 2018, it re-emerged in 2021 as the Lantau Yacht Club with 148 berths. It’s also one of a handful of marinas in the region catering to superyachts of up to 100m. Billing itself as “the New Superyacht Hub in Hong Kong”, the upscale, members-only,

typhoon-resistant facility includes a fully renovated clubhouse with exclusive dining, meeting, and events spaces.

“LYC’s mission is to offer premium yachting facilities and become the preferred mooring destination and yacht club in Hong Kong,” says Ivan Lee, vice president of Lantau Yacht Club. “LYC will continue to maintain close contact with the industry and yachting lovers and provide more tailor-made services and offers to the yachting community.” The marina is embraced by luxury residential developments, a 27-hole golf

course, a private beach, shopping malls, an oceanfront alfresco dining area and a resort hotel. lantauyachtclub.com

CLEARWATER BAY MARINA, HAINAN, CHINA

Not to be confused with the marina of the same name in Hong Kong, Clearwater Bay Marina is located near Sanya on the southernmost end of the island of Hainan, which is often referred to as “the Hawaii of China” thanks to its sunny climate and white sand beaches. New owners have undertaken an extensive expansion and renovation

The Lantau Yacht Club is one of a handful of marinas in the region catering to superyachts of up to 100m

Above: Clearwater Bay Marina in Hainan will relaunch at the end of the year with 680 berths

programme since Clearwater Bay was first opened by the Agile Group in 2014.

“We are excited about our forthcoming relaunch at the end of the year,” says general manager Frank Lin. “Our fully renovated marina is the first superyacht marina in mainland China and will have 680 wet berths, with 32 able to accommodate superyachts up to 80 metres. In fact, the whole Clearwater Bay region is well known as a luxury resort, leisure, and entertainment district with five-star hotels, golf course and much more.” agile.com.cn

ROYAL LANGKAWI YACHT CLUB (RLYC), KEDAH, MALAYSIA

With 234 berths, this popular sailing and charter yacht marina is situated on the southeast corner of tropical Langkawi Island and can accommodate superyachts up to 80m. Close to the main centre of Kuah, the RLYC, which recently won the Best Asian Marine Yacht Club of the Year award, is ideally situated on the Andaman Sea, to the west of Peninsular Malaysia. The breezy, open-design clubhouse

features Charlie’s Place Restaurant & Bar, a swimming pool and 44 boutique hotel rooms. langkawiyachtclub.com

ANA MARINA, NHA TRANG, VIETNAM

Perfectly positioned for yacht traffic traversing the Vietnamese coastline or the region, this brand-new facility is billed as the first international standard marina in Vietnam and now offers 110 berths as part of its first phase of opening, including the ability to accommodate superyachts up to 100m LOA.

“The marina has an ideal geographical location, as it can connect marine traffic between Southeast Asia and North Asia, and link Hong Kong (China), Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia with Vietnamese seaports,” says Dang Hieu Minh, general director of Ana Marina JSC. Envisioned as a nautical lifestyle hub, Ana Marina offers three quality restaurants, a beach club and swimming pool alongside a wide range of watersport activities. anamarina.com

RAFFLES MARINA, SINGAPORE

A pioneer of the contemporary yachting scene in the Lion City, Raffles Marina opened in 1994 and quickly became the first Five Gold Anchor rated facility in the Asia-Pacific region, a credential it built on in the subsequent years to become the city’s first Aseanarean Bluewater marina by 1999. It remains an important megayacht hub for the region, with 152 walk-on wet berths catering to boats up to 65ft in length, and four wharf type berths for megayachts up to 328ft (100m), a point that’s drawn many well-known vessels to the city, including Asean Lady, Christine, Battered Bull, Lone Ranger, Senses, Michaela Rose, Lady Christine, Tigre D’Or, White Rabbit E, Obsessions, and Shenandoah

Pair this with a comprehensive dining scene that includes the elegant Marina Bistro and the Captain’s Table Chinese restaurant, plus comfortable hotel-style accommodation options and you’ve got one of the region’s most popular facilities for superyacht owners and their crews. rafflesmarina.com.sg

Above: Ana Marina in Nha Trang offers 110 berths