Sailing is a timeless pleasure and it is also the perfect way to enjoy Thailand's marine treasures and is environmentally sound too. Trips can be as relaxing or demanding as you want. You can charter a crewed yacht and lay back as you sail away; or if you are a more experienced sailor, charter a bareboat yacht and have the excitement, challenge and rewards of sailing it yourself.
Phuket is Thailand's premier sailing destination, attracting the cream of Thai society's as well as the international sailing crowd. From September to May when the weather is at its best, there is a migratory fleet of yachts anchored at Nai Han Bay at the southern end of the island and Chalong Bay to the southeast. Phuket's marinas have a huge variety of vessels for charter, from old wooden schooners to sleek fibreglass cruises and state-of-the-art powerboats. Find them at Laem Phrao Yacht Marina, Phuket Boat Lagoon and the Yacht Haven. As well as established yacht agencies, informal arrangements can also be made at Jimmy's Lighthouse, a restaurant at Chalong Bay that serves as headquarters for the yachting fleet.
Phuket is also home to one of the most popular sporting events on the yachting calendar, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta, taking place on the weekend closest to HM the King's birthday. Yachts arrive from Australia, Europe, Hong Kong and Japan to spend a few weeks cruising through the Gulf, down to Malaysia and enjoying practise runs around the Similans before heading to Phuket for the races.
In Pattaya, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, founded in 1957, holds almost weekly regattas for the smaller beachlaunched sailboats. The Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Jomtien Beach, just south of Pattaya, offers jetty, pontoon berths, and onshore facilities for skippers and crew members with hotel, condominium, cocktail lounge, twin restaurants, tennis courts, and roof-top swimming pool.
Sailing a yacht competently requires skill and experience; don't overestimate your capabilities as a sailor when chartering a bareboat yacht. If you are heading out on a longer expedition, make sure you check out the weather and tides, especially in the stormy season from June to October. Be well-prepared with communications equipment, first aid, water and food.
COMPETENT CREW COURSE
Day 1: Early morning check in for the course at the Boat Lagoon, Phuket. Take the evening to meet up with your fellow sailors and have an introduction to the course
Day 2-5: Boat leaves the Marina, During the next few days you will learn about sea terms: sails, rope work, fire precautions, safety at sea, man overboard techniques, distress signals, weather, rules of the "road" and helmsmanship. You will sail 100 miles in the five days and sail 4-night hours After completing your 5-day course, boats are available for hire if you have your skipper licence or you can join a group as crew.
WHERE TO LEARN AND CHARTER BOAT
Note: When making international calls to Thailand, add 66 and omit the leading O.
Allamanda Laguna Phuket
29 Moo 4, Srisoonthorn Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110
Tel: 0 7632 4359
Fax: 0 7632 4360 allamanda@lagunaphuket.com
Amara Sailing Centre
Jomtien beach-style restaurant
(turn right at the Police Box) Tel/Fax: 038251408 amara@surfasia.com
Big A Yachting
Ao Chalong, Muang, Phuket 83130
Tel/Fax: 0 7638 1934 bigasail@samart.co.th
Elite Sail & Dive
47/6 Moo 5, Rawai, Ao Chalong,
Muang, Phuket 83130 Tel: 0 7628 0819
Fax: 0 7628 0042
Faraway Sail & Dive Expeditions
Soi Bangrae, 5/6 Moo 10, Chalong, Muang, Phuket 83130
Tel: 0 7620 0507
Fax: 0 7628 0701 into@tar-away.net www.far-away.net
Ocean Marina
274 Sukhumvit Road, Jomtien, Pattaya
Tel: 0 3823 7310
Sunsail (Thailand) Co Ltd
Phuket Boat Lagoon Unit 20/5, 22/1
Thep Kasattri Road, Ko Kaew, Phuket 83000
Tel: 0 7623 9057
Fax: 0 7623 8940
Thai Marine Leisure
Boat Lagoon, 22/1 Thep Kasattri Road, Ko Kaew, Phuket 83200
Tel: 0 7623 9111
Fax: 0 7627 3320 tml@thaimarine.com www.thaimarine.com
Tradewinds
17/4 Moo 3, Chaweng Beach, Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320
Tel: 0 7723 0602
Fax: 0 77231247
info@tradewinds-samuLcom www.sailingkohsamui.com
Yachtpro International
Yacht Haven Marina, 57/5 Moo 2, Mai Khao, Talang, Phuket 83140
Tel: 0 7634 8117
Fax: 076348119
yachtpro@phuket.asianet.co.th www.sailing-thailand.com
Phuket King's Cup Regatta
Tel: 0 7627 3380
Fax: 0 7627 3389 kingscup@ phuket.com www.kingscup.com
Held in the first week of December - races off Kata Beach and the surrounding waters
Phang-nga-Krabi Regatta
www.bayregatta.com
Held during the 4 days of Chinese New Year
Ao Chalong Yacht Club
Tel: 0 76381914
into@ac-yachtclub.org Hold monthly races
Royal Varuna Yacht Club
Phra Tamnak Road, South Pattaya, Chon Buri 20260
Tel: 0 3825 0116
Fax: 0 3825 0115
rvyc@ loxinto.co.th
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