Originall published in December 2019
Often referred to as the Pearl of the Andaman, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and a popular spot for visitors to South East Asia. Well known for its many islands, the area is full of hidden beaches perfect for those looking for a tropical paradise. From motor yachts, power catamarans, classic sailing yachts and super yachts, Phuket offers a large variety of vessels available for charter during all months of the year.
1,500 yachts and cruisers visit Phuket annually and investors are increasingly interested in capitalizing on the island's popularity with boat owners and tourists. Yacht travelers like Phuket and use it as a home port for further trips to the Phi Phi islands or Koh Lanta. It also serves as a hub for longer charters, with many other yachts leaving for the Mergui Archipelago in Burma, Langkawi in Malaysia or even the Anambas Islands in Indonesia. As such, it is predicted that two or three new marinas are expected to open at the island’s main bays to support the island’s increasing popularity for sailors. Phuket could develop into a major marina hub, with much potential for its docking facilities and tourism attractions.
With these developments on the horizon, the Thailand Yachting Business Association (TYBA) is hosting the island’s very first Business to Business Charter Week in November 2019 to promote Phuket as a cruising destination. The Associationis keen to give international industry professionals the opportunity to discover some of South East Asia’s finest cruising grounds on board some of the region’s best charter yachts.
The event is not open to the public and focuses only on developing charter business between those working in the industry. From the 16th – 21st November, visiting charter brokers will be able to consult and learn about the destination, making this event the perfect experience to help them sell Phuket to their international clientele and even discover the spectacular Phuket cruising grounds, indulging in the finest sailing experiences Phuket offers.
As a long standing member of the TYBA and a veteran in yachting for over 30 years, Asia Marine is proud to participate in this event and develop Phuket as a luxury charter destination. The company is featuring a lineup of some of the best charter yachts available on the islands this year:
The sheer number of destinations awaiting guests from Thailand's borders is outdone only by the unbelievable variety. From world-class marinas to tiny fishing villages, to deserted beaches and uninhabited islands, this is the marine wonderland of Thailand. Below is just a sample of just some of the amazing destinations around Phuket to enjoy in a week’s charter.
Phang Nga Bay - You can cross through the heart of the bay to Koh Pan Yi fishing village. An incredible sea village island made of houses atop stilts, complete with homes, shops, schools, mosque and even a market. After exploring Pan Yi you can visit at the North end of Phang Nga Bay: The James Bond Island which was made famous by appearing in the James Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun". Phang Nga Bay is one of the Natural Wonders of the World.
Phi Phi - Spectacular cliffs rising vertically out of the clear blue sea, idyllic tropical beaches, and lagoons surrounded by rock walls, have made Phi Phi Islands famous all over the world. You can snorkel in warm turquoise water in secluded bays, see the famous Maya bay, used in Leonardo di Caprio's hit movie 'The Beach' and head ashore to enjoy a beachside massage. In the evening you can eat and relax on the Yacht or head ashore and enjoy the restaurants and nightlife of the island.
Koh Rok Nok - Brilliant white, sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, expansive coral reefs and metre-long monitor lizards: welcome you to Koh Rok. Protected as part of Mu Ko Lanta National Park, these gorgeous twin islands boast some of the finest snorkelling in Thailand's Andaman Sea. Roughly the same size, they sit only 250 metres apart, with hard and soft coral covering the channel in between.
Alternatively, north of Phuket lies the Mergui Archilelago, charterers visit these islands for wild untamed nature. They exist in an unspoilt state, having only opened to international access in 1997. The archipelago consists of more than 800 islands, varying in size from very small to hundreds of square kilometers, all lying in the Andaman Sea just north of Phuket. Visitors are welcomed by vast mountainous islands covered in dense jungle and thriving wildlife. Few tourists frequent the area, resulting in vast stretches of white sandy beaches untouched by man.
Be sure to stop and visit the Mid Group islands. You could spend the whole week exploring its small islands, hidden coves and beaches. The most spectacular are the Frost and Potter Islands where white beaches and huge fig trees await. Also visit the Pu Nala Village; it is is the only habitation in the area and is definitely worth stopping by. The local monks at the Buddhist temple are very welcoming and interesting characters. A local boat builder has recently set up shop behind the bridge in the village. He is constructing traditional Moken boats that are being hand sawn from trees on site. Ensure to take your camera and consult with your guide about when to take photos.
This is Asia 's boating playground. This is the ‘Pearl of the Andaman’.
For more information to book your sailing holiday, please contact:
Asia Marine Ltd.
20/99, Moo.2, Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina, Thepkrasattri Road, Koh Kaew, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Email: charter@asia-marine.net
TEL : +66(0)76 6038 11
Fax: +66 (0) 76 238 974