For instance, in the south, you can cruise the picture-postcard beaches of the Andaman coast and go scuba diving in the Similan Islands, or perhaps you’d prefer a kayaking adventure amid the distinctive limestone stacks of Phang Nga Bay or to venture to the hideaway islands off the coast of Krabi.
Maybe you’d like to experience the elaxing barefoot vibe at Ko Samui in the western Gulf of Thailand or stay in one of the exclusive luxurious resorts of Koh Kood in the northeast of the Gulf.
For instance, in the south, you can cruise the picture-postcard beaches of the Andaman coast and go scuba diving in the Similan Islands, or perhaps you’d prefer a kayaking adventure amid the distinctive limestone stacks of Phang Nga Bay or to venture to the hideaway islands off the coast of Krabi.
Maybe you’d like to experience the elaxing barefoot vibe at Ko Samui in the western Gulf of Thailand or stay in one of the exclusive luxurious resorts of Koh Kood in the northeast of the Gulf.
The dry season in Thailand runs from November to April when temperatures tend to range from 29°C to 34°C (84°F to 93°F), making this the main charter season in Thailand. This is also the only time during the year that the UNESCO protected Similan Islands are open to visitors as they close during the monsoons.
In Phuket, you can see ladyboy cabaret at Ka Jok See, as long as you’ve booked in advance, while the city’s Silk restaurant at Kamala Beach is surely one of the best in the whole of Thailand.
Phuket also has some great beachfront clubs, as long as you avoid the slightly sleazy strip along Patong beach. Try the understated glamour of Catch Beach Club, where some of the world’s best DJs play, or for sunset views over Phang Nga Bay, Baba Nest is the place to come.
Alternatively, you can retreat into the woodlands above Kamala Village where you can strip things back for the night, stay in a tree house and enjoy a traditional Thai cooking course.
Further afield, the party crowd should sink sundowners at Nikki Beach on Koh Samui, or for a more intimate affair, take a sunset dip in the infinity pool at the Four Seasons.
On a Thailand yacht charter, you can experience things you never thought possible. Swim with seahorses at Koh Lanta in the Krabi province or indulge yourself at the Kamalaya Spa in Koh Samui, where elephants stroll on the beach.
In the northern Gulf you can stop off at ancient Siam villages or study the stars at the sanctuary of Soneva Kiri in Koh Kood, surrounded by untamed jungle. Visit the tea houses of Bophut, where you can also try Thai boxing and yoga.
Charter a yacht in Pattaya, on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast, for a heavenly week of beach-hopping, or perhaps you’d prefer a Ko Chang yacht charter, where you can visit the village on a pier of Bang Bao, and trek into the dense and steep jungle of the Mu Ko Chang National Park.
Most Thailand yacht charters begin and end on its largest island of Phuket. Though you’re most likely keen to set sail, leaving the tourist bustle behind, there are good options for trying watersports or learning to cook Thai food here, while a walk through the regenerated old town will reveal Sino-Portuguese architecture that reflects centuries of foreign influence.
Easily accessible from Phuket, the nine Similan islands are an Andaman highlight. Rightly known as one of the world’s premier dive spots, the clear waters of this national marine park teem with colourful coral, tropical fish and other sea life, including whale sharks, with caves and swimmable passages for experienced divers. There are also rainforest trails alive with fruit bats, flying squirrels and the colourful Nicobar pigeon and the improbably balanced Sail Rock is a sight to behold.
The island of Ko Phra Thong, with its long undeveloped golden beaches, deep green woods, thick mangrove and open stretches of savannah, makes for a peaceful and rewarding stop. With less than 5% of the island developed, it’s a great place to spot wildlife, including monkeys, dugongs, turtles and dolphins.
Continuing northwest towards the more remote Surin National Marine Park, the Similan crowds continue to thin. The five jungle-topped granite Surin islands sit just 5km from the border with Myanmar. Typically for this part of the Andaman sea, the diverse marine life and extraordinary underwater visibility make for fantastic diving and snorkelling while the thick rainforest, white-sand bays and dramatic granite outcrops mean staying above the surface is equally appealing.
Bond fans will recognise the distinctive landscape of Ao Phang Nga – tree-topped limestone towers sprouting dramatically from the pale green water – as the lair of villain Scaramanga in 1974’s The Man with the Golden Gun. The imposing scenery, with its lagoons, sea caves and karsts (as the rock towers are topographically known), has earned Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park status.
Heading south, towards Krabi, the Andaman’s trademark limestone cliff-studded scenery continues, with over 150 beach-fringed islands dotted around the warm, blue-green sea. At the Than Bok Khorani National Park, accessible from Krabi, it is possible to visit a number of caves and enclosed lagoons, including those on the island of Ko Hong.
Just 18 miles south of Krabi, limestone cliffs soar from the clear waters, often enclosing lagoons or flanked by white sand beaches. Phi Phi Don is effectively two islands joined by a narrow isthmus, and at Ton Sai Bay, you’ll find lots of restaurants, bars and secure anchorages. For a quieter beach experience, head east from Ton Sai towards the secluded Viking Bay, Hat Yao and beyond to Ao Lo Mu Di and Ao Lo Bakao.
The big screen scene-spotting continues on Phi Phi Leh, just five kilometres south of Phi Phi Don. It is here that 1999’s The Beach, based on the best-selling novel by Alex Garland, was filmed with Leonardo di Caprio. With its fringe of coral, towering limestone cliffs and idyllic lagoons, Phi Phi Leh’s attractions are obvious. With its waters abundant with moray eels, octopus and seahorses, it’s a great snorkelling location.
Composed of three archipelagos – Tarutao, Klang and Adang – the marine park’s 51 mostly uninhabited islands are without doubt one of Thailand’s sailing highlights. Idyllic beaches, pristine rainforest, coral reefs, lots of exotic flora and fauna – along with a carefully controlled tourism infrastructure – combine to make these standout islands a tropical desert island dream. Among the inhabitants are wild boar, pythons, cobras, langurs, sea otters, macaque monkeys and a huge number of bird species.
The sleepy Trang islands – south of Ko Lanta – in the southern Andaman have a laid-back, castaway feel and are home to rubber plantations, limestone karsts, white sands and not much else. Among the best beaches are Haad Farang, the more secluded Ao Sabai or the gleaming white sandbar of Hat Sivalai. The protected islands of the Mu Ko Phetra national park, even further south, is like a forgotten world.
This tourist hub on the eastern coast of the Gulf is set around the crescent bay of Ao Pattaya and has been a popular resort for travellers yearning for a sun-kissed break since the 1960s, many of whom come to ogle at the city’s huge Big Buddha Temple at the Wat Phra Ya Temple. Playing host to the Top of The Gulf sailing regatta, it’s not the quietest of Thailand’s destinations and those seeking a relaxing Pattaya yacht charter should try family-friendly Jomtien, slightly south of the city, or head for one of the many nearby uninhabited islands with white sandy beaches and translucent waters, which you can anchor off in peace.
Surrounded by lush mountain peaks, this resort in a rugged setting, south of Pattaya, offers both a lively party scene and access to some beautiful wilderness. For a sense of what the region was like before tourists arrived in their droves, plot a waypoint to the mangrove forests and wooden villages of Ban Salak Kok and Ban Salak Phet on your Ko Chang yacht charter.
What’s the currency of Thailand?
The Thai Baht is the official currency of Thailand and other currencies are not widely accepted, so make sure you exchange currency beforehand.
Language spoken in Thailand
The main language of Thailand is Thai, also called Siamese. However, English is widely spoken throughout Thailand, particularly in Bangkok, and in hotels, restaurants and other tourist destinations.
Time zone in Thailand
Thailand adheres to Indochina Time, which is GMT+7. There is no Daylight Saving so it remains this year-round.
Yachts to charter in Thailand
With such a huge idyllic cruising ground to discover, our brokers can guide you to some of the best yachts to charter in Thailand, whether you’re looking to charter a yacht in Phuket or would rather a Pattaya yacht charter.
