Sailing Thailand: Phuket, the Similans, and the Andaman Islands

Cruising Guide · Southeast Asia · Andaman Sea

Thailand's Andaman coast has spent the last three decades building the most complete sailing infrastructure in Southeast Asia, and it shows. Phuket is the hub of an enormous charter and cruising industry — four full-service marinas, a thriving chandlery scene, capable boatyards, and an anchorage at Ao Chalong Bay that regularly holds more than a hundred boats. From Phuket, the sailing grounds extend north into the extraordinary limestone karst scenery of Phang Nga Bay and south toward the Similan Islands. The combination of accessible infrastructure and genuinely spectacular cruising makes Thailand the standard first stop for boats entering Southeast Asian waters from the west.

The caveat is the monsoon. The Andaman Sea has two seasons, and they are not equivalent — the NE monsoon from November through April brings the calm, blue-water conditions that Thailand's sailing reputation is built on. The SW monsoon from May through October makes the Andaman Sea uncomfortable to dangerous, with 25–35 knot sustained winds, large swell, and limited visibility in the heaviest rain. The season is not a suggestion; it is the organizing principle of every passage plan in this region.

Phuket: The Southeast Asia Sailing Capital

Phuket is home to four major marinas distributed around the island, each with a distinct character and clientele. Ao Chalong Bay, in the southeast, is the main cruiser anchorage — a large, well-protected bay that holds 100 or more boats in season, with a customs and immigration clearance facility, several chandleries, and the Phuket Yacht Club at its northern shore. Ao Chalong is where most arriving boats check in and where the live-aboard cruising community congregates.

For those wanting marina berths, Boat Lagoon Marina sits in a canal off the northeast coast — a full-service facility with a boatyard, travel lift, fuel dock, and a small commercial center with provisioning and restaurants. Royal Phuket Marina, also on the east coast, is the newest and most upscale of the four, with a resort hotel and a marina designed for larger superyachts and charter fleets. Yacht Haven Phuket, at the northern tip of the island near the Sarasin Bridge, is the quietest of the four and serves as a practical staging point for boats heading north into the Andaman Islands or arriving from the north.

The marine services ecosystem around Phuket is genuinely impressive by Asian standards: fiberglass and structural repair, riggers, sailmakers (including agents for major brands), dive equipment servicing, diesel mechanics, and a growing number of high-quality chandleries. Parts availability has improved markedly in the last decade, though specialized gear still requires shipping from Singapore or Europe.

Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Islands

North of Phuket, the cruising ground shifts into one of the most visually dramatic coastlines in the world. Phang Nga Bay is a vast, sheltered bay studded with limestone karst towers that rise vertically from the water — the same geological formations that made Ko Phi Phi and James Bond Island famous. From a cruising perspective, the bay offers spectacular anchoring among the karsts, largely protected from swell, with shallow drafts required in many areas (a boat drawing more than 1.8 meters needs to be selective).

Krabi, on the mainland shore of Phang Nga Bay, has good provisioning and is the base for a growing charter fleet. Ko Lanta, south of Krabi, is a long island with several bays suitable for anchoring and less tourism density than Ko Phi Phi. Further south, Ko Libong is known for dugong and sea turtle sightings in the grass beds off its eastern shore — one of the few places in Southeast Asia where dugong are seen regularly.

Ko Tarutao National Park, near the Malaysian border, protects a group of wild, largely undeveloped islands with good anchoring and snorkeling. Entry requires a national park permit purchased at the park office; anchoring is restricted to designated areas. Ko Tarutao marks the southernmost useful anchorage before the Thai-Malaysian border, and many boats combine it with a stop at Ko Lipe before crossing into Malaysian waters.

The Similan Islands

The Similans are Thailand's most celebrated dive destination — nine granite islands in a national park approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Phuket, with underwater visibility that frequently exceeds 30 meters and marine life ranging from whale sharks and manta rays to pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs. For cruisers, they are also one of the most logistically complex stops in Thai waters.

Overnight anchoring in the Similans is restricted to designated anchorage areas and requires a national park permit. Mooring buoys are available in some bays and are mandatory where provided — anchoring on the reef or in undesignated areas is prohibited and enforced. The park closes annually in mid-May and reopens in mid-October, meaning the Similans are only accessible during the NE monsoon season, which aligns well with the broader cruising calendar. The March and April window before closing sees the highest boat concentrations and is worth coordinating to avoid weekends, when day-trip liveaboard dive boats arrive in large numbers.

The islands themselves offer little beyond the underwater world — there are no villages, no provisioning, and no services. Arrive self-sufficient for water and fuel, and factor the permit fees into passage planning. For boats primarily interested in cruising rather than diving, the Similans are a worthwhile detour but not essential; the anchorages in Phang Nga Bay offer more varied cruising character.

Thai Regulations for Foreign Vessels

Thailand's entry requirements for foreign yachts are among the more complex in Southeast Asia, though they are manageable with preparation. Foreign vessels must clear customs and immigration at a designated port of entry — Phuket (Ao Chalong) is the standard arrival point for boats coming from the Andaman. Upon entry, the boat receives a cruising permit that authorizes movement within Thai waters.

The regulatory complication arises from Thailand's provincial system: technically, boats are required to check in with local customs and immigration authorities when moving into a new province. In practice, enforcement varies considerably, but boats that skip the check-in formalities at provincial boundaries do so at their own risk. The TM6 arrival and departure form must be completed for each new province. An agent based in Phuket — several serve the cruising community — can handle the paperwork and significantly reduce the administrative burden, particularly for boats moving frequently up and down the coast.

Duty-free fuel is available to foreign vessels, which contributes to the already favorable fuel pricing. The cruising permit covers one vessel for one entry period; boats intending to return to Thailand after visiting Malaysia should confirm their permit allows re-entry before departing.

Costs and the King's Cup Regatta

Thailand is significantly cheaper than comparable sailing destinations in Europe or the Caribbean. Marina fees run $25–50 per night depending on the facility and vessel length — Royal Phuket Marina is at the top of the range; Ao Chalong anchorage is free. Fuel is 30–40% cheaper than European prices. Food, whether from markets or restaurants, is extraordinarily affordable by any standard. The overall cost of extended cruising in Thailand is meaningfully lower than most of the Atlantic or Mediterranean circuit.

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta, held in early December, is Asia's largest yacht race and one of the social events of the regional sailing calendar. Multiple classes accommodate everything from offshore racers to cruising boats, and the social program around the racing is significant. Timing an arrival in Phuket to overlap with the King's Cup — which means arriving by late November at the latest — gives newcomers to the region immediate access to the community of experienced Thailand-based sailors and charter operators who can provide current local knowledge.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the two monsoon seasons in Thailand and why do they govern all passage planning? The NE monsoon from November through April brings calm, blue-water conditions at 10 to 15 knots that Thailand's sailing reputation is built on. The SW monsoon from May through October makes the Andaman Sea uncomfortable to dangerous with 25 to 35 knot sustained winds, large swell, and limited visibility in heavy rain. The article states: 'The season is not a suggestion; it is the organizing principle of every passage plan in this region.'

What are the four major marinas in Phuket and what distinguishes each? Boat Lagoon Marina in a canal off the northeast coast offers a full-service boatyard, travel lift, and fuel dock. Royal Phuket Marina on the east coast is the newest and most upscale, designed for superyachts and charter fleets with a resort hotel. Yacht Haven Phuket at the northern tip serves as a staging point for boats heading to the Andaman Islands. Ao Chalong Bay, the main cruiser anchorage in the southeast, is free and holds more than 100 boats with customs and immigration clearance on site.

What makes the Similan Islands logistically complex for cruising yachts? Overnight anchoring in the Similans requires a national park permit, and mooring buoys are mandatory where provided — anchoring in undesignated areas is prohibited and enforced. The park closes annually in mid-May and reopens in mid-October. The March and April window before closing sees the highest boat concentrations, with day-trip liveaboard dive boats arriving on weekends in large numbers. The islands have no villages, no provisioning, and no services.

What is Thailand's provincial check-in rule for foreign yachts and how is it handled in practice? Foreign vessels must clear customs and immigration at a designated port of entry — Phuket's Ao Chalong being standard — and technically must check in with local customs and immigration when moving into a new province. The TM6 arrival and departure form must be completed for each new province. In practice enforcement varies considerably, but boats skipping check-in formalities do so at their own risk. A Phuket-based agent can handle the paperwork and significantly reduce the administrative burden.

How do Thailand's sailing costs compare to Europe and the Caribbean? Marina fees run $25 to $50 per night depending on facility and vessel length, with the Ao Chalong anchorage free. Fuel is 30 to 40% cheaper than European prices, with duty-free fuel available to foreign vessels. Food from markets or restaurants is extraordinarily affordable by any standard. The article states the overall cost of extended cruising in Thailand is 'meaningfully lower than most of the Atlantic or Mediterranean circuit.'

What is the King's Cup Regatta and why does the timing of a Phuket arrival matter? The Phuket King's Cup Regatta in early December is Asia's largest yacht race and a major social event of the regional sailing calendar, with multiple classes accommodating offshore racers through cruising boats. Timing an arrival to overlap with the King's Cup — arriving by late November at the latest — gives newcomers immediate access to the community of experienced Thailand-based sailors and charter operators who can provide current local knowledge.