Sailing in Thailand
Thailand
Andaman and gulf weeks a visitor can charter
Island seas have charter bases aimed at travelers — skippered cats and yachts you book as a week. The water is the trip. A hotel longtail is not the same thing.
- Visitor charter bases
- A week of island water
- Skipper-normal
The vibe
Sailing around Thailand feels like a tropical cruise through a maze of islands, where each turn reveals a new cove and the wind is a gentle companion. The trade winds are strongest from May to September, offering smoother passages. Most visitors hop on a charter that handles the paperwork and crew, creating a relaxed, semi‑organized day on the water.
Koh Chang Archipelago
Trat Province
Nick Steemans / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
This eastern Thai archipelago offers a quieter, more pristine sailing experience compared to the southern hubs. Sailors navigate through a chain of lush, mountainous islands with numerous protected bays and clear waters suitable for multi-day cruises.
Access. Charter operators provide vessels from the mainland ports near Trat, allowing for direct access to the Koh Chang island chain.
Notes. Best visited between November and May; navigation requires attention to shallow reefs in some areas.
Koh Samui and Koh Phangan Archipelago
Surat Thani Province
Roma Neus / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, this group of islands provides excellent cruising grounds with a mix of vibrant beach life and secluded anchorages. The sailing here is characterized by open-water hops between the Samui archipelago and the Ang Thong National Marine Park.
Access. Charter yachts are available from marinas on the east coast of Koh Samui, serving as the gateway to the Gulf islands.
Notes. The sailing season here differs from the Andaman side, with the best conditions typically from May to September.
Phuket and Phang Nga Bay
Phang-nga Province
A J Niccel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
This premier Southeast Asian sailing hub offers limestone karst scenery and calm, protected waters perfect for island hopping. Sailors enjoy short passages between iconic islands like Koh Hong and the famous James Bond Island, with year-round tropical conditions.
Access. Major charter fleets are based at Yacht Haven Marina and Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket, providing easy access to the bay.
Notes. Best sailing season is November to April during the Northeast Monsoon.