LateSail friends, Asia Marine, have 20 years’ chartering experience in Thailand with their fleet of monohulls and catamarans based in Phuket. Their marketing director, Ratana Tabuteau, has given us insider tips on a successful bareboat charter vacation in Thailand this winter.
Thailand is a perfect winter getaway
If you’re looking for warm sunshine, beautiful clear waters with high visibility and scenery that will stop you in your tracks, then Phuket is the best place during the winter months. Between November and April, you’ll find north easterly winds between 10 and 15 knots and the weather is dry. The steady breeze is perfect for the Phang Nga Bay and Phuket region and swells are at a minimum with a sea temperature of 29ºC. Between May and October, you’ll find south westerly winds between 15 and 20 knots, and it’s generally wetter.
Design your perfect itinerary
When I am not working, I like to escape out on the water with a few friends for a nice, lazy day or visit one of the many small independent restaurants along the coastline of Phuket. I recommend Phang Nga, Krabi and Phi Phi as a starting point for a fantastic seven-day itinerary, as it covers the best of area with easy sailing. Make sure your itinerary includes James Bond Island, the floating fishing village, Ko Hong, and, a bit further south, Ko Hai. A personal favourite is Railey Beach in Krabi, where you’ll find plenty of mountains and clear, blue waters. TripAdvisor is always a good place to start researching where to visit, according to your preferences.
We share our favourite hidden bays and beaches when we brief clients before they set sail and once we hear what they are interested in. We can’t share them here, as we try to keep them quiet and away from the crowds. We’ll give one away though – the paradise at Koh Yao Yai island is stunning.
Top local restaurants
Thailand has such a range of local beers and food, so there will be something for everyone. Don’t leave without trying a green curry or Som Tam, a Thai green papaya salad. Head to the Koh Khai islands of Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nai and Koh Khai Nui, where you’ll find a great lunch stop on the little rock. It’s also a good place to overnight.
Keeping costs low
Make sure you do your research to create a realistic and practical itinerary. For provisioning, many guests use the large supermarkets such as Tesco and Makro. If you prefer to shop like a local, then there are plenty of small independent shops and markets for fresh produce.
Find out more
For further Thailand itinerary inspiration, read our previous post on tips for the perfect charter itinerary for Thailand. To request a quote, talk to our team on 877-292-0737 or contact us.
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