Thailand, a beautiful country in South-East Asia, is undoubtedly a boater’s dream paradise thanks to its awe-inspiring sapphire waters and marvelous beaches. With crystal-clear seas, spectacular sceneries, and warm temperatures, it isn’t surprising that the known ‘Land of Smiles’ is considered an ideal and luxurious option for yacht charter destinations.
A yachting trip to the islands of Thailand should feature near the top of your list of places you must visit! Specifically, there are some beautiful yacht charter destinations in Phuket, Thailand.
Whether you aim to sail and explore or unwind in luxury, here are the top yacht charter destinations you can add to your itinerary!
10 Top Yacht Charter Destinations
1. Phuket
Phuket is known as the central region for yacht charter destinations in Thailand — thanks to the large concentration of boats to rent or buy and stunning sights to explore.
Being the ‘Super Yacht Hub of Southeast Asia’, Phuket is widely known for having four world-class marinas with berths of various sizes. Two of these marinas offer deep azure water access that allows ships over 80 meters in length to sail.
This Thailand destination is recognized as a top yacht destination primarily for its cosmopolitan and vibrant resort vibe, famed Thai cuisine, and luxurious spas.
It also hosts many famous beaches and diving destinations — all within easy cruising distances!
While taking in the ambiance of the calming waters, tourists can tour Phuket’s historical sites and Buddhist temples! Simultaneously, an exciting combination of exhilarating open-water passages and island hopping in the Andaman Sea may also be enjoyed while cruising along Phuket’s waterways.
Indeed, this location is undoubtedly a dream destination for tourists and boaters seeking top yacht charter destinations.
2. Krabi
Krabi is a memorable destination, thanks to its unmatched scenery and sight! In this area, yachting and boating are rapidly becoming one of the most famous options for those who want to see southern Thailand from a radically new point of view.
It is a far more relaxed scene compared to the tourist center and magnet that is Phuket. Here, you will see spectacular mountain scenery and clear waters!
To top it off, it has several beaches and coral-fringe islands you can explore on foot! The natural wow factor makes Krabi a favorite among the top yacht charter destinations in Thailand.
3. Koh Phi Phi
The hit movie, ‘The Beach’, was filmed in this seemingly magical sandy lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs and emerald waters! Said to be one the most enchanting locations in the world, Koh Phi Phi draws in loads of visitors and tourists every day!
There are several islands to discover, each one littered with spectacular cliffs, outstanding dive spots, and plenty of other uninhabited islands you can explore!
If you’re looking for beauty, beach, and film tourism, this may be your favorite from this list of top yacht destinations.
4. Phang Nga Bay
Nestled between the western coast of the mainland and Phuket, this bay contains arguably the most scenic and known group of islands in Thailand. To absolutely no one’s surprise, Phang Nga Bay is known as a fantastic yachting destination that tourists would flock to.
Emerald waters with limestone karsts that jut and peek out of the water are among the best characteristics of this bay. It also is home to the famed James Bond Island, the famous filming site of the 1974 James Bond movie entitled ‘Man with a Golden Gun’.
This makes two yacht charter destinations with famous movies filmed there!
5. Koh Chang
Koh Chang offers the perfect yachting and sailing experience for those who want to avoid the beaten track and stray away from the huge tourist crowd. Unlike Phuket or Koh Samui, you are more likely to cruise and sail for quite a bit without seeing any other bareboat or yachts.
There are also a lot of remote shorelines and coves in the Koh Chang Archipelago you can find! From jungle and forest-covered mountain peaks, marvelous waterfalls, and sweeping bays to flourishing coral reefs, luxurious resorts, and delicious food!
Koh Chang certainly has plenty to offer to everyone!
Currently, Koh Chang is part of the Mu Ko Chang National Park. Despite it being among yacht charter destinations with ongoing development and increased tourism in the past decade, it has retained its remote, rugged, yet charming character that continuously draws people in.
6. Surin and Similan Islands
This group of nine islands offers pretty coral reefs and an overwhelming amount of fish species beneath its waters. It is an absolute must for tourists who wish to dive into the breathtaking underwater world for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Surin has the National Marine Park, where you can encounter Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, and swim with sea turtles. Similan, on the other hand, has 11 islands that embrace divers and cruisers!
Three of its islands are closed to the public since they are turtle-hatching sites, but the sea in the area is open for scuba divers to explore. You’ll find this to be a diver’s delight among yacht charter destinations.
7. Pattaya
Beware: yachting and sailing the waters of Pattaya can be addictive as it is so easy to fall in love with this yacht destination. This vibrant coastal city is only about 150 km from Bangkok, the closest of Thailand’s primary beach resorts to the capital city.
Pattaya is also home to the famed Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show — an event that offers a glimpse into the luxurious yachting lifestyle with free demonstrations of all the greatest industry technology!
It has excellent islands nearby for day trips and amazing resorts for a wonderful nightly adventure. You can even venture further afield to the fun island of Koh Samet for the weekend.
8. Koh Samui
When talking about yacht charter destinations, Koh Samui should not be forgotten. Being one of the country’s largest islands, it became among the top Thailand tourist spots.
This island fits into the perfect sailing destination list thanks to its luxurious five-star resorts and white sand beaches.
It is one of the renowned islands in Thailand, prominent for its azure waters, chic hotels, and sandy shorelines. Not to mention that there are almost unlimited charters up for grabs!
Sailing in Thailand, make sure not to forget to go through the archipelago of Ang Thong National Marine Park. Also, don’t miss sailing through the distinctive shores of Sleeping Cow Island to Three Pillars island.
9. Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is what a tourist can consider a tropical paradise. Instead of being a party island where crowds can gather and spend a joyous night, Koh Lipe is a laid-back destination where you can find peace of mind.
Here, you can meditate, do yoga, and lounge to relax all those sore and tired muscles. You can sail past various uninhabited islands filled with lush green tropical rainforests.
Additionally, it is also a great fishing spot! Within its gem-blue waters, you can find a wide array of kingfish, tuna, and red snapper.
It is also the home of two well-known beaches, Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach. As their name suggests, these beaches offer a front seat to a breathtaking and awe-inspiring view of the rising and setting sun!
10. Hua Hin
Being a list of the top sailing destinations in Thailand, Hua Hin certainly deserves mentioning! As a location close to Bangkok, it is not entirely surprising to see it catching a good amount of attention.
You can enjoy various attractions and activities in Hua Hin, including visiting scenic beaches, eating at fine diners, and shopping at the night markets.
This destination is mainly visited by plenty of families that seek memorable sailing adventures and scrumptious seafood. Aside from water activities, you can also try various inland activities, like golfing at some of the country’s most renowned courses.
It certainly is a favorite getaway destination for residents and tourists alike. Family-friendly and relaxed, it lacks that wild all-night partying aspects that make some nearby islands and destinations a haven for unsavory characters.
Conclusion
Thailand must be on your list of yacht charter destinations to experience a memorable yacht charter. Aside from having numerous islands to explore, it also has countless remarkable beaches, mind-blowing scenery, and bewitching sapphire waters.
You can easily enjoy the country’s picturesque locations with the right Thailand yachting itinerary.
