Thailand is a country that is almost always on the list of travelers. Few countries offer the exotic combination of natural tropical beauty, different cultures, and affordable prices that Thailand does. Thailand is especially popular as a tourism center for its 3200 km coastline which offers a mix of adventure and relaxation; the appeal of a fishing village and the vibrancy of city nightlife can all be experienced firsthand with a yacht rental in Thailand.
Tayland’s coast is a playground for various and exotic flora and fauna species. The country’s coastline is divided into two parts – the east coast bordering the Gulf of Thailand and the west coast defined by the Andaman Sea. The east coast is dotted with long beaches and tranquil waters, perfect for sailing and relaxing in the tropical sun on your yacht. The coastline around Phuket in particular is a very popular sailing destination for yachts. As of 2009, Phuket has over 200 berths for yachts longer than 80m and Ao Po Grand Marina – “Thailand’s best yacht marina” – with world-class facilities and 24-hour operations. Starting from here, you can directly head to the very popular sailing and sightseeing destination of Phang Nga Bay.
The Phang Nga Bay, with its characteristic large green-blue-yellow limestone rocks jutting out of the water, is a paradise for yachting and offers some great diving and snorkelling areas, as well as almost deserted islands, caves and other rock formations waiting to be explored. Some of the most popular and unspoilt islands in the area include Ko Ping-gan, which is just as popular as the island where James Bond was filmed shaking hands in the movie “The Man with the Golden Gun”; or Ko Panyi, where an entire village is built on stilts over the water. For those really looking for an adventure, there are the islands of Ko Hong, Ko Khien and Ko Mak. With your own yacht you can explore these and other places that are only accessible by boat.
Renting in unexplored areas continues to be a trend, with unspoiled areas remaining popular for rental properties. The Phi Phi Islands, at the southernmost tip of Thailand, are where pure beauty meets sheer laziness. With very few roads and even fewer people to walk on them, it’s just the sun, the sand, the crystal blue waters, the lush greenery, the locals, you, and your boat. Even trying out the traditional Thai long-tailed boats could be an attractive change. After all this relaxing, you might find yourself diving or snorkelling in the waters off Racha Islands. Of these, Racha Nai remains largely unaffected by commercial development, while Racha Yai has now become a holiday island.
Chartering a yacht around Thailand not only provides the beauty of the physical surroundings, but can also be a very rewarding experience due to the cultural differences from much of the Western world. Many of these islands would be inaccessible to tourists staying on the mainland, but with a yacht fully stocked with all the amenities and comforts you can imagine, and a professional crew to take care of all your needs – no destination is too far away.