It’s a long plane ride to get there, but chartering in Thailand is definitely one of the more exotic things to do. The colors, islands, beaches and food there aren’t like anything you’ll find closer to home in the U.S., and the sense of adventure is hard to overstate. If you want to cruise in a tropical paradise, where most of the navigation is still line of sight and where moorings are plentiful and the people are friendly, Thailand should be at the top of your list.
The island of Phuket, off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, is the country’s premier resort island. It’s also the chartering center, and the cruising grounds off the east coast of the island are among the finest anywhere. You’ll find limestone cliffs, emerald-colored water, white-sand beaches and everything from rugged uninhabited islands to resorts with a lively nightlife.
The scenery is stunning and the passages are easy. The waters around Phuket offer some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world, and the sea life is abundant. Just keep an eye on the coral reefs when you’re navigating, and watch the tidal range, which can run up to eight feet.
About 15 years ago, I spent a few days on a Grand Banks Eastbay 46 in Langkawi, Malaysia, which is also on the Andaman Sea a bit south of Phuket, and we cruised around many of the small islands there. The water colors were beautiful, the islands exotic, and the trip one of the best I’ve had.
The Moorings has a large charter base in Phuket, with several powerboats, at reasonable rates. Seven nights starting Aug. 17 on a 434 power cat with four cabins, for example, costs $4,347. Read more:
