We set sails and discover the treasures of the Andaman Sea in Thailand - on a ten-day sailing trip we head for remote dream beaches and the last insider tip islands in southern Thailand. If you want to experience the country and its people, nature, animal world and vegetation from a new perspective and make new friends and appreciate a hand's breadth of water under your keel, you can go sailing on Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi and Co. from a sailboat experience a catamaran. We went to new shores and started an extraordinary sailing holiday in Thailand with the tour operator sailwithus.de. A field report with all the useful information you need about catamaran sailing from Phuket. 

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I stand at the bow of the catamaran and look for minutes at the waves that whip against the ship sometimes from the front and sometimes from the side while the hull moves up and down. Sailors describe the waves as swell or wind sea – I say a good swell. We are far out in the Andaman Sea and I let my gaze wander over the surface of the sea, looking for fins between the tops of waves.

There could be whales and dolphins this far out in the open sea - even if it's not the season for them in the Andaman Sea Thailand is. Nothing happens for an hour, no sign of life in the sea, not even a turtle. But suddenly white shadows directly under the surface of the water! So what is that?

Video – Impressions from a sailing holiday in Thailand

In this video from Sailwithus you will get a very good impression of sailing in Thailand. This way you can get a pretty good idea of ​​what to expect on a tour.

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A manta ray circles our boat

I have to look very carefully. Mantas! Oh what luck, a group of manta rays are shooting at our sailboat from the front. We jump to the stern and see the majestic marine animals there in all their glory. The mantas circle us, they accompany our catamaran on our journey, swim very close under the surface of the sea and are clearly visible. After a while, they disappear back into the depths of the Andaman Sea just as quickly as they came.

I'm speechless, as an experienced diver, snorkeler and sea fan, I really didn't expect such an encounter. Dolphins yes, flying fish are also more common, but curious manta rays that accompany the catamaran? What a spectacle and what an experience - it should be just one of many on our sailing vacation in Thailand.

Sailing in Thailand is a relaxed way to travel

Sailing along Phuket is definitely one of the most exciting and eventful ways to get to know the sport of sailing and, in addition to an unforgettable trip to lonely and remote dream beaches, the hot spots of southern Thailand and a great crew experience, to get a deep insight into sailing.

What draws that Sailing in Thailand and what you should consider What is there to discover? I was sailing a catamaran from Phuket for ten days and had an incredibly great adventure on my tour.

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Sailing vacation – What distinguishes sailing in Thailand?

A quick overview

• Discover the remote, paradisiacal islands in Thailand with a great crew of young people between 20 and 40 years old.
• Head for dream beaches, party hot spots and the last remaining insider tips that are difficult to reach for most vacationers.
• Enjoy the Thai culture, the delicious Thai food and the warm hospitality of the people.
• Learn basic sailing skills that will give you an easy introduction to this fascinating sport - sailwithus.de can also support you to get your sailing license and to go on board as a skipper yourself.

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My impression while sailing in Thailand - dream scenery in the Phang Nga National Park

During the day of arrival, the participants arrive from all directions. Some have been to Phuket for a while, others come straight from the airport. We meet at the Yacht Haven Marina, the berth of our catamaran. A brief introduction and off we go shopping while our skipper Dirk takes over the ship.

Provisions for ten days - we shop to our heart's content to cook what we really feel like and have the provisions delivered by a small truck from the wholesale market. The tour should be my first sailing trip. I had never sailed before and wasn't quite sure what to think of ten days on a small boat with wind and waves and whether this trip was right for me.

Doubts are quickly put aside

My doubts were quickly dispelled: the spacious catamaran was built in 2019 and there were just three tour groups on the ship before us. Everything is brand new and state of the art. The main deck is large, the kitchen is modern and the sun deck at the bow offers plenty of space to relax.

If you want, you can even sleep here at night under the starry sky. “Sailwithus attaches great importance to always being on the move with the latest ships. That's just more fun than being on the road with old ships," Skipper Dirk tells me. He's right: there are USB charging stations everywhere and a high-quality Bluetooth sound system on board - two important basic requirements for a successful holiday. Shortly afterwards we set sail with our brand new catamaran.

Strangers become a crew

It is actually amazing how quickly crew building works. There was already a WhatsApp group before the trip, but very few of them knew anyone on the boat. However, there was no time at all for too much reservation: After the meeting at the Yacht Haven Marina, the shopping had to be done and the ship taken over.

Teamwork is required

In order for everything to run smoothly, teamwork was required. And that continued throughout the entire ten days: some cook and do the cooking, others set the sails and steer the boat. Then it is exchanged.

First there is a toast – and then very often

At the very latest, after mooring in the afternoon, the toast will be served - because in Thailand all sailing ships have to anchor before nightfall. So you still have a lot of time at the anchorage to chill out together or do something nearby. There is plenty of time to dine out together and enjoy the nightlife at the numerous spots. And so on a sailing boat, strangers quickly become a real, well-rehearsed crew - perhaps one of the most beautiful features of a sailing holiday, which I was not so aware of before.

Adventure in a dream setting

And together we begin our adventure in the spectacular dream setting. I had long been familiar with the spectacular images of the towering rocks in Phang Nga National Park, surrounded by water and covered in vegetation.

I've raced past it a few times on the speed boat from Phuket. Everyone has probably heard of James Bond Rock and most people also have Koh Phi Phi holidaymakers on the program. Koh Phi Phi Don as the ultimate party island and Koh Phi Phi Leh with the famous Maya Bay.

The real treasures are near Krabi

However, the real treasures are further east: south of Koh Lanta in the southeast of Thailand there are still some real insider tip islands that have really paradisiacal features and have not yet been completely overrun by holidaymakers. First choice to easily reach these destinations: a sailing boat – or, as in our case, a catamaran. We set the sails and head for all these dreamy spots.

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Paradisiacal dream islands - discover the Andaman Sea while sailing in Thailand

The route of our Thailand sailing tour runs from the Phuket Yacht Haven Marina from the northeast into the Phang-nga National Park, which we want to explore on the water side with the catamaran. After a few hours, the huge, washed around the foot protrude rocks from the soil. A spectacular sight, but by no means the highlight of our trip. Even with our first goal it becomes clear:

The route planning was only a rough overview of the route. We don't stop at the James Bond rock as planned, but head for a far more lonely and paradisiacal bay nearby. The crew made the decision unanimously - and we are rewarded with a true dream beach on the first day, which is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand for a trip to the Winterlude.

This looks like a good start, which we toast with a sundowner on our first evening at sea and enjoy a few skilful jumps into the 30 degree warm water. What else can we expect on the tour?

Overview - the sailing area Thailand near Phuket

The route on our sailing trip

The predetermined route was more of a rough guideline that we changed again and again in order to customize our Phuket sailing tour as much as possible. We first sailed to the Phang-nga National Park, then towards Koh Lanta and stopped a little north of Krabi first at the impressive Railay Beach (Rai Leh Beach).

Then we went south to the beautiful dream islands of Koh Muk, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai - one more beautiful than the other. That was the furthest point of our tour. From there we started the long crossing to Koh Phi Phi Don, where we anchored in the main bay and then the Island have made uncertain.

Overall, we covered a few nautical miles on this route in the ten days. Skipper Dirk asked us in advance if we would like to do a lot of sailing - of course we all agreed unanimously - and so we actually covered a large part of the entire route under sail. The alternative would have been to drive more often with the motor. But the long and extensive sailing is of course the more fun, elegant (and environmentally friendly) option on a sailing trip.

1. Phang-nga National Park

Phang Nga National Park is located north of Phuket and is a popular attraction for land-based holidaymakers, with many exploring it on day tours. It should not be missing on a sailing holiday in Thailand. On the water side, the nature park is a spectacular spectacle with towering cliffs, secluded bays and lonely beaches, which can only be reached on a sailing trip or with a private long-tail boat.

Spectacular landscape

The spectacular nature is surrounded by green water - which, however, is very cloudy and not necessarily for Swimming and snorkeling invites. From our starting point, the Yacht Haven Marina on Phuket, it was only a few hours in the Phang-nga National Park, where the world-famous James Bond Rock (Khao Phing Kan) is located, which was the location for a James Bond film in the 70s , The nature park is incredibly worth seeing on the water side and was a successful first stop on our tour.

2. Railay Beach (Rai Leh)

From Phang-nga National Park we sailed east in a wide arc and headed for the imposing Railay Bay (Rai Leh), which is only a few kilometers from Krabi town. The destination is a somewhat interwoven bay with several stretches of beach, spectacular towering rocks and caves. On the main beach, Railay Beach, there is a small town with an amazingly well-kept walking street, which we used for an extensive shore leave.

There are a number of restaurants, bars and shopping opportunities there, many of which seemed worthwhile. The opposite bay, Railay Beach East, is not quite as nice, but offers a larger supermarket.

In my opinion, the highlight is the third beach section, Phra nang Cave Beach, where the Princess Cave with a small altar shrine is located. A spectacular one Beachwhere you can easily stay for a few hours. Railay Beach (Rai Leh) is definitely a must-see that can be ideally controlled by sailboat.

3. Koh Lanta South

After we already skipped our stop in Krabi, our station in the south of the large island of Koh Lanta would only be short. Due to our relatively long stay at the beautiful Railay Beach and the anticipation of the small paradise islands of the next few days, we only looked for a bay on the southernmost tip of Koh Lanta on the way south to stay and eat. Because that is one of the great advantages of a sailing holiday in Thailand: The crew can freely determine where and how long it goes. And our decision we should not regret.

4. Koh Muk (Koh Mook), Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai

With the three small dream islands Koh Muk (Koh Mook), Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai, we have achieved the absolute highlights of our tour in my opinion. The destination is located directly south of Koh Lanta and is one of the less touristy regions of Thailand. We visited the three islands and spent most of our trip here proportionately to enjoy paradise to the maximum.

Koh Muk (Koh Mook)

The first destination is Koh Muk, the largest of the three islands. There we anchor at Sapphire Beach, which has truly earned its name. The beach is a small, unspoilt paradise where no one else has been. The bay is on the uninhabited side of Koh Muk. There is a dense jungle behind the beach, which you can explore via a small path. My first impression: We ended up in paradise and have definitely discovered one of the highlights of sailing in Thailand.

We stay longer in the paradise bay

We stay on site for a correspondingly long time. We anchor in the paradisiacal bay for over 24 hours, go swimming, snorkeling and in the evening have a campfire on the beach with the crew of the only other ship that is on site with us. We also visit the nearby Morakot Cave (Emerald Cave) with our dinghy.

The cave was a pirate hideout in past centuries. Inside the cave there is a lagoon with a small beach and jungle surrounded by cliffs and open to the top. A truly spectacular sight – and of course a magnet for tourists. We simply drove in with our dinghy after all the holidaymakers had left and had the cave (almost) all to ourselves.

Koh Kradan

Koh Kradan is the smallest island of the trio and its size is quite manageable. We could anchor in the crystal clear, turquoise water on the main beach and only needed a few meters to the shore. On Koh Kradan a relaxed afternoon awaited us with relaxing, bathing and swimming, a few cool beers and a walk on the beach against a dream backdrop. The island is more driven by day trips. There are only a few hotels and resorts on site, so things are pretty quiet on the Koh Kradan.

Koh Ngai

After our long stay on Koh Muk and the extensive day trip to the paradise island of Koh Kradan, we had little time left for Koh Ngai. We have therefore circled the island by catamaran and have already returned to Koh Lanta to anchor. The next day, the crossing to another spectacular and world-famous travel destination should be pending: the archipelago of Koh Phi Phi.

5. Koh phi phi

As soon as we approach Ao Tonsai Pier, we realize that the bear is tap-dancing here on Koh Phi Phi. Speed ​​boats, ferries and long tail boats come rushing in from all directions. You wouldn't really expect that, because the small archipelago is in the middle of the sea - at least an hour's drive by speed boat from Phuket and Koh Lanta.

But the island seems to have a magical attraction for many travelers: A visit to Koh Phi Phi is therefore also a must on a sailing trip in Thailand. The small island is a magnet for everyone who is looking for night life and partying in combination with dream beaches in Thailand.

And so, in the winding streets inside the main town, you can also find a few really good restaurants and bars, which are also frequented by locals and long-term holidaymakers - albeit at prices that are not typical for Thailand, and which are more in line with those in Europe.

We spent a relaxed evening on Koh Phi Phi and after dinner we threw ourselves into the nightlife. Every evening there are beach parties on the island and once a month the full moon party, which is now obligatory in many places in Asia.

Snorkeling at Shark Point

The next day we go to the other attractions of Koh Phi Phi. We had the choice between an island tour on a scooter or a circumnavigation on a catamaran, where we head for some hot spots. We chose the latter option and drove to Shark Point first.

There are said to be some smaller sharks on the reefs that can be observed while snorkeling. I couldn't find any specimens of the predatory fish there, but an incredibly attractive dive site with colorful corals and schools of fish, which is incredibly exciting for both snorkelers and divers. I should come across a shark later while snorkeling.

Landing at Monkey Beach

Our second stop was Monkey Beach on Koh Phi Phi Don, which is located on the back of the island. Wild macaque monkeys live on the beach and populate the beach and the jungle beyond. The animals have fun with the visitors. A really good opportunity to Monkeys in Thailand to be observed in front of a really fantastically beautiful backdrop.

But be careful, only take the most necessary items with you to the beach - what you have with you, hold tight. A tourist had his wet pack of valuables stolen by a monkey. With us, the clever primates have drunk all the water in the dinghy - yes, monkeys can open bottles without any problems.

We omitted the famous Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh, on which the Hollywood film The Beach was shot and which on the one hand is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and on the other hand was badly damaged by mass tourism, in order to head for another little paradise : Koh Khai Nok.

6. Koh Khai Nok

On the way to Koh Khai Nok the encounter with the manta rays described above took place. So far out there the sea world seems to be still in order and the animals shine in the depths of the Andaman Sea. The island of Koh Khai Not is basically a rock with a small dream beach that protrudes from the sea between Koh Phi Phi and Phuket. A paradise in the middle of nowhere. I already knew about previous stays in Thailand like mine Dive safari to Richelieu Rock: When a rock rises in the middle of the sea, it usually means that there are tons of marine animals - shoals of fish, tuna, barracudas and also one or the other Any.

That's why it was clear to me: If I wanted to see some larger sea creatures while sailing in Thailand, it would be here. Sharks in Thailand are actually not uncommon. Unfortunately, they are threatened by fishing and pollution and are becoming increasingly rare. But I was lucky: While snorkeling on Koh Khai Nok I encountered a beautiful large black tip reef shark that was accompanied for about a minute before it disappeared into the depths of the sea.

7. Phuket

The large island of Phuket is also very interesting for sailors. On a sailing holiday in Thailand you can also discover some heavenly bays here. At the end of our tour we anchored in a small, remote canal in the far northeast towards the Phang-nga National Park. From here it was not far to the Yacht Haven Marina. We used the time there for one last great bathing action and on the last evening we sprayed off again with a jet ski.

If you still have at least half a day on your tour, you can also easily make a detour to the extreme southern tip of Phuket. Behind the Promphet Cape is a beautiful bay with Yanui Beach and Nai Han Beach. On Tip this is probably not because one or the other ship from the Yacht Haven Marina already anchored there. It is still fantastically beautiful there and can be a crowning conclusion to your Phuket sailing tour.

Sailing in Thailand – Tips for preparing for the trip

Our sailing trip in Thailand lasted ten days – a lot of time, most people would think. But far from it! The days have flown by. That's why it makes sense to organize yourself well as a crew before the trip and to clarify some important questions in advance. This saves valuable hours on the trip, which you can spend sailing, chilling, drinking or taking shore excursions.

1. Organize yourself in advance in the WhatsApp group and clarify all open questions together there
2. Think together about what exactly you want to see, experience and discover on the route
3. Make an individual shopping list for the crew and think in advance about which dishes you would like to cook
4. Pack plenty of water toys (inflatable unicorn!) and beach accessories such as Frisbees etc

Packing list for a sailing trip in Thailand - what you should not forget

Here we have listed a few essential products that should definitely not be missing from your Phuket sailing trip - sooner or later you would probably miss them sorely. What you should definitely have with you:

• Wet pack for valuables
• waterproof case for smartphones etc.
• large power bank
• enough sunscreen
• Travel tablets for waves
• plenty of good mood
• Sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt

Travel information Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations for many Europeans. Traveling by plane is easy, you have a choice of many great accommodations in all price ranges, the people are warm and hospitable, and sailing in Thailand is excellent. So there are many good reasons to plan your next trip to Thailand. We give you the most important travel information for your sailing trip in Asia.

How to get there – easily accessible from Germany and Europe

You can easily reach Thailand from almost all major airports in Germany and Europe. With the Golf Airlines you can comfortably get to Bangkok or Phuket from many airports via Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Other top connections are via Singapore, Helsinki or Moscow. Cheap flights are available from around 480 euros - prices naturally vary depending on the airline and season.

Accommodation on Phuket – the trend is towards more premium hotels

There are numerous good and cheap accommodations on Phuket. In addition, there is vigorous construction on the entire island. So you have the choice and can get accommodations from nine euros per night. Of course, you can also spend significantly more - there are more and more premium accommodations on the island, which of course are correspondingly more expensive. Before the Phuket sailing tour I spent three nights near the Yacht Haven Marina for a relaxed 30 euros a night and after the trip I had a relaxing week in one great Hotel near Promphet Cape on Nai Harn Beach (in my opinion the most beautiful area on Phuket).

You can easily combine a holiday on land with the Phuket sailing tour. It doesn't have to be on Phuket either: a stay on Koh Lipe, Koh Samui or Koh Phangan offer themselves here safely. The travel distances in the south of Thailand are not too long, so that most places can be reached by speed boat or plane in a short time.

Sailing in Thailand - a sailing area that is still relatively undiscovered

The Thailand sailing area is still a somewhat blank page. Compared to the Mediterranean like Majorca and Sardinia or the Caribbean, the travel destination is still relatively unfrequented. There are a few boats on the way, but overall you still have the waters halfway to yourself. This is especially great when you anchor on lonely dream beaches where there are not yet 20 sailing boats and make a campfire on the beach in the evening.

Anyone who would like to experience the sailing area of ​​Thailand authentically has the opportunity now and probably in the coming years to enjoy this beautiful piece of earth from a sailboat. Many Asian countries such as India and China, but also South Africa, Russia and travelers from Australia and some South American countries are just now discovering Phuket as a travel destination - accordingly, not only tourism in general, but also demand for sailing holidays in Thailand is likely to be strong in the next few years rise and more and more boats are on the way. Now you still have the Andaman Sea to yourself.

Country and people - Welcome to the land of smiles

The hospitality and helpfulness of the Thais is second to none. Thailand is one of the countries of smile in Southeast Asia. If you are looking for contact and connection, you will find it quickly in Thailand. Of course, people also want to make money from tourists. But if you are not in a tourist stronghold and are ripped off by a nasty taxi driver (beware of taxi drivers in Thailand!), You can experience really warm people and gain deep insights into the culture of the Asian country.

Best time to go sailing from Phuket

There are big regional differences when sailing in Southeast Asia - not only in terms of infrastructure, but also in terms of the best time to travel. In southern Thailand, the best time to sail from Phuket is from the end of November to the end of March. In November the rain gradually decreases and as December progresses it becomes beautifully sunny and warm in southern Thailand.

Accordingly, the sailing season in Thailand is from the end of November to the end of March. Please note: When sailing in Southeast Asia, there are very different best times to travel - in Bali, for example, it is from July to the end of October.

Who is sailing in the Andaman Sea for in Thailand?

A sailing holiday in Thailand is a really interesting combination that I have never had before in this form. Sailing actually has a certain sporty aspect - at least for a short time when setting sail. A sailing tour in Thailand is something for real ones discoverer and adventurers looking for the last untouched dream beaches.

They can be controlled relatively flexibly during a trip. At the same time, sun worshipers, beach vacationers and relaxation fans also get their money's worth. Overall, you get a lot of exercise on a trip thanks to the sailing and the numerous shore excursions - so a sailing trip is always one active holiday.

You should be a little seaworthy, because when sailing in Thailand in the Andaman Sea it can rock a little now and then. In such cases, however, you are well armed with travel tablets. Catamaran sailing from Phuket is particularly comfortable because the boats have a relatively large footprint and therefore offer plenty of space for a crew of six to 10 people. Numerous sailing interests and preferences come into play on a sailing trip, so you are guaranteed to have a lot of fun with the extensive boat tour.

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Sailing Holidays on Phuket - Sailing in Thailand is a unique experience

My conclusion

A sailing holiday in Thailand is certainly not a cruise - and that's a good thing. There is no permanent crew on board that cooks and cleans for you - you are the crew that has everything in your own hands. And that's exactly why a sailing trip is so much better than a cruise. Everything is planned individually, together with your skipper you are in charge on board.

The number of participants is limited to six to ten, depending on the size of the boat. And you can basically decide every detail of the sailing trip in Thailand yourself: the route, the food and the supporting program.

Everything can be planned together on site

Everything can be planned individually and can be changed on site at short notice. In addition - and this is perhaps the best thing about the whole trip - you will grow together as a crew in no time - in ten days on a boat, one or two friendships are said to have developed. It almost goes without saying that you can take a sailboat or catamaran to places that are not accessible to normal vacationers. You go to secluded dream beaches where there is no one else, you can explore caves in a dinghy or simply lie on the deck in the sun for a whole day and unwind - it's all your own choice.

For me, the sailing holiday on Phuket was actually a small game changer. I had experiences sailing in Thailand that I didn't necessarily expect: I definitely found sailing fun and during our time on the ship I dealt with the technical terms and individual facts of the sport a bit.

You will learn to love sailing in Thailand

My conclusion: Sailing skills are not necessary for sailing in Thailand, but you will quickly enjoy learning more about the sport and delving into this new world full of curiosity. I've definitely lost my shyness of sailing and I think it's wonderful to learn how to sail. A sailing trip in Thailand is a pretty good start. In any case, I can hardly wait to go on my next trip and maybe see one or the other of our relaxed crew again.

My sailing trip in Thailand took place with the friendly support of the tour operator sailwithus.de. Nevertheless, I always reserve the right not to sugarcoat anything and to say what is and report what it really was. Same in this post. However, on such an adventurous and paradisiacal sailing trip, it is very easy for me to report a lot of positive things. The photos should also speak for themselves.

My sailing trip in Thailand was kindly supported by the tour operator sailwithus.de instead of. Nevertheless, I always reserve the right not to gloss over anything and to say what is and to report how it really was. So also in this post. With such an adventurous and paradisiacal sailing trip it is very easy for me to report a lot of positive things. The photos should speak for themselves.

Have you ever been on a sailing trip or are you planning your trip? Share your experiences in the comments.