The Best Sailing Cruises in Thailand

Phang Nga Bay has become one of Thailand’s most coveted destinations for a number of reasons. Between the vertical, limestone cliffs that protrude from the water’s crystal-clear surface to the famous James Bond Island, this particular bay is well-known around the world. Visitors hoping to explore this bay in depth should climb aboard the 34-foot-long catamaran known as The Sparrow by Phuket Let’s Go. This ship take passengers to either Phang Nga Bay or Coral Island, depending entirely on what visitors want to see. The Sparrow allows a maximum of eight passengers, all of whom are picked up directly from their hotel and taken to the vessel. A friendly staff awaits them with drinks and fruits, and those aboard are able to lounge and snorkel as they please, on their tour of the Andaman Sea. Prices start at ฿17,300 during the low season for a half-day trip.

One of the most exciting and unique ways in which to explore Thailand’s second-largest island of Koh Samui is by sailing around its coastline on a private charter. The Samui Archipelago is equipped with the stunning Angthong National Marine Park, making it one of the most spectacular places to see on the sea. Luckily for visitors to Thailand, Nautiness Sailing is at the ready with their modern, sailing catamaran to take visitors from Koh Samui through the national park and to its one of two of its stunning neighbors: Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.

A maximum of six guests are able to climb aboard The NAUTINESS II at one time, making for the ultimate intimate sailing experience. Along the way, visitors can expect to snorkel or dive, enjoy exceptional service from the crew, and plenty of amazing sites surrounding the boat at any given moment. Visitors on a tight schedule can opt for one of the day trips, but those travelers with more time on their hands should definitely try to spend a few nights aboard the yacht. Those traveling with families will also be happy to hear that children from the ages of four to 12 get a 50% discount off the price of their package and children under the age of four join for free. Prices for short trips start out at ฿14,900 per person for an early morning trip, and vary depending on the cruise they choose.

The Pearl of the Andaman in Southern Thailand is great, but visitors will soon depart the island of Phuket to climb aboard the S/Y Amadeus with Thai Sailing. This catamaran can hold up to eight guests, each of whom will enjoy a number of stunning stops along the way after the boat departs from the south end of the island from Chalong Bay. Some of the amazing islands visitors can expect to enjoy include Koh Phi Phi (equipped with the famous Maya Bay), the peaceful island of Koh Lanta, Koh Ha, Koh Muk, and more. The cruise lasts a total of six days and five nights before returning to the island of Phuket, and visitors are able to sunbathe, relax, swim, kayak, and snorkel as they please along the way. The onboard cook, Chef Chern, is at the ready to prepare delicious cuisine for sailors as they make their way from one stunning island to the next. As an added bonus, guests aboard the Amadeus get a free Thai cooking lesson on their trip. Pricing start at €1,150.

Having been on the Andaman Sea around Phuket since the late 1990s, YachtPro knows a thing or two about sailing the seas of Thailand. Visitors can take to one of the day sailing yachts with the small and friendly crew, making for a private and luxurious experience on the water. Equipped with some of the most luxurious and pristine boats on the west coast of the country, visitors are sure to have a safe and amazing journey around places like the Phang Nga Bay. Each customized yacht is equipped with a number of amenities, including snorkeling gear for those who want to explore the Andaman Sea below the surface. There are seven different yachts visitors can choose from, and the price of each boat depends on the season as well as the number of days passengers wish to explore.

Phuket may have some 30 beaches to choose from, but one of the most stunning of places to lounge by the sea is actually on it, aboard one of the vessels at Siam Sailing. The most noteworthy aspect of these particular cruises is the absolute freedom visitors have to choose where they want to go. The Similan Islands, Butang Islands, Surin Islands: you name the island and Siam Sailing will likely take visitors there. While the charters are equipped with chefs, passengers also have the option of using the ship’s lines and lures to catch dinner for themselves straight from the Andaman Sea. There are three different yachts for charter, including the Tiki 38 catamaran, the Tiki 30 catamaran, and the Hitia 24 catamaran. There are also sailing catamarans available should passengers be interested. Prices range depending on the boat as well as the number of days tourists wish to be on the sea. The cheapest option is a day trip on the Hitia 24 catamaran for ฿2,520.