Phuket is Thailand’s largest and undoubtedly its most popular island, especially when it comes to yacht charter. It is situated in the Andaman Sea, on the west coast of southern Thailand, and has numerous wonderful beaches, vibrant coral reefs, many bars, and restaurants. It has an exceptional climate with warm, sunny days year-round.
Find Your Ideal Yacht in Phuket Sailing Region
Why is Phuket Popular Among Sailors?
Being a big island, Phuket boasts some of the world’s most magnificent white sandy beaches, such as Patong, Karon, Kamala, Kata Yai, Kata Noi, and Mai Khao. Not only that, but sailing yacht or catamaran rental in the Phuket region is comfortable and convenient since its cities, villages and nature parks are only a short distance away.
Phuket sailing region is also blessed with year-round sunshine, so you can explore its unique culture and amazing history any time of the year.
Yacht Charter in Phuket Sailing Region
Yacht charter in Phuket offers you beaches that vary from white-sanded ones to small, sheltered coves. You will find most of the beaches on the west coast. If you are searching for less crowded places, you can go to the northern tip of the island.
Charter a yacht in Phuket and visit its most popular beach, Patong, which is a party mecca. Spend your evenings having fun at some of the bars and nightclubs. Water sports are very popular in Phuket, so you must try sea canoeing and scuba diving!
Although any month is a good time to charter a yacht in Phuket, the traditional advice is that the best time to visit is during the cool season, which lasts from November to February. During that period, the temperatures are not too high, there are the sunniest hours, and the smallest possibility of rain. The direction of the existing wind is crucial for anchoring. It is not possible to anchor on Phuket's west coast during the rainy season. It is advised to anchor on an island's eastern side or in a protected bay.
Best Places to Visit in Phuket Region
If chartering a yacht from Phuket, which is the most popular yacht charter destination in Thailand, be sure to visit some of its top attractions.
Phuket Town is a charming mix of ancient and new, simple, sophisticated, tranquil, and vibrant. The town is full of traditional buildings so don't miss out on taking a stroll through Old Phuket Town's streets to see the well-maintained shophouses, Sino-Portuguese homes, temples, and shrines. Of Phuket's 29 temples, Wat Chalong is the biggest, most visited, and possibly most beautiful.
Phang Nga Bay is a geological wonder filled with islets, sunken caverns, and astonishing rock formations that rise vertically out of the emerald, green water. The bay is very well sheltered and excellent anchorages could be found there. Two highlights to visit are Ko Phing Kan and Ko Panyee, notable for being built on stilts by Malay fishermen.
Sail aboard your private yacht to Phi Phi Islands, a tropical paradise with white sand beaches, clear seawater, tropical forest and more. Be sure to visit Koh Phi Phi Leh island, well known due to Maya Bay, a stunning beach which become popular thanks to its appearance in the movie The Beach starred Leonardo Di Caprio.
Ko Muk island is another must-see when sailing in the Phuket region. Visit the island’s incredible cavern which you can swim through and out into an enclosed lagoon.
Important Info for Sailing in Phuket Sailing Region
Best time to sail
November - March
Most popular marinas
Yacht Haven Marina, Ao Po Grand Marina, Chalong Pier-Phuket, Royal Phuket Marina
Nearest Airports
Phuket (HKT)
Number of charter yachts
30+
Popular regattas
Phuket King's Cup Regatta, The Phuket Raceweek
Top attractions
Phang Nga Bay, Big Buddha, Phuket Old Town, Elephant Sanctuaries, Karon View Point, Wat Chalong, Bangla Road, Sanctuary of Truth Museum
Gastronomy Highlights of Phuket Sailing Region
When you charter a yacht in Phuket, be sure to get a taste of the local food. Thai cuisine is based on a balance between the five most important flavours: sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and spicy. As in most other Asian countries, rice is the primary ingredient of almost every Thai dish. A complete Thai meal usually contains a single dish or a rice khao with other supplementary dishes such as curry, stir-fries, and many others. Another popular ingredient in Thai cuisine is noodles, called kway teow.
Some of the most popular dishes to taste on your yacht charter vacation Phuket Island are Khanom jeen (thin, round rice noodles served with spicy coconut milk-based curry with crab), Mee Hokkien (Hokkien-style wheat noodles with seafood, slices of pork, greens, and an almost gravy-like broth), Oh tao (eggs, cubes of taro root, deep-fried pork rinds and tiny oysters fried together in a sticky, spicy, garlicky batter) and Loba (pork head, heart, lungs, intestines, tongue – braised in five spice powder, with savoury deep-fried items such as spring rolls, shrimp fritters, and stuffed tofu).
