Catamaran Charter Southeast Asia

Depart Yacht Haven Marina, Phuket, heading north-northwest toward Ko Yao Noi. The passage of roughly 20 nautical miles crosses the main Phuket ferry channel; once clear, the water opens and the limestone outcrops of Phang Nga Bay begin appearing to the northeast. Anchor off the eastern beach of Ko Yao Noi by early afternoon, allowing time to hire bicycles from the village and cycle the single road through rubber and coconut groves before a seafood dinner aboard.

An early start northward into Phang Nga Bay proper, timing the approach to Ko Panyi for the morning light. The stilted Muslim fishing village is best visited before 10:00 when day-trip boats arrive from Phuket. Continue northeast to anchor in the enclosed lagoon at Koh Hong, entering the narrow channel at half-tide or above. Kayak into the hong (interior lagoon) at dusk when the bird life returns to roost.

Passage south through the karst field, passing the distinctive Khao Tapu pinnacle (James Bond Island) at a respectful distance and continuing into the lower bay. Anchor off Ko Lawa Yai for lunch in clear, shallow water over sand. Afternoon sail south toward the Krabi coast, arriving at the Ao Nang anchorage by late afternoon. The town has good provisioning, and the night market on the main street opens at 18:00.

Full day in the Ko Hong group west of Krabi town, a cluster of uninhabited islands with white-sand beaches accessible by dinghy and snorkelling over coral in 4-6 metres of water. The anchorage off the northeast side of Ko Hong (Krabi) is well-protected from the prevailing southwesterly. Crew can prepare a Thai-influenced dinner using ingredients sourced the previous evening in Ao Nang.

Sail southwest to the Ko Phi Phi group, covering approximately 25 nautical miles. Anchor north of Ko Phi Phi Don in the bay before Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Leh, which is now closed to overnight anchoring; the adjacent bay at Lo Sama remains open and offers comparable scenery with far fewer day visitors. An afternoon dive or snorkel over the reef at Hin Phae is recommended.

Longer passage day south and west to the Ha Islands group (Ko Ha), five uninhabited limestone islands with a network of submerged caves and swim-throughs accessible to snorkellers on a falling tide. Anchor off Ko Ha Nuea in 8 metres over sand. This is among the best snorkelling in the southern Andaman and sees significantly less traffic than the Phi Phi sites. Sunset drinks in the cockpit as the last dive boats return to Krabi.

Final morning passage back to Phuket, 40 nautical miles northeast with the southwesterly typically building to 15 knots by 10:00, allowing a proper sail for the first time on the itinerary. Arrive at Yacht Haven or Ao Po Grand Marina for a noon handover, with time for a final lunch in Phuket's Sino-Portuguese old town before departure.