Motor Yacht Charter Southeast Asia

Embark at Yacht Haven Marina, Phuket. Brief from captain on passage plan, provisions check, and customs clearance for the Malaysian border crossing later in the week. Afternoon departure southwest toward Ko Racha Yai for a shakedown anchorage in the protected eastern bay. Dinner aboard as the charter crew calibrates to your preferences.

Morning passage north into Phang Nga Bay. Anchor off Ko Phanak and take the tender into the interior hong at high tide, a narrow channel through the rock that opens into a cathedral-like enclosed lagoon. Afternoon move to Ko Panyee, the Muslim fishing village built on stilts, for a walk through the stilted lanes and fresh-grilled seafood from the waterfront stalls.

Full day in Phang Nga's northern reaches. James Bond Island (Ko Tapu) is best visited early before day-trip boats arrive; by 9am the site is largely yours. Continue to the hidden lagoon behind Ko Hong for snorkelling over the shallow patch reef. Anchor overnight in the bay south of Ko Yao Noi.

Passage south and west, rounding Ko Yao Yai and setting course for Ko Rok Nai in the Trang group. The twin islands offer some of the clearest water in the Thai Andaman, with a coral garden running along the channel between them. Overnight anchor in the northern bay.

Continue southwest to Ko Adang and Ko Rawi in the Tarutao Marine Park. Anchor in the bay beneath the granite headland at Ko Adang, snorkel the fringing reef, and take the tender to the freshwater waterfall accessible from the beach. This is the last provisioning stop before the Malaysian border.

Border crossing into Malaysia: the captain handles the clearance with Langkawi port authority via radio and pre-arranged agent; formalities are efficient if paperwork is prepared in advance. Arrive at Royal Langkawi Yacht Club by mid-afternoon. The marina restaurant serves decent rendang and cold Anchor beer; the provisioning market adjacent to the marina stocks Malaysian ingredients you will not find in Phuket.

Full day exploring Kilim Karst Geoforest Park by tender. The mangrove channels here are navigable in a rigid inflatable at low tide and shelter brahminy kites, proboscis monkeys, and monitor lizards. Lunch at the floating restaurant at the Kilim river mouth. Return to the mother yacht anchored off Datai Bay in the northwest for a quieter evening.

Day passage north, re-entering Thai waters and clearing in at Ko Lipe customs. Afternoon on the beach at Sunrise Beach on Ko Lipe's eastern shore, which faces away from the ferry traffic and retains a stripped-back quality. The reef at Hin Ngam, a boulder formation off the island's south, is worth an afternoon dive.

Passage north to Ko Lanta and Ko Phi Phi Don. Arrive at the Maya Bay anchorage on Ko Phi Phi Leh early morning before the day boats appear; the bay reopened to overnight anchoring for charter yachts with permits in 2023 following the reef restoration period. Afternoon snorkel on the outer reef at Hin Phae.

Return passage to Phuket, arriving at Yacht Haven Marina by noon for disembarkation. Final breakfast on the flybridge en route, with the Phuket headland appearing to the north and the crew preparing handover documentation.