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LAST UPDATE: Thursday October 23, 2003

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Powerboating in the Andaman Region


Taking a boat and getting out among the islands – preferably for a few days – is by far the best way to really appreciate the beauty of Thailand’s Andaman coastline.

For those without time or budget, taking a speedboat or a longtail boat for a daytrip is certainly recommended. One can even take a longtail boat out for a few days in Phang Nga Bay, exploring by day while staying overnight at Koh Yao Noi, where there are several bungalow resorts. For information on where to find these boats, and how much to pay, see our page Renting a Boat for the Day.

Speed boat in the Phang Nga bay [15858 bytes]But here we deal with bigger boats and longer stays, for those who want to enjoy the ultimate experience in the Andaman environment – waking up in the morning right in the midst of towering limestone cliffs and delightful tropical beaches, and moving each day to new islands.

For such an experience there are several choices, either power or sail. There are a number of privately owned and chartered powerboats suitable for days-long cruising. Most are available through Thai Marine Leisure, the major charter company on the island whose office is at Boat Lagoon. One can also meet yacht owners in Chalong at Jimmy’s Lighthouse bar and retaurant.

Grand Banks at an island of Krabi [17164 bytes]Sunsail, the big international bareboat operator, sometimes has powerboats on offer in addition to its sailboat and catamaran fleet. Catamarans, whether under power or sail, are a good choice for cruising this area due to their shallow draft, allowing then access to more places than deeper keeled craft, particularly in shallow Phang Nga Bay. Also, the spacious deck area of a catamaran can be a delight in the tropical weather conditions of this area.

Contacts for TML and Sunsail are available in our Watersports - Sailing page.

During the calm season – November through April – one can explore the entire Andaman coast of Thailand from the northern border with Burma to the frontier with Malaysia to the south. There are enough uninhabited islands to keep one exploring for months. Boats can also cross to Malaysia’s northern-most island port of Langkawi, provided boat papers and passports are in order. Crossing the northern frontier into Burma is impossible unless extensive and expensive advance arrangements have been made.

During the monsoon season most boating is restricted to the calm, sheltered waters of Phang Nga Bay. Even if it rains at this time of year – it usually lasts for short periods only, then stops – this bay can provide an atmospheric experience. Cloud and mist often hang around the towering peaks of the mountain pillars, creating an ethereal spell which envelops everything here. This writer/photographer loves being on a boat in Phang Nga Bay during the monsoon season.

An Luxioury power boat near Phuket [13351 bytes]Most powerboats in this region will come with captain and crew, making life very easy for the guests. Having a good Thai cook onboard can make life here a real delight. Fresh fish, prawns crabs etc can be purchased directly from the many small fishing boats.

Before sailing out of port pick up a copy of SAIL THAILAND, a guide to boating in Thai waters, available around the island and in Boat Lagoon marina. This shows where to find safe anchorages and gives hints on where to find secretive and interesting places as well as mundane necessities like fuel, fresh water and supplies.