Sailing from Phuket
Day 1: Phuket (0.00 NM)
Our adventure begins in Phuket, Thailand's largest island, which is a bit like a smorgasbord of experiences – you'll find everything here. From bustling beaches and nightlife to quiet corners where you'll feel like Robinson Crusoe. We chose Royal Phuket Marina as the starting point for our catamaran vacation in Thailand, a marina so shiny that even James Bond would be proud of it.
After boarding and a quick briefing from the captain, who seemed suspiciously calm considering he was entrusting us with a boat worth several million, we had the rest of the day to ourselves. Some set out to explore the local markets and taste the legendary street food, while others preferred to acclimatize at one of the beach bars. In the evening, we all gathered on deck, opened the first bottle of cold Chang beer, and toasted to a week that was supposed to be legendary. And you know what? It was.
Day 2: Phuket – Phang Nga Bay (20.00 NM)
The next morning, we weighed anchor and headed for Phang Nga Bay. And here I am lost for words. Imagine hundreds of limestone monoliths jutting out of the turquoise water like the teeth of some giant sea dragon. The scenery is so surreal that you feel like you've sailed into the movie Avatar.
The entire bay is interwoven with caves and hidden lagoons, known as "hong," which can only be reached by kayak and only at low tide. Paddling through a dark tunnel and suddenly finding yourself in a lagoon surrounded by 100-meter-high jungle-covered rocks, where the only sound is the screeching of monkeys... it's an unforgettable experience.
And then, of course, there is the highlight – Ko Tapu Island, which everyone calls James Bond Island. It was made famous by the villain Scaramanga in the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun. Although it is a bit busy here during the day, the view of the iconic mushroom-shaped rock is simply worth it. We waited until late afternoon, when the crowds of tourists had left, and enjoyed the true Bond atmosphere. The night at anchor in a completely sheltered bay was just the icing on the cake.
Day 3: Phang Nga Bay – Krabi (25.00 NM)
After a peaceful night in Phang Nga, we headed further east towards Krabi province. Our first destination was Ao Nang Beach. If you enjoy life, restaurants, bars, and shops, you will be in your element here. It is the beating heart of the entire area, where you can find everything from fried grasshoppers to hand-carved elephants.
But we were longing for something a little quieter, so we just stocked up on supplies and moved a little further to Railay Beach (also known as Rai Leh). And that's a different story. Railay is only accessible by boat because it is cut off from the mainland by massive limestone cliffs. This gives it the atmosphere of a lost paradise. It is a mecca for climbers, but also for ordinary mortals who want to enjoy a perfect beach without the noise of scooters and cars. The water is crystal clear, the sand is as fine as flour, and the scenery is breathtaking. We anchored a short distance from the beach, jumped into the water, and felt like we were in a coconut bar commercial. The best option for overnight stays is to anchor in Port Takola.
Day 4: Krabi – Koh Lanta (27.00 NM)
The fourth day was all about total relaxation. We headed south to Koh Lanta, which is the complete opposite of bustling Phuket. It is a quiet, peaceful place with dozens of kilometers of beaches where you often won't meet a soul. In addition, there are about 70 smaller islands scattered around the main island, which are part of a national park.
Here we spent the day island hopping. We sailed from one paradise bay to another, snorkeled above coral reefs teeming with life, and grilled fish for lunch that we had bought from a local fisherman in the morning. This is exactly the kind of freedom that a vacation aboard a catamaran in Thailand gives you. No plans, no rush. Do you like it here? Then just stay here.
Day 5: Koh Lanta – Phi Phi Islands (17.00 NM)
Who hasn't heard of the Phi Phi Islands? They became legendary thanks to the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio. And even though it's much busier here today than it was when Leo was running around, it's still a place that will take your breath away. The archipelago consists of two main islands – Phi Phi Don, where all life is concentrated, and the uninhabited Phi Phi Leh, where the famous Maya Bay is located.
Maya Bay was closed for several years due to excessive tourism so that nature could recover, and today it is only accessible under strict conditions. But even the view of it from a boat is magical. We anchored in a nearby bay, jumped into the water with our snorkels, and were amazed. The visibility was incredible, and the underwater world resembled a giant aquarium. In the evening, we moved to Phi Phi Don, where we enjoyed dinner at one of the local restaurants and soaked up some of the famous nightlife.
Day 6: Phi Phi Islands – Racha (31.00 NM)
After the hustle and bustle of Phi Phi, we decided to slow down again and headed for the Racha (or Raya) Islands, located south of Phuket. These two islands, Racha Yai and Racha Noi, are known for their white beaches and, above all, for their absolutely fantastic conditions for diving and snorkeling.
The water is so clear that you feel like you're floating in space. Schools of colorful fish swim around you, and occasionally you'll spot a moray eel peeking out from a rock or a majestic turtle. It's literally a tropical paradise below the surface. We spent the whole afternoon here with just a mask and fins and couldn't get enough. We spent the night anchored in a quiet bay and fell asleep to the sound of cicadas and the murmur of the sea.
Day 7: Racha – Phuket (21.00 NM)
The last day of our cruise. Sad? A little. But we still had one more stop to make. On the way back to the marina in Phuket, we stopped at the Coral Islands. As the name suggests, it is another great place for a final dive into the underwater world. It is the perfect farewell to the Andaman Sea.
After our last swim, we weighed anchor and headed back to civilization. We spent the evening in Phuket, where we enjoyed our last Thai dinner and, with a drink in hand, reminisced about all the incredible experiences. The sunrises over deserted coves, the laughter during evening barbecues on deck, the feeling of absolute freedom.
