Visualize this! A sun-drenched glistening sea of emerald green studded copiously with exotic islands splashed with powder-white sandy beaches and harboring unseen lagoons and secret coves. Sounds like a fairy tale land, a scene from Peter Pan but this is the cruising ground for a 4 day sailing adventure aboard the Suwan Macha in Thailand; paradise it is, fairy story it is not.
This short sailing holiday takes places aboard the Suwan Macha, an Asian rigged traditional junk with distinctive red sails that today navigates a course from Phuket Thailand to Phang Nga Bay, Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands before reversing her course to go back to Phuket with a fresh group of lucky guests over another 4 day idyllic family boat trip among the off-lying tropical islands of Phuket.
The Suwan Macha
With 5 cabins, the Suwan Macha can accommodate up to 10 guests and sails with a qualified skipper and crew. Things are personal, a little cozy but casual aboard this shapely junk which combines Asian world allure with Western amenities.
The Suwan Macha just accentuates the fairy tale setting and watching her is almost dream-like as this beautiful Oriental yacht sails imposingly atop the green sea presenting an utterly ageless profile of lines and contrasting tones. Most travellers to Thailand descend on Phuket each year and some of those take to the seas to visit the plethora of off-lying islands by day or on live-aboard diving boats but not many get the opportunity to experience this exotic island boat trip away from the hordes and in complete harmony with the setting.
While salvagers have trolled the seas for hidden treasure, the Suwan Macha is a treasure in itself and a junk sailing cruise that takes you to explore and discover natural treasures like hidden lagoons, secret sandy inlets, mangrove forests and a small community of Sea Gypsies that still exist separated and free from the general population of Thailand.
Suwan Macha Adventure Sailing
This tropical island sailing cruise can be done from Phuket to Phang Nga Bay and onto Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands or in reverse; the former departs on Saturdays and the latter on Tuesdays but either way the cruise begins from the front door of your Phuket hotel. If you take the reverse cruise we collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the ferry which whisks you from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands where you will go aboard the Suwan Macha.
Cast off, Castaway and James Bond (Day 1)
But let’s head off from your Phuket hotel and join the Suwan Macha after a short drive to the Phuket Yacht Haven where she is moored. Departure time is 2pm and you will be onboard with plenty of time to spare. Mooring lines are cast-off and the Suwan Macha charts a course for Phang Nga Bay weaving her way through towering islands and edging ever closer to the ever popular James Bond island that was put firmly on the chart in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). Otherwise known as Koh Tapu the island is part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park and after taking time to explore the island the day trippers flee for home leaving the Suwan Macha in peaceful harmony. Drop anchor, kick back and prepare for a picture postcard sunset before enjoying a feast of Thai food for dinner taken on the teak decks.
Sea Gypsy’s, Hidden Lagoons and Powder White Beaches (Day 2)
There is nothing quite like waking up on a sailing yacht (or junk!), coming up on deck to experience Nature in all her splendour and in amongst the rock karsts of Ao Phang Nga National Park, the visual impact is spectacular. Breakfast is served on-deck before guests are invited to explore a unique Sea Gypsy Village and experience a boat ride through the mangroves in search of hidden lagoons.
After visiting the Sea Gypsy’s, sail onwards and southwards to the clear emerald waters of Krabi. This is time to stretch out on the sun-soaked decks whilst enjoying icy cold cocktails and the panoramic splendour of the tropical seascape. Today also exemplifies the real advantage of yacht sailing as the Suwan Macha discovers deserted powder-white beaches for swimming, snorkeling and some private sun-bathing.
As the daylight draws to an end clients are treated to their second Andaman Sea Sunset followed by a table laden with Thai Food to enjoy beneath the stars on-deck.
Yacht Sailing from Krabi to the Phi Phi Islands (Day 3)
Another morning, one more anchorage, one more feast for the senses topped-up with breakfast on-deck! The theme today is Tropical Island hopping. The ultimate destination is Koh Phi Phi but between there and the anchorage in Krabi are scattered many smaller islands and opportunities to snorkel, swim and sunbathe occur in series.
Having arrived at Koh Phi Phi, guests have an opportunity to go on shore to explore before returning to yacht in time to catch their final Andaman sundown aboard the Suwan Macha followed by the now ubiquitous smorgasbord of Thai food served up on-deck.
The Beach, the Bay and Return (Day 4)
As Koh Tapu became a magnet for tourism after being featured in The Man with the Golden Gun, Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley captivated viewers movie-goers by its incredible, spellbinding and mesmerizing beauty when it became the backdrop in the 2000 drama film "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Maya Bay is the final destination for the Suwan Macha 4 day cruise.
Sadly Maya Bay now magnetizes boatloads of tourists on a daily basis who descend on “The Beach” for a glimpse of paradise. Having anchored in close proximity, the Suwan Macha has the upper-hand though and by making an early morning visit guests are spared the lifejacket-clad hordes.
After visiting Maya Bay and exploring the cave guests of the Suwan Macha enjoy lunch on Koh Phi Phi before returning to Phuket by ferry.
Sailing Adventures from Phuket
Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is bathed by the Andaman Sea. Most travellers know Phuket for its entertainment value and it reverberates with opportunities for adventure sports, eco adventures and recreational activities, embracing both water sports and outdoor activities on land. Phuket is also celebrated for its nightlife, in places slightly decadent, but that scene is contained and easily avoided if neon lights and gyrating bodies are not your scene and Phuket has a positively epicurean side.
Inaugurated in 1987, the yearly Kings Cup Regatta propelled Phuket into becoming the headquarters of Yacht Sailing in Asia and it continues to be the largest and most popular regatta in the region today. And in the wake of the Kings Cup Regatta leisure sailing has boomed with private yacht ownership, flotilla sailing holidays, corporate sailing and sailing schools all now accessible all-year-round, although November through to April is the official Phuket Yacht Sailing season.
Needless to say, the cruising grounds near Phuket are exceptionally beautiful. Don’t expect Fastnet or Sydney to Hobart conditions but if you are looking for gentle sailing vacations that offer island hopping and adventure sailing in profusion then Phuket Sailing Holidays make for a very inspired option to the more typical Phuket vacation formula. Sailing vacations in Southern Thailand are also perfect for Families with kids and provide endless entertainment with swimming, snorkeling and island adventures each and every day.
The Suwan Macha is but one option where Phuket sailing holidays are concerned and this authentically shaped, Asian rigged traditional junk, exuding oriental world charm but with enough Western creature comforts, is a perfect platform for family cruises in and around the islands and she can also be chartered outright.
Author Resource:-
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