Topical Island Sailing Adventures aboard the Suwan Macha from Phuket

Imagine this! A sun-drenched shimmering sea of emerald green studded abundantly with exotic islands streaked with powder-white sandy beaches and harboring unseen lagoons and secret coves. Sounds like a fantasy land, a scene from Peter Pan but this is the sailing ground for a 4 day sailing adventure on board the Suwan Macha in Thailand; paradise it is, fantasy it is not.

This short sailing holiday takes places on board the Suwan Macha, an Asian rigged traditional junk with characteristic burnt sienna sails that today navigates a route from Phuket Thailand to Phang Nga Bay, Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands before reversing her cruise to go back to Phuket with a new set of fortunate sailors over another 4 day heavenly family boat trip among the off-lying tropical islands of Phuket.

The Suwan Macha
With 5 cabins, the Suwan Macha can host up to 10 guests and sails with a experienced skipper and crew. Things are personal, slightly intimate but relaxed on-board this traditional junk which blends Asian world charm with Western creature comforts.

The Suwan Macha just emphasizes the fairy tale backdrop and watching the boat is almost dream-like as this imposing Oriental yacht sails majestically atop the green sea displaying an entirely ageless profile of lines and contrasting colours. Thousands of travellers to Thailand flock to Phuket annually and a few take to the seas to visit the plethora of off-lying islands by day or on live-aboard diving boats but very few get the chance to experience this exotic island cruise free from the crowds and in complete harmony with the surroundings.

While salvagers have scowered the seas for hidden treasure, the Suwan Macha is bounty in itself and a junk sailing cruise that takes you to explore and discover natural treasures like hidden lagoons, secret sandy coves, mangrove forests and a small community of Sea Gypsies that still exist segregated and independent 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 board the Suwan Macha.

Cast off, Castaway and James Bond (Day 1)
But let’s set out 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 plots a route for Phang Nga Bay weaving her way through towering limestone karsts 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 tranquil 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 glory and in amongst the rock karsts of Ao Phang Nga National Park, the visual impact is awe-inspiring. 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 azure 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 hammers home 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 afternoon draws to an end guests 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 final destination is Koh Phi Phi but between there and the anchorage in Krabi are scattered many smaller islands and a chance to snorkel, swim and sunbathe occur in series.

Once at Koh Phi Phi, guests have a chance to go on shore to explore before returning to yacht in time to catch their final Andaman sunset 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 lure 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 awesome, hypnotic 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.

Regrettably Maya Bay now magnetizes boatload after boatload 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 take 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 holiday-makers know Phuket for its entertainment value and it resounds with opportunities for adventure sports, eco adventures and recreational activities, embracing both water sports and outdoor adventures on land. Phuket is also famous for its nightlife, in places somewhat 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 annual Kings Cup Regatta thrust Phuket into becoming the headquarters of Yacht Sailing in Asia and it continues to be the biggest 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 offered all-year-round, although November through to April is the official Phuket Yacht Sailing season.

Needless to say, the cruising grounds in close proximity to Phuket are extraordinarily beautiful. Don’t expect Fastnet or Sydney to Hobart conditions but if you are looking for gentle sailing holidays that offer island hopping and adventure sailing in profusion then Phuket Sailing Vacations make for a very inspired alternative to the more conventional Phuket holiday formula. Sailing vacations in this area are also perfect for Families with kids and provide end-to-end 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, oozing 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.