Sailing holidays in Thailand's Phuket Island
There's nothing quite like the unspoilt beauty of Thailand's famously stunning islands. Sitting in glorious turquoise waters, these isles boast white sand beaches lying close to lush greenery and offer some of the best snorkelling and diving opportunities in the world. Phuket is a particularly wonderful place to visit, with excellent sailing conditions all year round.
Indeed, Phuket is in a protected part of the Andaman Sea, meaning that the sailing conditions here are great at pretty much any time of year. In particular, the cruising grounds off the east coast of the island are widely considered to be among the best anywhere in the world.
Yacht charters here can therefore prove particularly enjoyable, with awe-inspiring scenery complementing the fine sailing grounds.
Sailing holidays in Thailand have more to offer than simply spectacular scenery, however - although they certainly have this in abundance. Here you can find a rich culture, welcoming locals, splendid cuisine and incredible marine life. And of course, you can enjoy hops between some of the prettiest islands to be found anywhere on the planet.
Additionally, safe and secure anchorages are high in number, so you can expect to moor up in some wonderful surroundings.
What's more, you can enjoy this kind of break whether you're a seasoned sailor or a complete novice, as your sailing holiday options include a bareboat charter or a luxury crewed yacht trip. So, you can pick whether to set sail independently or call in the expertise of a professional, friendly crew.
Once you've decided on the kind of break you'd like, you can start planning exactly what you want to do and see while you're here. There's certainly plenty of choice, from fun-filled theme parks to world-renowned diving.
Of course, many people choose to travel to Phuket simply for the famous beauty of Thailand's islands. As well as gorgeous white sand beaches, Phuket possesses plenty of attractions, including the medley of traditional and modern attractions that can be found in Phuket Town.
A hugely popular nearby island to visit is Koh Phi Phi Le, the famous shooting location of hit film The Beach. A trip to the stunning paradise of Maya Bay is like nothing else, with incredible 300-metre high cliffs surrounding hypnotic turquoise waters and sugary white sand.
Also a wonderful snorkelling spot, the island is particularly easy to explore if you take a longtail boat around its beaches and the best diving areas.
The FantaSea theme park is another great place to visit - though certainly very different from the tranquil haven of Maya Bay. This Thai-themed amusement park is packed with great things to do, from dining out at excellent restaurants to watching show-stopping performances.
If it's diving that piques your interest, however, don't miss out on a trip to Shark Point. As its name suggests, here you can come across a variety of these infamous creatures, including nurse sharks and leopard sharks. Those visiting in February and March may also be lucky enough to see the absolutely huge whale shark, which tends to make an appearance around this time of year.
And it's not just sharks you can see here. Brightly-coloured schools of tropical fish and dazzling purple coral add to the magic of the incredible world you can discover through the crystal clear water.
For action-packed holidays in a gorgeous tropical paradise, a sailing holiday in Phuket is a choice you won't regret.
