Why choose a sailing holiday in Phuket?
If you're dreaming of escaping to a gorgeous island paradise, why not consider sailing holidays in Thailand? A country well known for its absolutely stunning isles set in turquoise waters, white sand beaches and great nightlife, Thailand is a perfect antidote to the daily grind of the nine-to-five working day.
Phuket is a particularly excellent choice, boasting fantastic sailing grounds off its east coast. Indeed, the sailing here is ranked among the best in the world - and its protected waters mean it is generally suitable for water-based adventures all year round.
Whether you've never sailed before or you're something of an expert, you can enjoy yacht charters here, which means that everyone has the option of experiencing this incredible kind of holiday.
Indeed, your sailing holiday options span a bareboat charter - which would allow you to take the helm - or a trip on a luxury crewed yacht, where you'd benefit from the expertise of a professional captain.
Offering a fantastic range of things to see and do, Phuket provides an excellent break, whether you're keen to explore delights of the underwater world or you simply want to relax on the beach.
If diving does pique your interest, you'll really be in for a treat during your break here. Thailand's diving is among the best to found anywhere in the world and Shark Point - a rock outcrop that is just about visible from the water's surface - is a particularly good spot to try it.
As you may have guessed from its name, it's a great place to see a variety of sharks, including leopard sharks and nurse sharks. If you're visiting during February and March, you might also spot the absolutely huge whale shark - something certain to be a highlight of your trip.
Alongside sharks, schools of intensely colourful tropical fish swim in these incredibly clear waters, while striking purple coral makes for an awesome sight.
Maya Bay is another good spot for diving - and one which you may recognise from the film adaptation of The Beach.
Situated on the shockingly beautiful island of Koh Phi Phi Le, the bay is surrounded by 300-metre high sheer cliffs, ringing in turquoise waters and gorgeous white sand. If you're eager to see as much of this tiny island as possible, it can be a good idea to take a longtail boat around the various beaches and diving spots.
Meanwhile, don't forget to explore Phuket Town during your break. Boasting a charming combination of old and new, it's home to great restaurants, shops and museums. There are also plenty of nightclubs to hit if you're itching to let your hair down.
Another fun place to head to is FantaSea, a cultural theme park celebrating all things Thai. Here you can dine at fabulous restaurants, take in lively, colourful shows, go shopping and much more.
Or, you might like to pay a visit to James Bond Island - known locally as Koh Tapu - which was featured in The Man with the Golden Gun. This is a popular place for tourists to visit, and a must for fans of the famous spy.
And of course, the sailing itself is something you can really enjoy here. You'll be able to cruise in the protected waters of the Andaman Sea while soaking up the sun, with scenic short hops between islands.
