Sail Ko Phi Phi to Phuket

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to one of the most talked about places in Thailand – the island group of Ko Phi Phi. For many, this is the iconic image of the country – two islands connected by a great arc of pure white sand, striking limestone cliffs, and water that’s an unbelievably inviting shade of turquoise green. The island draws people through its fame as the location of Leonardo Di Caprio’s ‘The Beach’, but also for its colourful marine life, shops, bars, restaurants and fire spectacles on the beach. Perhaps arrive a few days early to enjoy the nightlife, hike to Phi Phi viewpoint, dive in waters filled with clown fish, barracuda, manta rays and reef sharks, go fishing, or maybe rock climbing. Meet your skipper and other group members at 3pm ready to board. After an orientation of the yacht and collection of your important insurance and next of kin information, begin your journey across the Andaman Sea. Set sail towards and visit the famed ‘Maya Beach’, the stunning backdrop for the film 'The Beach' with Leonardo di Caprio – on three sides 100 metre-high cliffs surround a white beach that meets turquoise water. This is the perfect place to ease into life on board with a dip in the water, dinner on board and a beautiful sunset.

Pull up the anchor early this morning and sail north, before stopping at Monkey Bay for some snorkelling. Just outside Loh Dalum Bay to the west, Monkey Bay’s beach is one of the most beautiful in the whole of Thailand, not just Phi Phi, which is really saying something in a country blessed with endless gorgeous sands. The bay gets its name from the monkeys who cavort around on the beach – keep an eye on any of your possessions as they are pretty cheeky! The water is clear and the coral is just below the surface – brightly coloured fish dart here and there, inches from your mask. After lunch, in the afternoon continue northwest to the undeveloped, unspoilt island of Ko Yao Yai. Here you’ll find lovely lonely beaches surrounded by mangroves. Around the beautiful bays there’s excellent snorkelling, leafy forest trails and sea kayaking to choose from. It’s a great place to relax away from the tourist trail and absorb the natural wonders, somewhere where glimpses of traditional island culture are still seen. Later this evening, head out to the beach to cap off another unforgettable day with a night beach BBQ, maybe grilling up some fresh caught earlier today. Relax the night away beside a fire pit, and watch the sun sink beneath the waves.

Set sail across a postcard landscape of shimmering azure waters and island-studded bays southwest to Ko Racha. Known for the clearest blue water in the area, these islands are a great destination for snorkelling, and are mainly home to farmers and fishermen. The hardest decision you’ll have to make today is how you’ll enjoy these fine powder white sandy beaches. Get active in the warm and inviting water with activities like kayaking or paddle boarding, or head ashore to take a walk across the island, passing coconut groves and the occasional water buffalo grazing, and be treated to some spectacular views. Maybe strap on a mask and head underwater with great visibility and clarity, where you can mingle with a wealth of curious marine life in a protected cove, or perhaps chill out on deck with a good book and a bowl of fresh fruit. Later, dine at a local restaurant and enjoy fragrant Thai dishes washed down with a cold local brew. Then spend the rest of the evening comfortably slumped in a bean bag, surrounded by turquoise blue water, and watch the sun dip beneath the waves. You can choose to spend the final night of this fabulously relaxing Thailand sailing adventure sleeping out on the deck under the stars.

A smooth sail brings you to your final destination of Phuket Island around 12 noon. Stop for your last chance to paddle, swim and snorkel in the waters of the Andaman Sea, spotting schools of brightly coloured fish off the coast before docking in Phuket. Arguably Thailand’s best known and certainly its largest island, Phuket is an island of modern pizazz mixed with sunshine exotica. It has some excellent beaches and a huge array of restaurants, hotels, bars and shopping, so perhaps stick around a couple of days to check it out. This is where your Andaman seafaring odyssey comes to an end. Afterwards you are free to explore all that Phuket has to offer, or to continue your onward journey.