Sailing Thailand Yacht Charter, Sailing Courses – Island Cruises

Ang Thong Cruise – The Hidden Cave

Alf — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 05:17:26 +0000

Summertime is coming, and with it the possibility to visit one of the most outstanding attractions you can visit on our sailing cruises to the Ang Thong National Park. Caving always has been a part of our Island Cruises Ang Thong Tours, since the caves are some of the most spectacular features of the national park. But this cave is by far the most interesting one to be found there. Due to only providing save access during a certain period of the year and the fact, that there is a certain degree of physical fitness required to do so, it is not on the schedule of any of the day cruise companies flooding the Ang Thong National Park with tourists. However, the only challenge is entering the cave. The entrance is well hidden, which is not difficult because it is just wide enough for one person to get in or out at a time. It leads through a vertical chimney of only approximately 2 meters in length. So even people with claustrophobic tendencies can overcome this obstacle, since inside, the cave is opening up to the size of a subway tunnel in average.

Have a look at the video below to get an impression of the cave before I will go into detail about the features to be seen there and how they developed over thousands of years:

[text_output]

Geology Ang Thong National Park

[/text_output]

Limestone Layers

Over millions of years, as the sea rose and fell, shelled marine organism died and sunk to the ground, eventually forming limestone through compression. These limestone layers were pushed up and folded by movements of the Earth's continental crust.

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][text_output]The Ang Thong National Park is a karst landscape. These are formed by the dissolution of soluble rock, in our case limestone. The main feature of a karst topography is underground drainage systems, sinkholes and… Caves! More specific, it is a cone karst and tower karst landscape, reminiscent to the better known Phang Nga Bay, on the west coast of Thailand, and the Halong Bay in Vietnam. Cone karst is only occurring in the tropics, since an all year round wet or dry wet climate is necessary to provide the circumstances for the intense weathering needed to form this type of karst. Another prerequisite is very pure limestone, a sedimentary rock usually developing under water comprised of the shells of marine organisms, coral skeletons and molluscs. For millions of years the whole area was flooded resulting in thick layers of limestone sediment. These horizontal layers of limestone were pushed up and folded by tectonic movement (movements of the Earth’s continental crust).

Cave features (Speleothems)

Speleothems are secondary mineral deposits formed in a cave. Rain passes through the soil zone and becomes slightly acidic by reacting with the soil CO2. Then it washes out calcite when passing through cracks and crevices of the soluble bedrock. The calcite deposits in various forms as the enriched water precipitates in the cave.[/text_output]

Stalactites

Stalactites with some Soda Straws at the end

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][text_output]When the mineral laden water arrives at and edge and if this edge is the ceiling of a cave it drips down. Being exposed to the air, the chemical process which created it is reversed and tiny particles of calcium carbonate are deposited. Stalactites start with one drop of mineral laden water forming a very thin ring of calcite where that drop was falling off the ceiling of the cave. After a while a thin tube with a diameter of 4 to 5 mm develops. These fragile tubes are called “soda straws”. If these tubes are clogged, water starts flowing on the outside of the soda straw, building up the more well known cone shaped stalactites. After a prolonged period of dry weather during which the stalactite didn’t grow any more the process can restart, building up soda straws at the tip of a stalactite like shown in the picture above.[/text_output]

Stalagmites

I named this Stalagmite "The Angel"

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][text_output]The same mineral saturated water dripping down from the tips of stalactites or the ceiling of the cave is eventually forming rounded or cone shaped structures on the floor. These are never hollow like the soda straws but solid structures. If they build up underneath a stalactite they can grow together forming pillars, called columns.[/text_output]

Flowstone

Many slopes in this cave are covered with flowstone

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][text_output]When water flows over walls and the floor of a cave it builds flowstone. Flowstone are sheet like deposits out of calcite or other carbonate materials. In our caves in the Ang Thong National Park these sheets are usually sparkling a lot, giving the scenery a fairy tale glow. Lesser known to the public than stalagmites and stalactites, flowstone is actually the most abundant speleothem in limestone caves.[/text_output]

Rimstone pools

An abundance of rimstone pools is one of the most outstanding features of this cave

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][text_output]Another common feature of limestone caves are rimstone dams and pools. In our cave here in Ang Thong, it is the dominating feature, since, at times it must have resembled a freshwater underground stream. Still much of this cave is comprised of water pools, some of then so deep that you have to swim to continue the cave exploration.

Rimstone dams, also called gours, in limestone caves are calcite deposits built up when water flows over the edge of a pool. The turbulence when the water floats over the edge likely let is gas out the carbon dioxide causing the calcite particles building up the dam. Above and below the rimstone dam micro gours are often found.[/text_output]

Sandstone alternating with black limestone

The grey and black limestone is interlaced with sandstone

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][text_output]What really makes this cave more special than the others in the Ang Thong National Park is the high percentage of sandstone in between the grey and black limestone. While already the black limestone with its white bands of calcite deposits is very beautiful, it can be seen in many other caves and above ground in the national park. This uniqueness is made possible, because this cave is an erosional one, which can develop in any kind of rock, even granite. This means that there was (and is) a stream of water which washed out the caverns instead of only being based on acidic water slowly dissolving the limestone.[/text_output]

Sandstone "sculpture"

The author in front of the sandstone sculpture featured in the video

[line id=”” class=”” style=””]

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][text_output]

How can I get there?

Visiting this cave is only possible from about the end of May to roughly mid October. Since the island where the cave is located in the Ang Thong National Park is the furthest away from Koh Tao you need to book at least a 4 Day Ang Thong Tour or a longer yacht charter with Freedom Fargo to have the possibility to add this attraction to the itinerary. And of course, it’s not for the faint-hearted. We have a set of modern LED head lamps for our guests and the difficulty of entering and moving through the cave is moderate. But it really is an adventure. The decision to go is yours and the responsibility as well.[/text_output]

Sailing Thailand – Luxury Yacht Charter Phuket

Alf — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 01:22:10 +0000

A luxury yacht charter from Phuket gives you the opportunity to soak in the beauty of Thailand with some of it’s best known landmarks even on a day cruise. The marinas are situated on the East Coast of Phuket with Phang Nga Bay at its doorstep.

Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay is a world heritage site boasting Koh Tapu, better known as “James Bond Island” featured in the movie “The man with the golden gun”.
But Phang Nga Bay has a lot more to offer than just one picturesque island. The bay is dotted with a myriad of little islands featuring steep limestone cliffs providing an unforgettable backdrop when lounging on a yacht. Some of these islands, like Koh Hong Phang Nga or Koh Phanak are “Hongs”. Hong is the Thai word for room and in this context it refers to a lagoon like enclosed area only accessible through a narrow gap in the cliffs or a cave tunnel like the lagoons in Koh Phanak or Koh Muk.
In the north of the bay is a gypsy village on stilts great for a stroll through and a good selection of restaurants offering the local cuisine with, of course, emphasis on sea food.
The only down side of Phang Nga Bay is the clarity of the water. This is due to the shallowness of the bay and the high nutrition content of the water – which is good for the sea food and not so good for the visibility.
If crystal clear waters are of importance to you don’t worry. You merely have to adjust the compass heading towards the south.

Sailing destinations South and Southeast of Phuket

On a luxury yacht charter you can dive into those coral laden crystal clear waters, Thailand is famous for, even on a day trip. The closest destination with really great snorkeling is Koh Raya. Only 12 km from the southern tip of Phuket lays Raya Yai and the smaller, uninhabited Raya Noi. While Raya Yai has some stunning beaches and is home to some exclusive resorts, Raya Noi is rather rocky and has the better coral for snorkeling.
A little further lays famous Koh Phi Phi and the other islands SE of Phuket. My recommendation here is only to visit Phi Phi Lei on over night charters. In recent years the popularity, especially of Phi Phi Lei as the location where “The Beach” was filmed, has led to an increase of mass tourism speed boat tours which really spoil the experience for the discerning traveler on a yacht charter. As an over night destination it’s still great since all the speed boats disappear in the afternoon, but if you are underway on a fast vessel for a day you should skip this destination and head right for Koh Hah where some of the best snorkeling and diving in vicinity of Phuket can be found.

Luxury yachts available from Phuket

Pnuket, the undisputed yacht charter hub of south east Asia has now in 2017 the biggest amount of luxury yachts available for yacht charter in the region. While there were already several luxurious motor yachts on offer, there were some great additions of sailing luxury yachts in the recent past. Not only that these yachts are nice to look at, but especially in capacity and price they are the ideal yachts for your wedding reception, after wedding party or corporate event.
A good example is the “Shangani” Luxury Sailing Catamaran. She can take up to 60 passengers on day cruises, and with the large group deal, the luxury yacht charter on this vessel comes for less than 100 Euro per head. And there is not only the boat but lunch, soft drinks and even 100 beers and 5 l of wine included in the group price.

More stylish is one of the most recent additions to Phuket’s luxury yacht fleet: The “Silver Lining”. This 104 ft (31.6 m) luxury yacht is a Sparks and Stephens design with stunning lines inviting for a photo shoot of your special event. A large saloon with panoramic views of the surroundings gives you the opportunity to see the tropical surroundings without being exposed to the tropical heat. Both pictures on this post are featuring this luxury yacht.

Of course to take full advantage of a vessel like the “Silver Lining” is chartering her for several days. Only on a over night charter you can make use of the luxuriously fitted cabins and all facilities of the boat. However, the best way to find out which luxury yacht charter really suits you is to contact us and give us as many details as possible how your dream charter should look like.

Thai Cooking Class Koh Tao from our Yacht Crew

Alf — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 07:49:13 +0000

The Thai Cuisine

Thai food is healthy, has a huge variety, and on top of it is easy to prepare. The often short preparation saves time and makes the ubiquitously used vegetables and herbs not to loose their vitamins. Now you can learn how to cook delicious and healthy Thai food from our former yacht crew on the paradise island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand.

Learn how to cook Thai food on Koh Tao

Joy offers cooking classes for traditional Thai food without MSG and copious amounts of sugar. We are using mainly seasonal fruits and vegetables because recipes are not carved in stone but freshness is of utter importance. As a Thai person she can give you the right tips and tricks to prepare really authentic Thai food. Through her long years of experience in the Tourism industry, not to forget the years as chef and crew on our sailing yacht, her knowledge of the English language is excellent.

Who is Joy?

My name is Sasinan Piadamrong, nick name “Joy”. (Here in Thailand hardly anyone is called by his or her given name but by the nick name given in their early life). Already my journalism studies in Bangkok were financed with a food stall in my home town Chumphon. Doing this, I realized that my real passion is cooking and food. An ideal combination of my other passion, which is traveling, and the preparation of delicious meals, I found working on the sailing yacht of my later partner Alf. Since the birth of our daughter in 2014 I rather stay on land, giving you the opportunity to do Thai cooking classes with me on Koh Tao.

Our Thai Cooking Class:

The cooking classes are mostly private with a maximum occupancy of 4 students.
Four dishes of your free choice are prepared – to name a dish Joy is not able to cook you have to be a real specialist in Thai cuisine.
Cooking Class duration is 4 hours. In case you would like to participate in shopping for the class, which we encourage since Joy is very happy to share her knowledge about the ingredients, it is about 5 hours all together.
Easily repeat the dishes you learned at home – Our Thai Cooking Class Website is constantly growing with more recipes. So you have them always handy where there is internet. Or just print the print friendly version without the pictures.

Thai Cooking Class for vegetarians and people with special dietary needs

A true specialty of Joy is the vegetarian Thai cuisine. At her mums house in Chumphon there is since years only vegetarian food prepared out of religious reasons. No wonder that her repertoire in vegetarian and vegan dishes is massive. So if you like to learn vegetarian or vegan Thai dishes you are at the right address. Her vegetarian students are very happy with what they’ve learned with Joy – Just have a look at the reviews of our vegetarian students on our Thai cooking with Joy Facebook page.

How to book

To book a cooking class with us you can just contact us here or directly through the contact form of our Cooking Class Website

Sailing Day Charter Samui – Red Baron

Alf — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 00:42:32 +0000

Day Cruises from Koh Samui on Red Baron

The Sailing Samui Day Cruise Yacht:

Being the largest yacht in Koh Samui available for day cruises, Red Baron is the choice for people who just want a comfortable and relaxed sail on a stable vessel. With 30 m in length, 6.5 m width and weighing 54 tons, her functional sails will provide shade while sipping a cocktail at the bar and not make the boat heel over like the average monohull sailing yacht which uses the wind to move forward. To move she is utilizing her strong 385 hp engine which guarantees a smooth ride to the destinations on the itinerary.

Layout:

On the upper deck to the vessel you can find 10 sun beds with cocktail tables, massage beds and towels. The main deck is nicely laid out with comfortable chairs for 16 guests, a huge dining table and up to 10 more guests can lounge in the cushioned side benches. For the unlikely event that it is raining during your sailing cruise around Samui there is a covered saloon on the sailing junk, providing space for 18 passengers around rustic tables on comfortable benches. The open air lounge caters for up to 8 guests who are offered a selection of nice cigars, wines, whiskies, cognacs and vodkas. Furthermore the vessel is equipped with a fishing platform with 3 fishing seats and 2 showers. Below deck the 2 house style bathrooms with toilet and shower are located.

Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise

This romantic sailing cruise will lead you to Koh Som, a beautiful small island just off shore of Koh Samui. A stunning setting of limestone cliffs surrounding a white paradise beach awaits you. The beach is famous for some birds, which answer when you cal them. On the way back, the sumptuous dinner buffet, combined with the famous Samui sunset, will be a delight while gliding gently through the pristine waters back to the pier, located at the picturesque fishing village at Mae Naam, in Koh Samui.

Included in the price:

Transfer from your accommodation on Samui
Welcome Drink
Fresh fruits
On board dinner buffet
Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks, Water

The Samui Romantic Sunset is going: Monday & Friday from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Price: 2500 THB/Person

Brunch Cruise to Koh Phangan

Come aboard this unique sailing junk and get ready to embark on a journey to Koh Phangan. The smaller neighboring island of Koh Samui has hidden beaches, water falls and lush green jungle to be explored. You will get to snorkel the clear water with myriads of fish surrounding you. While sailing up to Koh Pahngan you will be served a sumptuous breakfast and later on you can savor the never ending brunch buffet complemented by our famous bbq.

Included in the price:

Transfer from your accommodation on Samui
Welcome Drink
Brunch buffet with a variety of tasty dishes, fresh fruits and desserts
Snorkeling Equipment
Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks, Water

The Brunch Cruise is going: Wednesday & Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Price: 2950 THB/Person

Samui full day cruise

A full day to explore the best beaches on Koh Samui. While being served a voluminous breakfast you are heading to the most beautiful beaches on the island. To name a few: Lamai, Choeng Mon, Taling Ngam and Lipa Noi. This journey of a lifetime will lead you as well to the “Five Islands”, Koh Tan and other hideaways solely reachable by boat.
When lunch time comes up you will enjoy our mouthwatering Thai Lunch Buffet accompanied by our famous BBQ. A day of pure bliss with snorkeling and sailing or just relaxing with a good cigar in one hand and a Cognac or Whisky from the well sorted bar in the other.

Included in the price:

Transfer from your accommodation on Samui
Welcome Drink
Full breakfast
On Board Lunch Buffet
Variety of Snacks and Fruits
Snorkeling Equipment
Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks, Water

The Samui Full Day Cruise is going: Tuesday & Saturday from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm

Price: 3500 THB/Person

Private Yacht Charter Samui – Red Baron

With a lot of space for 40 people (the boat would hold up to 100 passengers but to provide a luxury experience, groups are limited to 40 participants) this sailing yacht is the choice for the ever more popular tropical wedding on Koh Samui. Our team has lots of experience to make this day memorable for a life time. The wedding packages can be fully customized to your needs and our motto is: No is not an option!

Other occasions to charter the entire yacht on Koh Samui:

Private trips to Mu Koh Ang Thong or Koh Panghan
Romantic Dinner
Corporate Events
Staff Party
Honeymoon
Party with DJ, Fireworks, Thai Dancers

…and more

If you are looking for a smaller boat just for yourself available for Day Charters on Koh Samui please have a look at Sailing Catamaran Nautiness II, Dreamcatcher or the small but fast sailing Crazy Horse.

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][button shape=”square” size=”large” float=”none” block=”true” info=”tooltip” info_place=”left” info_trigger=”hover” href=”http://www.island-cruises.org/contact/” title=”Inquire here” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”” style=””]Contact us[/button]

Crewed Sailing Yacht Charter

Forrest — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 03:32:25 +0000

Sailing in Thailand – Crewed Yacht Charter

Probably the best way to enjoy a sailing cruise through the tropical paradise islands of the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and adjacent countries is a crewed yacht charter on the boats specialized for this task. Kick back and relax while a dedicated crew with extensive local knowledge brings you to the best places the sailing area has on offer. Culinary delights of the Thai cuisine are served on board in remote bays. No cleaning or other menial chore diminishes the pleasure of your sailing holiday.

Overview of our sailing yachts and catamarans specialized on crewed yacht charter in Thailand

While every single bareboat yacht we offer for yacht charter in Thailand is available as well with crew complement, be it just a skipper or fully crewed with skipper, chef and hostess/boat boy, there is as well a range of yachts which is not available as bareboats and which are specialized on skippered or fully crewed yacht charter. Most of the time these yachts offer a better price value for a yacht charter than bareboat yachts with crew complement in general, in particular by offering low occupancy discounts reflecting the real amount of guests taking part on the yacht charter. The pricing of these yachts is usually almost “all inclusive” with only minor expenses like alcoholic drinks and national park fees added to the actual yacht charter price. Chartering these yachts for your sailing holiday is easy and carefree.

Our mono hulls specialized on Crewed Yacht Charter in Thailand

Our multi hulls specialized on Crewed Yacht Charter in Thailand

Home port Phuket:

[text_output] [/text_output]

[text_output]

Home port Samui:

[/text_output]

[text_output] [/text_output]

[text_output]

Why book a crewed yacht charter with Island Cruises?

This service is unique and you won’t be able to find anything like it anywhere else. Why are our crewed yacht charters so unique? Simply put, it is because of the people who run them. These charter boats are not run by large corporations like in many other locations all over the world. Rather, they are run by individual sailors whose life’s passion is sailing and chartering their yachts is a way to pursue it. The skippers of each boat have an intimate knowledge of their sailing area whether it be the Andaman Sea in the west or the Gulf of Thailand in the east. Most importantly, they truly love the sport and art of sailing.

Sailing Areas for Crewed Yacht Charter in Thailand

Most of our yachts are located in Phuket, which is still the main yacht hub of Thailand. From there all destinations in the Andaman Sea are reachable, be it abroad and pretty far away like the Mergui Archipelago or the famous Phang Nga Bay which is already in viewing distance from some of the marinas on Phuket’s east coast. For more in depth information about those areas please have a look at our Sailing Thailand Phuket Area category. Less developed for yacht charter is the Gulf of Thailand. Our crewed yachts in the Gulf of Thailand start from Samui and Koh Tao which are more or less a day sail away of the main sailing and sight seeing attraction: The Ang Thong Marine National Park. For more information about the western Gulf of Thailand please visit our Sailing Thailand Samui Area[/text_output]

Andaman Sea – Phuket Southeastern Islands Safari

Alf — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 09:53:36 +0000

Phuket Southeastern Islands Safari – Introduction

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights on Catamaran Amadeus

The area southeast of Phuket is geographically gorgeous, with all islands being beautiful and unique in their own way. There are many wonderful tourist attractions in the area southeast of Phuket with the “Emerald Cave” and the world famous Phi Phi islands amongst them. Embark on an epic cruise through the pristine waters of the Andaman Sea. Go snorkeling in crystal clear waters over colorful coral reefs with the outstanding biodiversity the region is known for. Arrive at “The Beach” film setting on Phi Phi Lei when the tour boats from Phuket have left and enjoy the breathtaking scenery in seclusion.
All of this on your own floating hotel with all amenities, including being pampered by a dedicated crew serving authentic Thai Cuisine and mouthwatering western dishes.

Click here for more Information about the Sailing Area SE of Phuket

SE of Phuket Islands Safari – Detailed Itinerary

Beach on Koh Maithon

Day 1 – Start your South of Phuket Islands Safari in Chalong

Boarding time is 10:30 am at Chalong Pier in the SE of Phuket Island. While you are getting familiar with your new floating home, a 2 hour sail will bring you to Koh Maithon for lunch and the first dip in the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea.
The afternoon will be spent sailing our comfortable catamaran to Koh Phi Phi Don, arriving there before night fall. World renowned for its spectacular setting, Ton Sai Bay provides everything you can wish for giving yourself a treat, being it a relaxing massage, a pedicure or just a stroll around the bustling town.

Day 2 – Koh Lanta – Kantiang Beach, Swimming, Elephant Riding

The first sailing destination of the day is Kantiang Beach on Koh Lanta. This 1 km long stretch of sand is considered the best on the island. The backdrop of the beach is covered in lush green foliage inviting for a hike or even an elephant ride (not included in the charter price). Later in the day we will relocate further south to an even more secluded anchorage for the night

Day 3 – Emerald Cave, Snorkeling at Koh Rok Nok and Beach BBQ

Entering the Emerald Cave

Having breakfast underway we are sailing north to Koh Mook. This limestone island is home to the famous “Emerald Cave”. Here the kayaks come in handy to explore this about 80m long cave tunnel leading into a cathedral like lagoon. Do not forget to put a flash light into your travel luggage!
Next stop is Koh Rok Nok. The moorings here are set just in between the abundant coral gardens which make, in combination with the clear water inhabited by a myriad of colorful fish, for some of the best snorkeling in the Andaman Sea. The evening is spent ashore for a stunning sunset followed by a beach BBQ.

Day 4 – More first class snorkeling and “The Beach”

Coral fish Koh Hah / Phuket Cruise

Starting off the day exploring some more snorkeling spots around Koh Rok Nok and continuing on the cruise to Koh Ha, famous for its dive sites. Not only the diving, but as well the snorkeling is excellent there. On the way there you can try your luck with some fishing. Some fresh Tuna is great for sashimi!
The final sailing destination of the day is Koh Phi Phi Leh, arriving there after the last of the tourist boats have left Maya Bay, where the movie “The Beach” was filmed in 1999. You can be sure to be spoiled with a spectacular sunset.

Day 5 – Sailing to Koh Racha Yai and some Dolphin spotting

Sunset from the Yacht

We are using the morning to explore “The Beach” in all its beauty before we set sail to cover the distance to Koh Racha Yai. The body of water we are crossing provides a good chance of spotting some bottle nose dolphins underway, so we keep a keen lookout all the time.
Arriving at Racha Yai we have several bays to choose from with either excellent snorkeling possibilities or amazing beaches to laze on. And again, with your choice of sun downer watching a stunning sunset on our Phuket Sailing Cruise.

Day 6 – Sailing back to Phuket to end our SE of Phuket Island Safari

After a leisurely breakfast we head back to Ao Chalong, the starting and end point of our SE of Phuket Island Safari. ETA is around 11:00 am when you can start to make your way to your accommodation or the airport.

Click here to see the Catamaran used for SE – Phuket Islands Safari

Prices and Cruise Dates SE Phuket Islands Safari

Cruise Dates	04-09 Nov 2018 11-16 Nov 2018 18-23 Nov 2018 25-30 Nov 2018 02-07 Dec 2018 09-14 Dec 2018 16-21 Dec 2018 06-11 Jan 2019 13-18 Jan 2019 20-25 Jan 2019 27 Jan-01 Feb 2019 03-08 Feb 2019 10-15 Feb 2019 17-22 Feb 2019 10-15 Mar 2019 17-22 Mar 2019 24-29 Mar 2019 31 Mar-05 Apr 2019 07-12 Apr 2019 14-19 Apr 2019 21-26 Apr 2019
Double cabin, ensuite bathroom (2 adults)	€ 1295 / person - single supplement € 1685
Double cabin, shared bathroom (2 adults)	€ 1195 / person - single supplement € 1540
Children:	Must be 12 years or older

Prices include: • 5 nights on board • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners • Fruit & snacks, Coffee, tea & drinking water • Cruise itinerary as supplied • Snorkeling & fishing equipment • Linen & bath towels • 2 x sit-on-top kayaks	Prices do not include: • National Park fees of about € 30.- / person • Beer, wine, spirits, cocktails & soft drinks • Transfers to and from yacht • Tip for the crew

Remarks:

Itineraries may change at the discretion of the captain for safety reasons
Please bring along: a torch, beach towel, light sleeping bag (if you wish to sleep under the stars), beach shoes, luggage in soft bag, no hard suitcases please
Minimum 6 persons to be able to carry out the cruise
National park fees to be collected at the beginning of the Phuket Southeastern Islands Sailing Safari

If you would like more information about the Phuket Southeastern Islands Safari, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We speak both English and German.[/text_output]

Myanmar/Burma – Mergui Luxury Sailing Cruise

James — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:52:53 +0000

Mergui Luxury Sailing Cruise Catamaran Cataleya

Duration: 9 Days 8 Nights Aboard SY Cataleya

Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago – 800 islands which are rarely visited and still almost completely undeveloped. Scores of conical peaks are poking up from the water like the sunken volcanoes of a lost world, surrounded by bright blue water turning to pale green where the water thins around the sand bars. The islands are covered in dense jungle of teak, mahogany and strangler figs which grow with such fertility that they seem to devour the islands. About 2000 Moken or Salon people, commonly known as Sea Gypsies still roam the waters of the Mergui Archipelago off the coast of southern Myanmar/Burma. The Salon claim, that the islands were separated from the mainland after a huge mythological flood. Looking at them from a sailing yacht, the story does not seem that far-fetched. It appears like you have the entire Andaman Sea to yourself.

For Mergui Archipelago 4 or 6 day Safari Click here

Mergui Luxury Sailing Cruise – Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 – Mergui Luxury Sailing Cruise start Kawthaung

A family enjoying the beginning of the cruise from Kawthaung onward to our first nights anchorage.

Our sailing cruise starts at Kawthaung/Myanmar, which you can reach via airplane from Yangoon, or by longtail boat from Ranong, just across the river in Thailand. Get ready for a step back in time! We are leaving Kawthaung after lunch for “Barwell Passage” to anchor there between two scenic islands providing picturesque beaches and a sandspit. We will stay there over night.

Day 2 – Snorkeling, bird spotting and lazing on the beach

Anchored for the first night in the Barwell passage.

A relaxing sail brings us to “Palu Bada”. This island group, containing about 12 islands, is a great place to make use of the kayaks. Explore the stunning beaches. Spot some of the rare birds the area is famous for, in the lush foliage behind them. Go snorkeling with colorful tropical fishes on the unspoiled reef – or just relax on deck of our spacious sailing catamaran, soaking in the surroundings of this exceptionally beautiful anchorage.

Day 3 – Pu Nala and Selat Galet: Experience the Moken people first hand!

Some Moken children come to take a look at our boat.

A short sail brings us to “Pu Nala” or “Bow Chong Island” how it is called nowadays. Some of the Moken or Salon people, commonly known as Sea Gypsies have settled down here. Having the opportunity to visit one of these villages is a very unique experience. Play football with the children, visit the monastery which doubles as school or just stroll around watching the village life. We continue with a stopover in another bay for a dip in the water and lunch. After hoisting the anchor again in the afternoon we are heading for “Selat Galet”, a hidden passage between two islands. The main attraction here is the abundance of sea eagles circling in the sky looking for prey. Another great thing to do is exploring a mangrove river by kayak. And last, but not least, there is another small Moken village to be visited. A little hint: writing pads and pencils are highly appreciated by the indigenous children.

Day 4 – Clara Island: Snorkeling, beaches and water falls

Kids explore the crystal clear water with abundant aquatic life at our Clara Island stop.

Clara Island, also known as “Kalaya Kayun” lays on the western border of the Mergui archipelago. Crystal clear waters with an abundance of fish life and coral makes you want to stay in the water forever. The coastline features an abundance of coves and bays to be explored. Most of them with bone white beaches and some even with waterfalls coming down from the rugged boulder formations behind them.

Day 5 – Sailing, beaches and bonfire with BBQ in a hidden cove

campfire on the beach with a BBQ in the Mergui archipelago

Heading south under sails after a hearty breakfast and a morning swim brings us to Great Swinton Island or “Kyun Pila”. This is another pearl of the Mergui Archipelago that provides the outstanding underwater world which makes this sailing cruise so special. Do some snorkeling and soak up the sun on one of the many great beaches before we set sail again in the afternoon to relocate to our secret beach for a romantic bonfire and BBQ in the evening.

Day 6 – Cruise to Horburgh and further on to Macleod Island

Following the western edge of the Mergui Archipelago south we will reach Horburgh Island at lunch time. Enjoy the scenery of the huge boulders surrounding this anchorage while indulging in your freshly prepared lunch. Later in the afternoon we set sails again to reach Macleod Island before night fall, which is home to the only bungalow resort in the entire Archipelago.

Day 7 – Hiking, snorkeling and sailing to Davies Island

local islanders dry their fish in the sun with lots of salt.

Macleod Island has several great snorkeling spots on offer but it allows as well for a good workout: Hiking up to the top of the mountain with the reward of a breathtaking view over the surrounding islands of the Mergui Archipelago. In this case it is one or the other, since we still have to make our way to Davies Island (“Than Kyun”). There a freshwater spring awaits you for a refreshing shower. And if there is enough time, St Mathews Island has some stunning beaches to discover as well.

Day 8 – Lagoon Island, White Tip Reef Sharks

We start early for a day of island hopping and exploring. First we sail to Cocks Comb, a small rugged island with a lagoon inside. You can snorkel into the lagoon and there is a good chance of meeting some baby white tip reef sharks at the entrance. Next on our Mergui Cruise itinerary is Horseshoe Island, which is rather a tiny limestone archipelago with a myriad of steep limestone rocks sticking out of the water. We will visit several of these islands before it goes to the night anchorage “Lighthouse Island” close to Kawthaung.

Day 9 – End of your Mergui Luxury Sailing Cruise

Early departure for Kawthaung. After breakfast we will check out of Burma. Either a long tail boat will bring you to Ranong, where our minibus awaits you to bring you to Phuket. Arrival in Phuket around 3 pm. Or you go to the airport and take a flight to Yangon for a connecting flight to your destination.

Boat plan for the SY Cataleya

Extra Information and Prices

SY Cataleya has fixed cruising dates for her Mergui safari. Those dates are as follows: 06.12 – 14.12.2014 | 05.02 – 13.02.2015 | 23.02 – 03.03.2015 | 14.03 – 22.03.2015

Master cabins (2 cabins/4 adults & 2 children)	€ 2150 /person
Double - bed cabins (2 cabins/ 4 adults)	€ 1920 /person
Twin - bed cabin (1 cabin/2 adults)	€ 1920 /person

Single surcharge: Standard/ twin cabin € 440 and Master cabin € 460
Children up to 11 years old: 25% discount

Prices include:	Prices do not include:
• 8 nights on board	• Burma entry & Visa fee: 315.- USD/ person
• 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners	• Beer, wine, spirits, cocktails & soft drinks
• Fruit & snacks, Coffee, tea & drinking water	• Air-conditioning €12.- / hour
• Cruise itinerary as supplied	• Transfers to and from yacht
• Snorkeling & fishing equipment	• Tip for the crew
• Linen & bath towels,
• 2 x sit-on-top kayaks

Remarks:

Itineraries may change at the discretion of the captain for safety reasons
Please bring along: a torch, beach towel, light sleeping bag (if you wish to sleep under the stars), beach shoes, luggage in soft bag, no hard suitcases please
Minimum 6 persons to be able to carry out the cruise
National park fees and Burma Entry fees to be collected at the beginning of the Mergui Luxury Sailing Cruise

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][button shape=”square” size=”large” float=”none” block=”true” info=”tooltip” info_place=”left” info_trigger=”hover” href=”https://www.island-cruises.org/contact/” title=”Inquire here” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”” style=””]Contact us[/button][text_output]www.ocean-hiker.com | www.freedomfargo.net| www.sailingthailand.info| www.segelnthailand.de | Live Aboard Thailand If you would like more information about the Mergui Archipelago Luxury Sailing Cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We speak both English and German.[/text_output]

Sailing Office Koh Tao

Alf — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 07:38:44 +0000

Pass by and visit us at our office! Our sailing office is conveniently located, just 80m up the pier road from the main pier. Here you can inquire about all sailing activities on Koh Tao. Sailing on Koh Tao is Island Cruises, the one and only.

Island Cruises Charter Yachts Available for Sailing Thailand

Alf — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 10:29:46 +0000

Dreaming about Sailing Thailand’s Magnificent East and West Coast Islands?

Here is a full selection of Yachts available for Sailing Thailand. East coast charters explore Islands in the Gulf of Thailand and start form either Koh Tao or Koh Samui. Sailing Thailand‘s west coast, yacht charters usually start from Phuket.

The area accessible from Phuket is world wide known to be a superb sailing ground, supporting warm tropical winds in order to create the perfect tropical sailing experience for you! The Andaman Sea is an excellent destination for sailing in Thailand during the NE monsoon season which roughly lasts from November to May. The main destinations are the sheltered Phang Nga Bay to the east of Phuket, the Similan and Surin Islands NW of Phuket and the islands towards the Malaysian border to the south.
Extended yacht charters will bring you from there as well to Burma/Myanmar and Malaysia and for the adventurous there are even sailing expeditions to exotic and far away destinations like the Andaman Islands, the Maledives and Chagos.

Sailing Thailand – All Our Charter Boats

New Charters in our Sailing Program:

Sailing Thailand – Charters from Phuket to Andaman Islands / India

Also newly available:

Island Cruises Yacht Charters, Bare Boat Yacht Charter, Day Charter, Sunset Charter, Dive & Sail Charter, 4 Day ANGTHONG MARINE PARK Sailing LIVEABOARD CHARTER!

Additionally Island Cruises offers the opportunity of sailing Thailand on a Fully Customized Charter, individually designed for our clients who have something special in mind, including accommodation on Koh Tao, airport transfers, and any advice or additional information which may be required about your holiday destination and/or Sailing Thailand.

Read Customer Reviews on Trip Advisor here!

Sailing Koh Tao

Alf — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 12:10:52 +0000

Sailing Thailand with Island Cruises – Day Sailing, Sailing Courses or Yacht Charters?

Island Cruises Koh Tao offers a range of sailing activities on our favorite island in Thailand since 2006. Although, there are many boats on Koh Tao, all of them are mainly used for transportation purposes using more or less noisy engines. Our goal is to give you the unique opportunity to try the most beautiful and quiet way to move on the water – powered by wind.

Find us close to the Pier at Mae Haad, Koh Tao. Click for details

Sailing boats available on Koh Tao, Thailand

Catamaran Hobie Getaway: Sailing Courses, Bare Boat Rental, Skippered, 6 pax max.

Sailing Dinghy Zuma: Sailing Courses, Bare Boat Rental, Skippered, 2 pax max.

SY Freedom Fargo: Yacht Charter, Day Cruises, 20 pax day cruises, 4 pax over night.

Koh Tao Day Sailing – Private Charter

Charter your own private yacht or beach catamaran for you and your friends or family. No previous sailing experience required. Just lay back and relax, enjoy the ride. Day charters are offered for three different durations:

Full Day Sailing Koh Tao,from 9500 THB

Half Day Charter Koh Tao,from 5000 THB

Sunset Cruise on Koh Tao,from 8000 THB

Koh Tao Day Sailing – Join In (per person price)

This sailing trip gives you the option to join in on our sailing booze cruise, which is a half day cruise over 4 hours, including our famous Koh Tao sunsets.

Sailing Booze Cruise Koh Tao, from 2,150 THB per person. Up to 20 persons.

Sailing Courses on Koh Tao

Learn to sail on our paradise island Koh Tao! Since 2007 we are running the Ocean Hiker Sailing School from Koh Tao. Now, at the end of 2013, after our sailing instructor Sash left for new sailing adventures to the Caribbean, we brought a new team together, offering an even wider variety of sailing courses. We also have the ideal boats to let you easily understand how sailing really works!

Discover Dinghy Sailing Course,from 2,650 THB per person

5 Day Dinghy Sailing Course,from 15,700 THB per person

Ocean Hiker Course(Competent Crew Course),from 9,500 THB per person

Dinghy / Hobie Cat Rental on Koh Tao

If you are already a sailor and feel confident to sail your own vessel, rent our our Zuma for up to 2 people or take your family and friends out with our Hobie Getaway with a capacity of up to 6 people, and explore the coast line of Koh Tao all by yourself.

Live aboard Yacht Charterand Sailing Cruises from Koh Tao

Get your own sailing yacht to cruise the western Gulf of Thailand or join in to one of our famous sailing cruises!

Yacht Charter SY Freedom Fargo, from 16,000 THB

4 Day Ang ThongSailing Safari from 64,000 THB

7 Day Western Coast of Thailand Sailing Cruise from 112,000 THB

5 Day Dinghy Sailing Course Koh Tao

Alf — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 07:26:23 +0000

Introduction 5 day Dinghy Sailing Course

Zuma sailing dinghy in front of Sairee Beach Koh Tao

Sailing is the most fun sport you can have on the water! Catch the wind and sail away! No noise, no engine, no pollution, just you and the sea. Stop and relax wherever you want, explore the underwater world on a snorkeling stop and enjoy another sunny day on the ocean …but first you have to learn sailing!

The goal of this five day sailing course is to get you completely familiar and comfortable with all aspects of sailing a small boat all by yorself. This includes rigging, launching, sailing solo, derigging as well as the different parts of a sail boat, sailing terminology and sail theory! The course will be taught on either a Zuma / Laser (single sail, monohull), or a Hobie Getaway (larger catamaran with two sails) depending on class size. All boats are extremely safe, responsive and a lot of fun to learn on. All you need to bring for this course is your swim trunks, sunscreen and a shirt that can get wet. Plan 4 – 5 hours every day for the course including transfers from our teaching facility to the boats.

Day One

Land Lesson

The first part is a short introduction to sail theory – You will learn how a sail allow a boat to use the wind to move through the water and you will also learn how to find wind direction and go through the basic points of sail, which explains how to position the sail based on the boats relative position to the wind. This includes changing course (tacking and gybing) and sailing a simple course.

On the Water

After a quick lesson on rigging the boat, we are ready to get out on the water! The instructor will be on the boat with you the whole time and will help you acclimate to sailing the boat yourself. You will have time to become comfortable with the movements of the boat under sail, you will practice sailing a course and setting a sail correctly. After your first sailing session, the instructor will have a quick debrief to reinforce what was practiced during the day, explain what needs improvement and to answer any questions you might have.

Day Two

Land Lesson

This lesson will expand on the basic sailing theory from the first day. We will go in depth into the two types of changing course relative to the wind, tacking and gybing.

On the Water

The second day on the water is meant for practicing all of the skills you have learned so far, so you can become competent and comfortable with them. The instructor will still accompany you on the boat and will be transferring more control of the boat to you as the day progresses. The goal of today is to have you become confident sailing upwind and downwind, tacking and gybing with minimal instructions. As always we will have a debrief at the end of the lesson.

Day Three

Land Lesson

This lesson will focus on getting in and out of irons (when the boat is faced directly into the wind). The skill you will learn, are an integral part of sailing, as it is how sailors approach a dock or beach and perform man overboard maneuvers. We will also talk about how sailing changes in different weather conditions and how to identify these conditions.

On the water

Today, you will have total control of the boat with a sailing instructor on board. We will practice sailing in and out of irons and landing on the beach. By the end of the day, you will be totally confident sailing the boat all by yourself. A quick debrief will follow the lesson.

Day Four

Land Lesson

Today’s sailing lesson will be dependent on what boat we are using. If you have been sailing the Zuma or Laser, you will learn capsizing and capsize recovery skills. We will also talk about setting the sail for different wind conditions. If you have been sailing on the Getaway you will be learning about setting the boat up for different wind conditions. You will also learn about controlling the boat with one or two sails and how it affects handling the boat.

On the Water

Zuma / Laser – Prepare to get wet! We will start the lesson by capsizing at the beach in shallow water. The instructor will show you how to right your boat and board it without capsizing again. You will also learn about common ways capsizes happen and how to avoid them. Once you are comfortable righting the boat we will move to deeper water and practice a bit more. Don’t worry, this is fun, and not half as hard as it may sound! The rest of the lesson will be spent practicing anything you feel you need to work on.

Hobie Getaway – We will use day four of our sailing course to gain experience in sailing the boat with one sail instead of two and see what affects this has on a sail boat. We will also repeat any skills you want to work on for the reminder of the time.

Day Five

Land Lesson

The last day of our sailing course is dedicated to sailing safety. Even though it may sound boring but it is important for when you are sailing on your own. We will talk about weather conditions and deciding whether to go sailing or not. You will learn about hazards of sailing in different locations such as oceans, harbors, rivers and more. Finally, we will talk about common dangers to watch out for and how to plan a day sail.

On the water

Today, if you feel comfortable, you can sail on your own without sailing instructor! Instead, the instructor will follow in a small motorboat so you can experience true freedom on the water. What you do today is entirely up to you, you can just sail around for fun or maybe practice some racing maneuvers. If you run into trouble or get nervous the instructor will always be close by.

Prices 5 Day Dinghy Sailing Course Koh Tao

Price:	from 2019 on we're only doing private courses. Please inquire for the amount of people the course will be.
Price includes:	live vest, instructor, fully rigged dinghy, 5 days of theoretical and practical tuition in a time frame of about 4 to 5 hours

Check Availability Now! – Click the button below to book your 5 day dinghy sailing course

[line id=”” class=”” style=””][button shape=”square” size=”large” float=”none” block=”true” info=”tooltip” info_place=”left” info_trigger=”hover” href=”http://new.island-cruises.org/contact/” title=”Inquire here” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”” style=””]Contact us[/button]