Skip to content
LAKE ST. CLAIRSAILING SCHOOLSail with confidence
Thailand sailing itinerary · The Andaman Sea
Thailand,
under sail.
Limestone islands. Hidden lagoons. A new horizon every morning. Discover a sailing journey from Phuket through Thailand’s extraordinary Andaman coast.
Phi Phi Islands · Thailand
Sail beyond the familiar
A different world.
One extraordinary sail.
Trade the everyday for mornings at anchor, limestone cliffs rising from the sea, and afternoons exploring by kayak or snorkeling where conditions allow.
This suggested Phuket round trip brings together Phang Nga Bay, Krabi, Phi Phi, and Racha Yai. Ten nights give you time to enjoy the islands, including two nights around Phi Phi, with room to adapt to the weather.
01 / Lagoons & limestone
Phang Nga Bay
Slow down among towering islands and discover enclosed lagoons on a guided kayak outing.
02 / Beaches & time ashore
Krabi & Railay
Beach walks, Thai food, and a coastline shaped by dramatic cliffs.
03 / Island days & blue water
The Phi Phi Islands
Stay two nights to make space for exploring, a local boat excursion, or an arranged dive.
01Settle in PhuketBoard, provision & get acquainted
Arrive at your charter base in northeast Phuket, usually Ao Po Grand Marina or Yacht Haven. Complete the yacht handover, stock the galley, and ease into life aboard. A marina night gives the journey a relaxed beginning.
Overnight: Charter marina, Phuket02Into Phang Nga BayKoh Phanak & Koh Hong
Sail into a landscape of limestone towers and sheltered waterways. Explore the sea caves and enclosed lagoons known as hongs by kayak with a local guide, timed to the tide. Let the scenery set the pace.
Overnight: Approved anchorage in the Phanak / Hong area03The quieter islandsKoh Roi, Koh Kudu & Koh Yao Noi
Spend a slower day around Koh Roi and Koh Kudu before continuing toward Koh Yao Noi. Make room for paddling, a beach stop, and an easy evening aboard or ashore. Choose stops to suit the conditions.
Overnight: Koh Yao Noi area04A lagoon worth waking up forHong Island, Krabi & Pak Bia
Head toward Krabi’s Hong Island and visit its lagoon early, subject to park hours and access. This is a different Hong Island from the one in Phang Nga Bay. Explore nearby islands around Pak Bia as time allows.
Overnight: A suitable anchorage in the Hong / Pak Bia area05Cliffs, sand & Thai flavorsRailay & Phra Nang
Continue to the Krabi coast for Railay and Phra Nang. Step ashore for the beaches and a Thai meal, with the limestone cliffs as your backdrop. A nearby island visit can fit into the afternoon if conditions allow.
Overnight: Railay area, weather permitting06From Krabi to Phi PhiBamboo Island & Phi Phi Don
Set course for Phi Phi, with a beach and snorkeling stop at Bamboo Island when conditions and park access permit. Continue to Phi Phi Don for an evening ashore or dinner aboard in a suitable bay.
Overnight: Phi Phi Don area07Stay a little longerPhi Phi Leh & Maya Bay
Keep a second night around Phi Phi. Arrange a local excursion to Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay through the permitted visitor access, or book a dive with a local operator. Swimming is prohibited inside Maya Bay.
Overnight: Second night in the Phi Phi Don area08An open-water sailing dayPhi Phi to Racha Yai
Enjoy the longer passage to Racha Yai, then make time for the island’s beaches and snorkeling. The published route is approximately 26 nautical miles; plan around five to six hours at a five-knot average before any stops or deviations.
Overnight: Racha Yai, at an approved overnight spot09North along PhuketRacha Yai to Koh Rang Yai
Sail back toward Phuket’s east coast and the Koh Rang Yai area. This leg is approximately 22 nautical miles, or about four to five hours at a five-knot average. Keep the rest of the day easy.
Overnight: Koh Rang Yai area10An unhurried returnBack to the charter marina
Return to base in daylight, refuel, and prepare for checkout. Keeping the final night in the marina also gives the itinerary some breathing room if earlier plans need to change.
Overnight: Charter marina, Phuket11Until the next horizonDisembark in Phuket
Enjoy a final breakfast aboard and complete checkout at the agreed time. Arrange onward travel around your charter handback requirements.
Overnight: Disembarkation day — no overnight aboardChoose your season
Follow the
northeast monsoon.
The Andaman coast’s usual dry-season sailing window runs from November through April. January and February are our preferred starting point for planning this route.
Highlighted months: preferred planning window; weather remains variable.
May–October needs a different plan
Southwest monsoon conditions can bring more swell and rain. Routes and overnight shelter need to be selected for the season.
Two islands called Koh Hong
The Phang Nga and Krabi stops are different islands. This itinerary gives each its own day.
Visit Maya Bay thoughtfully
Swimming inside Maya Bay is prohibited. Use the permitted visitor access and check seasonal closures before traveling.
Leave room for the tide
Plan cave visits with a local guide. Confirm permitted overnight locations, moorings, and park requirements with the charter base.
Find your pace
Make time for your kind of sailing.
Use these as starting points for a conversation about your dates, experience, and interests.
A compact island escape
7 nights
Focus on Phang Nga, Koh Yao Noi, Krabi, and Phi Phi. Return via Koh Yao Yai and leave Racha Yai for a longer trip.
Ask about a week in Thailand ↗Our recommended balance
10 nights
Enjoy the full route on this page, with two nights around Phi Phi, Racha Yai, and a relaxed return to Phuket.
Ask about the full itinerary ↗For a longer adventure
14 nights
Discuss a southern extension toward Koh Haa and Koh Rok, allowing extra time for passages, weather, and island exploring.
Ask about a longer sail ↗Your journey can begin on Lake St. Clair. Build confidence in sail handling, anchoring, and cruising before your next adventure. Ask which ASA course fits your experience and goals.
Explore sailing courses ↗Before you set sail
A few good
questions.
Is this a scheduled school departure?
This page presents a suggested sailing itinerary. Contact Lake St. Clair Sailing School to discuss dates, possible group opportunities, and your goals. Departure dates, yacht arrangements, pricing, and any instruction must be confirmed before booking.
Do I need sailing experience?
Requirements depend on how you travel. A bareboat charter requires the operator to approve the skipper’s experience and credentials. A professionally skippered trip has different expectations. Tell us about your experience so we can discuss a suitable approach.
Can I earn ASA certification on this trip?
Certification is not automatically included in this suggested itinerary. Ask about instructor availability, course prerequisites, and whether instruction can be arranged for a specific departure.
Can I go snorkeling or scuba diving?
Snorkeling can fit into several island stops where permitted and conditions allow. Scuba diving should be arranged with a local dive operator. It requires its own booking, equipment, and any applicable certification or experience.
What should I budget for?
Request an itemized quote for the actual yacht and dates. Clarify the charter fee, skipper or crew, food, fuel, transfers, park fees, excursions, insurance, and any optional instruction. No price or package inclusions are implied by this itinerary.
Will we follow the route exactly?
The route is a starting point. The skipper and charter base may change the order, stops, or overnight locations to suit weather, tides, yacht restrictions, and national park access.
Your next horizon
Let’s talk about
sailing Thailand.
Share your preferred month, group size, and sailing experience with Captain Ranam. Start a conversation about the trip you have in mind.
Suggested itinerary. Availability, departure details, costs, and any instruction are confirmed individually.
