Picture this! A sun-drenched glistening sea of green scattered liberally with exotic islands speckled with powder-white sandy beaches and harboring concealed lagoons and secret coves. Sounds like a fantasy land, a scene from Peter Pan but this is the cruising ground for a 4 day sailing adventure on board the Suwan Macha in Thailand; paradise it is, fantasy it is not.
This short cruise holiday takes places aboard the Suwan Macha, an Asian rigged traditional junk with distinctive burnt sienna sails that today navigates a route from Phuket Thailand to Phang Nga Bay, Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands before reversing her course to go back to Phuket with a fresh set of lucky island hoppers over another 4 day tranquil family sailing cruise among the off-lying exotic islands of Phuket.
The Suwan Macha
With 5 cabins, the Suwan Macha can sleep up to 10 vacationers and sails with a qualified skipper and crew. Things are personal, slightly intimate but relaxed on-board this traditional junk which merges Asian world allure with Western amenities.
The Suwan Macha just accentuates the fairy story surroundings and looking at her is almost dream-like as this magnificent Oriental yacht sails majestically atop the verdant sea portraying an entirely ageless profile of lines and distinct colours. Most visitors to Thailand flock to Phuket yearly and some of those take to the seas to visit the bounty of off-lying islands on day tours or on live-aboard dive boats but not many have the chance to experience this exotic island boat trip free from the hordes and in complete harmony with the surroundings.
While salvagers have trolled the oceans for buried treasure, the Suwan Macha is a treasure in itself and a junk sailing cruise that takes you to explore and discover natural treasures like hidden lagoons, secret sandy bay's, mangrove forests and a small community of Sea Gypsies that still exist separated and independent from the general population of Thailand.
Suwan Macha Adventure Sailing
This tropical island sailing cruise can be done from Phuket to Phang Nga Bay and onto Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands or in reverse; the first option departs on Saturdays and the latter on Tuesdays but either way the cruise begins from the front door of your Phuket hotel. If you opt for the reverse cruise we collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the ferry which whisks you from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands where you will board the Suwan Macha.
Cast off, Castaway and James Bond (Day 1)
But let's start out from your Phuket hotel and join the Suwan Macha after a short drive to the Phuket Yacht Haven where she is moored. Departure time is 2pm and you will be onboard with plenty of time to spare.
Mooring lines are cast-off and the Suwan Macha plots a course for Phang Nga Bay weaving her way through towering limestone karsts and inching ever closer to the ever popular James Bond island that was put firmly on the chart in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). Otherwise known as Koh Tapu the island is part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park and after taking time to explore the island the day trippers flee for home leaving the Suwan Macha in peaceful harmony.
Drop anchor, kick back and prepare for a picture postcard sunset before enjoying a feast of Thai food for dinner taken on the teak decks.
Sea Gypsy's, Hidden Lagoons and Powder White Beaches (Day 2)
There is nothing quite like waking up on a sailing yacht (or junk!), coming up on deck to experience Nature in all her glory and in amongst the rock karsts of Ao Phang Nga National Park, the visual impact is awe-inspiring. Breakfast is served on-deck before guests are invited to explore a unique Sea Gypsy Village and experience a boat ride through the mangroves in search of hidden lagoons.
After visiting the Sea Gypsy's, sail onwards and southwards to the clear green waters of Krabi. This is time to stretch out on the sun-soaked decks whilst enjoying icy cold cocktails and the panoramic splendour of the tropical view. Today also exemplifies the real benefit of yacht sailing as the Suwan Macha discovers deserted powder-white beaches for swimming, snorkeling and some private sun-bathing.
As the afternoon draws to an end clients are treated to their second Andaman Sea Sunset followed by a table laden with Thai Food to enjoy beneath the stars on-deck.
Yacht Sailing from Krabi to the Phi Phi Islands (Day 3)
one more morning, one more anchorage, one more feast for the senses topped-up with breakfast on-deck! The theme today is Tropical Island hopping. The ultimate destination is Koh Phi Phi but between there and the anchorage in Krabi are scattered many smaller islands and a chance to snorkel, swim and sunbathe occur in series.
Once at Koh Phi Phi, guests have a chance to go ashore to explore before returning to yacht in time to catch their final Andaman sunset aboard the Suwan Macha followed by the now ubiquitous smorgasbord of Thai food served up on-deck.
The Beach, the Bay and Return (Day 4)
As Koh Tapu became a lure for tourism after being featured in The Man with the Golden Gun, Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley seduced viewers movie-goers by its astonishing, hypnotic and mesmerizing beauty when it became the backdrop in the 2000 drama film "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Maya Bay is the final destination for the Suwan Macha 4 day cruise.
Unfortunately Maya Bay now attracts boatload after boatload of tourists on a daily basis who descend on "The Beach" for a glimpse of paradise. Having anchored in close proximity, the Suwan Macha has the upper-hand though and by making an early morning visit guests are spared the life jacket-clad hordes.
After visiting Maya Bay and exploring the cave guests of the Suwan Macha enjoy lunch on Koh Phi Phi before returning to Phuket by ferry.
Sailing Adventures from Phuket
Phuket, Thailand's largest island, is bathed by the Andaman Sea. Most tourists know Phuket for its entertainment value and it reverberates with opportunities for adventure sports, eco adventures and recreational activities, embracing both water sports and outdoor activities on land. Phuket is also acclaimed for its nightlife, in places slightly hedonistic, but that scene is contained and easily avoided if neon lights and gyrating bodies are not your scene and Phuket has a positively epicurean side.
Inaugurated in 1987, the annual Kings Cup Regatta propelled Phuket into becoming the headquarters of Yacht Sailing in Asia and it remains the largest and most popular regatta in the region today. And in the wake of the Kings Cup Regatta leisure sailing has boomed with private yacht ownership, flotilla sailing holidays, corporate sailing and sailing schools all now available all-year-round, although November through to April is the official Phuket Yacht Sailing season.
Needless to say, the sailing grounds near Phuket are immensely beautiful. Don't expect Fastnet or Sydney to Hobart conditions but if you are looking for gentle sailing vacations that offer island hopping and adventure sailing in profusion then Phuket Sailing Vacations make for a very inspired alternative to the more typical Phuket holiday formula. Sailing vacations in Southern Thailand are also perfect for Families with kids and provide end-to-end entertainment with swimming, snorkeling and island adventures each and every day.
The Suwan Macha is but one option where Phuket sailing holidays are concerned and this authentically shaped, Asian rigged traditional junk, exuding oriental world charm but with enough Western creature comforts, is a perfect platform for family cruises in and around the islands and she can also be chartered outright.
Need more Asian Adventure Travel Ideas? Check out www.zizinspire.com or Get free Travel Consultation by contacting the ZiZ Asia Travel Team at their base in Bangkok. Make your next Southeast Asia holiday a series of inspiring adventures and experiences with tailor-made itineraries and trip plans designed around your needs, wants and requirements. Start your Asian Adventure Travel plans today with ZiZ Asia.
