Thailand is a great destination if you want to go on a sailing holiday, it’s one of the most welcoming cruising regions for visiting sailors who want to enjoy pristine waters, amazing sea life, and views that make you think you have sailed right into paradise. Thailand has over 130 gorgeous tropical islands to explore, sailing the gorgeous Andaman Sea will bring you to a plethora of scenic and secure anchorages where you can walk on pleasant white-sand beaches, explore wild uninhabited islands, and pull into town to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
If you have your own boat Thailand is a real gem of a destination, but if don’t there’s no need to be disappointed because you can simply visit bareboat rental in Thailand and cruise away in a yacht that would be a prince’s envy! Here are some tips to make your Thailand sailing adventure an amazing success!
The Seasons – Thailand has a reputation for being hot and humid as any tropical county might, but that’s only true for part of the year. The rainy season lasts roughly from May to October and even at sea it can be a bit muggy as well as rainy, so the best time to come cruising is December through April when things are a bit cooler and a lot drier.
The average daily air temperature stays between the mid-twenties and thirties throughout the year, so if you don’t mind a little bit of rain and a touch of dampness then you could enjoy sailing around Thailand all year long. December, January and February are the driest and coolest months and the favourite for travellers, while April and May are the hottest- still fairly dry, but frankly the heat can be scorching and be a bit hard to bear. The Thais themselves prefer to enjoy the climate in June, July and August, when it is still warm but the frequent thunderstorms are punctuated by some of the most beautiful sunny days you will ever see, and the lush vegetation if the islands is at the height of its verdure.
The Wind – Even if you are motor yachting it’s best to be aware of the seasonal prevailing wind conditions, no one likes being out at sea during a raging squall that has you saying goodbye to your Pad-Thai over the railing! The country has two monsoons. The dry season sees prevailing north easterlies that range between 5 and 16 knots, a perfect sailing range, with only the occasional need to power up the engines if you are becalmed. The humid rainy season sees south westerlies that can be a lot more robust, sometimes hitting 27 knots on the most blustery days! Batten down those hatches!
The Seas – Anywhere you sail around Thailand on either side is going to bring you to some of the most delightful beaches in the world. Drop anchor at Ao Nang and hit the nightlife, or find a lonely cove near Koh Tao.
Thailand has some of the most beautiful seas in the world and they are just waiting for you to come sail them! Anchors aweigh!