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Sailing in Phuket
The Andaman's charter and training capital: RYA courses and island-hopping charters through the limestone karst seascape of Phang Nga Bay.
Why here
Phang Nga Bay is one of the most scenic cruising grounds on earth, limestone karst towers rising sheer from jade water, and Phuket wraps it in real sailing infrastructure: RYA training centers running five-day liveaboard courses from Competent Crew to Yachtmaster, three full-service marinas, and a charter fleet that puts Phi Phi, Racha, and in season the Similans inside one itinerary. The northeast monsoon from November to April delivers steady wind, calm seas, and thirty-degree air exactly when Europe's sailing grounds are shut, and December's King's Cup Regatta, Asia's biggest, anchors the season socially. Warm-water qualifications with a curry at anchor: the case makes itself.
Best months
November through April is the season: steady northeast wind, settled seas. May to October brings the southwest monsoon, for experienced crews only. Courses run as five-day liveaboards; charters book by the week.
Getting there & around
Fly direct to Phuket (HKT) from most of the world. Marinas cluster in the northeast of the island; Chalong serves the day boats. Book high-season courses and charters one to three months ahead.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (2)
Andaman Yachting
SchoolA recognized RYA Training Centre operating from Phuket since 2006, teaching Competent Crew through Yachtmaster as five-day liveaboards.
Island Spirit Thailand
SchoolIsland Spirit Thailand was established in 2004 as Asia's first accredited International Yacht Training facility, operating from Phuket with access to Yacht Haven Marina, which it calls Asia's largest superyacht marina. IYT courses run from the introductory Crew Course through Bareboat Skipper, including a catamaran version, to Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore, plus Zero to Hero and a 90-day complete program. Students train on both production keelboats and catamarans, and the school also markets through its Sailing School Thailand domain.
Also good for sailing in November:
Torn between Phuket and Las Palmas for November?
A plan settles it for your skill and budget, same-day.