Koh Samui Sailing & Yachting

Although Samui is a beautiful island offering many leisure activities, one aspect which some might consider lacking is in the arena of sailing and yachting. Although ocean-going yachts are often to be seen anchored offshore, there are few occasions where you can catch sight of a sail boat cruising around just for the fun of it.

The main reason is that, unlike some of Samui's counterparts, there is no marina as yet on the island. There are plans in the pipeline to create a residential marina development of waterside housing with individual moorings, but this hasn't quite happened yet.

But, in spite of this there is an active sailing community, with Samui Yacht Club featuring in the forefront and closely supported by the aficionados at 'Sailing Samui', the organisation supported by Tradewinds Resort in Chaweng.

The Samui Yacht Club now holds a regular monthly mini-regatta for local sailors and, once a year, the island becomes infected by regatta fever as the sailing fraternity from all over Thailand converges on the island for ten days of water-bound fun and mayhem.

Cruises and Charters

Despite the lack of an of tailor-made facilities, Samui always seems to have a wide variety of boats for hire. The usual format here is that you'll be treated as passengers on a day-trip or cruise that might last for anything up to a week or more. But, in the case of experienced and qualified sailors, it is possible to hire a boat and crew it yourself. Naturally this doesn't apply to the small inshore sailing yachts and catamarans!

Catamaran chartering is becoming an increasingly popular holiday option. Yachting Siam is an up and coming company and is currently designing new vessels. Sailing Samui, already mentioned, offers a variety of sailing courses and lessons and with a range of vessels that include Nacra catamarans and Drascombe luggers. Rentals are available on an hourly or daily basis.

Sailing safaris are also offered, over a course of several days and tailored to your individual needs. Typically this arrangement has the guests crewing their own catamaran whilst in the company of an accompanying safety vessel that carries the supplies and emergency equipment.

One of the most seductive options in this sphere is to charter one of the old-fashioned wooden sailing ships, of which there are several (including a restored Chinese junk) for a period of several days. This is certainly one of the most leisurely and peaceful ways of exploring this delightful part of the world and a popular choice for honeymoon couples and romantics!