Topical Island Sailing Adventures aboard the Suwan Macha from Phuket
Article by Adrian Evans
Picture this! A sun-saturated glistening sea of emerald green studded plentifully with tropical islands streaked with powder-white sandy beaches and harboring unseen lagoons and secret coves. Sounds like a fantasy land, a scene from Peter Pan but this is the sailing ground for a 4 day cruising adventure aboard the Suwan Macha in Thailand; paradise it is, fable it is not.
This short sailing holiday takes places aboard the Suwan Macha, an Asian rigged traditional junk with characteristic red sails that today plots a course from Phuket Thailand to Phang Nga Bay, Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands before reversing her course to go back to Phuket with a new group of lucky guests over another 4 day idyllic family cruise among the off-lying exotic islands of Phuket.
The Suwan MachaWith 5 cabins, the Suwan Macha can sleep up to 10 vacationers and sails with a professional skipper and crew. Things are personal, slightly snug but casual on-board this shapely junk which blends Asian world allure with Western creature comforts.
The Suwan Macha just emphasizes the faity story backdrop and watching her is almost dream-like as this beautiful Asian yacht sails imposingly atop the emerald ocean portraying an completely ageless profile of lines and distinct colours. The majority of visitors to Thailand flock to Phuket yearly and some take to the seas to visit the plethora of off-lying islands on day tours or on live-aboard dive boats but not many get the chance to experience this tropical island cruise away from the hordes and in complete harmony with the setting.
While salvagers have scowered the seas 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 inlets, mangrove forests and a small community of Sea Gypsies that still exist segregated and self-sufficient from the general population of Thailand.
Suwan Macha Adventure SailingThis 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 choose 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 go aboard the Suwan Macha.
Cast off, Castaway and James Bond (Day 1)But let?s leave 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 islands and edging ever closer to the ever popular James Bond island that was put firmly on the map 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 splendour and in amongst the rock karsts of Ao Phang Nga National Park, the visual impression is breathtaking. 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 seascape. Today also enforces 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 daylight 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, another anchorage, another feast for the senses topped-up with breakfast on-deck! The theme today is Tropical Island hopping. The final destination is Koh Phi Phi but between there and the anchorage in Krabi are scattered many smaller islands and opportunities to snorkel, swim and sunbathe occur in series.
Having arrived at Koh Phi Phi, guests have a chance to go onto dry land 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 sightseeing after being featured in The Man with the Golden Gun, Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley captivated audiences 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 magnetizes 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 lifejacket-clad hordes.
After visiting Maya Bay and exploring the cave guests of the Suwan Macha take lunch on Koh Phi Phi before returning to Phuket by ferry.
Sailing Adventures from PhuketPhuket, Thailand?s largest island, is washed by the Andaman Sea. Most holiday-makers know Phuket for its entertainment value and it resounds with opportunities for adventure sports, eco adventures and recreational activities, embracing both water sports and outdoor activities on land. Phuket is also renowned for its nightlife, in places a little 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 hub of Yacht Sailing in Asia and it continues to be 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 principle Phuket Yacht Sailing season.
Needless to say, the sailing grounds in close proximity to Phuket are exceptionally beautiful. Don?t expect Fastnet or Sydney to Hobart conditions but if you are seeking gentle sailing vacations that offer island hopping and adventure sailing in profusion then Phuket Sailing Holidays make for a very inspired option to the more normal Phuket holiday formula. Sailing holidays in this area are also perfect for Families with kids and provide continuous entertainment with swimming, snorkeling and island adventures each and every day.
The Suwan Macha is but one option where Phuket sailing vacations are concerned and this authentically shaped, Asian rigged traditional junk, oozing 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.
About the Author
href=?http://www.zizinspire.com?>http://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. Start your Asian Adventure Travel plans today with ZiZ Asia.
Posted by Dan on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 10:49 pm?
Filed under Sailing ? Tagged with Aboard, Adrian Evans, adventures, Dive Boats, Family Cruise, Fantasy Land, From, Hidden Lagoons, island, Island Cruise, Island Sailing, Lucky Guests, Macha, Phang Nga Bay, Phi Phi Islands, Phuket, Phuket Thailand, Red Sails, Sailing, Sailing Adventures, Sailing Cruise, Sailing Holiday, Sandy Beaches, Secret Coves, Suwan, Suwan Macha, Topical, Topical Island, Yacht Sails
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