And Koh Samui is luring superyachts to the other side of Thailand
A stunning island amongst the country’s tropical islands and a sparkling jewel in the crown of Thailand, Koh Samui is a yachting paradise to be found in the heart of the Gulf of Siam on the eastern side of the country.
Boasting of one of the lowest number of Covid-19 cases, Thailand is slowly opening to foreign-flagged yachts. It was great news when the Thailand Marine Department confirmed yachts can be moored for quarantine aboard in two areas of Thailand – on the western Andaman side, Ao Por in Pa Khlok in Phuket and on the eastern Gulf side of Thailand, the Ocean Marine Yacht Club in Chonburi.
Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) co-founder Captain Charlie Dwyer, providing professional yacht support services on Samui since 2002, notes, “The Ocean Marine Yacht Club was established in 1995 and today stands as one of Asia’s largest marinas, offering full facilities for yachts – though many superyachts enjoy beautiful anchorages around Samui and the Gulf of Siam”.
APS co-founder, Gordon Fernandes, recently announced they cleared their first foreign-flagged superyacht client into Phuket, which was then able to quarantine aboard. “Earlier this year saw a record number of superyachts visiting Phuket. We are thrilled to once again begin seeing our clients arriving for cruising voyages around Thailand’s western Andaman Sea and the eastern Gulf of Siam after quarantining aboard”.
The third largest island in Thailand after Phuket and Koh Chang, Koh Samui is surrounded by open water and visitors rave about the pearl-white sandy beaches, lush tropical rainforests and magnificent waterfalls. Also on offer are high end luxury resorts, restaurants and pampering spas for yachting visitors.
There are many wondrous attractions on the island, beautiful anchorages, Gulf cruising and an archipelago that is a national treasure, the Ang Thong Marine Park – a compact archipelago of 81 small and virtually untouched islands best explored by sea kayak.
But Koh Samui wasn’t anything close to what it is today. In going back three-plus decades, the island only had dirt roads, and there was very little infrastructure. To attract more tourists, the island improved its infrastructure over the years and is now known as one of the world’s most beautiful tropical destinations, charming its visitors ever since the first tourists arrived in 1971.
As the infrastructure developed 5-star resorts gradually arrived. In 2007 Four Seasons unveiled a high-end villa resort, the first property on the island with access to a private beach and an infinity pool for each of its luxury villas. Others followed including high-end hotels Le Méridien, the W Retreat, Conrad Koh Samui and in 2017 the Ritz Carlton. The ultra-luxurious accommodations and spectacular dining options are great for a change of pace for owners and their guests.
Those who experience Koh Samui are rewarded with an idyllic tropical retreat, white-sand beaches, sapphire-blue sea and an abundance of tantalizing Thai cuisine complimented by an unusually warm and friendly people. Just 21 kilometres at its widest point and 25 at the longest, Samui’s hinterland consists of forests, hills of limestone and granite and the shoreline is made up of countless palm-fringed beaches and bays.
Samui, much smaller and enormously less populated than Phuket, is in the middle of the vast waters of the Gulf of Thailand and has the appeal of a real island. And, beyond Samui are other islands well worth exploring – including sister island, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, rated one of the best diving locations in Thailand and the world,.
There are plenty of attractions and activities on the island, including golf. The Santiburi Samui Country Club is one of the most beautiful golf courses in the region, voted one of the top five golf courses in Thailand. The Royal Samui Golf and Country Club features incredible views though lacking in clubhouse and other amenities. This course is not for the faint hearted but an enjoyable experience nonetheless, notes a visitor, “The first hole sets the tone for the day with a few other testing holes backed up by short par 3s with great views of the island from the course”.
Other attractions include award-winning meditation and wellness retreats, a vibrant nightlife, island hopping, jungle exploring and Buddhist temples. Presenting a fantastic culinary scene, in recent years the island has become well known for its large number of excellent restaurants, delighting visitors with some of the finest cuisine from all over the world. In fact, a growing number of high quality chefs see Samui as the ideal location to share their impressive culinary skills and it’s even rumored the island can now boast more Michelin star chefs and 5 star restaurants all in one place than anywhere else in the world!
With so many breathtaking sights, unique attractions and cruising options it’s no wonder Samui is receiving growing interest from superyacht Owners and Captains, especially as now yachts may apply to quarantine aboard in Thailand. The Phuket Marine Department Acting Chief Nachapong Pranit confirmed the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has granted permission for overseas yachts to check into Thailand. APS Phuket co-owner ‘Jojo’, a director of the Thai Yachting Business Association was instrumental in obtaining permission from Bangkok so that foreign flagged yachts can check into Thailand. Jojo confirmed that the government has now extended the STV Long Stay Visa Program for yachts which check in for the next 30 days.
Captain Charlie says the best season to visit is March to September as the rainy season is traditionally regarded as being from October to mid–December. The climate is tropical and humid throughout the year with the temperature usually ranging from 28 to 35 degrees Celsius. There is no risk of tsunamis and the island is located well out of the typhoon belt. For more information email: charlie@asia-pacific-superyachts.com
Samui is easily accessible by private jet and helicopter and boasts of an award-winning international airport. The island continues its development into the best luxury destination base in Thailand for unique cruising voyages setting off from Koh Samui.
