South East Asia yachting is starting getting busier as restrictions are eased and countries are opening to international tourists and Asia Pacific is definitely on the world’s radar as the ‘New Med or Caribbean’. This is especially true for those tired of crowded European conditions, cold winters and now seeking new adventures.
The growth in visiting yachts and more Asian owners means a lot more yacht activity in the Asia Pacific area. Consequently more marinas and shipyards will be built in order to cater to visiting yachts / superyachts and those that will be permanently based in Asia.
South East Asia is famed for gorgeous anchorages, with peaceful beautiful surroundings and as these stunning destinations are reopening, marinas are ready to welcome more visiting yachts to favoured destinations. The expectation is that South East Asia will become very busy as we near the backend of the pandemic.
It’s a good time now to consider future cruising plans to one of the last remaining frontier for exotic destinations, South East Asia. Known for being among the best cruising grounds in the world, the destinations below offer stunning beauty, exploration, adventure and excellent shore based support system.
So, when is the best time to visit? And, what is the marina status? Below is a sampling of South East Asia destinations with some suggested marinas and months of the year to visit.
12-Month Journey – 2022
MALDIVES – SEPTEMBER (OPEN)
Made up of 26 exotic atolls and lying in a north/south chain in the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean, her shores are dotted with exclusive and elegant resorts with berthing services and beautiful anchorages.
The Maldives had the busiest season ever last season as the crew and guests only needed one negative PCR test on entry and then were free to cruise around this stunning destination. The policy is the same for this season, so the Maldives will again be busy.
Hulhumalé Yacht Marina
News of the Hulhumalé Yacht Marina is awakening even more interest in the country, reports Asia Pacific Superyachts Maldives director, Mohamed Hameed. The Maldives’s first luxury yacht marina, the eponymous establishment of The Marina at CROSSROADS will host the guests’ private yachts.
The marina, part of the coastal island most ambitious and extensive new development ever in the Maldives, will be a boom for visiting vessels. “The Hulhumalé Yacht Marina plan will service 300 yachts and provide numerous attractions and benefits for arriving yachts”, reports Hameed. Apart from water sports facilities the marina will have retail shops, F&B outlets and a yacht club that includes dry berth facilities and boating dock. CROSSROADS Maldives will ultimately comprise 9 islands, 8 hotels and resorts, and a retail space of over 11,000 sqm, equipped with hotel guests’ own arrival jetties and inter-island water transportation. The integrated project will feature the Maldives’s first luxury yacht marina, the eponymous establishment of The Marina at CROSSROADS, which will host the guests’ private yachts.
SRI LANKA – OCTOBER (OPEN)
A very short 450NM passage from the Maldives takes you up to Sri Lanka – a good option for a fueling point. Sri Lanka is also a useful stop for yachts en route to the Red Sea, as well as a good point of departure for cruising the Maldives, Chagos and Seychelles. An island of magical proportions, Sri Lanka was once known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’.
The country is open for tourist to arrive by air but process for guests arriving to join private pleasure vessels in the port is still to be opened up & the agents do expect the protocols would be relaxed soon At present as per prevailing COVID 19 protocols private pleasure vessels may call to receive supplies but the crew is not permitted to go ashore during port stay.
However, by end November there should be good news, warmly welcoming visiting international yacht visitors.
LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA – NOVEMBER (OPEN)
Langkawi is the largest island in an archipelago of 100 islands in the Andaman Sea and located off the mainland coast of Malaysia, only 98 NM from Phuket and with a duty-free port.
Royal Langkawi Yacht Club & Marina
The Royal Langkawi Club & Marina is located on the south-east of Langkawi, close to Kuah, the main town and the island’s jetty point for ferries between the mainland and Langkawi and provides easy access for yacht crew and visitors to shopping, dining, entertainment, sports, transport and other businesses. The offices of Immigration and Customs are also within walking distance from the marina. The Langkawi marina upgrading and expansion includes 6-berths to accommodate superyachts; 4-berths for 60-70 meter Superyachts and 2-berths for 80-90 meter Superyachts.
PHUKET, THAILAND – DECEMBER & JANUARY (OPEN)
Just a few hours north of Langkawi is the popular Phuket Island and Superyacht Hub of Southeast Asia, also known as the ‘Monaco of Southeast Asia’. The island offers the most in high-end superyacht marinas and 32 smaller islands off its coast is perfect for cruising and exploration, along with a vibrant nightlife and numerous cultural attractions.
Phuket Yacht Haven
Phuket Yacht Haven is located on the northeast coast of the island and a ten minute driver from the International Airport. The marina is equipped with 320 berths, Bistro-style restaurant and wide range of facilities & services. “Yacht Haven is a friendly marina and this is also true of the people who run it. The marina has a pool and it’s nice for the crew to use the condos to get off the boat”, reports a visiting Captain.
Ao Po Grand Marina
Located on the northeast coast of Phuket, Ao Po Grand Marina is well placed for sailing Phang Nga Bay and exploring the area’s stunning islands and beaches. The marina features 200 berths for vessels up to 80 metres and offers 24-hour access with no tide restrictions.
Phuket Boat Lagoon
Situated at Ao Sapam, about 20km north of Phuket City, in an inland lagoon with tidal channel access, the Boat Lagoon offers 170 wet berths with power and water.
Royal Phuket Marina
Situated centrally on the east coast of Phuket island, the state-of-the-art and award-winning marina features 100 Wet berths, space for 60 boats on our Dry Stack and 26 boats on the Hardstand.
MYANMAR – FEBRUARY (CLOSED)
Traveling further North from Phuket, it’s an easy cruise to Myanmar and the Mergui Archipelago. Partly famed as the home of small groups of nomadic ‘Moken’ (sea gypsy) people and villages, these stunning islands offer a true ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experience.
However, at this time it is advised to wait for reopening. The situation is constantly changing with regards to Covid-19 protocols for yacht arrivals and skippers should always check with their intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required.
ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA– MARCH (OPEN)
Encountering the vast spread of the Andaman Islands in India is a journey offering stunning cruising vistas as well as land attractions and discoveries of deserted islands with pure white sparkling beaches and crystal clear water. Inland, lush vegetation and towering cliffs with unusual bird and flora/fauna and active volcanoes are on display during the journey.
From November 15, 2021, the Indian Border opened for all kinds of visa, including the E-Tourist Visa at Seaports, which is needed for arrival by yacht. It is best to arrive with a visa for all crew on board. There are many other safe anchorages along the coast, notably Shoal Bay and Kotara Anchorage in the South Andaman; Cadell Bay and the Turtle Islands in the North Andaman; and Outram Harbor and Kwangtung Strait in the archipelago.
SINGAPORE – APRIL (CLOSED)
As of 25 August 2021, Singapore MPA temporarily suspended the arrival of recreational craft and the ban on yacht arrivals continues; however, exceptions may be considered on a case by case basis and by April 2022, the situation may have changed.
Heading back South along the Malay Peninsular, the island city of Singapore is one of the financial shining stars of South East Asia, with all the trappings of a modern city packaged together on a tropical Island. Superyacht repair and refit facilities in Singapore is well served by several shipyards working on vessels up to 60m handling superyachts up to 125m.
ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove
A US$5.2 million marina reconfiguration project was complete earlier this year with all new and relocated superyacht berths now stern-to in front of the clubhouse, keeping the total number of berths at 272.
Raffles Marina
Raffles Marina is a full-service marina that opened in 1994 and was the first marina to be awarded the Five Gold Anchor in the Asia-Pacific region.
Republic of Singapore Yacht Club
Marina at Keppel Bay
Changi Sailing Club & Loyang
KOH SAMUI, THAILAND – MAY (OPEN)
Koh Samui in the Gulf of Siam is a lovely sand-kissed Island offering Eastern Thailand’s legendary hospitality and known as the ‘Jewel of Thailand’. With many anchorages along the coast and numerous attractions she’s just 20 NM is the Angthong National Marine Park with its spectacular group of uninhabited islands. To the North is Koh Tao, famed as the ‘Diving Mecca of the Gulf’.
SAMUI, THAILAND Angthong Marine National Park
Technical support for cruising and charter vessels is still very limited. However, Asia Pacific Superyachts Koh Samui has taken care of visiting superyachts for several decades. The most developed bays are Chaweng and Lamai with both anchorages on the east coast of the island. Peaceful anchorage can be found virtually anywhere along the coast in 5-10 metres.Cruising the Gulf of Siam offers stops at Pattaya and Bangkok and on to Cambodia.
Nathon Pier The Nathon Pier sits at the mouth of the Ta Pi River at the huge bay of Ao Ban Don (waters are shallow and uninviting). The Immigration offices for yachts checking into Thailand are just outside of Nathon.
BORNEO – JUNE (OPEN WITH CONDITIONAL ENTRY APPROVAL REQUIRED)
Heading south is the Island of Borneo with the best cruising to be found in the state of Sabah. Sabah’s cruising waters from Labuan to Sipadan offer beautiful waters, islands and mainland attractions from Labuan to Kudat. The East Coast is renowned for diving, particularly the world-famous Sipadan, ranked amongst the world’s top-five dive sites.
Sutera Harbor Marina & Country Club
“My personal favourite – where the water at the marina is crystal clear and the facilities you find off the boat are second to none. There are three resorts to choose from and the crew are given complimentary tickets for things like the bowling alley”, writes a superyacht captain.
BALI, INDONESIA – JULY (OPEN)
The remote nature of Indonesia is vastly different and most yachting visitors are seeking new experiences or returning for more adventure and exploring. As Indonesia spans the equator, she is unique in her diversity. There are three recognized facilities for Superyachts alongside.
Benoa Marina – Bali
The new Benoa Marina has space up to 80 meters, with nice pontoons. There is no shore power but you can rent shoreside generator.
The Commercial Dock
There is space up to 400 meters but it is a busy commercial dock for only short term (3 days) and there is no shore power. Stern-to-Berth – up to 80M LOA and large shore power up to 500 amps, 3 Phase. This is an older dock with space for only 3 boats and used as a ‘work dock’.
Serangan Island – Royal Bali Yacht Club
Stern-to up to 80m LOA; no shore power though you can rent shoreside genset
Benoa Harbour in Bali
Benoa is the major location with 4 recognized facilities for Superyacht alongside. A popular port of call for cruising yachts as is the adjacent island of Lombok which has two marinas at Medana Bay and Gili Gede Island. The development of new marinas, such as at Carita Bay, near Java, or Nongsa Point Marina, opposite Singapore, will undoubtedly bring about a long-awaited change.
RAJA AMPAT, INDONESIA –AUGUST (OPEN)
Raja Ampat consists of a 15,000-square-mile, 1,600-island archipelago off Indonesia’s West Papua province. A diver’s dream, the area is a filled with biodiversity, an abundance of marine life and incredible topside scenery. Raja Ampat is so remote you might not see another boat for days, if not the whole trip.
Indonesia has now re-opened and applications for the B211A visa are welcomed. Find out more about this as Indonesia has now re-opened. This visa is for a period of 180 days, 60 days first followed by four extensions of 30 days each time. Find out more about this visa from your agent. Use of an agent is needed to act as a sponsor for the visa and not all ports of entry are open and able to receive boats that must quarantine on arrival.
Worldwide, luxury yachts are looking at these incredible adventure and exploration opportunities as South East Asia emerges as an amazing yachting destination within the Asia Pacific region.
Asia Pacific Superyachts network of highly experienced and knowledgeable APS branches in each of the above destinations have all the inside information needed for an amazing voyage around South East Asia.
www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com
