Asia Pacific yachting destinations are an increasingly preferred global option for superyachts, a great escape from the cold European winters.

South East Asia countries have opened to foreign-flagged vessels after being closed more than two years due to Covid. The island countries now offer an easier entry with more relaxed measures as well as an easing of travel between countries. Progressively lifting restrictions for boat movement and travels within the region, life at sea is being restored to how times were pre-pandemic.

 

A brief look follows of some incredible cruising possibilities by Asia Pacific Superyachts, with branches in some of the most exotic, beautiful and mysterious places on earth – Maldives, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Malaysia, Thailand, Andaman Islands (India), Indonesia and Singapore. All offer amazing journeys and discovery possibilities around the stunning beauty of a sea with calm waters and endless adventures.

Maldives

Superyachts start their adventure at the Capital island of Malé, lying north and located among the miniscule coral islets of the Maldives’ nature-rich archipelago. Picturing the perfect beach paradise of clear, turquoise waters and bright white-sand beaches — above the water you can take in views of the palm trees lining the beach and under the surface you can explore another world of coral reefs and sea life. The underwater panorama can also be viewed at the world’s first undersea restaurant at the Conrad Maldives on Rangali Island. Dine five meters below the surface of the ocean, with panoramic coral garden views and fusion menus matched with fine wines.

Long stretches of sugar-white beaches are sanctuary to countless sea birds and extensive coral reefs host an endless variety of exotic fish and marine life. The islands provide a home for the annual migration of whale sharks and mantra rays. Throughout the Maldives whale sharks are found patrolling very close to the surface, making the Maldives an ideal destination for snorkelers in any season. A suggested itinerary might consist of visits to the islands of Kuda Bandos, Olhahali, Dusit Thani Resort on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, Nibiliga Island, and Gemendhoo Island.

Sri Lanka

The culture of this remote country, separated from India by a few nautical miles along the narrow Palk Straits, is integrally with boating. Sri Lanka remains a useful stop for yachts en route to the Red Sea and a good point of departure for cruising the Maldives, Chagos and Seychelles. A country of 1,300 kilometres of coastline, eight Unesco World Heritage Sites and 15 national parks are among the reasons Sri Lanka is known as ‘The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’.

The two monsoon winds providing rain to the two corners of the country at various periods, makes Sri Lanka’s beach holiday a year round prospect. The north east winds make the south western coast sunny and the sea calm from November to March. The South West winds make the East Coast waters quiet with constant sunshine.

Seychelles

Seychelles is an island nation with 115 islands full of natural beauty. They are in two distinct groups including the Inner Island Group and the Outer Island Group and almost all of them are outside the cyclone belt.

The 41 granitic Inner Islands cluster around the three principal islands of Praslin, La Digue and Mahe and the two coral islands of Denis Island and Bird Island. Sailing around the Seychelles’ Inner Islands offers miles of scenic coastline with safe anchorages and over 65 beaches on Mahe alone as well as many secret coves and grottoes.

The Outer Islands are comprised of 72 coral islands and form an arc towards Africa. The six distinct island groups in the Outer Islands are the Amirantes, the Alphonse Group, the Southern Coral Group, the Farquhar Group and Aldabra.

Langkawi, Malaysia

Only 98 NM from Phuket and with a duty-free port conveniently located just off the cruising waters of the Langkawi Archipelago, is Langkawi on the west coast with its archipelago of 99 islands.

The interior of the island is lushly green everywhere and the coast is surrounded by a turquoise sea. A country of sailors and traders, it is one of the greatest countries of seafarers in the world. Located off the mainland coast of Malaysia, the number of visiting superyachts and foreign flagged yachts is expected to continue to grow post-Covid as word spreads of the island’s many land attractions, ship repair, duty-free supplies, and its central location and nearby island cruising.

Cruising the Langkawi archipelago away from the main island offers tranquility and utter privacy of the 99 islands (only four islands are inhabited) of white sand beaches, river systems, pristine rain forests, abundant wildlife and caves and hilltops to explore. It’s less than a day’s cruise to the islands of Penang, Pangkor Laut, Butang Group, Phuket or the Similans (depending on your cruising speed).

Borneo, Malaysia

A stopover in Kota Kinabalu at the Sutera Harbor Marina will allow for land excursions to the wild interiors of Borneo, diving at Layang (famed for schooling hammerheads) and the jewel of Sabah, Sipadan.

For true adventure, take a river journey up the famed Kinabatangan River to see rare and endangered species including orangutans, proboscis monkeys and pigmy elephants.

Tropical islands and mainland coastal bays offer extraordinarily diverse mainland beauty which include the highest mountain in South East Asia – Mt. Kinabalu, virgin rainforest conservation areas (including the Maliau Basin, known as the ‘Lost World’), exotic wildlife, flora and fauna and a myriad of adventure and eco-tourism activities – all accessible as a day or overnight excursion from your yacht.

Phuket, Thailand

The Andaman Sea’s Phuket Island in the ‘Land of Smiles’ is a great destination for a long stay with four modern marinas, a vibrant lifestyle and easy nearby island cruising. The ‘Superyacht Hub of Asia’ offers a base for island hopping and longer journeys to Myanmar (Burma) and other South East Asia countries.

The nearby Similans is comprised of nine islands, most with uninhabited and pristine white sand beaches and earning a rating as one of the ‘Top Ten global dive destinations’. The small islands are surrounded by abundant reefs hosting an amazing array of colourful reef fish and extensive varieties of coral and marine life.

Now, more than ever, Thailand’s back as a must-visit destination thanks to the lifting of pre-arrival registration, entry requirements and Covid-19 restrictions.  With flat seas, warm temperatures and spectacular scenery, the ‘Land of Smiles’ is an ideal and luxurious option for superyachts. All restrictions were lifted as of July 1^st and the country changed its status from a pandemic to an endemic.

Koh Samui, Thailand

The more isolated Gulf of Thailand on the opposite side of the Thai mainland/ Andaman Sea includes the sailing regions of the lushly tropical coconut tree-filled island of Koh Samui. The ‘Jewel of the Gulf of Thailand’ is filled with natural beauty with many options for anchoring along the coast.  The island is home to some of the finest restaurants in Thailand and a plethora of 5 & 6-Star resorts, wellness retreats and pampering spas.

Of special interest and just 20 NM from Koh Samui, is the Angthong National Marine Park with its spectacular group of 42 uniquely different islands. A mere 7 NM from Samui is the tropical Island of Koh Phangan, famed for its natural beauty and world-famous ‘Full Moon Party’ and to the north is Koh Tao, a ‘Top Ten’ dive spot and known as the ‘Diving Mecca of the Gulf’. Koh Samui is used as a base for discovering the many beautiful islands located in the turquoise seas of the Gulf, such as Chang and Koh Samet. From Samui it’s possible to sail on to Pattaya and to Bangkok – the cultural capital of Thailand. Koh Samui is the hub of the Gulf and the best and easiest port of entry.

Andaman Islands, India

Traveling to the vast spread of the Andaman Islands in India, the journey offers stunning cruising vistas, land attractions and new discoveries. Visitors will find deserted islands of pure white sparkling beaches and crystal clear water. Moving inland, lush vegetation and towering cliffs with unusual bird and flora/fauna and active volcanoes can be viewed during the journey.

The Andaman Islands delivers adventuresome cruising, a secret world of tropical jungles, a wander through a rare lush rainforest and serene and gorgeous beaches scattered throughout much of the Andaman Archipelago. Traveling on, some of the most enticing of unexplored waters can be found in the Bay of Bengal, with deep seas and hundreds of hidden bays teaming with marine life.

Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world with over 18,000 islands to explore. Bali is the smallest province of Indonesia and includes the neighboring islands of Nusa Penida, Ceningan, and Lembongan. The island is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, and gamelan music, as well as its beautiful seascapes and rice-terraced hillsides. Both Benoa and Serangan are safe havens and many cruisers opt to leave their yachts here and explore the countryside.

Venturing from Bali, Indonesia offers some great holiday cruising with four differing cruising locations in the country. The most adventurous of these cruises is called the Forgotten Islands and the Banda group trip. The Banda islands in the very south of Maluku lie in the remote and hard-to-reach Spice Islands. In wide-spread Indonesia of more than 15,000 islands, this little archipelago is one of the most incredible to be found and is not a popular destination due to its isolated location.

From November to March, the Northern sector is at its best. From Borneo it is only three to five days steaming or sailing to Bitung in North Sulawesi where you can clear in and take good quality fuel. From there you have ready access to Bunaken National Park, the world class muck diving of Lembeh and deserted islands to the north – all within a fifty mile radius. Moving East is the untouched Halmahera to explore and then to the ‘Mecca of Diving’ that is the Raja Ampat. Beyond that is the opportunity to discover new tribes in Indonesian Papua.

Singapore

Singapore is an ideal place for short cruising around the islands of Singapore and its impressive city skyline, or for extended trips to Malaysia or Bintan, Indonesia. Singapore has been described as a place you can “travel the world without leaving the city” with modern marinas and a wonderfully diverse and surreal experience.

One of the financial shining stars of South East Asia, Singapore offers all the trappings of a modern city, all packaged together on a tropical Island.  Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world and as such requires some pre arrival formalities and pilotage services for any vessel over GRT300. Of course, a port as busy as this also has an extensive choice of shore support facilities and pretty much all major repairs can be completed locally.

A famous yachting destination in Southeast Asia, Tioman is a duty-free island, off Malaysia’s east coast, and is a hot destination for yachts in Singapore. Tioman, gazetted as a marine park, is endowed with ecological wonders such as colourful coral reefs and abundant marine life. For those who love adventure, the waters are perfect for diving or snorkelling. The island itself has beautiful waterfalls such as the Asah waterfall that can be seen via treks through the jungle.

With the Caribbean marinas filling up so quickly, South East Asia is a breath of fresh air for Owners and Captains. The abundant cruising grounds – with its modern marinas and gorgeous anchorages, thousands of uninhabited islands, exotic cultures and friendly people – make this part of the world a perfect home for superyachts during the cold winters in other parts of the world.

To learn more of the many cruising possibilities and yacht entry /protocol, visit www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com and see ‘Agent Contact’ or email gordon@asia-pacific-superyachts.com

Photo Credit: @ Asia Pacific Superyachts

By Linda Cartlidge