A Year of Memorable Cruising & Exploration
The Mediterranean and the Caribbean have been the two biggest yachting destinations for superyachts from northern Europe for decades. However, this is changing as more and more yacht/ superyacht owners and captains discover the unique adventures, experiences and pristine islands of Southeast Asia, along with the friendly people and full-service marinas.
One of the last remaining frontiers for those seeking beautiful and exotic holidays, the Asia Pacific region & Indian Ocean are among the best cruising grounds in the world. The abundance of stunning cruising possibilities and the excellent shore-based support now available make a journey truly a joy to cruise through Southeast Asia’s waterways.
Following are destinations with a sampling of the allure for those considering voyages around South East Asia. Sharing destination tips is leading services provider, Asia Pacific Superyachts owner-agents, long time experts in the service and care of visiting yachts/ superyachts and a with a wide knowledge of the following SE Asia countries/ regions.
SOUTHEAST ASIA A ONE-YEAR ITINERARY VOYAGE
MALDIVES
4°11’9.36″ N
73°30’6.99″ E
The Maldives continues to grow in popularity among luxury yacht visitors, lured to the exotic atolls stretching across the equator, her shores dotted with exclusive and elegant resorts. Made up of 26 atolls and lying in a north/south chain in the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean the North Malé Atoll is often the first port of call and the gateway to the entire archipelago.
For picture-perfect idylls, follow the chain north to the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll to seek out underwater experiences. Characterized by its unique underwater life and ecology, the warm waters are home to a diverse array of exotic marine life in their underwater world.
SRI LANKA
7°33’55.08″ N
80°25’49.08″ E
A very short 450NM passage from the Maldives takes you up to Sri Lanka – a good option for a fueling point. The islands eighteen million strong population provides an intoxicating mix of cultures and diverse ethnic groups.
Sri Lanka is also a useful stop for yachts journeying to the Red Sea, as well as a good point of departure for cruising the Maldives, Chagos Archipelago and Seychelles. Entering the Port of Galle , within the 65,610-kilometer area in Sri Lanka are eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 1,330 kilometres of coastline – much of it pristine beach. An island of magical proportions, Sri Lanka is known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’.
SEYCHELLES
4°40’49.46″ S
55°27’52.12″ E
Berthing is available at Eden Island Marina once vessels complete formalities. From imposing boulders to secluded, award-winning beaches, the Seychelles dot the Indian Ocean’s world map, representing one of the very few luxurious, untouched frontiers for vessels seeking tranquil cruises.
The Seychelles archipelago is comprised of 115 Granitic and Coralline islands dispersed over 1.3 million square kilometers of the Indian Ocean. Enlightened conservation measures have ensured that almost half of the limited landmass has been set-aside as a “living natural history museum”, boasting some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth.
LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA
6°18’2.00″ N
99°51’0.00″ E
Langkawi is the largest island in an archipelago of 100 islands in the Andaman Sea, located off the mainland coast of Malaysia. This is the region’s only ‘Duty Free’ port, located only 98 NM from Phuket, conveniently located just off the cruising waters of Langkawi. Langkawi offers plenty of protected anchorages and the area has become an established sailing destination, attracting boats from all over the world.
PHUKET, THAILAND
7°53’24.00″ N
98°23’53.88″ E
Just a few hours North of Langkawi is the popular Island Phuket, ‘Superyacht Hub of Southeast Asia’, also known as the ‘Monaco of Southeast Asia’. Phuket offers the most in high-end superyacht marinas, a vibrant nightlife, numerous cultural attractions and 32 smaller islands off its coast, perfect for cruising and exploration.
The resort island’s marinas can handle all of a superyacht’s needs and berths with excellent docking facilities and a growing yacht/ superyacht labor force. Starting out and staying close to Phuket is Phang Nga Bay with its limestone monoliths rising up out of the sea and with caves to paddle through.
MYANMAR 22°0’0.00″ N
98°0’0.00″ E
Traveling further North from Phuket, it’s an easy cruise to Myanmar and the Mergui Archipelago. These stunning islands offer a true ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experience with hundreds of small islands, each offering crystal clear water and pure white sandy beaches stretching out as far as the eye can see. After years of isolation, the wildlife on sea and land is particularly rich.
ANDAMAN ISLANDS
11°41’9.68″ N
92°44’4.48″ E
Moving from Myanmar, you will soon encounter the vast spread of the Andaman Islands in India. Inland, lush vegetation and towering cliffs with unusual bird and flora/fauna and active volcanoes are on display during the journey.
This remote island group offers some of the region’s most peaceful cruising from pristine reefs to primeval rainforest and the Barren Island volcano, the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia, estimated to be 1.8 million years old.
SINGAPORE
1°22’0.12″ N
103°45’0.00″ E
Heading back south along the Malay Peninsular you will arrive at the island city of Singapore, 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 and it’s a short hop to the major domestic seaport for the Riau Islands, Bintan, and to Nikoi Island off Bintan.
BALI, INDONESIA
8°44’26.87″ S
115°12’46.15″ E
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, consisting of five major islands and about 30 smaller groups with a total of 17,508 islands, of which about 6000 inhabited.
Bali, the heart of Indonesia, continues to attract yachts from all over the world and the list of adventures and activities in Indonesia is literally endless. Yachts are treated to a magnificent sight when rounding the north eastern tip of Bali, the classic volcano cone-shaped Mt. Agung – every sailor’s welcome to the Island of the Gods.”
RAJA AMPAT, INDONESIA
0°52’55.20″ S
131°17’43.74″ E
Raja Ampat translated means “The Four Kings”, a name derived from the four major islands in the group nestled on the tip of Papua’s Birds Head peninsula. It’s an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Raja Ampat – Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo along with the smaller island of Kofiau. Raja Ampat Regency is a new regency, separated from Sorong Regency in 2004 and home of the largest marine national park in Indonesia, Cenderawasih Bay.
KOH SAMUI
9°30’0.00″ N
100°0’0.00″ E
Koh Samui is a lovely white sand-kissed island, offering Eastern Thailand’s legendary hospitality and known as the ‘Jewel of Thailand’. There are many anchorages along the coast and numerous attractions on Samui and surrounding Islands. The island is famous for some of the finest high-end restaurants, hotels, spas and wellness retreats in Asia and a perfect base for cruising the eastern Gulf of Thailand.
Just 20 NM from Samui is Anthong National Marine Park, a spectacular group of 42 uninhabited uniquely different islands and to the north is famed Koh Tao, the ‘Diving Mecca of the Gulf’.
CAMBODIA
11°33’0.00″ N
104°55’0.00″ E
Cambodia, located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, has had a rich and varied history dating back many centuries and heavily influenced by India. In turn, Cambodia greatly influenced Thailand, Laos and vice versa. Angkor Wat is a reason onto itself to visit Cambodia, listed in ‘World Wonder List’ for its grandeur, history, beauty and state of preservation. It is the largest monument of the Angkor group and best preserved.
BORNEO
5°58’2.02″ N
116°3’21.44″ E
Heading south is the Island of Borneo with the best cruising in the state of Sabah, with cruising waters from Labuan to Sipadan offering amazing wildlife along the river, beautiful islands and mainland attractions. A journey around the tip of Borneo is also worthwhile and the East Coast is renowned for diving, such as world-famous Sipadan. Tropical islands and mainland coastal bays offer diverse mainland beauty, including Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia.
An extraordinary year of incredible adventure and exploration awaits yachts in a voyage around Southeast Asia.
