“As 2024 is unfolding, Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) reflects on 2023, a year that has been both challenging and rewarding”, reports APS co-founder Gordon Fernandes, based in Phuket, Thailand.“ Since the world began to emerge from the shadow of COVID-19, the tides of tourism slowly returned to their former strength, and the APS teams in Asia Pacific have witnessed a remarkable resurgence in the superyacht industry in Asia Pacific.”
“The cruising grounds of Southeast Asia are spectacular and it will take the breath away of any first time visitor, while the marine infrastructure and onshore leisure facilities are comparable with the best in the world.”
With four world-class marinas and a superyacht marina in the making, Phuket is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular yachting playgrounds and a key connector for the Asia Pacific region, reports Fernandes. “The increase in superyachts attracted to Thailand, cements Thailand’s position as Southeast Asia’s leisure marine hub. Southeast Asia, with Thailand as its hub, has long been considered one of the top yachting destinations in the world.”
Some visiting yachts in Phuket continue on to Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, a sand-kissed Island offering Eastern Thailand’s legendary hospitality and known as the ‘Jewel of Thailand’. Just 20 nautical miles of Samui is the Angthong National Marine Park with its spectacular group of uninhabited islands, and to the north is Koh Tao, famed as the ‘Diving Mecca of the Gulf’.
The dedicated superyacht service teams invite vessels to enjoy a journey that provides exceptional local service and unforgettable experiences provided by the indomitable spirit of the Asia Pacific Superyachts network. Operating in some of the world’s most stunning and diverse regions, APS offers an array of services to meet the needs of the most discerning yacht owners and their vessels. This vigilant oversight ensures smooth sailing from Thailand and Singapore’s bustling harbors, along Myanmar’s pristine coasts, through the mysteries of the Maldives and Seychelles and navigating the Andaman Islands archipelago.
Moving from mysterious Myanmar, vessels will voyage on to encounter the vast spread of the Andaman Islands in India. Inland in the Andamans, lush vegetation and towering cliffs with unusual bird and flora/fauna and active volcanoes are on display during the Andaman Islands journey. This remote island group offers some of the most peaceful cruising from pristine reefs to primeval rainforest. View in awe the Barren Island volcano, the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia, estimated to be 1.8 million years old.
In Indonesia APS tailored itineraries perfectly harmonize with the enchanting allure of Bali and the vibrant biodiversity of Raja. Indonesia attracts international yachts with its sheer natural beauty of looming volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields that exude peace and serenity and adventure cruising. Bali’s highly favourable geographic position, out of the heavy weather and cyclones along with its unique location also make it a perfect place for downtime, with great crew activities and world class provisioning for Captains when voyaging around the Asia Pacific region.
Superyachts have the opportunity for ship repair and maintenance when in Bali, and now there are new and exciting service options, reports Captain Thomas Taatjes, “We are delighted to announce a recent expansion, bringing in a dedicated marine engineering division led by an English superyacht engineer and captain. APS is now offering high-end 316 Stainless fabrication and marine engineering to international standards”.
“APS Indonesia is also excited to partner with Superyacht Teak in milling and processing the finest Marine Grade A teak, sustainably sourced from Java for export to the shipyards of Germany and the Netherlands. We can now offer to lay teak decks in Bali at a fraction of the cost elsewhere, with the finest workmanship and material.”
Moving on, the breathtaking beauty of the Seychelles is elevated by APS strategic support on arrival at Eden landing in this unique Creole culture. Among the biggest reasons superyacht guests visit the Maldives and Seychelles is the spectacular diving, with the Seychelles home to over 1,000 species of fish. Other top reasons includes everything from island-hopping exploring in your yacht to a luxury spa at a high-end beachfront resort.
Boasting over 491 kilometres of coastline, the most identifiable feature of the Seychelles is its beaches. The popular Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue, is frequently coined “the most beautiful beach in the world” and the backdrop of major Hollywood films such as Castaway, or the private island fantasy hidden gem Anse Major.
50% of Seychelles is a national park or reserve, so there’s ample opportunity for hiking and wildlife spotting. You can hike up Mount Copolia in Mahé Island or more experienced hikers can try hiking up the Morne Blanc trail, an uphill climb through mist forests and a stunning viewpoint overlooking the coast. As Seychelles is just 900 miles off the eastern coast of Africa, visitors may use this opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience, combining a Seychelles visit with a migration or Big 5 Safari.
Moving on the futuristic skyline of Singapore pairs seamlessly with top-tier yachting services. “Southeast Asia is so vast and diverse and the famed city of Singapore is smack in the middle of really excellent cruising grounds. It is considered by some to be the ‘lap of luxury’ in South East Asia”, enthuses Captain Scott Walker, co-founder of Asia Pacific Superyachts, adding, “More and more superyachts see Singapore as a superb destination and once here, they love it!”
For many yachts and superyachts Southeast Asia means new cruising grounds and Singapore, like a reigning sultan, sits pretty much in the centre of a passage from north to south and east to west in the region. “Singapore is only one degree north of the equator and yacht owners rave about the location as it does not get severe weather. A short hop away is the dreamy archipelago of Malaysia, Langkawi’s 99 islands that unfolds under our guidance”, reports Captain Scott.
Journeying on to the Maldives, the APS team meticulously plan each dive and cruise to unveil its underwater marvels. “The 1,200 dazzlingly beautiful islands in Southeast Asia and the 26 atolls of the Maldives are a growing magnet for superyachts,” reports APS director Mohamed Hammed, “These exotic atolls stretch across the equator oozing luxury and elegance on shores dotted with exclusive resorts.”
The Maldives is characterized by its splendidly unique underwater life and ecology, a paradise for dive and snorkelling aficionados. The warm waters are home to a diverse array of exotic marine life each creature more colorful than the next.
Visiting yachts can drop anchor and relax on one of their powder-fine white coral-lined shores and enjoy a meal or some pampering at one of the 170+ truly world-class island resorts, each island with its own resort. A number of resorts feature their own house reefs, easily accessible coral reefs within swimming distance. 99% of the Maldives territory is made up of seawater and around 240 species of corals can be found in the crystal clear waters of the archipelago. An example is Hanhushi’s coral reef, showcasing 1000 species of fish and 20 species of whales and dolphins. A dive and snorkelling paradise, the corals are home to some of the most diverse sea life on the planet.
Separated from India by a few nautical miles along the narrow Palk Straits and located north of the east-west international shipping corridor in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is of growing interest to the international yachting world.
APS Sri Lanka weaves cultural heritage tours into a luxury fabric. The intriguing culture and stunning natural coastal beauty of Sri Lanka is a cleaner, less expensive and much less crowded cruising destination than the Med and Caribbean destinations. Despite influence from the invaders, the country has managed to retain her unique culture, language (Sinhala), proud history and gracious hospitality. You’ll always be greeted by smiles and the greeting ‘Ayubowan’, translated as ‘May you live longer’.
The network of APS agencies provides expert navigation through spectacular natural settings in many untouched Islands and unlock ecological treasures through seamless support from teams with an impressive pedigree of local knowledge and dedicated service.
Whether navigating the logistics of refilling fuel tanks, removing a mast or attending to any requests, this hands-on approach and readiness to tackle any challenge make each team a vital partner to the superyachts gracing Asia Pacific’s tropical shores. With expert knowledge and unwavering support each agency is a crucial link in the chain of exceptional yachting experiences, eagerly looking ahead to serve as the trusted guide for another year of luxurious Asia Pacific sea voyages.
