DISTANCE: 16nm DURATION: 2h 5m The Malacca Strait is home to one of Thailand’s most famous tourist spots - Phang Nga Bay. The poster child for perfect looking Thailand, Phang Nga Bay is all emerald waters, teetering limestone karsts, colourful islets, and drifting long tail boats. This is the stuff movies are made of and it comes as no surprise that Phang Nga has featured as a filming locale in everything from James Bond to Star Wars. Stretching out for 400 square kilometres and with jaw-dropping scenery, a marine national park, ancient rock paintings, and a ton of amazing adventures, you can drop anchor and never want to leave. Some highlights of Phang Nga Bay include taking a traditional style canoe to explore the limestone karsts and intricate cave systems. Be sure to visit the bright village of Koh Panyee - home to the cave paintings, it is also a place where you can see colourful traditional boats, stilted homes, market stalls, and a glorious golden mosque. Phang Nga is also home to lavish resorts, tailor shops, and James Bond island tours. Read more

DISTANCE: 23nm DURATION: 2h 55m RAI LEI BEACH. 8°00.637N, 98°50.094E Anchorage is in 4-5 metres on sand in the centre of the bay. This bay has spectacular stacks of rock forming headlands to the north and south. In the shade of the coconut palms fringing the beach, restaurants and bungalows tend to be frequented by educated budget travellers, contributing to the easygoing ambiance. Some comfortable private houses are set back from the north end of the beach, for rent on a daily basis. A reef, easily seen in the clear waters and a magnet for snorkellers, extends into the bay at the southern end of the beach. Walk along the headland at low tide, and find several caves, fissures and spectacular overhangs. Going to the right on the beach, there are longtail boats for hire; there is no road access to this area due to the enclosing rock walls. Read more

DISTANCE: 26nm DURATION: 3h 20m A true tropical haven, Koh Lanta sits pretty in the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea, a short distance from Krabi’s captivating coastline. Unspoilt in comparison to its renowned neighbour, Phi Phi, the island is alive with lush jungle, verdant coral reefs and clusters of stilted villages built by the hands of bygone sea gipsies. Relatively flat with reasonable roads, the island can become a playground for charter guests who are confident on motorbikes or scooters, with misty mountains and fragrant forests promising secret waterfall spots and captivating creeks lined with sinewy mangroves. The ultimate oasis of crystalline waters and breathtaking bathing spots, Koh Lanta is also an idyllic destination for diving. Read more

DISTANCE: 23nm DURATION: 2h 55m Littered with laidback beach bars and crowned with a deep, dense jungle, Koh Ngai is a must-stop for any Thai island tour. Small in size and offering plenty of privacy, this authentic oasis is a natural haven for snorkelers and divers, with an offshore reef and mesmerizing marine ecosystem. Palm-fringed beaches with white sand make for postcard-worthy panoramas, complete with lines of longtail boats and startling cerulean seas. Cast anchor along the eastern side of the island for a beautiful backdrop of limestone islets and make use of any onboard entertainment such as jet skis and paddleboards atop the calm, crystalline waters. Promising unforgettable sunsets and tranquil serenity, Koh Ngai is a sublime slice of paradise. Read more

DISTANCE:40nm DURATION:6h Koh Phi Phi Don is a dream. A scenic vision of lime rock karsts, azure waters, and sweeping sands sets the scene for another day in paradise. Some of the southern shores have been impacted by the tsunami although redevelopment is certainly underway. In the northeast, however, you will find areas of Phi Phi Don that are completely untouched by the trials and tribulations of wild weather. These northern shores are still home to Thailand's indigenous ‘Sea Gypsies’. Phi Phi Don is one of the two main islands that make up the famed Phi Phi islands and being one of the main players means it is well set up to receive tourists. Snorkelling, sipping cocktails, feasting on the island's signature seafood, and blissing out on the beaches can keep you rested. For those charter guests seeking a more bustling scene, there’s vibrant nightlife to be found in Tonsai Village and Loh Dalum Bay. Read more

DISTANCE: 21nm DURATION: 2h 40m A land of soaring limestone cliffs, white powdered sands, and Crayola coloured coral reefs, Koh Hong is a tiny island just a day trip away from South Thailand’s gem of Krabi. The Hong Lagoon can only be reached by a narrow opening making for an exciting gateway into the glorious island. Sitting in the Thanbok Kharanee National Park, Koh Hong’s cliffs are majestic in mood - swathed in velvet and standing tall, they add to the iconic postcard sight that makes Koh Hong such a dream. Snorkelling on the island is a delight with shoals of shimmering fish dressed in their best colours weaving worlds of wonder beneath the sea. White-faced gibbons and monitor lizards scuttle and swoop on the land. Take the kayak out to explore the drama of the limestone cliffs, swim in the brightest turquoise waters, and spend hours relaxing on the sands. Read more

DISTANCE: 6nm DURATION: 45m Stashed between Krabi and Phuket, you will find the untapped island of Koh Yao. Part of the Phang Nga National Park, Koh Yao and Koh Yao Noi are pristine Thai delights. Emerald waters, the rising spires of limestone cliffs, and longtail boats perched on pure white sands set the scene for an amazing anchorage. While not a secret destination, there are fewer tourists on Koh Yao meaning that the island still retains its authentic vibe. Warm calm waters, greenery draping over the cliffs, and secret little beaches are sure to tempt charter guests in for hikes, swims, and renting a scooter to ride around and explore. For those looking to party, you may need to sail for a different island - Koh Yao is all about peace and tranquillity with little more socializing than sipping a cold beer in one of the very few bars. Read more

DISTANCE: 13nm DURATION: 1h 40m Known as the gateway to the breathtaking Phang Nga Bay, the Ao Po Grand Marina is all emerald ocean and lush, green landscapes. Sleek and stylish, the 300-berth marina offers around-the-clock accessibility and is free from the restrictions of the tide. Perfectly positioned on the easternmost coast of Phuket Island, the marina serves as a great base for tendering over to the nearby islets or heading inland instead, where elephant sanctuaries and waterfalls await. There are several golf courses nearby, as well as countless local eateries where the sublime scent of seafood and specialities drift out across blissful beach fronts fringed by banana plants. A perfect pitstop for using the faultless facilities, you could choose to anchor on one of the sheltered shorelines nearby and bring out the water toys for guests who can’t resist a dip in the Thai tropics. Read more