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 The destinations that we
head out to include the greater Phuket Area including Phuket, Phang Nga
Bay, Krabi, the Phi Phi Islands, the Similan Islands and all the way down to Langkawi in
Malaysia.
The best sailing is normally during the wet season, which is May to October. It
normally doesn't rain all day every day, but the sky is frequently overcast. When it does
rain the showers are normally heavy and brief. The temperature is warm year-round. The
wind is predominantly southwest and is normally strong enough for some spirited sailing.
Unfortunately the onshore wind direction along the west coast can bring swells and limits
the number of comfortable, safe anchorages.
 The best option is day trips or short duration overnight
trips into Phang Nga Bay. Here the dramatic limestone karst islands provide spectacular
scenery.
If a rain squall blows through you may see clouds cap the peaks and mist hang
over the valleys. Sometimes there may be an eerie yellow or green light, giving a
different feeling to the area. The sea conditions are generally calm even if it is windy.
During this time of the year we never know what is going to happen on our day
trips but that adds to the adventure. If the weather is particularly unfavorable you may
postpone or cancel the trip. If the wind is very strong we use smaller sails to suit the
conditions.
The best time for liveaboard cruising is during the dry season when the offshore
northeast monsoon sets in. This is from November to April. Sea conditions are generally
flat and calm. Often good offshore winds in the morning fading out to nothing by midday
and then swinging to gentle westerly onshore sea breeze by mid afternoon before switching
back to light off shore breeze at dusk. We can't promise good sailing all day every day,
but the boat has an engine to keep us moving from one great spot to the next. |
