7-Days Island Hopping
From the luxury of Michaela experience the amazing beauty of our tropical islands, from luxurious 5 star island resorts to solitude at anchor in tranquil bays. Crystal clear water and incredible diving to exploring dramatic island interiors, this cruise will leave you with a unique memory of the Andaman Sea.
The Lonely Planet summed it up, “You’re about to uncover a world of perfect powder soft dunes and dramatic limestone crags that pop straight out the impossibly clear waters. Robinson Crusoe eat your heart out!”
Possible itinerary
Day 1
Boarding in the Marina, Michaela will first cruise north, into the majestic heart of Phang Nga Bay. These unique islands boast magnificent anchorages between towering limestone columns, spectacular sea caves and hidden grottos’ The day is spent cruising between the islands, anchoring at the most spectacular, including the famous “James Bond” Island, to explore as you wish. Lunch will be served whilst the yacht cruises across to the Krabi side of the bay and anchor amongst the close nit and beautiful group of islands surrounding Koh Hong.
The tender will take you through the sea caves, into the Hong (Room), a land locked lagoon, to explore the sights on this amazing group of islands. A late afternoon cruise down the breathtaking coast of Krabi will see the boat anchored off Railay Beach for sunset drinks. A tranquil peninsula, only accessible by sea, offers three gorgeous white sandy beaches and a picturesque lagoon, hidden inside the towering jungle strewn limestone cliffs. Thought to be the most beautiful beach in Thailand you might want to take the tender for an evening’s stroll amongst this exotic landscape before dinner at the beautiful, 5 star Rayavadee Resort with its amazing choice of restaurants including a romantic beach side cave aptly named “The Grotto.” Enjoy the tranquility of your first evening at anchor.
Day 2
Breakfast and, if you wish, a morning trip ashore to further explore this magnificent peninsula. Michaela will weigh anchor mid morning, the 35 mile cruise south, towards Koh Lanta will meander amongst the islands of Koh Poda, Koh Kai and anchor off the deserted Koh Mai Pai (Bamboo Island). A small, perfectly formed desert island where the white sands meet brightly coloured coral reefs. The tender will take you to explore the Hin Klang coral gardens, an amazingly shallow, mid sea coral reef that boasts a unique snorkelling experience. A late lunch will be served and a relaxing afternoon whilst cruising south to Koh Lanta.
By mid afternoon, Michaela will be off the west coast of Koh Lanta and the stunning, jungle lined mountainous bays with long white sandy beaches. Dropping anchor for the evening in the south western region, the tender will take you ashore for a wonderfully exotic dinner at the very exclusive Pimalai Resort. Nestled amongst the lush, jungle lined hills above the white sandy beach, the view whilst dining at sunset will definitely be an experience to remember.
Day 3
Today is a day of deserted island paradise that will offer you some incredible diving and snorkelling opportunities. These sites, set in the most idyllic surroundings, are safe and extremely well suited to absolute beginners or expert divers alike. Michaela will weigh anchor early and cruise the 12 miles west, to Koh Haa Haa as you enjoy breakfast on board.
This group of five small, uninhabited islands is a paradise for scuba divers offering beginners and veterans alike the most incredible and safest diving possible. Shallow, crystal clear waters, light currents and the most unbelievable underwater caves, marine life, bright coral and inland, cathedral like caverns await you. (see “Diving Arrangements” for full details)
Even if you do not fancy scuba diving, the shallow waters make a visit to Koh Haa worthwhile. The deserted islands have a gorgeous lagoon where snorkelers can easily swim and explore the shallow coral reefs or just enjoy the perfect beaches and explore the numerous caves.
Lunch will be served as you weigh anchor and cruise the 16 miles south into another tranquil paradise of turquoise waters, white sand and perfectly formed tropical islands. Koh Rok Nok, a twin, crescent shaped set of islands offering a completely different experience to that in Koh Haa, and, as with this morning, ideally suited to novice and expert alike. Tonight will be a chance to enjoy the peaceful beauty of dinning at anchor, surrounded by this truly exotic landscape. After the day’s activities you may wish to relax on the quiet beach with a drink, swim or stretch your legs before dinner and explore the island. As a protected nature reserve, there are easily accessible pathways across to the northern cliffs and up through the jungle to Pa Samet Daeng, the highest point that offer breathtaking views, especially at sunset. Your Captain and hostess will offer you the choice of dinner on board or as a gourmet beach BBQ on a secluded beach.
Day 4
For the early risers, sunrise in Koh Rok Nok creates a fantasy of world of magnificent colours as the sun rises over Koh Lanta and the islands of Trang, some 12 miles to the east. Breakfast on board and after your swim in the peace of the morning, Michaela will weigh anchor and cruise east, into the unbelievable and varied world of Robinson Crusoe islands within the renowned Trang Province.
A mixture of National Parks with powder perfect beaches lined with Coconut and Rubber plantations and dramatic interiors. The mountainous and rugged plantations of Ko Ngai, the dazzling white beaches of Koh Kradan, the magical emerald cave and dramatic interior of Koh Muuk, along with the many deserted islands that make up this unique group of islands await. Suffice to say the next couple of days revolve around a flexible itinerary to ensure you can explore as you wish and fully enjoy the very best experiences these amazing islands have to offer.
After yesterdays physical activity, maybe today is one of relaxed island exploration. The long perfect white powder beaches of Koh Kradan, incredible snorkelling amongst the coral will provide a relaxing morning with a delectable lunch at the 5 star Anantara Beach Club. A short afternoon cruise across to Koh Muuk with its dramatic mountainous interior and the magic of Emerald Cave, a deep turquoise sanctuary only accessible through a long narrow tunnel, ringed by white sand and hidden behind towering limestone cliffs.
A cruise through the sunset will take Michaela 5 miles west to tonight’s mainland anchorage, the stunning Changlang Beach and the exclusive Anantara Resort. Beautifully set in the heart of the Had Chao Mai National Park with magnificent views across the islands, dinner tonight will certainly be one of exotic cuisine in a luxurious atmosphere.
Day 5
Breakfast on board and a short cruise west, to the picturesque and rugged island of Koh Ngai. Explore the generations old coconut and rubber plantations of the lowlands shaded by the towering, jungle lined mountains and enjoy the small virgin beaches cut into the rocky headlands. Maybe this morning is a great opportunity to further your diving and explore the sheltered caves and coral reefs around nearby Koh Waen.
Either way, lunch will be served on board whilst setting a course toward Phi Phi Islands, some 35 miles to the north, a relaxing cruise past the southern tip of Koh Lanta and the beautiful islands of Koh Ma and Koh Bida. The view of Phi Phi Don’s lush mountainous interior as you approach and enter Tonsai Bay is spectacular to say the least. The tender will take you ashore and you can stroll around the pedestrian only village located on a low land spit connecting the towering mountains of the island. We time this visit ashore after 3 pm so you benefit from the idyllic peace the islands know after the day trippers depart on the last ferries. You are assured of seeing Phi Phi Don at its glorious best.
Leaving the main island behind Michaela will head to the nearby majestic island of Phi Phi Leh just before sunset. The unique blend of narrow, fjord like lagoons and the towering cliffs are quite simply, breath taking! Tonight’s anchorage will be under the sheer cliffs that form the crescent shaped, Maya Bay (famed location for the movie “The Beach”). Amazing places for a sunset swim in the cool shaded waters. Only accessible by boat and uninhabited, Phi Phi Lay enjoys evening seclusion that will allow the crew to serve you dinner on board whilst you bask in the tranquil atmosphere of this unique anchorage.
Day 6
Breakfast will be served in the quiet, shaded bay and Michaela will weigh anchor to slowly cruise along the vertical cliffs surrounding the island. Enjoy the sights of Viking Cave, Sama Bay and Pi Ley in the peace of the morning and maybe anchor for a morning swim in the cool waters shaded by the sheer cliffs. Mid morning will see Michaela setting course south west for the 35 mile cruise to the gracious island of Koh Racha Yai, some 10 miles south of Phuket.
Koh Racha Yai boasts several stunning bays with which your Captain will offer you the choice of how you wish to spend the rest of the day. Anchoring to suit your wishes, most likely in the stunning and central Batok Bay, Michaela will become a base from which to enjoy all the Island has to offer.
For the more energetic, there are wonderful Dive sites around the island, again, well suited for all levels of experience. Siam Bay in the north is a beautiful haven for snorkeling and can be reached by the tender as its coral reefs and white sandy bottom are to shallow for Michaela. If stretching your legs takes your fancy, there are well maintained pathways leading through the rain forested hills to spectacular view points and secluded rocky bays on the east coast.
After all the island exploration, diving and swimming of the past few days maybe a relaxing afternoon being pampered in an exclusive Spa is the desire. The Racha, a luxurious 5 star Resort and Spa, located just off the beach in Batok Bay, offers an amazing array of exclusive Spa facilities.
However you decide to spend the day, Michaela will remain at anchor in Batok Bay for the night. Famed for its sunset, this west facing bay is the perfect place for evening drinks on the fly bridge before embarking for the short tender ride to the jetty and a sumptuous last night dinner in the scenic, gourmet restaurants of The Racha.
Day 7
After your, by now traditional, morning swim in the crystal water and breakfast, the morning will be spent cruising slowly north, into Phang Nga Bay, stopping as you wish for a swim and lunch, on the many small and incredibly picturesque islands you will see on the passage. Too many to list, suffice to say your last morning on board will not be disappointing. Phang Nga is a majestic bay filled with dramatic limestone islands rising out of emerald waters, many of which have small white beaches nestled into beautiful lagoons surrounded by sheer sided cliffs.
Arrival back at the Marina will be mid afternoon or as suits your onward travelling arrangements.
The round trip will be approximately 280 nautical miles.
Other Options
You may wish to extend your stay in Phuket by combining the charter with a few nights at one of the many luxurious spa resorts found amongst the islands and on Phuket itself before flying home. It may even be your wish is to transfer to and from the boat on the west coast via the tender and floating pontoons in Patong Bay or Bang Tao thus extending your time in the islands and saving the time spent cruising back to the Marina.
Please note: Itineraries are guides only and by no means fixed. The final choice of activity, time in any particular location, or the locations themselves, can be altered to suit your preferences and prevailing weather. The only two unchangeable factors, the fuel range of the yacht and the time frame of your stay.
Scuba Diving Arrangements
Michaela is a luxury Yacht and as such is not equipped to safely guide you into this incredible undersea world. Equally, the Islands are a protected National Parks so we are, rightly, not permitted to anchor close to the coral reefs, anchors being very destructive to this delicate environment. As Sunseeker in Thailand, we have made arrangements with two specialized, Internationally Qualified, and fully licensed Dive schools with whom we have many years experience on behalf of our owners and their guests. These schools provide us with your exclusive Dive Master and guide, all of which carry all the appropriate insurances and work only with top of the range, well tested equipment.
Whether your first diving experience, or you have more experience, these schools will work liaise with your Captain and meet Michaela as required. They will take you to sites best suited to your scuba experience on their own fully equipped Dive Boats. Licensed schools have specific moorings within the various sites where the Dive Masters will safely escort you into this amazing and colourful world.
Prior notice is required, along with details your diving experience to date, and the appropriate arrangements will be made to seamlessly blend this experience into your chosen itinerary.
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Remember that direct bookings will receive a 5% discount on all of our published charters.