Introduction

Phuket island is Thailand's premier tourist destination and it is here that you find the largest concentration of hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife in the Andaman Sea. The island is connected to the Thai mainland by a bridge, but has retained a distinct culture fused from Chinese and Portuguese influences.

Phuket's most beautiful beaches are situated on the west coast and consequently this is where the majority of the tourist facilities can be found. The Seal Superyachts offices are in Patong Beach - the island's busiest tourist area and main night-life centre and also at the Phuket Yacht Haven Marina.

With the idyllic tropical islands of Similan, Surin and Phi Phi and the world-class cruising areas of Phang Nga Bay and Krabi a few hours sail away Phuket is a great base for visiting Superyachts. There are two marinas and a well-serviced international airport on

Weather

The Thai-Malay peninsular divides two different oceans - the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean) - and also acts as a distinct atmospheric barrier, dividing two very different and often opposing weather basins.

The Andaman Sea delivers an annual southwest monsoon to Phuket from mid-May to October. Typically this monsoon alternates for periods of one or two weeks between heavy spells - where huge amounts of rain is dumped across a wide region - and lighter / clear spells. Boating is usually possible in the land-locked Phang Nga area throughout the monsoon season but areas such as Similan and Surin are generally best avoided.

During the southwest monsoon season anchorages on the west coast of Phuket can become exposed, with a short swell (as much as 2 metres), a beach break and the occasional strong, onshore squall. The jetty at Patong is unavailable during these months.

Year-round temperatures on Phuket vary between 21-34ºC. Water temperatures range from 26-28ºC.

Charts

The Royal Thai Navy charts are the primary charts for Thailand.

There are four charts which cover Phuket, no's. 308, 334, 335, and 335a, and these can be purchased from the Seal Superyachts offices in the Yacht Haven Marina and our main office in Patong Beach.

Tides

The tidal range of Phuket is fairly large, the range at Phuket's Deep Sea Port is 3 meters. Local tide tables are published by the Hydrographic Department of the Royal Thai Navy and are available from the Seal Superyachts offices in the Yacht Haven Marina and our Patong beach office or on the internet here.

Sail Thailand published by ArtAsia Press is a must-have guide for all yachts visiting Thailand. It can be purchased around the island or directly from:

Art Asia Press

143/1 Charoen Nakorn 13

Klongsarn, Bangkok

10600, Thailand

Tel: +66 (0)2 861 3360

Fax: +66 (0)2 861 3363

e-mail: aapress@loxinfo.co.th

Courtesy Flag

A Thai courtesy flag should be displayed whenever entering Thai waters.

The Thai flag is red, white and blue horizontal stripes and can be purchased from the Seal Superyacht offices in the Yacht Haven Marina and our Patong Beach office. Red symbolises 'the Nation', white symbolises 'the Religion', and blue symbolises 'the Monarchy'.

Security

In comparison to many places, Phuket is a remarkably safe place, crime rates are exceedingly low and the huge majority of the population are very welcoming to foreign visitors.

There have recently been some incidents in the Chalong area concerning thefts from small yachts but Superyachts, which tend to have more obvious security systems and generally have someone on watch, have not been targeted.

Foreign women are very unlikely to receive unwanted attention from Thai men and often comment how safe they feel on the island.

Arrival

The majority of superyachts visiting Phuket first stop off at Singapore and journey north through the Malacca Straits to Langkawi, where Malaysian check-out formalities can be completed and duty free stores taken on board.

There are a number of ports between Singapore and Langkawi, including the old Dutch port of Malacca, Port Dickson, and the commercial port of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia's capital), Port Klang.

Regulations

On entering Thai waters check-in must be completed within 24 hours. This is usually done at Krabi or Phuket. Thai check-in procedures are rather complicated and we would strongly advise that you request the help of Seal Superyachts.

Yachts entering Thailand are granted a six month stay before they have to leave the country. At least one crew member is obliged to register a transit status with the vessel, but can sign off on posting a returnable bond of US$ 800.

Crew members are usually granted a one month stay before being required to leave the country but certain nationalities, such as Indians, will require a Thai visa in advance. Seal Superyachts can take care of all formalities on your behalf.

Yachting facilities

Phuket has three marinas on the east coast - the Phuket Boat Lagoon, Phuket Yacht Haven and the newly established Royal Phuket Marina:

The Phuket Boat Lagoon, which comprises the marina, a hotel resort and a canal village can accommodate yachts with a maximum length of 36 m, maximum draft of 3 m and maximum beam of 8 m. Many marine service companies have taken up residence in the ring of shops immediately around and facing the berths.

The Phuket Yacht Haven can accommodate larger yachts with a maximum length of 50 m, maximum draft of 4 m, and maximum beam of 10 m. On shore is the Yacht Haven Clubhouse with restaurant and bar, showers, telephones, lockers and toilet facilities.

Chandlers, fuel barges, and sail and awning supply and repair shops are all available on the island. Seal Superyachts, Phuket's only Superyacht agency, can supply virtually anything a yacht could wish for.

There is a GSM mobile telephone system on the island and mobile phones are still expensive to buy. Seal Superyachts will supply a mobile telephone to all yachts which sign up with the agency and simply charge calls at cost.

VHF telephone links are available. Ship to ship is available on channel 72 and Seal Superyachts also stands by on this channel. Phuket Yacht Haven and the Deep Sea Port stand by on channel 68.

Seal Superyachts can make reservations at any of these superb hotels on your behalf.

Restaurant recommendations

Most of the recommended hotels (above) have high-quality restaurants.

The Boat House is particularly noted for it's extensive wine cellar.

Seal Superyachts can make reservations at any of these fine restaurants on your behalf.

Agency Services