Located in Southeast Asia is Thailand, a country with a tropical savanna climate and a wealth of historical and natural sites to explore. The tourism industry in Thailand is relatively new but is growing at a fast rate, yacht tourism is growing in popularity with boats to hire through sites such as Borrowaboat.

In 2019, the country had almost 40 million tourists from around the world, this equates to more than 0.5 tourists per resident. The percentage of gross domestic product this industry brings is around 13 per cent, or $65 billion US dollars per annum.

While Bangkok is the most visited destination in the country, Phuket in the south of the country is also highly popular. Phuket and surrounding islands such as Ko-Phi-Phi are most popular with those chartering a yacht.

If travelling via yacht in Thailand, there are many idyllic locations to explore. Here are just some of the must-see destinations for your yacht trip in Thailand:

Khao Phing Kan

Also known as James Bond Island, Khao Phing Kan, 25km North-East of Phuket, was one of the central filming locations for the  1970’s James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. Khao Phing Kan consists of two islands that are connected by a white sandy beach, it has lush green vegetation and beautiful turquoise blue water.

This destination is in the northwestern part of Phang Nga Bay and has a few caves that regularly flood with the tides. There is a port for tourist boats that arrive from the mainland, where you will also find souvenir shops that sell items like coral and shells.

Koh Yao Noi

Why not take a day trip to the charming island of Koh Yao Noi? Koh Yao Noi is located close by in Phang Nga Bay and is a great place to experience Thai island life.

There are a number of beach resorts to explore on the island, including spa retreats, such as Beach Resort and Spa and the Six Senses Yao Noi beach resort, and other hotels with excellent lunchtime food options. While Koh Yao Noi is not as developed as places such as Phuket, it has a really authentic and more laidback feel.

Koh Dam

Koh Dam, also known as Chicken Island, is the perfect place to stop off when touring Thailand by yacht. It is part of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park group and has a 400 baht per person entry fee.

The flat sandy beaches on the island are ideal for walking, particularly in the early evening when you may catch a cool breeze. For swimming or snorkelling, visit the north-eastern end of Koh Dam where you will find a beautiful coral reef to explore. In the north there is also a bungalow resort where you can stop off for a bite to eat.

Maya Bay

If looking for a more developed part of Thailand to charter a yacht, then Maya Bay in Phi Phi is a very popular choice. This location has been well visited since the filming of the iconic nineties film The Beach.

Maya Bay is open for visitors by boat between the months of November and April. To avoid the crowds, try to get there in the early morning or shortly after 5pm in the afternoon.

The bay has several white sandy beaches to relax on and the water is incredibly clear which makes it easy to see the surrounding coral reefs. There is a small shack located on the beach that sells light refreshments but you should be advised to bring your own food or bbq if you would like something more substantial.

Snorkelling is one of the most popular activities in the bay. But if you would prefer to stay dry then you can explore the calm waters in a kayak. Camping is also allowed around the bay at selected times, although you should check local rules and information on this prior to visiting.

Chiang Mai

While in Thailand the city of Chiang Mai is also well worth a visit, particularly if you enjoy exploring cultural sites. There are over 300 temples located here, including the well-known temples of Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. If you hike up the mountain of Doi Suthep, you will also find the temple of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep and wonderful views of the city below.

For entertainment in Chiang Mai there is the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre where you can book a dinner and theatre experience. There is also the iconic Chiang Mai Cabaret Show or for fans of jazz music, there is the local North Gate Jazz Co-Op.

These are just a few of the wonderful destinations there are to explore if chartering a yacht in Thailand. A yacht is most definitely the best mode of transport for those who want to get the most out of their trip to the country.