Phuket Travel Information & Planning Guide

Find everything you need to prepare for a charter in Phuket. From important base information to required documents for international travel, you can use this information as your guide before and during your charter. Don’t forget to pack a copy to take with you.

Plan

Before you Go

Address

Ao Po Grand Marina
113/1 Moo 6
Tambon Paklok
Amphur Thalang
Phuket 83110
Thailand

Our Phuket base is located at the new Ao Po Grand Marina near Ao Po Bay.

Ao Po Grand Marina has the benefit of 24 hour access independent of the tide. It is also ideally situated at the gateway to stunning Phang Nga Bay and is conveniently close to Phuket’s major facilities (15 minutes from the airport) and vacation destinations.

Base Hours
Monday – Sunday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
VHF radio watch channel 72 (7 days a week from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Time Zone
Standard time zone for Thailand is UTC/GMT +7 hours.

Language
The official language is Thai and English.

Cost of Living
Prices vary from restaurant to restaurant, however the following is a guide for your reference. A bottle of wine costs from about 500 baht in a supermarket and at least twice that in a restaurant. A bottle of beer costs about 35 to 45 baht in a supermarket and from 80 baht up to 150 baht in a restaurant. Good quality Thai food can cost as little as 200 baht per course in a local restaurant where a meal in a resort can cost anything from 1000 baht per person and more.

What to Bring

Passport and Visas
Entry, exit, and visa requirements depend on the locations you are departing from and traveling to. You are responsible for having the correct documents so make sure to check with the consulate of the countries you plan to visit before you travel. Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after you return. Your passport name must match the name on the flight ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid.

Customs + Immigration
Before leaving the airport, you will have to clear immigration and customs. A landing card will be given to you on the plane, along with a customs declaration form. Airlines will assume no liability for perishable articles, e.g. food, which may also be confiscated by customs.

Customs – Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
All foreign travellers are required to log in to the system, to complete their Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), at least 3 days before their trip to Thailand.

• Thai Immigration Authority will use the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) in the future to make entry to Thailand faster, easier and safer.
• All non-Thai nationals arriving to Thailand by air, land or sea must complete the TDAC form online prior to arrival.
• Sign up to the portal:
  • Register at https://tdac.immigration.go.th.
  • Enter your personal & travel information.
  • A confirmation email will be sent after the form has been submitted.
  • Upon entering the Immigration Police gate, show your confirmation email and travel documents for verification.

Travel Notice 
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised of an update to the local laws and customs in Thailand. You can’t bring vaporizers, eg, e-cigarettes and e-baraku, and refills into Thailand. These items are likely to be confiscated, and you could be fined or sent to prison if convicted. The sale or supply of e-cigarettes and similar devices is also banned and you could face a heavy fine or imprisonment if found guilty.

Sailing Licences
Although no formal sailing certifications are required for pleasure craft sailing or cruising in Thailand, it is strongly recommended that you bring any certificates or licence that you may have with you. This may be useful should you be contacted by customs or The Royal Thai Navy’s Maritime Rescue. 

Luggage + Packing list
Soft-sided luggage or duffel bags are best, as luggage storage space on your yacht may be limited. We have no facilities for holding luggage at the base. Pack lightly and review our suggested packing list for required and necessary items to bring. 

• Pack essential prescription medicine and change of clothing in a carry-on bag* 
• Passport and other travel documentation 
• Tickets and paper confirmations for pre-planned activities 
• Light-colored, light-weight clothing 
• Formal wear for upscale dining establishments 
• Swimwear and cover up 
• Hats and sunglasses 
• Sandals and flip-flops 
• Athletic shoes and hiking boots 
• Travel-sized toiletries and hygiene products 
• Insect repellent and OTC pain relievers/ointments 
• AUX cable for playing music through your device 
• 12V DC to 110V AC power inverter (for boats without generators**) 
• 12V to USB power adapter for charging mobile devices 

We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.

All boats include a 12V DC outlet (a “car” outlet). Boats with generators have 110V outlets in the Caribbean and 220V in the Mediterranean and Exotic locations. 

Currency 
We recommend that sufficient money is changed before departing into the cruising area. The average would be 2000 (TBH) Baht per person per day. 

Drones 
In Thailand, drone registration is mandatory and handled by both the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Tourists can bring their drones into Thailand, but they must register them before flying. Failure to register can result in fines or imprisonment.

Registration Process: 

1. Obtain a Thai SIM card: A local Thai phone number is required to register on the CAAT portal. 
2. Create an account on the CAAT portal: Use your Thai phone number to create an account on the CAAT UAS Portal. 
3. Register the drone: Upload required documents (proof of ownership, photos of the drone, etc.) and pass a 40-question online test. 
4. Register with NBTC: You’ll need to complete a UAV Radio Equipment Registration and Owner’s Declaration of Conformity form and provide other required documents. 
5. Affix the registration number: Once registered, you must affix the registration number to your drone. 

What’s on Board

Coolers
One 40 liter cooler is included with all yachts at no additional charge. Please return them clean and undamaged otherwise you will be charged for replacement. Extra coolers are available at the base on a first come first served basis at a cost of 50 baht per day.

Mobile phones
Your mobile phone may work when in Thailand but please check with your service provider for coverage details and call costs. You will need to activate international roaming on your contract.

Buying a SIM card once you are in Thailand is an easier and cheaper option. A SIM card can be bought on a pay as you go basis for about 50 Thai Baht. Calls are cheap to make and free to receive.

The only thing you have to consider is whether your own mobile phone is locked. Many phone providers deliberately lock their phones to make it impossible to use on rival networks. This can be overcome however for a small price at any phone shop in Thailand.

Music + iPods
All boats are fitted with a radio and CD player. If you wish to listen to your iPod whilst sailing you will need to bring along an iTrip or FM radio transmitter.

Electricity
The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts and you will find plenty of 220v sockets and USB sockets. All monohulls have EU (type C outlets), and all catamarans have Universal or EU (type C) outlets. We recommend packing an adaptor or two if you plan to bring local appliances. If you travel to Thailand with a device that does not accept 220V at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.

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Go

How to Get there

Airport
Bangkok Savarnabhumi Airport
Savarnabhumi Airportis is approximately 20 miles east of the city center. From Savarnabhumi, you will require the domestic terminal for your connection to Phuket Airport.

Savarnabhumi Airport offers banking and a selection of bureau de change, bars, coffee shops and restaurants as well as duty free and souvenir shoping. International departure taxes are now included in the price of the flight ticket.

Phuket Airport
Phuket Airport is approximately 25 minutes from the base. Facilities include bureau de change, duty free and merchandise shops, a post office and restaurants.

Pre-booked Transfers
On arrival in Phuket, a transfer from the airport to the base can be arranged. If you would like to use this service, please contact the Pre-Travel team for assistance. There will then be a Sunsail driver waiting for you with a Sunsail board to bring you directly to the Marina.

Transfers from Phuket Airport to the base take 25 minutes.
The approximate cost of a taxi for up to 4 people is 900 Baht each way, 1050 Baht each way for up to 6 passengers and a minibus for up to 8 people 1100 Baht each way.

Ensure you submit your arrival details via your MyAccount prior to departure so we can assist with transfer arrangements where required. 

Taxis 
The Airport taxis are always available; however these taxis generally do not know where the Sunsail office is in the Ao Po Marina and clients may be dropped off at the wrong place and sometimes even the wrong marina. 

Please Note: Guests arriving separately should bring a copy of the charter contract / invoice. 

Car Rental
At the airport you will find, David Car Rent www.davidcarrent.com and Airport Car Rent www.airportcarrent.com  which is one of the few companies that rent self drive mini busses.

In Phuket, although driving is easy, there are guidelines to follow to stay safe – they are as follows:   

Full Comprehensive Insurance is a must. Beware of street side vendors with signs saying ‘With Insurance’ – usually the level of insurance is very basic and would not cover the car, or passengers – just third-party injuries or damage. 

In Thailand driving is on the left side of the road.   

A valid International license or Thai Driving license is essential.   

Seat belt wearing and drinking and driving laws apply and are enforced.   

Boarding Time + Checking Out

On Arrival
Charters can start and finish on any day of the week and all charters will board at 4:00pm on the first day and disembark at 8:30am on the last day. However we always try to be as flexible as possible.

Briefings
These are carried out individually for each yacht and are mandatory for all clients. The chart brief describes the cruising area and any potential hazards. The yacht briefing introduces you to your yacht and its systems and rigging. It is important that all systems and equipment are fully understood. Chart briefings will be conducted at 2.30pm. This will take up to 2 hours so you need to allow plenty of time. You will not be permitted to leave without adequate briefing. You may not depart the dock after 5pm.

The skipper and first mate must attend a Chart Briefing which covers all you need to know about the cruising area, use of the VHF radio, how to call for assistance, and more. A Boat Briefing will also be provided onboard your yacht.

Out of Hours
If you are arriving after 5:00 pm and have requested a transfer you will be met by a member of staff and shown to your yacht. If we have no arrival details and we have not heard from you by 5:00 pm we will put a sign on the door stating your yacht name, location as well as the base managers contact number. The yacht will be lit up and have an information sheet listing what is available at the base such as toilets, showers, restaurants, etc.

The latest that a Sunsail yacht can depart from the marina is 5pm as the nearest anchorage is half an hour away and all yachts must be anchored by 5:30pm. The area and yacht briefings take up to an hour each and provisioning shopping will take around 3 hours including taxi transfers. 

Therefore, if you wish to depart on the day your charter starts you should arrive no later than 1pm if you are doing your own provisioning or 3pm if you have provisioned online. 

Check Out Procedures 
All charters must return to base by 4.30pm of the day before the end of your charter (or by 8am) and have fully vacated your yacht by 8.30am at the latest.  

A debriefing and final walkthrough will be done upon return so please allow enough time to complete this before the charter end time. 

The debrief is to let us know if you have encountered any problems with the boat or lost or broken anything during the trip, this enables us to rectify problems for the next charter.

We also ask that you bag dirty laundry in the pillowcases and leave it on the beds, empty all cupboards and refrigerator of food and throw away any perishables, return snorkel gear and any extra life-jackets and ensure that the boat is handed back to Sunsail in a clean and tidy state. We reserve the right to charge for boats left less than shipshape.

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Sail

Base Guide

Whether this is your fifth trip or the first of many, we want you to feel at home when you’re at Sunsail base. View our Thailand eGuide here

About the Marina

Marina Facilities
Water and electricity are available on the berths at the base and there is a deep water fuel dock.

Showers and toilets are available 8:00 to 18:00. There are several restaurants and two nearby resorts for those wishing to spend a night ashore before and after their charter. ATM available.

Sailing Grounds/ Licenses

Experience Level 
Level 2

• At least 10 days or 200 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht.
• Our intermediate sailing destinations, Level 2 sailing areas offer a greater challenge for sailors more comfortable on the open water. Enjoy strong winds and longer spells of open water sailing, suitable for more experienced skippers

Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. View here for more information.

Sailing Requirements
A sailing qualifications is not mandatory to charter here – but you must demonstrate that you have the necessary experience and ability. If our base staff are not confident in your ability when you arrive, they will arrange for a Sunsail skipper to travel with you – at your own expense.

Please ensure you have completed our online Sailing Resume to ensure you have the necessary experience required.

Sailing Grounds

Bareboat Charter with a Skipper:  
The skipper’s time is booked from 12:00 noon to 12:00 noon in 24-hour periods. If you have reserved a skipper for the first day of your charter and have a 4:00pm start, the skipper he will use this time to ensure they are happy with all aspects of the yacht and will be at the base to meet you upon your arrival.

The skipper is responsible for the safety of the yacht at all times. The skipper is not permitted to dive with you, nor leave the vessel overnight. They must conduct a safety brief with you before leaving the dock regardless of the duration of their contract with you. 

A skipper can be arranged for the day, or for the duration of your choosing, depending on your needs. Having a skipper on the first day of your charter helps you get acquainted with your yacht and the destination, for a stress-free start. The skipper’s time is booked from 4 pm to 4pm to allow for a meet and greet in the evening and go over basic systems, then a full day with you the next day.  

This skipper is required to give you a thorough briefing on all aspects of the yacht and dinghy in addition to assisting you with planning an itinerary for the trip and advising you how to contact the base, the return to base procedures and the emergency assistance procedures.  
The skipper will give you a full chart briefing during his time with you on the yacht. It is also suggested that you make it clear exactly what you want to cover…anchoring, docking, etc. 

The skipper fee does not include food or beverages for the skipper and are the responsibility of the client. It is suggested that you discuss this on the first day with the skipper and establish whether you will give the skipper cash for meals, whether you have included them in your provisioning or whether you will accommodate them as part of the group for meals ashore. The skipper must have their own cabin. 

The skipper fee does not include food or beverages for the skipper and are the responsibility of the client. It is suggested that you discuss this on the first day with the skipper and establish whether you will give the skipper cash for meals, whether you have included him in your provisioning or whether you will accommodate them as part of the group for meals ashore. The skipper must have their own cabin.

For one-day skippers it is the client’s responsibility to get the skipper back to the base. If you’d prefer not to come back to the base you must pay for his expenses (ferry, taxi, etc.)

A gratuity is expected and is typically given to the skipper at the end of the charter. The amount is entirely at your discretion.

More information on Skippered Charter Options.

Sailing Area Restrictions
During the NE season the cruising area includes all Thai Waters from the Surin and Similan islands in the North down to Koh Tarutao and the Butang islands in the South. Yachts cannot cross the border in to Mayanmar/Burma under any circumstances. During the SW monsoon, The Surin, Similan Islands, and anchorages on the West coast of Phuket cannot be used. The cruising area has a tidal range of 3m at high water springs.  

The Sunsail 4-Hour Commitment applies when within 20 nautical miles distance from the base.

Night Sailing
Night Sailing is not permitted; you must be moored at least one hour before sunset at all our locations.

Charts + Pilot books
All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are on board the yacht. 

Formalities + Taxes
A valid passport and crew list is compulsory for clearance. Crew list for clearance must show date of issue of passports.

Moorings and Parks Fees
National Park fees range between 200-500 Baht per person per day + 100 Baht for the yacht. Prices vary between the various national parks. Visiting the Similan or Surin Islands National Parks is limited to November to April and overnight stops need to be at anchor as the mooring buoys are not well maintained. 
Anchoring is the safest and most common way to moor in Thailand, however there are mooring buoys as well. 

Marina fees are not charged at Ao Po Grand Marina for our yachts, however other marina fees for berthing a monohull range from 12m @ 1,246THB / day to 16m @ 1,889 THB / day. Multihulls fees are 1.5 times more than the monohull’s the daily rate.

Water Refill Stations
The main places you will be able to refill within our sailing area are Tonsai Bay at Koh Phi Phi Don, Port Takola Marina or Krabi Boat Lagoon, as well as Phuket Boat Lagoon/ Royal Phuket Marina, Yacht Haven, and Ao Po Grand Marina.

Health + Safety

Illness or Injury 
If you get sick and need to visit the doctor or hospital during your trip please contact the base manager or a member of Sunsail staff as soon as possible. 

Swim Safe 
Swimming is often a fun and important part of a holiday. However local rules, flag systems, currents and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets and Diver Down flags are all available on board.

Children

• Talk to children about water safety at the start of a holiday, making them aware of the potential dangers.
• Accidents can happen at any time on holiday, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by, or in the water.
• Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended. 
• Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.

Be aware of your surroundings

• Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted. 
• Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth and marine life.
• Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.

Look out for others

• Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party and use the snorkel vests provided.
• Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.

Do not overestimate your ability

• Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming technique.
• Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open water swimming can be very different.

Diving is popular but you should be aware that the only decompression facility is in Papeete and that in the event of an accident it might take some time to reach there.

Safety 
All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use this equipment during your holiday. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat on boarding – If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing.

We have a very limited supply of children’s life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are travelling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them.  

Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck. 

Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy. 

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Eat

Provisioning

Sunsail Provisioning
Online Provisioning is available at this location. All provisioning orders should be placed no later than 7 days prior to the charter start date.Online provisioning is highly recommended as grocery stores are 30-45 minutes from the marina. 
Visit our Provisioning Page to learn more about delivery direct to your yacht. 

Dining

Restaurants
There are a selection of restaurants and bars near the base. The Port of Call Restaurant (Thai and International cuisine) is open daily from 8:30 am till 21:00.

The Gallery is a 1-minute walk, and Pier 88, a 5-minute walk from the marina.

Eating out
This can be extremely good value. If you eat at a local food stall you can get a meal for as little as 100 baht per person. Eating in local restaurants you can expect to pay around 200 baht per course for delicious Thai food. Alcohol is generally more expensive than food. A small bottle of beer is about 80 baht and a reasonable bottle of wine about 1000 baht.

Thai food is all cooked to order using fresh ingredients and lots of chilli. It is quite easy to ask for the meal to be made a little less spicy for western tastes. Seafood features on every menu with chicken, pork and beef also available as well as great vegetarian food. Rice and noodles are also main staples but western food is also easily available.

Tipping
Tipping is not expected in restaurants and bars but if you wish to do so 10-15 percent of the amount charged is ample.

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Shop

Around the Base

Hotels
Supalai and Chandara Resorts are good options to book. All rooms are fully air-conditioned and the prices include local taxes and breakfast.

Currency
The unit of currency in Thailand is the Baht  (THB) (100 satangs makes 1 Baht). 

Money changing facilities are available at the airport and in most medium sized towns. We recommend that sufficient money is changed before departing into the cruising area. The average would be 1,000 baht per person per day.

The airport is easiest and there are banks and ATM machines at the Tesco supermarket. There are moneychangers at Ao Nang beach and on Phi-Phi, although the exchange rates may not be so good.

Credit Card Information
Credit cards are accepted only at larger restaurants and resorts.

Post Office   
The nearest Post Office is located in Sapam, 20kmfrom the base.  
Opening times are: Monday to Friday: from 8:30am to 3:00pm during week time and from 8:00am to 10:00am during weekends. Stamps and a letter box are available at the Sunsail base. 

Shopping
Jatujak Market The biggest market in Phuket, with over 1,000 stalls. On Chaofa West Road from Central Shopping Mall, heading south toward Chalong Bay direction; turn left at the first traffic light – Sat, Sun 4:30 – 8:30. This is a typical Thai bazaar, featuring all sorts of items from fish to clothing.

Thai silk is on the top of most visitors’ shopping lists. It is sold in a range of colors, and in various widths, lengths and thicknesses, or as bespoke products such as shirts, blouses, men’s suits and ladies’ silk jackets, bedcovers and furnishings. Some of the most popular silk items in Phuket include handkerchiefs, scarves, pillow cases, photo frames, handbags, cosmetic bags and evening bags.
Jewellery, gold, Thai sapphires and pearls from local pearl farms are available everywhere.

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Play

Things to Do

Tours
Sunsail offer a whole range of shore based excursions which are extra to our normal product and are organised through a 3rd party company. Ask at the base or the booking office for further details.

Water Toys + Sports

For your convenience, you can add water toys to your charter prior to arrival at the base. They will be waiting on your boat upon arrival. You are able to rent these at the base; please keep in mind that we have limited availability. For more information, please view our Water Toys options 

Fishing
Fishing with rod and reel or hand lines is permitted  in most of the cruising area, however, fishing is prohibited in all Thai National Parks. Spearfishing is not permitted. There’s a fishing shop 10 minutes from the marina if you’d like to purchase equipment. 

Diving and Snorkelling

Diving in Thailand is excellent. You must carry a PADI open water certificate or equivalent to be able to dive or can take a course.
We recommend diving at Koh Phi Phi Don or Koh Racha Yai, where there are good diving centres.

H2O Sportz +66 81 894 2124

The Similan Islands are a world class diving destination, accessible between November and April, subject to weather conditions. This National Park is 60 miles North of Patong and requires a charter of minimum 7 days.
The Surin Islands are another 50 miles North of the Similans and offer superb diving, but fewer diving operators visit them.
Both are National Parks and are subject to daily entry fee which will be collected on site. You will be asked to complete a waiver of responsibility form prior to departure from the base, if intending to cruise to the Similan or Surin Islands.

Diving is not permitted directly from our yachts under any circumstances. Diving must only take place through reputable, certified dive operators using their own boats and equipment.

We have a range of fins available in various different sizes. You will find them in cockpit lockers in each yacht.

We do have limited children’s sizes therefore we recommend bringing your own to avoid disappointment.
Please note that we do not provide snorkelling masks or snorkels onboard.

When snorkelling, the diving flag and buoy should be deployed and visible to all passing nearby
Swim vests should be worn at all times whilst snorkelling
One person should remain out of the water, keeping watch of the others in the water

For more information on what’s included on your yacht, please view the full list here for Bareboat Charters and here for Bareboat Skippered Charter 

Cruising Conditions 

General Conditions  
Thailand is a year-round sailing destination. There are two main seasons, which are called the wet and dry season, or the SW or NE monsoon, respectively. Seasonal winds tend to be predictable, although there may be inconsistencies as they change from one to the other. 

Monsoons  

Northeast Monsoon (Dry – November to April)  
The NE monsoon runs from November to April and has wind speeds of force 2 to 4 from the NE. The winds are quite stable during this period, and temperatures are usually in the region of 30 deg C. It is consistently dry and sunny, with ideal conditions for sailing. If you wish to visit the Similan Islands you can only do so during the Northeast Monsoon and will be asked to sign a Moorings disclaimer before you leave the base. 

Southwest Monsoon (Wet – May to Oct)   
The SW monsoon, takes place from May to October with winds force 2 to 6, from the SW. There is more wind during this season, making sailing a bit more exhilarating than the NE season. There are some rainy periods, sometimes prolonged but usually only lasting approximately 1 to 2 hours in the late afternoon or early evening. The direction of the prevailing wind means that the anchorages on the West Coast of Phuket cannot be used during this period. You are advised to anchor on the East coasts of the islands or in sheltered bays. There is still safe sailing in Phang Nga Bay right down to Koh Phi Phi with larger swells in more exposed areas. The Similan Islands are closed to visitors during the Southwest Monsoon. During September and October there can be extended periods of rain sometimes lasting up to 5 days at a time. 

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