Take Yourself Off To Paradise With A Yacht Charter

by Alfred Smith

Whether you are an experienced sailor or simply understand the basics, chartering your own yacht is a great way to see the world. However, there is more to sailing than the Mediterranean and Caribbean. For a more exotic adventure you should try Asia and the South Pacific.

Hiring and crewing your own yacht charter allows you the freedom to explore as little or as much as you like. For those sailors looking for an exotic location, South East Asia and the South Pacific offers some truly remarkable sailing opportunities.

Cultural Thailand

The island of Phuket in Thailand provides great sailing conditions for both novices and more experienced yachtsmen. The Andaman Sea is particularly safe, but it is wise to check the monsoon seasons as the winds can become stronger. There are an abundance of beautiful islands, with excellent scuba diving and snorkelling sites perfect for bareboat yacht charters. Throughout the country there are some great places to anchor and experience this diverse area.

There are some amazing locations to visit on bareboat yacht charters, including James Bond Island (Koh Tapu). This was the setting for The Man With The Golden Gun and is extremely popular with tourists. The island is accessible by longtail boat from Koh Yang.

Another film location is the island of Koh Phi Phi Le. The picturesque Maya Bay was used in The Beach. The coral reefs around the island attract numerous tropical fish, making it perfect for snorkelling.

If you are looking for something a bit wilder and adventurous, then spend a day at the 140 acre theme park, Phuket Fantasea. This lavish spectacle of Thai culture features amazing shows and attractions for the whole family.

The Exotic South Pacific

For a yachting holiday where you can truly get away from the routine of modern life, you need to head to the French Polynesian islands in the South Pacific. There are 118 islands set amongst calm waters, which are easy to navigate. If you want to experience the seas yourself, in among the coral reefs you will find sea turtles, sharks, dolphins and porpoises, as well as a huge variety of tropical fish.

Bora Bora is one of the most famous islands. The two peaks of Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia dominate the landscape. Once anchored within the peaceful lagoon, you are free to explore the many restaurants, beaches, shops and luxury resorts on the island.

The second largest of the islands is Raiatea. Here you can visit the archaeological and historical sites from the island's trading past or explore inland on foot or horseback.

Make one of your anchor points the island of Huahine. There are two points of this island, which are connected via a bridge. On land there are lush tropical forests, with the heady scents of the vanilla and watermelon grown here.

Chartering your own yacht is a way to explore the world from a different angle. It will allow you the opportunity to see the culture, history and way of life that you wouldn't on a resort holiday.

AUTHOR BIO

Alfred Smith writes regularly on sailing holidays for a range of travel and boating websites and blogs. Throughout his career he has travelled the world, experiencing sailing yacht charters and crewed holidays across the globe.