Phuket Remains the Epicentre of Southern Thailand’s Vibrant Yachting Scene

With its wealth of picturesque islands, beachfronts and bays, Southern Thailand has long been a favourite of the yachting crowd – and Phuket is, without question, the epicentre of it all.

(Hero image: The Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht; Featured image: Riviera 78 yacht, both photos courtesy of Lee Marine)

It may seem a long way off now, but for those involved in the glamorous world of luxury yachting the 2025 Thailand International Boat Show (TIBS) is just around the corner. Set to take place from January 9-12 at the award-winning Phuket Yacht Haven – with over 6,000 visitors and more than 100 exhibitors expected to attend – it unquestionably ranks as one of the most highly anticipated events on Southern Thailand’s social calendar.

Targeting those with an interest in boating and luxury lifestyle, the organisers of TIBS are looking forward to welcoming wealthy jet-setters – many from overseas – to what will be the second edition of this prestigious event. Yachts of all sizes, both power and sail, will be on display, running the gamut from dinghies and day trippers, all the way up to jaw-dropping superyachts.

Organised by JAND Events, the upcoming TIBS is the result of a strategic alliance with the Thailand Boat Festival, consolidating the efforts of both teams into one major boat show. It’s understandably a massive undertaking, but it definitely speaks to the overwhelming growth in Southern Thailand of the yachting industry as a whole.

Of course, this part of the kingdom, with its wealth of picturesque islands, beachfronts and bays, has long been a favourite of the boating crowd, and Phuket is without question the epicentre (just as Pattaya rules the roost in the upper Gulf of Thailand region). Spread out all across the island of Phuket there exists a substantial network of marinas and service facilities, as well as a host of high-end charter companies and sales centres specialising in the industry’s top brand names.

“Phuket is centre of it all,” agrees Duncan Worthington, the Chief Strategist at Infinity Communications. “The cruising is phenomenal. I’ve also been down the coast to Trang a lot, and it’s stunning. That’s where they’ve just finished film the new Jurassic World movie. You can also go down to Koh Lipe, and it’s really, really pretty, but there’s not a lot of onshore infrastructure for yachting. Resorts and restaurants, yes, but not like Phuket where you can anchor offshore, or dock at a marina, and then indulge for a few days at Trisara or Aman, or whatever you want to do.”

As someone who has closely followed and reported on the yachting world in Thailand for over 20 years, Duncan regards the industry in 2024 as healthy. “Everything took a hit during Covid, but it’s coming back. And boat sales are tracking back upwards.”

More sales means more boats in and out of the water, which leads to the question of increased facilities. “The big infrastructure, like marinas, has already been in place for years, but new things are being planned as well,” Duncan goes on to say. “Port Macchanu – a superyacht marina in the north of the island – is planned and this will be the only place of this standard in Phuket where you can lift larger superyachts out of the water to do work and/or repairs. Right now, the closest facility of this kind is in Malaysia, so this will be good for Thailand. Port Macchanu is being led by Ditapong Thitadilok, former President of the Thai Yachting Business Association. It will fill the hole that Phuket currently misses.”

Duncan also makes mention of the new ONE° 15 Marina Panwa Phuket, which is an extension of the Singapore-based ONE° 15 network, headquartered in Sentosa Cove. “That’s coming into the Cape Panwa area of Phuket. They originally said it would be completed Q4 of this year but … we’ll see.”

The ONE° 15 Marina Panwa Phuket project is being spearheaded by SUTL Enterprise, a leading developer, operator, and consultant of integrated marinas, in collaboration with the Numchai Group. Able to host superyachts of up to 120 feet in length, this exciting new development will also include upscale dining options and recreational club facilities, as well as yacht charter experiences for both members and visitors.

On the subject of what constitutes a superyacht (or megayacht, as some call them), there is really no “official” definition of what this marvelous moniker entails, but generally the term – according to Wikipedia anyway – usually denotes professionally crewed motor or sailing yachts, ranging from 40 metres (130 feet) to more than 180 metres (590 feet) in length, although sometimes it include yachts as small as 24 metres (79 feet). Currently, in Phuket, the capacity to berth vessels well in excess of 80 feet is relegated to just two marinas: Phuket Yacht Haven and Ao Po Grand Marina.

Established in 1997, and located on the northeast coast of the island, Phuket Yacht Haven is a convenient 10-minute drive from Phuket International Airport. It’s equipped with 332 berths and can accommodate vessels of 100+ metres. Their newly renovated docks are fully serviced, providing electricity, water and even free Wi-Fi access. For those coming ashore, the marina offers a range of facilities and services, including an air-conditioned gym, an outdoor swimming pool, a bistro-style restaurant, and studio and one-bedrooms units available for rent.

Equally lavish is Ao Po Grand Marina, located on the most eastward tip of Phuket, at the entrance to Phang Nga Bay. With 24-hour access and zero tide restrictions, this 230-berth marina can accommodate superyachts of up to 499 tons. The ramp allows for haul-outs up to 100 feet using the Roodberg 47-ton trailer-lift, or the 80-ton, 100-foot Roodberg trailer-lift for larger, deeper draft vessels. Eateries, bars, a fitness facility, a pool, and first-class accommodations can all be found on site, as well as yacht service shops.

Two other marinas of note are the Royal Phuket Marina, and Phuket Boat Lagoon. The latter is renowned as a full-service marina and marine lifestyle village, and is capable of accommodating over 300 vessels, with 180 wet berths and 160 hardstands. It’s also home to NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort, which offers 271 rooms, suites and penthouses.

By contrast, the Royal Phuket Marina – which in years past hosted the Thailand International Boat Show – is listed as the only 5 Gold Anchor certified marina in Thailand. It offers 100 wet berths, space for up to 60 boats on a covered dry stack, and room for 26 boats on their service hardstands. It’s also home to the ‘Aquaminium’ condo, which features the world’s first penthouse with its own on-water private yacht garage, as well as Royal Villa properties with their own direct-access private yacht berths.

As any boat owner will tell you, the almost constant need for servicing and repairs is a major concern. Thankfully, Phuket once again shines in this respect. “It has a good reputation for refit and repair, and has done for decades,” Duncan points out. “You can get every possible branded international product in Phuket. There are lots of local craftsmen who can do the teak deck work really well, for instance, and there’s guys who can do the fibreglass work, the electrics, and so on. And global product brands are represented locally.”

With such a rosy picture painted of the yachting scene is Phuket, it makes sense that sales are on the rise. Off the top of his head Duncan is able to rhyme of at least 20 reputable brokers with a presence on the island, some of whom specialise in yachts, some in superyachts, and some in both. When asked to choose his top choices, Duncan considers the question carefully before revealing his picks.

“Lee Marine, Simpson Marine, Boat Lagoon Yachting, and V Yachts Asia all represent some big brands. And I’d add Asia Yachting and Dernai Yachts to the list. Simpson is the biggest and oldest in Asia, but I think Lee Marine was the actually the first brokerage in Thailand.”

Of course, not everyone wants the overwhelming responsibility of actually owning a boat, and that’s one of the primary reasons why yacht charter services are enjoying such popularity these days. And that’s especially true when it comes to ultra-high-net-worth visitors from Western Europe and North America.

“If you’re in the UK or USA, the first three companies you are likely to go to are Burgess, Camper & Nicholsons, and Fraser – they’re all huge with global networks,” Duncan says emphatically. “You call up and say ‘what have you got in Phuket?’ and they’ll direct you to who represents them in Phuket. They may or may not have a physical presence here, but they know the superyacht inventory and they are arguably the major global superyacht charter brands.”

Another option is to seek out local charter services directly, and there are more than a dozen top-notch options to choose from. Brokers like Simpson Marine, Boat Lagoon Yachting, Derani Yachting, and Asia Marine all offer a multitude of long- and short-term rental possibilities (both yachts and superyachts), but there are also companies that focus specifically on the charter side of things; including Blue Voyage, which is run by Tanchanok “Omi” Vajarodaya.

“I love holidaying by the sea,” Omi admits. “Most people just stay at a seaside hotel, but I feel that a true holiday at the sea is to go out onto sea and explore… going to the islands. And there are immensely beautiful islands in Thailand. It makes me so happy to be out on a yacht, and I want others to have those feelings and experiences too, which is why we started Blue Voyage.”

Blue Voyage’s fleet now encompasses 20 beautifully appointed sailing catamarans and motor yachts, including her most prized superyacht to date – the 102-foot Astondoa, which she christened ‘For Your Eyes Only’. Blue Voyage’s operations are strategically located in Thailand’s top seafaring destinations – Phuket, Samui, Pattaya and Krabi – and the always enterprising Omi is also the Founder and CEO of the recently launched Southfleet shipyard, as well as being an investor and co-owner in the upcoming ONE° 15 Marina Panwa Phuket project.

Some other reputable independent charter operations in the Phuket vicinity include AIM Charters, Limestone Adventures, and Yacht Charters Co Ltd, as well as Isabella Yachts, which has in its fleet a magnificent Falcon 106 FT, which clocks in at over 32 metres and boasts an on-deck Jacuzzi.

Another way of getting your feet wet when it comes to hobnobbing with the “boaties” is to attend events like the Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR), which is taking place this year from December 12-14. This annual get-together is staged at the Kata Rocks resort and private residence complex, which is home to 34 “superyacht inspired” palatial Sky Pool Villas, in single- or multi-bedroom layouts.

“The KRSR is the most exclusive invitation-only superyacht event in Asia, welcoming superyacht owners, Kata Rocks villa owners, and the Asian glitterati,” remarks Richard Pope, the CEO of Infinite Luxury, the group that founded Kata Rocks. “Guests can expect magnificent superyachts, bespoke activities, and glamorous parties set in a relaxed and luxurious environment.”

Event such as KRSR and TIBS really shine a spotlight on Phuket as Southern Thailand’s yachting nexus, but geography also plays a key role in explaining why the kingdom’s Andaman coast region, which includes Krabi, is where most of the action is. So, what about Koh Samui?

“Ahhh, Samui… will it ever get a yacht marina?” muses Duncan, wistfully. “Samui is a logical place, with great sailing and great access, and there’s often been talk of building something, but there probably just aren’t enough resident boats to justify opening a full-scale marina there right now. The island is popular for visiting yachts and superyachts – often from Hong Kong – but they just anchor offshore, have a good time, then go somewhere else.

“To then get to Phuket you’d have to go all the way around Singapore, which is a bit of a hassle, so after Ocean Marina in the upper Gulf a marina further down, on the island of Samui, would be great.”

Perhaps, as the old saying goes, “If you build it, they will come…”