Sailing the Andaman Sea

Sailing in Phuket, Thailand

Thailand is well known as a popular tourist destination and well deserves the praise heaped on its incredible beaches, spectacular landscape and welcoming locals. Sailing is one of the best ways to enjoy the world's top shore-based locations whilst escaping the tourist mobs, and with Thailand as trendy as it is at the moment this is a wonderful way to separate the good, the bad and the ugly.

Phuket offers incredible visiting spots for sailors and a range of freedom along some of the world's most famous and dramatic coastline.

Phang Nga Bay is world renowned for its varied geography of gently sloping hills and spectacular sheers cliffs topped with lush greenery and sailing close to its islands, makes for a mesmerising day's cruising.

The famous 'James Bond Island', Koh Hong, will be packed with tourists and souvenir shops but is nonetheless a must see for Roger Moore fans.

For beaches arguably unrivalled in the world, Krabi offers paradise as does Phi Phi with Maya Bay, featured in the 1998 film 'The Beach'.

Sailing around these areas can get very busy with tourist boats and canoes so for a more peaceful exploration, try to sail early in the morning or in the late afternoon where more space is available. This is especially the case for Maya Bay.

If visiting in December don't miss the Phuket King's Cup Regatta. As Asia's largest and most popular regatta, it hosts a week of varied racing with a number of classes and attracts some of the world's best professional sailors.

Thailand is generally a year-round sailing location with the weather divided into two seasons. The dry season, from November to April, has steady North Easterly winds ranging from 5 to 20 knots (force 2 to 5) and uninterrupted sunshine. The rainy season, from May to October calls for more challenging but exhilarating sailing as the wind can reach over 25 knots (force 6) but rain is likely. Also, in the wet season check your anchoring positions as sometimes only sheltered bays are advisable.

Cowes Week

Sailing in Southampton, United Kingdom

Taking part in Cowes Week is certainly getting to the centre of sailing on the globe, in terms of location, scale and history. Cowes is probably the true sailing capital of the world and Cowes week is the oldest regular regatta in the world, starting in 1826 due the enthusiasm of the Prince Regent, later King George the IV, for yacht sailing and racing. Located on the Solent – the stretch of water between the South coast of England and the Isle of Wight – the water is one of the busiest in the world for yachts at any time of the year, so on Cowes week this becomes an incredible spectacle. Over 1000 yachts descend on the tiny coastal village for the eight day regatta in early August every year and 8500 sailors take to the water every day. With over 30 classes the collection of boats and competitors is incredibly varied, from huge professional sports yachts to small day cruisers, and also includes a high calibre of dinghy racing. Cowes offers racing for every level of sailor: it attracts world champions and Olympic winners to complete amateurs. As a result almost anyone can compete, if you don't have your own yacht then you can try to find a crewing position at sailing clubs around the country or on the internet. The Solent is known for its tricky and challenging tidal movements and sailing conditions which makes the races particularly exciting to watch. On shore, the entertainment during the week is legendary. There are balls, public and private parties, corporate vents and shows as well as great catering and a famous fireworks display on the final Friday.

Sail on an America’s Cup Grand Prix Racer

Visitor Attractions in Auckland, New Zealand

Sail New Zealand, located in Auckland the 'City of Sails', allows travelling sailing enthusiasts the chance to explore the area on some the highest performance vessels this great sailing nation has to offer. Taking an America's Cup grand Prix racer around the bay for a couple of hours or an afternoon's match, you can view the famous Auckland harbour on one of its best yachts, the NZL40 or the NZL 41. As well as cruising around, participants can also take the helm and become one of the crew in a match race as both boats are pitted against one another. They also offer sailing courses and classes as well as tours to see the local flora and fauna, including swimming with dolphin. Perhaps the most impressive experience they offer is a 2 night expedition to the Bay of Islands on the late Sir Peter Blake's 1985 Whitbread Round the World challenger, 'Lion New Zealand'. Sail New Zealand is an award-wining organisation offering some of the best sailing experiences in the country; all trips are fully skippered so sailors of any level of competence can come aboard.

Farallon Islands

Sailing in San Francisco, United States

For the more experienced ocean sailor, a trip to the Farallon Islands is a great expedition. The Islands, which are little more than barren, dramatic rocks, 27 miles West from San Francisco Bay, boast some incredible wildlife unmatched on the West Coast of the States. In the summer, over 300,000 sea birds perch and breed on the cliffs, making it the largest sea bird breeding colony on the Pacific coast, south of Alaska. Sea Lions and Elephant Seals bask on the rocky beaches and great whites are regularly spotted in the surrounding waters. Most people are drawn here to see the migrating pods of Whales which include the stunningly huge Blue Whale as well as Humpbacks, Greys and Sperm whales. This trip will require overnight ocean sailing and the winds and waves can be gruelling but if you feel you have sufficient ocean experience, the Farallon Islands are a remarkable sight for any nature-loving sailor.

Turkey's Ionian Coast

Sailing in Aegean Region, Turkey

Turkey's Ionian coast is a haven for yacht sailors who enjoy finding hidden coves to anchor in, tiny villages and ancient ruins around every corner, and sunny breezy weather. The area is less busy with other yachts than the Carian and Lycian coasts which allows you to enjoy all the benefits of the Mediterranean haven, without the crowded waters. A great route is heading South from Izmir to Bodrum, stopping off at villages and archaeologically sties along the way. The villages in the Izmir district remain authentically beautiful due to strict environmental protection of the flora and fauna which also prevents the development of new buildings. Visit villages such as Torba which is surrounded by olive groves and woods and is often visited by sea turtles and Mediterranean monk seals. Cesme, meaning fountain in Turkish, has abundant sources of water, and its fertility is apparent if you wander by the fields of aniseed, artichoke and figs trees. There are a number of spectacular ruined Ionian cities to visit along the coastline, such as Teos and Didyma. Ephesus, which hosted one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation, has a gladiator graveyard amongst its ruins. Yacht charters and flotillas are available everywhere in Turkey, with many companies based in the larger towns of Marmaris and Bodrum. Many people associate sailing holidays in Turkey with gulet boats, the traditional Turkish sailing yacht used for cruising. It should be noted that gulets are not however sailed any more and almost always motor rather than actually sail. Although this may not appeal to sailing purists, these vessels do offer the space and luxury which naturally comes with motor yachts. The weather on the Ionian coast hosts the 'meltemi' winds seen in Greece, which are steady North Westerly winds, usually between 5 and 10 knots, which make the conditions favourable to the slightly less experienced yacht sailor as well as experienced.