Thailand, Gulf of Thailand
Koh Samui is a small charter base with a big cruising ground: the 42 islands of the Ang Thong marine park, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Few boats are based here and almost none of them show up in online search, so we handle Samui by hand: send us your dates and we ask the local operators directly.
YACHT TYPES
Mostly crewed catamarans and motor yachts for short charters; bareboat availability is limited to a handful of yachts.
A typical week from Koh Samui
With so few boats, most Samui charters are three to five days rather than a week; the loop below fits either.
Day 1, Samui to Ang Thong (15 NM). The marine park's lagoons and viewpoints; buoys near Koh Mae Ko and Koh Wua Talap.
Day 2, within Ang Thong (5 to 10 NM). A second night in the park is worth it; the islands empty when the day boats leave at 4 pm.
Day 3, to Koh Phangan (15 NM). Thong Nai Pan or Haad Rin depending on the wind; Phangan's east coast beaches are the quietest.
Day 4, to Koh Tao (12 NM). The diving island; buoys in Mae Haad and Chalok Baan Kao, snorkelling at Koh Nang Yuan.
Day 5, to Koh Phangan's west coast (12 NM). Chaloklum or Mae Haad for a last quiet evening.
Day 6, to Samui (10 NM). A morning sail back to Bangrak.
Bareboat crews who cannot find a yacht on Samui usually end up at Phuket, where the fleet is thirty times larger; our Phuket page covers it.
Practical points for a Koh Samui charter
Availability
This is the main constraint. A handful of yachts are based on Samui and Phangan, most of them crewed, and most are not listed in any online booking system, ours included. We source them directly with the local operators, so a Samui request goes to a person rather than a search page: give us dates, number of guests and crewed or bareboat, and we come back with what is actually free. For a bareboat catamaran in high season, expect to be offered Phuket.
Seasons
The Gulf of Thailand has its rainy season from October to December, when the northeast monsoon that makes Phuket dry brings rain and swell to Samui. February to June is dry with light winds; July to September is warm with occasional showers and is fine for charter.
Fees and moorings
Ang Thong charges a marine park fee per person and uses mooring buoys; anchoring on coral is prohibited. Koh Tao's bays have buoys maintained by the dive operators. Provisioning on Samui is easy.
Getting there
Samui airport has direct flights from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong; the marinas at Bangrak and Bophut are 10 minutes away.
Can we charter a bareboat catamaran on Koh Samui?
Sometimes, out of season and with notice. In high season the realistic options are a crewed catamaran on Samui or a bareboat from Phuket.
Is Ang Thong worth two nights?
Yes; it is the reason to sail from Samui, and it is empty after the day boats leave.
When should we avoid Samui for sailing?
October to December, the local rainy season; that is when Phuket is at its best.
What does Seeksail need to advise us?
Dates, number of guests, crewed or bareboat, and whether Phuket is an acceptable alternative. We check the Samui yachts first, with the operators themselves, and tell you plainly if nothing fits.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE
More destination-specific guides are being prepared.
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