Thailand-to-Malaysia Singles Sailing Adventure
This is an example of a popular itinerary on our Thailand-to-Malaysia trips. However, no two trips are ever exactly the same; one of the greatest things about being on a sailboat is the flexibility to change our minds and our route to suit personal preferences, prevailing wind conditions, etc. The start and finish points are fixed, of course but all else is changeable according to the whims of the wind gods and those on board !
A typical itinerary from Phuket to Langkawi
Morning rendezvous in Phuket. As soon as our checkout formalities are completed, we'll be sailing north - to the weird and wonderful "seascapes" of Phang-Nga bay!
This bay feels like sailing into some sci-fi movie set; the limestone formations are so sheer and gravity-defying. Our destination for the evening is Ko Hong. "hong" being the word for "sea cave". The entrance to these hongs is usually a well-hidden little crevice in the cliff-face; a narrow tunnel opening up into an awe-inspiring oasis on the interior. Perfect for kayak expeditions!
Happy hour with the best pina coladas in the Andaman! - followed by our very own Thai chefs' gourmet dinner on board; an amazing array of tongue-tingling dishes
A relaxed morning's cruise southwards again, past more impossibly-balanced rocks, cliffs & islands. There is another hong to explore en route, paddling through a dramatic, mangrove-lined stream which winds its way inside a huge crevice in the island.
For the evening, we'll anchor at the famous Railey Beach, near Krabi. Sheer, palm-covered mountains rising vertically from the ocean, it's a well-known spot for those who like to scare themselves silly scaling these cliffs. There are even beginner's rock-climbing opportunities, for any adrenalin-addicts amongst us! Dinner ashore, there's dozens of fun little beach bars and restaurants.
Chance to visit Tiger Cave and Temple , a 30 minute minibus ride inland. This place is not as overtly dramatic and ornate as some of the more well-known Thai wats; what attracts us is it's deeply spiritual, calm Buddhist ambiance. This is not a "tourist destination" - it's a place that the locals visit to pay their respects to the monk community there. For the energetic, there is a steep climb to a stunning viewpoint, a huge Buddha keeping an eye on us mere mortals below; for those who prefer to take it easier (and cooler!), there is a shady hike through an enormous and ancient forest. It's also home to a troop of very mischievous monkeys, watch out for your drinks and snacks, they're fast !
Day Five
An early morning start, and a short hop to Phi Phi Li (Little Phi Phi), whose recent claim-to-fame is the Leonardo di Caprio movie "The Beach" . It's a spectacular little island - dramatic limestone cliffs, pure white sands and unbelievably bright turquoise waters. It's become crazily busy with daytrip boats during the day... hence we arrive late in the afternoon, leave early in the morning and inbetween, we have this stunning little spot all to ourselves! (OK, perhaps a few other yachties too!)
Well off the main tourist track, this is the place to go elephant-trekking if the idea appeals to you! The ride takes you way back into the tropical forest behind the beach, one could be hundreds of miles (and year!) from so-called civilisation. A hike through a babbling stream to a mini-waterfall is a great way to cool off, halfway through the ride. For the adventurous amongst us, the guides will let you ride on the elephant's head, the way they do... not just sit in the "passenger basket"!
Our breakfast stop for the next day, we have named The Lost Lagoon - an old pirate hangout. To find it, we swim through a winding, pitch-black sea tunnel (it's ok, we do have waterproof lights!). It's a spooky and thoroughly exciting feeling especially when one emerges the other end into a "Lost World" in the center of the island.
Unfortunately, the local daytrip boats from Phi Phi have now discovered this spot too - but as long as we get there early in the morning, we have it all to ourselves!
The destination for the afternoon is Charlie Beach, on Ko Muk - one of our favourite little beach hangouts. Somewhat smaller than Ko Lanta, but with a very cosy little beach bar and great BBQ restaurant. Cocktails on the beach at sunset, it doesn't get any more romantic than this !
The further south we sail, the further away from any kind of "tourist development" - and today's islands are right out in the middle of nowhere! A Marine National Park, Rok Nok is a protected wildlife habitat. An amazing array of coral gardens and brightly-coloured fish are literally right underneath the boat - one could snorkel for hours in the tropically warm waters! For our experienced divers, there's a chance to put tanks on and explore further underwater too.
Day Eight
This is our long sail day - Wind Gods willing, we should have a lovely 6hrs or so downwind sailing ! Our destination is the Butang group of islands. Part of the Tarutao Marine National Park, these islands have the most wonderfully clear water and beautiful coral gardens. Ko Adang is our stop for the night - more fantastic snorkelling and a deserted tropical beach completely to ourselves.
A morning to explore some more of that ever-changing underwater scenery. under the water as well as above. It's also a very fun place to take out the kayaks and explore along the rocks and crevices of the beach.
Some time after lunch, we'll head out for our next stop, a short distance to Ko Lipe - a long sandy beach which is home to a little community with a distinct "flower-power" ambiance! The local village, about 15mins walk through the island is still not at all "developed" - wooden huts, a great little schoolhouse, and kids who still smile and giggle if you take their photo (and love to see themselves on a digital camera screen!)
A lazy morning, a final swim or two... and then we're off to Langkawi !
Our mooring is at Telaga Harbour - a cosy, friendly little place, yet with all the handy facilities of an upmarket marina.
We'll do our customs paperwork this afternoon - whilst the skipper is busy with bureaucracy, there's a few fun things to do close to the marina. Langkawi's amazing cable car ride is just 5 mins away - a very adrenelin-inspiring trip to the top of the highest mountain on the island! For any shopping addicts, the main town of Kuah is about 30 mins away, lots of great bargains to be hunted down. For anyone wishing to stay longer in Langkawi, we can highly recommend the Mutiara Bay hotel, just 5mins from the marina , where many of our single sailors have stayed and loved!
Disembarkation is at 9am as this wonderful sailing vacation ends.
Ongoing connection info: Telaga Harbour is about 10 mins from the international airport of Langkawi. The main town and ferry port of Kuah is in the south of the island, about 30mins taxi ride away. There are frequent ferries to the Thai mainland (Satun), to Penang and several other places in Malaysia.
Asia sailing Vacations - 1 Week - $1695 / 2 Weeks - $2795
No Dates Available!
The Bottom Line: What will my vacation cost?
Our philosophy is very simple; our costs are as inclusive as we can sensibly make them. We figure most people would prefer to know ahead of time what the total vacation cost is; not have to worry about little additional surprises along the way!
On our Adventure Sailing trips, once you get on the boat, everything on board is covered. We provide provisions for breakfasts, lunches, drinks (yes, that includes open bar - local liquors, beer & wine). The only thing we don't include is dinners - the local taverna experience ashore is much too much fun to miss!
So unlike the usual yacht charter in the Med - there's no unexpected extras to catch you out halfway ("Oh, you didn't realise how much this marina costs?" or "That'll be another 300 euros for the fuel bill, thank you very much!" ).
With the more usual bareboat-plus-skipper arrangement, you're up for everything else - fuel, water, mooring, local taxes, food, on board bar bills - even the skipper's food and drink!
Our Singles Sailing vacation philosophy is that nasty $$ surprises don't do anything for a relaxing vacation - and we emphatically don't work that way. We'd prefer you to eat, drink and be merry - without worrying how much extra it will cost!
Our sailing vacations include:
- Breakfasts
- Lunches
- Soft drinks
- Open bar (local beers, wines & liquors)
- Skipper
- Informal sailing instruction if desired
- Fuel
- Water
- Mooring fees
- Security deposit
Vacations do not include:
- Dinners ashore
- Transport to and from the boats - airfares, transfers
- Travel Protection
- Personal visas (when applicable)
The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen, is filled with canals, cobbled squares and copper spires. But don't let the historic appearance fool you. This is also Scandinavia's most cosmopolitan city. Certainly you can relive medieval times in The Latin Quarter, but you can also enjoy some of Europe's finest shopping, museums, cafes and nightlife prior to your cruise around the Baltics.
What does Berlin have that other world cities don't? Well, first of all, there's the locals, whose rough yet friendly charm is all part of the Berlin experience. 
nds of North Germany with its hundreds of lakes. Upon arrivial in former West Berlin we will meet our private guide, who will lead us to highlights of the German capital. We’ll start with a photo stops of Charlottenburg Castle, a splendid baroque palace, dating from 1695. Then we continue to the Reichstag, the German Parliament for another photo stop and then the Brandenburg Gate. Along the way we’ll see the Berlin Cathedral, the tree-lined “Unter den Linden” boulevard, Museum Island, Bellevue Palace, Victory Column, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and of course some notorious sights of the Third Reich and Cold War, such as Hermann Göring’s Aviation Ministry and the former site of Hitler’s Bunker. Marvel at Potsdamer Platz, the place where modern architecture and lively metropolitan ambience meet Berlin history. Then we view the memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial).
After time for a typical hearty Berlin lunch (not included in the tour price), take a photo of one of the only remaining stretches of the Berlin Wall. Next we can walk through former Checkpoint Charlie shop for a few souvenirs. Other highlights of former East Berlin will include the Alexanderplatz Square, Red City Hall and the Humbold University. Before heading back to Warnemunde we will drive along popular Kurfurstendamm Avenue, Berlins Champs Elysees, West Berlins former Showcase of the West
Enjoy our only day at sea. Sleep late and have breakfast served to you in the dining room then join the group and paint your own tote bag. So sit back, relax and let your artistic juices start flowing. And yes you get to keep the bag so get as creative as you like. This afternoon it is time for our famous Jewelry Making session. Each cruise has unique charms so you create a one of kind memory bracelet of your trip.
St Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and one of one of the biggest cultural centers in the world. A city with an exceptionally rich history, centuries-old traditions and a promising future that has played a vital role in both Russian and European history, Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, the capital of the Russian Empire for two centuries has undergone many changes over the decades. The city has changed its name three times: St Petersburg (1703-1914), Petrograd (1914-1924), Leningrad (1924-1991) and St Petersburg again from 1991.
customs. Our guided St Petersburg tour begins with a hydrofoil to Peterhof, Peter the Great's summer palace. Admire the grounds, ornamental gardens and exquisite fountains as our guide show us the Upper and Lower Gardens, The Upper Gardens cover over 37 acres and are the front yard leading up to the Grand Palace. The Lower Gardens contain most of the more prominent fountains and are an area of 252 acres and are split in half by the canal. 
Towering majestically above the rooftops of St Petersburg, St Isaac’s Cathedral is one of our city’s top tourist attractions and our next stop. We will explore the opulent interior that has fourteen kinds of marble, as well as gilded stucco, malachite, jasper, mosaics and frescoes. The inside is just as impressive as it’s exterior and the view from its colonnade offers an unsurpassed vista. Our last stop today is to visit the Church of “Our Savior on the Spilt Blood”, designed in the style of the 16th – 17th centuries and famous for its wonderful mosaics which cover more than 4 miles of inner space.
Highlights of St Petersburg (10 hours) - Our second day in St Petersburg begins with a small boat sightseeing cruise along the Neva River, passing under charming bridges and viewing the different examples of architecture. After our cruise we will spend the next few hours in The Hermitage, one of the world’s great museums, The Hermitage houses amazing examples of Italian High Renaissance art, as well as unrivaled collections of paintings by Rembrandt, an extensive collection of Dutch and Flemish masters – not to mention fabulous treasures from Siberia and Central Asia, Egyptian and classical antiquities, and Persian and Chinese artworks, among many many others. In addition, there are interiors of the Winter Palace itself, with its sumptuous state rooms, where the Tsars once held court and the Provisional Government was arrested by the Bolsheviks. The sheer opulence of these rooms must be seen to be believed and to stand in the middle of them ill be one of life’s unforgettable experiences.
After our traditional Russian lunch, we head to where it all started for St Petersburg, the Peter and Paul Fortress, built to secure Russia’s hold on the Neva delta. As we explore, get a feel for St Petersburg’s more than 300 year old history, from royal tombs to prison blocks to historical museum exhibitions. Last chance for Russia shopping before we visit Yusupov Palace,built in the mid 18th century. The Palace is one of the few examples of an aristocratic mansion and is famous for its art gallery, luxurious theater, music room, and the private quarters.
Sweden’s capital city spreads out over 14 islands in Lake Mälaren and looks out proudly to the Baltic Sea. Stockholm's grand public buildings, palaces, rich cultural history and museums tell the story of the city's 700 year-old history. This immaculate Swedish city sprawls across more than a dozen islands connected by bridges. Visit Gamla Stan, the old town, with its narrow cobblestone streets and buildings that date to the 17th and 18th centuries. Walk along Stortorget Square and its historic stock exchange; don't miss the great Viking ship, Vasa and visit the Royal Palace.
the famous Vasa Museum, located on an island referred to as Royal Djurgården. The Vasa Museum displays the Swedish warship Vasa, which could be considered Sweden’s greatest failure but is today instead one of our greatest success stories. Vasa sank on her maiden voyage, in Stockholm’s inner harbor, in 1628. After 333 years at the bottom of the sea the Vasa was salvaged and stands before us 95% intact.
Cruise Day 9: Day At Sea
Today we spend the day in Ho Chi Minh, previously known as Saigon. Our guided tour takes us past the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on the way to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office.
Let's try Pho (rice noodle soup) and eat lunch at Pho 2000. Maybe we can even sit at the same time President Clinton ate at. After lunch, we are head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, consisting of more than 200km of underground tunnels. The main tunnels have many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. 
Vacation Day 4: Ho Chi Minh – Da Nang - Hoi An
Today is a day at leisure. Explore the ancient city of Hoi An... visit the many historical sites, museums or shops. Travelers from all over the world come to Hoi An to have clothes, boots and shoes custom made. It is amazing everything is made, fitted and completed in one day! Need a break from city life then spend the day at the beach, it is very close by. just tale a tuk-tuk.
Vacation Day 7: Hue - Hanoi
Today we continue exploring Hanoi. Visit Ho Chi Min's Mausoleum and his living quarter. Despite Ho Chi Min's request to be cremated, like communist leaders before him, he was embalmed and put on display. A visit to his mausoleum is a somber experience. Next we visit The Hanoi Hilton (The Hoax Lo Prison) used by the North Vietnamese Army to house, torture and interrogate captured servicemen, mostly American pilots shot down during bombing raids. Today it is a museum.
In the morning we travel to Ha Long Bay, a world natural heritage site. On the way we stop at the Hong Ngoc handicraft village for shopping. Then we continue on to Halong port where our Crew welcomes us onto the Junk.
Enjoy the beauty of a Halong Bay sunrise and a morning view of the Bay's landscapes with a cup of tea or coffee. Breakfast is served while we begin cruising the bay to visit Man's head Island, Tortoise Island and the Luzon Cave. Contine on our cruise through Bain Tug Long Bay passing Toad Island and Bain Thor mountain.
On arrival at the airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to the hotel. Our tour begins at 1:00pm. Angkor Wat, built during the early years of the 12th century by Suryavaram IIm is considered the biggest Asian pyramid. Angkor Wat honors the Hindu god Vishnu and is a symbolic representation of Hindu cosmology. This temple is the largest and most breathtaking temple of the whole complex and is 213 feet high and divided in several layers. The central part has four towers in the shape of a lotus flower and the most famous decorations of Angkor are the more than 300 heavenly nymphs (Apsara). Sunset at Angkor Wat is not to be missed so get your cameras ready.
Angkor Thom (Khmer: "Great City"), established in the late 12th century, was the last capital city. We enter the South Gate of this walled and moated royal city recaptured from the Cham invaders in 1181. The building of Angkor Thom began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas, then a grand enclosed city was built around them, adding the outer wall/moat and some of Angkor's greatest temples including the state-temple, Bayon, set at the center of the city. There are five gates to the city each crowned with 4 giant faces. Visit the Jungle Temple (Ta Prohm) where famous movies have been filmed. We round our day with dinner with Apsara show at one of the famous eating spot. O/N in Siem Reap
This morning, we will take a boat ride on Tonle Sap lake through Chong Khneas. See ordinary Cambodians going about their daily life in the floating village. Fishermen, boat-makers, markets, schools, spirit houses and waving children are always in plentiful supply on this mesmerizing scenic trip.
Today we spend our time seeing Phnom Penh with the Royal Palace, a complex of buildings which has served as the royal residence of the kings of Cambodia since it was built in 1866. The Silver Pagoda, located in the palace complex features a royal temple and houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues.
Miami is an international city at Florida's southeastern tip. Its Cuban influence is reflected in the cafes and cigar shops that line Calle Ocho in Little Havana. On barrier islands across the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay is Miami Beach, home to South Beach. This glamorous neighborhood is famed for its colorful art deco buildings, white sand, surfside hotels and trendsetting nightclubs.
Ocho Rios is a port town on the north coast of Jamaica. A former fishing village, it’s now a resort with a cruise ship harbor and a busy bay beach that’s lined with hotels. The surrounding parish of Saint Ann is home to rainforest, rivers and waterfalls. Dunn’s River Falls is a terraced, 180m mountain waterfall with lagoon pools, surrounded by trees.
down toward the coast to begin your river tubing adventure on the White River. On your way to the river, you will get a taste of Jamaica as you pass through local neighborhoods.
center is flat and relatively small.. making it the perfect city for a walking tour. See the real Cartagena and meet enigmatic locals whilst soaking up the history and exploring the beautiful Old City streets. We will stroll the streets of Cartagena, soaking up history and viewing the multi-colored pastel balconies jutting out along the narrow streets, the coral-stone foundations and Moorish-columned buildings. Then we will walk through a maze of alleys, where our tour guide will introduce us to all kinds of fruit, herbs, vegetables, fish, seafood and meat. There is also a spice market and natural healing pharmacies.
Colón is the capital of Colón Province, in Panama. It sits on the Caribbean coast, at the entrance to the Panama Canal. The Canal Expansion Observation Center is a park with viewing platforms over the canal’s Atlantic locks and Gatún Lake. The vast Colón Free Trade Zone offers tax-free shopping. Just west of the city, at the mouth of the Chagres River, Fort San Lorenzo is a well-preserved colonial military structure.
Cruise Excursion: Caribbean Highlights - Sun/Beach/Wildlife/Plantations
Harvest Caye sits at the southern end of Belize, about 50 miles north of the border between Guatemala and Honduras. And while it is an island, it sits only about a mile from the mainland and roughly five miles from the town of Placencia. Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, located in southern Belize. The caye features wildlife exhibitions including a blue morpho butterfly house.
Optional Day - Harvest Caye has so much to offer! From relaxing at the expansive pool area with swim-up pool bar and cascading waterfall, or try The Flighthouse, a thrilling 136-foot high venue for aerial activities featuring 3,000 feet of zip lining across the island, quick jumps and an observation deck with mainland views ($). Salt water lagoon for watersports such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and electric float boats ($). Large marina with food and bar area, offering guests a variety of exciting shore excursions. And an expansive shopping village featuring popular name-brand retailers as well as local Belizean crafts.
