When the south west monsoon arrives on the Andaman coast, the yachting conversation in Thailand turns east. The lower Gulf of Thailand, with Koh Samui at its centre, has its best weather through the middle of the year, and it offers a very different kind of cruising from Phuket.
The islands here are greener and softer. The water is shallower and warmer, the passages are short and the anchorages are often a few minutes from a beach restaurant.
The islands
Koh Samui is the largest island in the group and the main base. It has an international airport with direct flights from Bangkok and several regional cities, which makes it easy to fly straight to the boat. The north coast around Bophut and Choeng Mon has the most useful anchorages.
Koh Phangan lies a short hop to the north. Its east coast has quiet bays reachable only by sea, which is exactly where a yacht comes into its own.
Koh Tao, further north again, is a centre for diving, with coral bays around the island and offshore pinnacles nearby.
Ang Thong National Marine Park
West of Samui is the Ang Thong archipelago, a national marine park of more than 40 islands. The scenery is closer to Phang Nga Bay, with limestone cliffs, forest and an emerald lake inside the island of Koh Mae Ko. It is a full day trip from Samui, and park fees and rules apply to visitors.
The season
The lower Gulf is generally at its best from January to August. Rain arrives with the north east monsoon, and the wettest weeks tend to fall between October and December. From June to August, when the Andaman is at its roughest, the Gulf is often calm and dry. Our guide to the best time to sail in Thailand compares the two coasts month by month.
Practicalities
Marina facilities around Samui are more limited than in Phuket. Many yachts use moorings or anchor off, and the charter fleet is smaller, so it pays to book early for the summer months.
For owners, the Gulf is a place to visit rather than a year round base. Some Phuket based yachts make the long passage around the southern tip of Thailand, but most visitors charter locally.
The upper Gulf is its own cruising ground. Pattaya, with Ocean Marina Jomtien, and the islands of Koh Samet and the Koh Chang archipelago near the Cambodian border are within easy reach of Bangkok and are best from November to April.
A sample week
Start on the north coast of Samui and spend the first afternoon at anchor off Choeng Mon. Cross to the east coast of Koh Phangan for two nights in the quiet bays. Continue north to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan for a day of snorkelling. Return south and west to Ang Thong for a night in the park, then finish back on Samui.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to sail around Koh Samui?
From January to August, with the most settled weather usually in the early months of the year and again in mid year.
Is the Gulf of Thailand good for sailing in July?
Yes. July falls in the south west monsoon, which brings rain to the Andaman coast and leaves the lower Gulf around Koh Samui comparatively calm.
How far is Koh Phangan from Koh Samui by boat?
It is a short passage, typically under an hour on a motor yacht from the north coast of Samui.
