5 Mind-blowing sailing trips in Southeast Asia you should do at least once

5 Mind-blowing sailing trips in Southeast Asia you should take at least once

thama

09 Apr 2018

1/5
Island of Flores, Indonesia
Located in the Lesser Sunda cluster is Flores, a truly mesmerising island with lush greenery, sparkling, crystal-clear waters, white sand and a thriving underwater world. In fact, Indonesia’s official tourism department has called it the “most beautiful” in the country. This island is not only suitable for sailing - it is frequented by surfers, scuba divers as well as free divers. Various sailing trips can be done here, such as Luxury Sailing Komodo Islands which will take you from Labuan Bajo to the famous Komodo Island (yes, you can see komodo dragons here for real!).
2/5
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Ko Phi Phi is a group of paradise islands bursting with geological wonders like limestone cliffs, caves and a teeming network of coral. It makes a great sailing location due to its close proximity with other popular destinations like Phuket and Phang Nga Bay. Some of the best sailing tours here include Sailing Thailand - Phuket to Phuket and Sailing Thailand - Phuket to Ko Phi Phi. There are also packages that include Langkawi, Malaysia as the end point.
3/5
Lombok, Indonesia
Lombok is another island that has picture-perfect sailing spots. Typically, those who charter yachts here also make it a point to visit the nearby Bali, and vice versa. That’s because many people say that Lombok is as good as Bali or even better. It is less busy, has many more cleaner and pristine beaches – and of course, less trodden. Check out packages offered for this route, like Sailing Indonesia – Bali & Lombok.
4/5
Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar
The Mergui Archipelago is perhaps among the best sailing spots in Southeast Asia. Unlike more popular touristy destinations like Phuket, Bali or Lombok, this group of about 800 islands surprisingly remains largely untrodden in the modern world. The forests are teeming with wildlife while the waters are pristine and host a plethora of dwellers. Sailors coming here might get a peek into how people like Columbus must have felt encountering an uninhabited land since they will be coming into contact with isolated communities like the Moken people. Despite being so unexplored, there still are sailing trips like the Mergui Sailing Adventure that can take you here. We recommend you to visit this part of the world before it gets into the mainstream.
5/5
Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An is a quaint, coastal town in central Vietnam that’s been on the map since the Middle Ages due to its role in trade. Over time, its importance dwindled and the port is now used as a harbour for charter boats. You’ll be able to find various tour operators that will take you to enchanting locations in the nearby Cham Islands which have been recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Check out KarmaQuest’s packages for instance – you can even customise your trips with them! And for the environmentally-conscious: they’re completely sustainable.

NSFW: These places are so gorgeous they’ll make you suffer from severe distraction issues.

Picture this: you’re on a laid-back getaway somewhere in the world, surrounded by dazzling white sand and impossibly turquoise waters. Your plan of the day? Go island-hopping or simply explore the sea by boat. Sounds cool, doesn’t it? Not really, we’d say.

See, a mistake many of us do is assume that the only way to visit nearby islands is by hopping on a tourist boat or ferry. It’s not a bad thing of course – especially if you want to save money – but these boats can get really crowded. Plus they also usually have a reputation for not allowing you to take your own time.

That’s why we suggest that you going on a sailing trip instead. Although chartering yachts are indeed not the cheapest available option, they offer you ample time to experience the sea. There’s really nothing to lose on your side because the bucks you’ll be spending will be totally worth it.

Here’s a compilation of 5 mind-blowing sailing trips in Southeast Asia that you should embark on at least once in your lifetime. All you have to do is be in the moment and enjoy while nature does its part.

Thamayanthy

Photos: Getty Images

Unique Vacations: 5 Alternative travel ideas for your next trip

Hidden Paradise: 10 Secret islands to discover in Indonesia

Tropical Gems: 6 Lesser-known islands in Vietnam you should absolutely visit

Horoscope Predictions: 7 to 13 April