Tiger Marine Charter Cruising Guide

Phang Nga Bay

Day Charters in Phang Nga Bay

One of the most stunning locations on the Andaman Sea is Phang Nga National Park. This unique bay has enormous limestone formations rising from the sea, one of which is featured in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun. A short cruise on the Shangani yacht will take you to the idyllic islands of Koh Hong and Koh Panak where you can explore the spectacular caves in kayaks and enjoy lunch in this picturesque paradise.
A trip further south to the Kai islands will take you to deserted white sand beaches for lunch with opportunities for exceptional snorkeling and swimming; or just relax in the Jacuzzi with a cold beer and enjoy the sunset cruise back to the marina.

East Coast Cruises

2 or 3 day charters on the East Coast

Several options are available for charters, some popular ones include:

Heading out from the Ao Po Marina, a cruise north takes you to Koh Hong Phang Nga where you can spend your first night. This spectacular site is ideal for exploring the hidden lagoons and caves by kayak or dinghy; an adventure for children and adults alike.
The following day you could cruise to Koh Hong Krabi. Here is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the outstanding beaches and fascinating rock formations and anchor next to one of the beaches for the night.
A magnificent scenic cruise the next morning will take you to Koh Naka. Along the wide stretch of the white sandy beach sits a charming Thai beach bar where you can enjoy a fresh tropical fruit juice or cold beer and admire the view of the yacht anchored nearby in the emerald-green waters.
There are many beautiful anchorages in the Koh Hong Archipelago that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Many of the islands have coral reefs rich with varied colourful marine life and the crystal clear waters make this an ideal location for snorkeling. The beautiful island of Koh Pak Bia has a remarkable spit of white sand and is perfect for swimming, snorkeling or kayaking.

Recommended 6 day cruise

Nine islands make up the Similans, it was declared a National Park in 1982 and is rated as among the top 10 dive destinations in the world. With its crystal clear water, astonishingly varied marine life and exquisite beaches it’s easy to see why. On board the Shangani we have four sets of diving equipment, with more available to hire at the location, and all the gear for snorkeling. See our photo gallery for pictures of the beautiful deserted beaches.

The best time for this cruise is from December to March. The Shangani would leave the east coast of Phuket and cruise to the west coast where we will stop for a swim and dinner either on board or at one of the quaint restaurants on the beach. The following morning the crew will have weighed anchor at the Similans and you will wake up to spectacular surroundings - see our photo gallery.
Each night the Captain will anchor at a different location – at the end of the cruise you will dine under the stars, spend a restful night in the comfort of your cabin and arrive back in Phuket in the morning.
To fully appreciate and get the best experience of the Similans we highly recommend a trip of at least six days. It is possible to go for a shorter time but there would be a fuel surcharge.

The Captain has considerable knowledge of the area and can suggest itineraries for your cruise and is always willing to discuss various possibilities to fulfil your personal preferences.

Please Note: All Similan Cruises carry a 50,000 THB fuel surcharge.

Three day cruises - and beyond

From Phuket a 3 day cruise to the Phi Phi Islands – world renowned for its breathtaking scenery, stunning beaches and some of the best diving and snorkeling in Thailand. Phi Phi Leh was made famous for its setting for the movie The Beach; it is advisable to get there early in the morning as it can get quite crowded later in the day. The Shangani’s Captain has extensive knowledge of the area and knows many picturesque places to anchor away from the crowds.

One favourite spot of his is Monkey Beach north-west of Phi Phi Don. Here he can show you an unusual swim-through where one of the crew can accompany you through the stunning rock formations. A short walk through the jungle will bring you to a magnificent beach where the Shangani will be anchored.
North of the Phi Phi islands lies the famous Chicken Island, Krabi Railey Beach and Koh Hong Krabi. The beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear water make these locations ideal for snorkeling. You will find magnificent beaches nestled among high limestone cliffs in the small town of Krabi. The province of Krabi is home to the numerous coral fringed islands of the Andaman Sea and the dramatic cliffs of Phang Nga Bay.

We have frequent requests for trips to Langkawai in Malaysia, cruising through the islands on the way. Guests can disembark here and fly to onward destinations. You can visit the unspoilt and deserted idyllic Tarutao and Adang islands along the way. The cruise takes about a week and there is a half-day charter rate to return the yacht back to Phuket. Langkawi has a rich cultural heritage and is a fascinating place to visit – and as it says in the slogan “Malaysia, Truly Asia”. For more information visit: www.langkawi-info.com

Cruising on the west coast of Phuket is an option available throughout the high season (between May and October the sea is too rough). There are some excellent spots to anchor overnight with some magnificent views – and the Captain of the Shangani knows where the best places are. Along the coast there is a wide array of beaches – from the very quiet, to bustling beaches where there are lots of water sporting activities available such as jet-skis and paragliding. The beaches around the Surin Area have 5 star hotels, mega-yachts and beautiful villas by the waterside.