Guide to Yacht Charter in Southeast Asia | Adamson Middleton Blog

What to do Inland:

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a cluster of small islands in the Bay of Bengal under the jurisdiction of the Indian Government, and they’re a fantastic place to start your trip. Saddle Peak on the North Andaman Island is the highest of the archipelago in the bay, and from its top you can gaze out across the islands. A trek will prove to have some health benefits and might put your fitness to the test, but the view will be well worth the walk. If you are looking to take in some history, Gandhi Park gives you some scenic gardens, long walks and, surprisingly, a lake. It’s located near Port Blair, the capital city, which has its own history, as you will see the British colonial prison once built there. Further inland, if you venture far enough, you will find the Samudrika Marine Museum, which showcases the islands’ exotic maritime habitat. The Bharatang Limestone Caves are another sight not to be missed; a long network of ancient caves, and they also happen to be a popular eco-tourism destination, sitting in a dense mangrove.

What to do along the Coast:

Yachting in Southeast Asia would not be right if you didn’t island-hop. Known for its deep-diving sites, white sandy beaches and a variety of wildlife, Havelock Island is a popular sunset spot, and it’s one of the few islands that the Indian Government actually encourage towards tourism, as they try to engage with eco-tourism and providing a better understanding of declining wildlife environments. The main island, Baratang Island, has one of the largest varieties of activities, all depending on what you want to do. With a volcano, ancient cave networks, mangrove creeks and narrow but extensive rivers, it’s a perfect place to get lost, although not actually lost, in all the activities available. Viper Island, named after the H.M.S. Viper not the snake, fortunately, was a British prison near the Port Blair harbour, but there are still snakes. It’s up to you what you go looking for, but you will surely find exclusive beaches, wild hills and astonishing viewpoints. If you are looking for more adventure, venture away from the yacht and visit Barren Island, home to the Barren Volcano. It sits further out in the Andaman Sea, but it’s worth the trip, if only to sit atop the only active volcano in South Asia.

What to do Inland:

Once you have drifted away from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Malaysia is the next natural and phenomenal step to take. Sailing through the Malacca Strait, dock along the Malaysian coastline the move inland. You can visit the famous city of Kuala Lumpar, a modern city by all accounts, but luckily the country is well-known for its mixture of Chinese, British, Malay and Indian cultural traits. The country is broken into two distinct areas, separated by a short stretch of water, so you will have plenty of choice if you are sailing, but if you are looking for inland activities, you have found the ideal destination. Most areas are filled with national parks, so it’s a great place to find some weird and wonderful wildlife. The country occupies parts of Borneo and the Malay Peninsula, and with its mix of European, Asian and some American cultural habits, you might just find whatever it is you are looking for, and mostly likely more.

What to do along the Coast:

Having sailed along Malaysia’s west coast, you might want to think about taking a trip to the east coast, stopping off at places such as Pekan and Kuala Dungan. The eastern coast is filled with the same white sandy beaches, but it has more with a touch of luxurious resorts, so if you are looking for somewhere to slowly relax on your travels, or just take a break, look for locations such as Club Med Cherating Beach. Instead of heading inland, stay on the coast and visit the coastal cities of much larger provinces, such as Kelantan. Across to the east, the other half of Malaysia sits along the ridge of another island, and there is plenty more to see. The Maludam National Park is located on the coast, so you won’t need to venture inland to find more exotic wildlife. Luckily, if you’re sailing along the eastern island’s coast, it borders Indonesia’s West Kalimantan region, so you have the luxury of moving between countries in a short space of time.

What to do Inland:

Once you’ve explored Malaysia, whether it be the western or eastern island, head to Singapore; it sits at the tip of the western Malaysian island. You have probably heard of Singapore, we imagine in history books or mentions of exotic destinations in Asia, because it’s a city-state steeped in historic buildings, multicultural populations, and it’s been at the centre of intrigue since the British-colonial period. Facing outward towards smaller islands such as Batam and the Java Sea, it boasts plenty of yachting clubs and ports, such as the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, so you can move inland for a more cultural experience. On this dense island, which is broken away from the main Malaysian island, you’ll find famous day and night markets, such as the Maxwell Food Centre and Satay Street, and if you fancy a bit of shopping, Ngee Ann City shopping centre is not far.

What to do along the Coast:

Singapore faces the Singapore Strait, which runs between the island and Batam. Although much smaller than other destinations we have recommended, you might find Singapore to be a famously glamorous city, with a tendency to be incredibly exciting. You can talk walks along its famous waterfronts, the Southern Ridges, or visit the Gardens by the Bay. Universal Studios even have an amusement park there, amply named Universal Studios Singapore, and you might want to spend a night off the yacht and in a luxurious hotel, and you won’t go wrong with Marina Bay Sands Singapore. It’s well-known for its infinity pool and spas. If you’re thinking of stopping off in Singapore briefly, you should know it’s a financial hub with a tropical climate, so there is plenty of wealth, which means plenty of shopping opportunities. Make the most of taking part in some watersport activities, and you can stray away from the main island and visit Jurong and Bukom Islands, smaller destinations but only a short and adventurous trip away.

What to do Inland:

It might be a small country, but Brunei is known for its extravagant beaches, rainforests, and its mixture of Asian and Islamic cultures. With its small coastline, it might be best to venture inland and visit some of its many iconic landmarks and natural landscapes. The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque sits right in Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and it’s thought to be one of the most beautiful mosques in Asia Pacific. The Istana Nural Iman is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, and it rests along the riverside, surrounded by hills on the banks of the river. Wandering around these historic sites is a fantastic walk around the capital, but it you take a trip further inland, you’ll come across the Ulu Temburong National Park. It’s packed with reptiles, insects and mammals, and it’s a famous bird-watching spot for enthusiasts, although mind the reptiles and insects.

What to do along the Coast:

Staying on the coast doesn’t mean you have to give up the exciting activities and just relax. The water sport park along Lumut Beach offers somewhere to stay active while sitting on the beach front. Most of us want to take advantage of visiting the white sandy beaches of Southeast Asia, so we thought you should too, and there are many locations to visit and relax while you’re in Brunei. Along the northern most tip of Brunei, you can find plenty of beach resorts and wonderful places to relax, although as we mentioned, Brunei is quite a small destination, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself amongst busy crowds, even along the waterfront.

What to do Inland:

Let’s take a trip, slightly backwards, towards Thailand. After Brunei, you might want to charter your yacht towards the Gulf of Thailand, which isn’t as daunting as it sounds, and you’ll be in the perfect spot to move between some of Asia’s most beautiful countries. Go into Bangkok, see the famous and ancient temples, shop at the markets, and travel the city by Tuk-Tuk, because you won’t find anything else like it. Once you amerce yourself in city life, take a trip along the narrow western path of Thailand, because you’ll run into national parks and find it easier getting from one side of the country to the other. The Thai Government are trying to foster more eco-tourism adventures, in the hope it will push more visitors into caring for the landscape, so get involved with the Eco-Jungle Safari Tour around Koh Samui. It’s a smaller chunk of land not far from the mainland, but there is also the large, unsurprisingly named, ‘Big Buddha’ temple in Phuket, and it sits on the opposite side of this narrow stretch of land, so you can take a short trip over to visit the equally beautiful coastline.

What to do along the Coast:

Now, it’s time to look along the coast, because you’ve chartered your yacht, so there is no reason you shouldn’t see what most people don’t. Before you move off elsewhere, visit Koh Pha Ngan, known for one thing, its Full Moon parties. Every month, you’ll see people partying until midday, that’s from the previous night, but it’s also a great place to see the sunrise, when you aren’t partying and avoiding sleep. On the eastern coast of Thailand, you’re offered a variety of white sandy beaches, and you can choose to wander into quieter areas, or stay along the tourist tracks. Patong beach in Phuket is the biggest beach in Thailand, and it’s most popular, with its soft white sand, luxurious hotels, shopping, and restaurants, and obviously its warm waters. Koh Kradan, an island just off the Trang mainland, is difficult to spot on a map, but it’s one of the most secluded and beautiful islands you could think to charter a yacht.

What to do Inland:

You wouldn’t be mistaken to think Cambodia is a mysterious and adventurous country, because it is, so it wouldn’t be right to visit Southeast Asia without wandering into Cambodia. The Angkor Wat is the most iconic symbol of Cambodian cultural history, even sitting on their national flag. It’s one of the largest religious monuments in the world, so visit it with respect and awe, but it will be difficult to avoid tourists here, because its fame isn’t a secret. If you haven’t realised yet, we are keen to see travellers take the opportunity to see some very rare sites in Southeast Asia’s national parks, and Cambodia is no different. With tigers, crocodiles, buffalos and silvery lutung, which are tiny primates, we think you’ll stand in stock of how beautiful the landscape and wildlife can truly be.

What to do along the Coast:

Cambodia only boasts a relatively small coastline, but small can still means an extremely adventurous destination, especially in the beautiful and wonderful landscapes of Southeast Asia. Sihanoukville & Otres is a seaside town with some of Cambodia’s best known beaches, and although boats used to run to the town, they’ve now stopped, but because you charter a yacht, you’ll have no trouble taking your group along its beaches. With it being more difficult to travel via, you might find much more secluded locations. Around a small bundle of islands sits Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samleom, the former being much more developed and built up, so if you thought about finding some peace, visit the latter, where you’ll find it difficult to secure a stable internet connection or electric line. It makes it the ideal location for escaping your wild travels for a moment.

What to do Inland:

No South Asian country is without its deep history, and Vietnam has much to offer as you take a trip inland. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum in the north, and venture further south to Ho Chi Minh City, the capital following the Vietnam War. The Marble Mountains are a network of marble mountains, unsurprisingly, with elaborate cave systems, ancient temples and peaks to oversee the landscape, all a fantastic place to see some of Vietnam’s most beautiful spots. The historic Royal Palace sits in the cold Imperial City of Huế; it’s masked by high walls and surrounded by ancient temples, which you would be a fool to miss. Besides the mentioned destinations, you could even take a motorbike trip from south to north, a popular path for many tourists.

What to do along the Coast:

Vietnam, unlike Cambodia, has an extensive coastline, and geographically it’s a narrow country, so its place sitting in the South China Sea makes it the perfect place to move along a very long coastline and pop into the mainland when you’re ready to step off your yacht. The Nha Trang Beach in Nha Trang, also known as City Beach, is a great place to start, because it’s well-known for its mixture of city life and its natural sandy beaches. For a more active beach experience, Mui Ne Beach gives you sand dunes and kitesurfing, but you’re still not far from beach resorts to put your feet up. Doc Let Beach in the Hon Khoi Peninsula is surrounded by palm trees, and you might find it difficult to see its end as the beach runs long against the coastline.

What to do Inland:

It might seem like a difficult destination to pick, but only because there are so many islands to choose from, and you’d be right to think so, but if you’re going inland, you can’t miss the capital, Manila. You might think it’s iconic for a famous Muhammad Ali boxing match, but Manila offers much more than a historical event. It’s densely populated, and it sits along the coast, so with its rich history of Spanish, Chinese and American influences, it’s a strange and wonderful place to visit. For adventurers and daredevils, visiting the Taal Volcano in Luzon is a great place to get your heart beating. The volcano sits on a small island, in the centre of the Taal Lake, which is surrounded by the mainland, so it’s a natural wonder. The Chocolate Hills in Bohol Province are a natural formation which turns its green peaks brown in the dry season, hence the name, and they’re another natural phenomenon you should be sure to visit.

What to do along the Coast:

If there were anywhere to really charter a yacht in Southeast Aaisa, the Philippines would offer the most variety. It’s made up of 7000 islands, scattered across the Sulu and South China Seas. There are too many islands to reference, but Boracay Island has white sandy beaches and palm trees, which is an ideal destination to start, and although it sounds completely relaxing, you might venture into water sports or visit the coral reefs just offshore. Another fantastic destination while you’re sailing from island to island is Pangleo Island, one of the Philippines most popular islands, and its Alona Beach is one of its most popular beaches. With more island-hopping, diving, dolphin watching, snorkelling and fishing activities to get involved in, you won’t go long without finding something exciting to do.