Welcome to Thailand. Today, you’ll begin on the shores of the Andaman Sea in beautiful Ao Nang in the Krabi province. Krabi Town is easily accessible by plane from its international airport, by ferry from the Phuket peninsula, or by road. Your adventure starts by getting to your starting point! Stunning Railay Bay is only accessible by boat, and your waiting catamaran is moored here. Head to Ao Nang beach (accessible by road – take an airport shuttle, or other transport from the city centre), then an easy 15-minute longtail boat will take you into the bay. Otherwise, ferries from Ko Phi Phi go directly to Railay Beach too. The reason Railay Beach is inaccessible by road is because of the limestone cliffs that frame the bay and the surrounding coastline – it’s amazing to see. Arrive on board your catamaran to meet the skipper and your crew who will look after you for the duration of your sail. After a short safety briefing, begin your sail just off the coast of Krabi to the Chicken Islands, where you will anchor for the night, off the coast of Poda Island. Enjoy the sunset and sit down with your fellow travellers for a delicious dinner cooked by your on-board chef. This is living!

This morning, head to one of Thailand’s best known group of islands: the Ko Phi Phi Archipelago. These islands were seriously damaged by the Thai tsunami in 2004, with much of the infrastructure wiped out. Redevelopment has been swift, and most services are back up and running. The islands’ beauty is undeniable – a great arc of pure white sand, striking limestone cliffs and sparkling water so beautiful, it would be silly not to swim. Stray away from the tourists and head to Ban Ko Mai Phai (Bamboo Island), a small low-lying islet to the north of the main island. This island is almost heart-shaped and is entirely surrounded by white sand. Bamboo Island also has a small fishing village, and some opportunities for snorkelling. You’ll have the chance to enjoy lunch floating in one of the bays on the north-east coast of the island. As you enjoy the freedom that comes from having your own vessel, speak with your skipper to see if there’s other options of secluded bays to visit. How about Ko Yung, Ko Yao Yai or Ko Khai Nok? The choice is yours. Continue your sail, and spend the night off the coast of Ko Lanta with a prepared dinner on board. Today, set sail to Ko Muk, south-east from Ko Lanta. This small island off the coast of the Trang province in Thailand is a blissful respite from the rest of the world. The most popular location on Ko Muk is Farang Beach. The word farang means ‘foreigner’, which is fitting because this is the centre of tourist activity on the island, with resorts, restaurants, bars and shops to explore. The beach is located in a bay that is perfect for swimming or kayaking. One popular activity in Ko Muk is Tham Morakot Cave (Emerald Cave), where you’ll enter a small dark cave from one end and, at the other, emerge on a fully enclosed sandy beach surrounded by limestone cliffs. This beach is the result of a sinkhole and is best explored in the morning or later in the afternoon. Otherwise, have a paddle on a kayak, take a hike through the lush jungle interior, laze on one of the beaches – you’ll have the opportunity to experience it at all angles. If Ko Muk isn’t for you, head to nearby Ko Kradan for its pristine beaches and azure water. Speak to your crew if you would like to have a particular experience. The island of Ko Rok Noi is the next stop on your southern Thailand adventure. Ko Rok Noi is made up of two smaller islands, joined by soft coral in the clear water between them. After breakfast, you’ll have the chance to take up some snorkelling and, if you’re lucky, spot angelfish, pufferfish and bouncing anemones, as well as larger marine animals like sea turtles and sea snakes. Ko Rok Noi is also an ideal location for a hike. Walk up to Pha Samed Daeng, where you will gaze across a panorama of the other islands below. If that seems like all too much work, don’t worry! Feel free to laze back on the catamaran with a good book and a cocktail. It’s your adventure, after all. New day, new island. Sail back to Ko Lanta, one of the larger islands in the Andaman Sea. You’ll be spending some time back at this island, but will be moored at a different location on the other side, so it’ll feel just like new! Head off the boat today and into a local village for a traditional lunch and homestay experience with a Thai family. This is often the highlight of many travellers’ trips – interacting and sharing laughs with the locals in their homes. Be sure to know some phrases in the local language – your crew will be able to help you out if you need to learn. Later in the afternoon, jump back on the boat and enjoy a dinner prepared by your on-board cook.

With no activities or island visits planned for the day, you are free to leave Krabi as soon as you arrive back on land. The boat will get you back to Railay Beach mid-morning, around 10 am. But this doesn’t mean that your journey has to end here! If you would like to spend some time in Krabi, we’ll be happy to organise accommodation for you (subject to availability).