PETER PLANT REVEALS WHY THE KOH SAMUI ARCHIPELAGO IS A SAILOR’S PARADISE

IMAGINE a sailing location with more than 80 islands spread over a canvas of 50 miles of azure tropical seas.

Imagine beautiful powdery white sandy beaches, fringed with swaying coconut palms and lush emerald green vegetation stretching over the limestone hills and mountains.

Imagine a place where you can still easily fi nd a deserted bay to anchor for the night… welcome to sailing in Koh Samui!

DISCOVER THE DEEP

Located in the Gulf of ailand, 245 miles south of Bangkok and over 500 miles north of Singapore, this is one of the last undiscovered cruising areas in the region. Samui itself is situated 17 miles off shore from Suratthani on the ai mainland and boasts the fact that it is, and has that real island feel.

Since Samui and the adjacent islands are not located along established routes, the number of visiting yachts is low. It has remained a retreat for the adventurous or the privileged few local sailors.

But with the advent of the Koh Samui Regatta, inaugurated in 2002 and now into its fifth year, the island is increasingly fi nding itself on the sailing map and receiving international media attention.

THE SAILING SEASONS

The sailing can roughly be divided into two main seasons: the Westerly Monsoon that runs from May to September and the Easterly Monsoon from November to March. Both can bring in rather large amounts of rainfall as they develop in their early stages, but the air stream tends to become drier as the season progresses and clear blue skies are the order of the day.

Average daily winds of 10-12 knots are also a feature of both, but weather patterns in the South China Sea can bring stronger gusts of up to 14 or 18 knots, and a long swell that can peak at up to two or three metres during the easterly period.

It is quite rare, however, to experience sustained strong wind conditions that might prevent sailing for more than a few days at a time and the incidence of tropical storms this far south is very rare.

The month or so in between each of the two seasons is known as the Inter-Monsoon. During this window of climatic change, the changing seasons bring unsettled weather.

Conditions can vary from absolutely flat calm to intense tropical downpours, line squalls and thunderstorms.

But even during these times of the year, it is still possible to enjoy a fair share of good sailing days.

CRUISE CONTROL

The annual infl ux of yachts at the end of May, which visit specifi cally for the Regatta, has created awareness of the local sailing scene and, in many ways, “kickstarted” it.

This has led to a steady increase in the number and type of Samui-based yachts available for charter; from beach-launched multi-hulls and dinghies to small yachts that can be hired for self-sail or with a skipper, right up to large day-trip boats which can accommodate up to 35 people. e size and variety of crafts available enable anyone to go sailing in a way and budget to suit each taste.

The increased enthusiasm for sailing has even led to the start-up of Samui’s fi rst dedicated yacht builder, Samui Ocean Yachting, which is manufacturing 8m-high sailing catamarans to order.

The fi rst two launched form the basis of a very successful charter operation, as well as taking fi rst and second place in their class at last year’s Regatta. These fast, spacious and stable boats can be chartered through the Coco Sailing operation, which also offers basic sailing instruction as well as skippered and bare boat charters around the whole island group.

Sunsail, the largest charter operator in the world, commenced operations here in 2005 with a fl eet of fi ve boats. Due to the success and demand for their fl otilla sailing holidays around the island, they are set to double the number of boats available this year.

For those who prefer to try something a little more traditional, the junk-rigged sailing vessel, June Bahtra offers day trips around Koh Phangan and sunset cruises.

Or, for the ultimate in hedonism, try the 50-foot sailing catamaran, Kia Ora which offers a sumptuous buffet lunch and on-board bar.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

If the leisurely pace of yacht sailing is not for you then there are many other ways to take to the water. A plethora of speed boat operators can be found along the north shore of Samui for day trips to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the Marine Park and most of these also offer combined diving trips. Or, alternatively, you can drive your own small motor boat or infl atable from Hammerhead Marine at Bang Rak. Blue Stars offer some great kayaking adventures, and for those seeking more of an adrenaline rush, kite boarding is also available now, with full tuition.

With sailing conditions to match any of the top international yachting destinations, a variety of cra’ to suit any taste or budget, an assortment of destinations to suit every mood and an array of seascape vistas to rival anywhere in the world, there is really no good excuse to not get out there on the water and discover the Samui Archipelago!

RACING DAYS

Inaugurated in May 2002, the fi rst Koh Samui Regatta saw 10 keelboats turn up from ! ailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, together with 12 beach cats.

These trail-blazers returned home and spread the word so that today, fi ve years on, the event has a steady turnout of around 25 to 30 boats – a balanced mix of top-end racing crafts through to luxury cruisers, sports boats and multi-hulls.

Whilst the Regatta has strived to improve its media coverage and showcase a more commercial image, it is still a fi rm favourite with the competitors, sponsors and officials alike. By sticking to its laid-back, “beach shorts” attitude, the event holds true to its “Tropical Island Regatta” name tag and remains one of the highlights on the Asian yachting calendar – an exciting event no sailor should miss!

This year’s Regatta will take place on 21-27 May. For more details, visit www.samuiregatta.com

CONTACT DETAILS

Blue Stars Kayaking, tel +66 (0)77 413231, www.bluestars.info; Castaway Cats, tel + 66 (0)9 289-3355, www.castawaycats. net; Coco Sailing, tel +66 (0)1 940-1999, www.cocosailing. com; Hammerhead Marine, tel +66 (0)9 645-7475,
www..hammerhead-marine.com; June Bahtra, tel +66 (0)77 230460-1; Kia Ora Catamaran, tel +66 (0)77 425264, www.kiaorathailand.com; Kiteboarding Asia, tel +66 (0)1 591-4592, www.kiteboardingasia.com; Koh Samui Regatta, tel +66 (0)9 726-5728, www.samuiregatta.com; Limestone Adventures, tel +66 (0)77 427154, www.limestoneadventures. com; Lomprayah Catamaran, tel +66 (0)77 427765, www..lomprayah.com; Petcherat Marine, tel +66 (0)77 425262, www.samuispeedboat.com; Sailing Koh Samui, tel +66 (0)6 270-7005, www.sailingkohsamui.com; Samui Yachting, tel +66
(0)9 726-5728, www.samuiyachting.com; Sunsail % ailand, tel +66 (0)76 239057, www.sunsailthailand.com; Windrider Trimarans, tel +66 (0)77 422437, www.asia-hydrosail.com