North Phuket for Cruising Sailors

North Phuket is an ideal location for cruising sailors. It’s a great spot to take your boat for repairs or maintenance, and it’s also perfect for leaving your boat in Thailand while you’re out of the country. There are several options available for leaving your boat, including a marina, a safe anchorage, moorings, a shipyard, and various boat-caretaker services.

In the past nine years, we have frequently anchored off the northern end of Phuket and have gained valuable insights into this cruising destination. We are well-equipped to provide information on service providers such as mechanics, engineers, carpenters, sailmakers, shipyards, yacht brokers, refuelling, water supplies, and groceries.

Phang Nga Bay

The anchorage near Yacht Haven Marina is a convenient spot from which to embark on day trips or extended cruises around Phang Nga Bay. Koh Phanak is only 15 nautical miles away and is a fabulous place to explore the limestone karst formations known as hongs. Koh Tapu (James Bond Island) is around 20 nautical miles away, and Koh Panyee Floating Village is just a little farther away.

Thai Baht – THB – written here as ฿

All boats entering Phuket are required to moor or anchor in Ao Chalong to complete formalities before travelling to other parts of Phuket and Thailand. Clearing immigration and customs at the Phuket Yacht Control Centre is easy. Click here for a step-by-step guide to check-in formalities and costs, and here for information on visas or stay extensions.

Note: Any crew that needs to leave the boat should be recorded as a passenger at your last clearance point.

If you prefer to use an agent…

Phuket Oceans Dream
Contact: Ms. Monrudee Limnunthaphisit (Ta)
Phone: +66 (0) 89 291 9698
Email: [email protected]

Porntip Logistics Co., Ltd.
Contact: Mrs Porntip Katejaemsri
Phone: +66 (0) 81 895 7376
Location: 65/1 Phuket Villa Suanluang, Moo 2, Tambon Wichit, Amphoe Mueang, Phuket
Email: [email protected]

Locations for most of the information below are on this Google map.

A good all-year anchorage is located north of Yacht Haven Marina, nestled between Phuket and the mainland. This spot offers excellent holding and protection from ocean swells. Note: there is a tidal current.

This anchorage is safe, and we have never experienced theft or harassment. I have stayed on Thorfinn alone while anchored in this location for several months and have always felt safe.

You can pay to use the marina’s secure dinghy dock, which costs ฿1100 per week. This payment also gives you access to the toilets, showers, gym, and pool.

There are well-maintained moorings you can rent North of the Marina.

Contact: Dave
Phone: +66 (0) 937 499 092
Price:  ฿300/day, ฿1400/week, ฿5000/month, ฿51,000/year

To reserve a berth at the marina, you have three options: you can call, email, or click here to book online. It’s best to arrive during slack water, so we suggest contacting the marina in advance for tidal information. When you get in touch with the staff, make sure to let them know whether you will be berthing bow or stern in, and ask for information about your berth allocation and on which side you will be tying up. As you approach the marina, call them on VHF channel 68, and they will send marina staff to assist you with docking by grabbing the ropes for you.

Location: 08º10.2’N 98º20.5’E
Address: 141/2 Moo 2, Mai Khao, Thalang, Phuket 83110, THAILAND
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pyhmarina.com
Phone: +66 76 397 908
VHF 68

Phuket Premier Boatyard

We have slipped our yacht, Thorfinn, at Premier three times. It is one of the cheaper shipyards in Phuket. They have hauled out our boat with no trouble. But the channel to get in is shallow, so tides have to be observed.

Location:   08^๐ 10′ 34N  98^๐ 19′ 33E
Address: 177/6 Moo 7 Tumbol Maikhao Thalang, Phuket
Phone: +66 (0) 86 941 9090
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.phuketboatyard.com

Yacht Haven Marina – The fuel dock at Yacht Haven Marina is open daily from 08:30 to 17:30. Visit the office or call VHF 68 to arrange a time for refuelling.

Fuel Station – There are two petrol stations within a ten-minute drive from the marina. Sino Bangchak Phuket is to the northwest (turn right onto Thep Krasattri Rd), and PTT Gas Station is to the south (turn left onto Thep Krasattri Rd).

Tartan Marine –  Simi will deliver fuel to your boat (see Tartan Marine below for more services).
Phone: +66 (0) 887538627

Yacht Haven Marina – you can get water from the fuel dock.

AJ Minimart – 20-litre drinking water (with a returnable bottle) is available for less than 20 baht in the nearby village (Ban Ko En).

Yacht Haven Marina Mart provides a small selection of groceries such as shampoo, cup noodles, breakfast cereal, sunscreen and cooking oil.

Supercheap is a large local supermarket that sells meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables, a good selection of groceries, and alcohol. They also sell electrical items such as fans and kettles.

7-Eleven is a convenience store that sells snacks, beverages, alcohol, and essential groceries such as sunscreen, toilet paper, coffee, etc.

Nai Yang Fresh Markets are outdoor markets near Nai Yang Beach that sell meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables, cooked food, kitchenware, and accessories.

Makro supermarket is a cash-and-carry store primarily for businesses, but non-members can use it. It sells meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables, eggs, bakery goods, catering goods, items in bulk, and white goods.

Lotus’s supermarket sells groceries, clothing, accessories, linen, kitchenware, and more. The Lotus’s (that is how it is spelt) at Thalang is located in a mall with other shops, including banks, money changers, SIM cards, office and stationary, computers and phones, pharmacies, clothing, and a food court.

Villa Mart is a supermarket at Boat Lagoon. In addition to the usual groceries, you will find those things you miss from home: vegemite, capers, chia seeds, ham, and cheese.

Home Pro sells homewares, appliances, white goods, bedding, linen, plumbing, paints, tools and hardware.

The Rain Yacht Care – coin-operated washing machines and dryers. Room for rent, car and motorbike hire.

Several nearby areas, such as Aunt Mia’s and The Wooden House (see accommodation below), contain coin-operated washing machines.

The country has a single emergency number, 191, for fire, police, and ambulance. However, if it’s difficult to explain yourself to an operator in English, call the Tourist Police 1155.

Emergency – 191
Fire Department – 199
Public Ambulance  – 1669
Tourist police – 1155

Bangkok Hospital Phuket

This is the hospital used by most tourists.

Location: No. 2/1 Hongyok Uthit Road, Talat Yai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province, 83000, Thailand
Phone:  +66 76 254 425
Email:  [email protected]

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Thalang Hospital

Location: 358 Village No. 1, Thepkrasattri Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Phone: +66 76 311 034
E-mail: [email protected]

Nai Yang Clinic

Location: 129/5 Thepkasatri-naiyang Rd Sakhu, Thalang District
Phone: +66 (0) 640 619 988

The closest is to the south of Yacht Haven – see map.

Phone: +66 63 473 2072

To the northwest of the marina is Ban Yid Pharmacy

Location: 156 หมู่ 7 Thep Krasattri Rd, Mai Khao, Thalang District

To the south of the marina, there are several and a couple at Nai Yang—see the map for locations.

Nai Yang Beach – There are several money changers at Nai Yang.

Lotus’s – There is a money changer in the mall.

Yacht Haven Marina – The ATM is located in an alcove between the marina office and the deck.

Nai Yang Beach – ATM’s are located at the minimarts.

Lotus’s – A couple of banks are at the Lotus’s shopping mall.

Wise – We often use Wise to send money to pay for goods and services, especially when we need to make payments in foreign currency. Using Wise makes it easy to pay our rent in Thailand while we are in Australia, and the mechanic who works on our boat. Along with the money transfer service, we also have a Visa debit card from Wise, which has been a lifesaver when our other credit card was compromised. It is easy to set up – click here to get zero fees on a transfer up to £500.

There are a few options for accommodation near Yacht Haven Marina if you are wanting some time off your boat or have guests arriving

Chamil House – book with booking .com

The Wooden House
Phone: +66 65 415 8633
Email: [email protected]

Aunt Mia’s Room for rent
Phone: +66 (0) 818 914 272

If you need to catch an early flight out of Phuket, Nai Yang is an ideal location, as it is only a short drive from the airport. This area offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Booking.com

Yacht Shop

Location: Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, Unit CH05
Phone: +66 (0) 98 018 6636
Email: [email protected]

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AME
Location: Boat Lagoon
Phone: +66 76 238 647
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://amemarine.com/

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East Marine
Location: Boat Lagoon
Phone:  +66 76 239 113
Email: [email protected]
Webpage: https://eastmarineasia.com/

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Keehin – Hardware, electrical, chandlery
Location: see map
Phone: +66 76 261 450
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.keehin.com

Tartan Marine

Contact: Simmi
Phone: +66 (0) 887538627

Tartan Marine can help you with all commercial diving, repairs, cleaning, underwater survey, engineering, outboard motors, yacht maintenance and management, 3D printing, air tank refills, fuel supply, and deliveries.

Marine Canvas and Cushion

Contact: Ms. Sineenart Suklian (Pla)
Phone: +66 (0)81 787 5952
Mobile: +66 81 420 3082, +66 86 802 5032
Email: [email protected]

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South East Asia Sails – The Sail Loft (See Sailmaker above)

Matchanu Marina Phuket

Sales, repairs, or installations, including liferafts, fire protection equipment, flares, life buoys, radios, life jackets, first aid kits, food rations, and emergency drinking water.

Address: 157/5, M.7, Thep Kasattri Rd., Maikhao, Thalang, Phuket
Phone:  +66 76 348 250
Mobile: +66 81 420 3082, +66 86 802 5032
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: http://www.matchanuphuket.com

As I reflect on our first visit to the area, I can’t help but notice the significant changes that have occurred. Over the years, restaurants and bars have come and gone, with only Papa Mama’s Restaurant remaining constant. A new marina building has replaced the old Yacht Haven Marina, and our beloved dining spots like Phen’s and The Dining Room have been replaced by new eateries. Nonetheless, there is still a good selection of nearby restaurants serving both Thai and Western cuisine near Yacht Haven Marina.

Pakiow’s

Our favourite hangout is Pakiow’s. It’s a great place to meet other sailors and expats. Cheap drinks, including beer and local whiskey, and snacks are available. Roughly once a week, Pakiow stokes up the BBQ, and people take some food to cook.

Location: View on map

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Papa Mama’s

Local food on the water. Order the food at the counter and help yourself to drinks and ice. Take your bottles up to the counter to pay when finished. Our favourites include the Pad Thai egg wrap, prawn cakes and chicken curry. They have beer and wine.

Location: View on map

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Woodfired Grill Bar

Burgers, pizza, Thai food, steak, chicken or beef shish, lamb kabab, french fries, pasta, mezze, vegan & vegetarian selection. Our favourites include the sliders, Pad Thai, Mezze – Hummus, Baba Ganoush and Tzatziki with warm pita, and the mixed grilled kababs. They have a good selection of beer, wine and spirits.

Location: View on map
Phone: +66 62 654 1377
Email: [email protected]
Click here for their Facebook page

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Skipper’s

Thai and Western food, including pasta, breakfast, coffee.

Location: View on map

On’s Restaurant

Thai and Western food, including burgers.

Location: Next to Skipper’s – view on map

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The Deck

Thai and Western cuisine, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Location: Phuket Yacht Haven Marina
Website: https://pyhmarina.com/the-deck.php

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In the village (Ban Ko En)

You will find fried chicken and curries in the morning at roadside stalls.

There are a few little eateries. There is a good one, which we ate at quite a lot, just in front of the units we stayed at. They have already prepared food to choose from, or you can get them to cook something off the menu. It is delicious and very cheap.

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Restaurants and Bars at Nai Yang

There are numerous restaurants in Nai Yang. Our top picks include Lee’s Pizzeria, Blossoms, and Rotcharin Seafood, all of which offer a beachfront dining experience with the sand under your feet. Others we like are Pasta & La Dolce Vita on walking street. Pop into Sang See Bar for a cocktail, beer, or wine; it has a great relaxing atmosphere and friendly staff.

Thai Street Food – 13 Delicious Thai Street Foods you must try!

Thailand’s top three mobile network operators are AIS, TrueMove H, and DTAC. We use Dtac. SIM cards can be purchased at large shopping malls like Lotus’s at Thalang and convenience stores such as 7-Eleven. Remember to have your passport and visa (if required for travel) on hand for SIM card registration. Once you have a prepaid SIM, you can get special offers through the App when recharging. Recently, with Dtac, we have been getting 88GB for eight days for ฿88 (AUD 3.94).

eSIMs can also be purchased online at https://www.simoptions.com/esim-thailand

Navionics – We use navionic to navigate.

Predict Wind & Windy – We use both but prefer Windy for its easy-to-read graphics.

WhatsApp & Line – are phone and messaging apps used in Phuket (Line is probably more popular with the Thais).

ViaBus – is a public transportation app that provides real-time bus schedules and routes in various cities in Thailand, including Phuket.

Booking.com – download the app for ease of booking accommodation or click here.

Google Translate is a useful tool, although it may not always be 100% accurate. It can be helpful in challenging situations and can even translate by taking photos, which is handy for Thai menus.

Google Maps can help you navigate Phuket and find nearby attractions and places of interest.

Wongnai is a popular restaurant review and discovery app in Thailand.

HappyCow is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant guide

Foodpanda & Grab are helpful if you want food and grocery delivery.

Well, I hope that helps. If you have had excellent service in Phuket, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Likewise, I’d love to hear your suggestions if you think of something else I should include.

Fair winds and happy sailing.

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