Year 2- 14th November 2025 – Phuket Yacht Haven-Phuket-Thailand
After I finished yesterday’s blog the heavens opened and we had a tropical downpour with lots of thunder and lightning and it came quite dramatic. This lasted a few hours and so we therefore had an early night.
I woke about 4.40am as the anchor alarm went off and Mark and I got up. All seemed well and I reset the alarm. There had been some rain in the night but when my phone alarm went off at 5.45 am all was dry. Mark, Keith, Andy and I got up and we prepared to leave. When we turned the windlass on it started working straight away. I thought someone was up there but realised they were not. The issue was a stickly button and it would not stop. We took it off and tapped it and it seemed to unstick. The anchor was brought up well and we motored out of the anchorage.
It was beginning to get light and so we headed on to our course that I had set and had some 27nm or so to get to the Phuket Yacht Haven. There was surprisingly little traffic and we motored on looking at the islands as we passed and there was the odd high speed ferry taking people to various locations.
At about 7.30am when Andy and I handed over to Mark and Ruth I decided to make banana pancakes to brighten up the day which were all enjoyed. We continued on and I was in contact with our Thai agent who was going to help us check in to Thailand. She wanted to know when we were going to get to the marina. In addition I had to complete the TDAC forms about our arrival so I did all this by computer and sent it to her. I also put up the Q flag showing we had not yet checked into the country. By this time the watch had been handed over to Keith and Steve who then took us from the East side of Phuket into the bay and channel which would lead to the Phuket Yacht Haven. The route up the East side had been relatively free of fishing buoys and pots. However, the bay and channel to The Yacht Haven was not. It became shallower and there were fishing buoys everywhere. We had to dodge them from time to time and watch the depth. As we went along I could see the AOPO Marina in the distance which is where we will go on the 25 November 2025 and where Stormbird will be lifted out for works etc.
We eventually came to the Yacht Haven about 10.30am and it was a large marina spread over quiet an area with a lot of yachts anchored outside. I had radioed the marina but had no answer so I WhatsApp’d them to let them know we were near. The mooring they had given us was right down inside and the last finger on D pontoon. We came round to the entrance and entered the section of the marina and then reversed all the way down and went Starboard to. It was not a long finger but we were soon moored and settled. It will do.
The Agent was there to collect our passports originals of the exit documentation from Malaysia. She said she will be in touch by the afternoon. I went to the office and checked in and got entry cards etc. When I came back the crew were having a beer or two. Once I had briefed them on the facilities they went to visit the swimming pool. I went for a shower and shave. When I returned Ruth’s eldest son Jeremy and his girlfriend came to say hello and then took Ruth off for the rest of the day. We had contacted a laundry company to take our laundry. I then went to the Deck Restaurant where I had two starters before the others joined me. It was quite nice to have a bit of time on my own.
After lunch I came back for a rest. Steve went for a run. Mark and Keith went off to a local hostelry where they played pool etc. I looked up anchorages and hongs (little islands) where we may go over the next 8 days or so. The weather had been warm and sunny all day so far.
During the late afternoon the heavens opened again and we had another thunderstorm which lasted an hour with torrential rain. We then went to the Deck Restaurant for supper and we all had a Thai Green Curry which we had all been waiting to have in Thailand which was good.
We had had a good day. We have transitioned from Malaysia to Thailand with relative ease and are now legal. We will have a day here tomorrow before heading off to the islands.
Phuket is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. It consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands off its coast. Phuket lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket Island is connected by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga province to the north. The next nearest province is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay.
Phuket province, encompassing an area of 547 km2 (211 sq mi), ranks as the second-smallest province in Thailand. Its size is about two-thirds the size of Singapore. Historically, Phuket Island was situated on a major trading route between India and China. This strategic location led to its frequent mention of foreign ships in the logs, including those from Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and England. Despite this attention from various European powers, Phuket was never colonized by any European nation.
Economically, the province's wealth was initially derived from tin and rubber production. Recently, Phuket has transitioned to tourism as its primary source of income. More than 100,000 foreigners are estimated to have settled in Phuket. Phuket Island (Ko Phuket), the largest island in Thailand, is situated in the southern part of the country, within the Andaman Sea. The island is characterized by its mountainous terrain, with a mountain range extending from the north to the south along its western side. This range is part of the larger Phuket mountain range, which spans approximately 440 km (270 mi) from the Kra Isthmus.
The island's highest point is traditionally cited as Khao Mai Thao Sip Song, with an altitude of 529 m (1,736 ft) above sea level.
As per the 2010 census, Phuket's population was 525,709. The current population of Phuket is estimated to be around 600,000, comprising a diverse mix of migrants, international expatriates, Thais registered in other provinces, and local inhabitants. However, the official registered population, which counts only those included in a thabian ban or house registration book, was reported as 360,905 at the end of 2012. This figure does not encompass all residents, as many are not registered in the house registration system. In October 2025, Phuket MP Chalermpong Sangdee told Parliament that Phuket's current resident population is estimated to be around 2,000,000 people.
Phuket Island, situated approximately 863 kilometres (536 mi) south of Bangkok, spans an area of 543 square kilometres (210 sq mi), not accounting for its smaller islets. It is accompanied by several other islands including Ko Lone (4.77 square kilometres (1.84 sq mi)), Ko Maprao (3.7 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi)), Ko Naka Yai (2.08 square kilometres (0.80 sq mi)), Ko Racha Noi (3.06 square kilometres (1.18 sq mi)), Ko Racha Yai (4.5 square kilometres (1.7 sq mi)), and Ko Sire, the second largest, covering 8.8 square kilometres (3.4 sq mi).
The island measures 48 kilometres (30 mi) in length from north to south, and its width extends to 21 kilometres (13 mi). Around 60% of Phuket Island is covered with forests, rubber, and palm oil plantations. Its west coast is adorned with several sandy beaches, while the east coast features predominantly muddy beaches. The southernmost tip of the island is marked by Laem Phromthep, known for being a popular viewpoint.
In the northern, more mountainous part of the island, the Khao Phra Thaeo No-Hunting Area spans over 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi), dedicated to preserving rainforest ecosystems. This reserve's three highest peaks include Khao Prathiu (384 metres (1,260 ft)), Khao Bang Pae (388 metres (1,273 ft)), and Khao Phara (422 metres (1,385 ft)). Additionally, the Sirinat National Park on the northwest coast, established in 1981, encompasses an area of 90 km2 (35 sq mi), including 68 km2 (26 sq mi) of marine area. This park is significant for encompassing the Nai Yang Beach, a nesting site for sea turtles. The total forested area of Phuket is approximately 113 km2 (44 sq mi), accounting for 20.6 percent of the province's total area. Tin Mining played a pivotal role in the economy of Phuket from the 16th century until its decline in the 20th century. Today, the economy of Phuket is primarily supported by two sectors: rubber tree plantations, contributing significantly to Thailand's status as the world's leading rubber producer, and tourism
The development of Phuket's tourism sector began in earnest in the 1980s, with the west coast beaches, notably Patong, Karon, and Kata, emerging as key destinations. Following the 2004 tsunami, efforts were made to restore all affected buildings and attractions. The island has since undergone extensive development, evidenced by the construction of new hotels, apartments, and houses and is now recovering.
The picture of the day is a picture of the view over the marina from the deck restaurant.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com