Year 2- 25th November 2025 – AOPO Marina- Phuket-Thailand

It was raining again when we woke but it was relatively calm although I noticed a bit more swell.

The forecast was for some more rain but hopefully by about 10-11.00am it should hopefully stop. We had some fruit and yoghurt and a cup of coffee and then we were ready to up the anchor and to leave the lovely anchorage for AOPO Marina about 7-8nm away.

Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket, Thailand, was developed to cater to the growing demand for high-quality marina facilities in Southeast Asia, starting with construction in 2006. Officially opening in 2008, the marina was privately funded and designed to accommodate superyachts, featuring 24/7 access without tidal restrictions and its location near Phang Nga Bay. It has since expanded from 200 to 300 berths and is a key part of Phuket's marine leisure industry, creating jobs and supporting the local economy.

We upped the anchor in the light rain and headed North around the island toward the marina. It was grey and spitting and there were lots of lobster pots. There were some shallow areas on our course which we had to dodge round. As we moved forward the rain became stronger and we had a front of some sort come through and the winds got up to about 26 kts and there were white horses and the swell increased. The visibility disappeared and the marina contacted me to ask where I was as the conditions were difficult in the marina and berthing may be a challenge. I said we will see how it is when we get there.

We motored on through these difficult conditions and I hoped it will change as we get nearer. Luckily it did and the rain lessened and the wind dropped to about 10-13 kts. We saw the breakwater of the marina and approached the marina and we went straight to the fuel pontoon. We put in about 418 lts which we had used since Langkawi some weeks ago.

Once we had refuelled we went to our berth D15 which was fine and we had the wind on our bow. This would be helpful when we want to get the staysail and genoa down. We moored and sorted out our lines and the electricity.  I was then picked up by a golf cart and driven along the pontoons to the marina office where I checked in. I met Kevin, the marina manager who was from Brighton. 

When I returned to Stormbird the Motley Crew were pulling up the Blue Baron to try and dry it. It stopped raining for a couple of hours but by 1.00pm it was raining again and by 6.00pm we brought it down on to the deck and the rain did not stop until 8.00pm.

We had various jobs to do.  Ruth did some hoovering. Andy made burgers for lunch which were enjoyable. I contacted the tradesmen to get them to come to the boat. The Volvo engineers came and I showed them the engine etc and they will service the engine when it is lifted out of the water. I took out the speed log so it is not damaged when they pressure spray the bottom. The meant emptying the centre locker (assisted by Mark) and then putting everything back again.

I then walked up to the hard area to find a tradesman called Bombora. They then came and looked at the boat and what I wanted them to look at which was helpful. I then started packing for my journey tomorrow and to think what I needed to take home.

The rain continued and I went for a shower and we debated where to go for our last night. Due to the rain we decided to eat at The Port of Call which is the restaurant in the hotel here. It was not bad and we had a nice meal with wine which we enjoyed as our last supper.   

Although we are now in the marina I think weather wise this has been our worst day. I hope we will be able to dry The Blue Baron somehow and to get the staysail and genoa down in the morning.         

 I took no pictures today so the picture of the day is another of Koh Rang Yai.

 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