Langkawi v. Phuket Base

[prod]

Hi! Can anyone please highlight pros and cons of these two bases for keeping a new cruiser e.g. security issues and costs etc. as i am choosing between a new Beneteau sense and Hanse 445, any comments welcome. Cheers! Prod

[NorthPacific]

Langawi no idea, Phuket has 2 Western Style Marinas, Very good top end style developments, for a 40-45 ft boat around $400- $500 amonth. Krabbi is at the moment building a new marina will not be completed for a year.

good luck

[Catnut]

Hi Prod, we had a Tayana 48 in Phuket for 4 years in Boat Lagoon marina. This is an excellent well established marina, with shops, hotel, rental appartments, restaurants etc. Good yard facilities - can get most things done there. Slight disadvantage is that the access to the marina (and the same goes for the adjoining marina - The Royal Phuket) is via a long windy channel through te mangroves. It is well marked, but with a draft of 2.1Mtrs we could not get in and out on neaps. There are now two other marina's a few miles furthur north on Phuket, Ao Po (which is pretty new) and Yacht Haven. We used Ao Po which is very easy to get into and out of with no tidal restrictions, but at the time (2010) did not have many facilities as it was so new.

If you keep a boat in Thailand, then it needs to leave Thai waters at least once every year, or else you are liable to fines or tax. We (as most people there did) used to go down to Langkawi to achieve that. On balance, I preferred Phuket. Great people, and the marina was very secure. For current charges, see their website. Phuket Boat Lagoon Resort, Thailand | Marina Information

[Miss Calypte]

Hi Prod
don't know about Phuket. Our boat is currently at Telaga Harbour in Langkawi and is very secure. Security gate etc etc. Staff are helpful and friendly. Even have courtesy vehicle available. There is a selection of cafes /restaurants close by and a laundry service too.

[readyreilly]

Hi .We are currently at Reback Marina which is on small island of Lankowi. a rest home for old yachties with facilities of Hotel run by the Taj group Used to be cheaper than Thai marinas but prices have just gone up . !00 % secure. we have gone back and forward to thailand. Advantages for us are easy connections via cheap flights from Kl .Stocking up is also cheaper as many western goods available and duty fee booze.We prefer the sailing in Thailand so most cruisers hop back and forward. Also Thai visas need renewing depending on your visa and where you obtain it. Malaysia is the easiest place we have been to with regards to paperwork keeping a yacht there

[mikereed100]

Spent a lot of time roaming back and forth between Phuket and Langkawi as we build our boat.
For security, Rebak cannot be beat. It's on it's own island and access is restricted. We don't lock our boat and we leave our bikes unlocked in the racks at the top of the dock when we are there. Don't try this in Thailand! It's also a great place to meet other cruisers as they are impossible to avoid. The island thing. Plus you can leave your boat indefinitely and the Malaysian govt. won't mind.

Our favorite marina in Phuket is Yacht Haven. Access at all tides, far from the hustle of Phuket town, easy access to the airport and you can be in Phang Nga Bay in 2 hours.
We spent years in Boat Lagoon but now find it claustrophobic. Plus there is more of an adversarial relationship between yachties and management. Can't be beat if you are working on the boat, though.

Mike

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by mikereed100

Spent a lot of time roaming back and forth between Phuket and Langkawi as we build our boat.
For security, Rebak cannot be beat. It's on it's own island and access is restricted. We don't lock our boat and we leave our bikes unlocked in the racks at the top of the dock when we are there. Don't try this in Thailand! It's also a great place to meet other cruisers as they are impossible to avoid. The island thing. Plus you can leave your boat indefinitely and the Malaysian govt. won't mind.

Our favorite marina in Phuket is Yacht Haven. Access at all tides, far from the hustle of Phuket town, easy access to the airport and you can be in Phang Nga Bay in 2 hours.

Please Mike,
Dont tell everybody

No, you dont want to go to these places, they are terrible places too be, you should stay where you are.

[sobraon]

Hi Prod,

Just as another option, we are currently sitting at the new marina at Marina Island Pangkor south of Langkawi.

It is much less expensive than either Langkawi and Phuket and only an overnight sail away.

It is extremely secure as it is on the mainland and in the lee of the Island of Pangkor.

The thing we like best about the place is the management.

James Khoo is one of the friendliest Marina Managers we have ever met. He goes out of his way to make your visit enjoyable.

Just as an example, last week when a fellow cruiser got notice at 5pm that he had to be in KL that night to catch a plane to the US at 10pm, James said No Problem. Jumped in his car and drove the 6 hour round trip to make sure he caught his flight. That's what I call service.

We love the place!!



A view of the Marina facility.



Sunset on the Marina



The main office complex

Garry and Wendy
sv Spirit of Sobroan
Home Page: Spirit of Sobraon's Travel Log The...

[mikereed100]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Please Mike,
Dont tell everybody

No, you dont want to go to these places, they are terrible places too be, you should stay where you are.

Too true. We are just trying to get the boat together enough to escape this cesspool and make it back to LA where we can enjoy paradise.

Another thing worth mentioning is that at Boat Lagoon or RPM we, as yachties, are there to provide atmosphere for the McMansions that surround them, nothing more. The owners are not interested in wasting money on dredging or keeping the channel markers in good repair. Also, in the past few years the tour boat fleet has moved into BL. Every morning and evening there are upwards of 20 speedboats loading and unloading their cargo of snorkelers from Patong. The atmosphere at Yacht Haven is much more accomodating. I look forward to checking out Pangkor after reading sobraon's report.

Mike

[AllezCat]

Are there decent places to anchor on the East Coast of Phuket besides the main areas of Ao Chalong, Boat Lagoon, and Yacht Haven?
And what period is it possible to anchor on the West side - Patong etc..?
thanks.

[mikereed100]

Originally Posted by AllezCat

Are there decent places to anchor on the East Coast of Phuket besides the main areas of Ao Chalong, Boat Lagoon, and Yacht Haven?
And what period is it possible to anchor on the West side - Patong etc..?
thanks.

There are lots of places to anchor on the east side of the island but there's not much point unless you need access to town. The scenery is not that great and the water is mostly muddy. Some of the islands just offshore are nice. The SE Asia Cruising Guide has details. If you are looking for access to facilities then in addition to the places you mention there is the marina at Ao Po as well as an anchorage just south.

Anchoring on the west side is best done during the NE monsoon, roughly October through March.

Mike