Thailand

february 2025

Sailing out of Phuket, Thailand, the Andaman Sea is considered one of the finest cruising grounds in the world, with steady winds, warm temperatures and a great mix of shorter and longer passages.  Towering pinnacles of limestone jut from the emerald-colored and sheltered waters of Phang-nga Bay. To the south, the famous Phi Phi Islands stand as jewels of the Andaman Sea. The offshore marine preserves of the Similan and Surin islands are internationally famous as one of the world’s top scuba diving sites. Each morning we raise our anchors, hoist the sails and head to our next destination.  Afternoons are spent blissfully relaxing... sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, visiting a beach, exploring local cultural sites - it's really up to you!  During the evenings crews may cook dinner aboard or eat ashore, and the flotilla gathers for social events.  You will meet lots of people that share your passion for fun and adventure in an easy going, relaxed atmosphere. Prior sailing experience is not necessary.

The flotilla will explore the stunning waters off the west coast of Thailand.  Our sail will include stops at several beautiful anchorages as we navigate the protected waters of the Andaman Sea.  A detailed itinerary will be available in the coming months.  Please note the sailing itinerary is subject to change right up to and during the sail based on weather and sea conditions.

Where

When

Our sailing adventure begins February 22nd, 2025 and lasts for one week. You'll spend seven nights aboard your vessel (Saturday to Saturday). A hotel stay either side of the sail is optional should you wish to start your adventure early or continue exploring southeast Asia after we return the boats.

Travel

We begin our sail at Ao Po Grand Marina located on the east coast of Phuket.  You get there by flying to Phuket International Airport (HKT). All travel from the US will require at least one connection before landing in Phuket. All crew must schedule travel to ensure being onsight at the marina on the morning of February 22nd, 2025.

Who

This trip is open to anyone who has found or is yet to discover their love of sailing and adventure!  DC's sailing and boating community are particularly encouraged to join us and may invite friends and family members. You must be easy going and drama free! DC Sailing Community skippers have the right to refuse crew for any reason.

Boats

We have six Robertson & Caine Leopard catamarans and one Jeanneau Sun Odyssey monohull booked for this flotilla, all chartered through The Moorings and Sunsail. All boats offer excellent sailing characteristics with a high degree of space and comfort.

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Registration and Costs

Six boats booked for this flotilla are Tier 1 catamarans, with eight double occupancy berths on five of those boats and six berths on one boat. One Tier 2 monohull with 6 berths is also booked. A deposit or payment in full books your berth on a boat. Provisioning and mooring/park fees incurred during the sail are split among the crew of each boat. You are responsible for your own travel and insurance costs.

Tier 1 Fee - $2423 per person BERTHS AVAILABLE
Tier 2 Fee - $1850 per person SOLD OUT

See below for payment disclosures.

DC Sailing Community, at it’s sole discretion, reserves the right to remove participants from the flotilla for any reason.

  • Payments Non-refundable

    Berth payments are non-refundable, whether paid in full or as a deposit, unless another person is found to take your spot. Berth fees are calculated based on the total cost of all boats within a specific Tier divided by the total number of double occupancy cabin berths in that Tier, so that everybody within a Tier pays the same to join the flotilla (excludes Skippers), subject to discounts offered at DC Sailing Community’s discretion.

    Additional Crew

    Any additional crew added by a Skipper that exceeds the advertised number of berths available on a given boat are added at the Skippers sole discretion and DC Sailing Community bears no responsibility for the additional crew management that may be required or higher crew expenses that may be incurred as a result. The per person cost for additional crew remains as originally calculated for the advertised available berths.

    Boat Cancellations

    If multiple boats are cancelled for any reason and we are unable to sail, refunds are not typically issued by the charter company except under extreme circumstances. If such circumstances arise and the charter company refunds the costs of the boats, refunds to crew will be applied based on the same average cost model, less handling fees. If we need to replace the boats with those from another vendor for any reason, and the total cost is cheaper, partial refunds will be calculated based on the same average cost model, with no exceptions. If the trip is cancelled by the charter company and refunds are not issued, monies paid will be held by the charter company and used for a future charter. Each crew member will have first refusal on that next charter. If a crew member is not able to attend a credited charter they will be refunded only when another sailor is found to take his/her place. These terms are applied equally across the flotilla fleet. Registering for the flotilla constitutes acceptance of these terms.

  • Last Updated January 2nd, 2024

    All participants are strongly encouraged to be fully up-to-date in having received the Covid-19 vaccine and boosters. While we no longer require proof of vaccination, local requirements at our destination may still do so.

    Covid-19 can still be a quickly changing situation. We are subject to whatever restrictions or precautions are in place at the time of departure, which are impossible to predict today.

    Note that the berth fee is non-refundable, as has always been the case. The policy remains that refunds can only be issued if another sailor can take your place. If we have to cancel the entire trip, for Covid-19 or any other reason, each participant will have first option to join the next subsequent Flotilla. If they are unable to do that they will be refunded their money if another crew member takes his/her place on that next trip.

    The charter companies do not issue refunds except in very rare cases. Usually only credit or a re-booking is offered. Therefore DC Sailing Community can only offer the same terms.

    You are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance that includes Covid-19 coverage, for cancellation of flights, medical emergency, etc. DC Sailing Community does not provide travel insurance.

    Each person that signs up for a sailing charter does so according to their own risk tolerance. DC Sailing Community cannot be held liable for illness picked up in traveling to, from, or during a trip. Whether that's Covid-19, Dengue, Zika, or other infectious diseases that may be prevalent in our cruising grounds.

DC Sailing Community charters its boats exclusively from The Moorings and Sunsail, subject to availability for our chosen location and dates.