Southeast Asian Sailing

Imagine a salty sea breeze and gazing out to the vibrant sunset with Champagne in hand. To experience Thailand’s tropical waters, experienced travellers are turning to chartered cruises. For those who want to soak up the best of Southeast Asia’s scenic isles – without jostling for sunbathing spots on the beach – chartered yachts, whether for the day or the entire week, provide the pampered service and amenities of a 5-star resort sans the crowds.

The right crew will help you plan the holiday of a lifetime and make the most of exploring Asia’s astonishing waterways. Experts in the business, we asked Simpson Yacht Charter, a subdivision of the Hong Kong-based Simpson Marine for the inside scoop on planning the perfect luxury yacht holiday.

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Group Charter Manager, Reanna Wong, has made hundreds of holiday dreams come true, helping guests navigate the waters of booking the perfect charter or, better yet, becoming part of the exclusive club of yacht owners who can make such glamourous travel a part of their lifestyle.

Q: Tell us about Simpson Yacht Charter.

A: Simpson Marine has specialised in yachting services in Asia since 1984 and our name has become synonymous with quality, expertise and, most importantly, unforgettable yachting experiences. The company’s Simpson Yacht Charter branch offers a wide selection of charter yachts, inspiring itineraries and an expert team to guide you every step of the way. We can take care of every detail and are committed to delivering the highest standards of support, leaving you to enjoy your charter holiday worry-free. Our selection of charter options including Bare-Boat Yacht Charters, Partially Crewed Yacht Charters, Fully Crewed Yacht Charters, Superyacht Charters and Special Event Charters aboard a varied fleet including motor yachts, mono-hull sailing yachts and catamarans. Whatever your preference we have the yacht, charter structure and destination to match. We invite travellers to dip their toes in the water and experience firsthand our world-class service and the pleasure and adventure of yachting in Asia.

Q: What are some of the key chartering locations that Simpson Yacht Charter offers?

A: We offer global charter destinations with a focus in Asian countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Each destination has its own charm and beauty to cater to different customers’ preferences.

Q: How should one go about choosing the type of yacht charter holiday?

A: Each yacht charter holiday is unique, hence it is very much tailored to the type of holiday you desire. We suggest first choosing your dream destination and a tentative charter time, picking your preferred yacht type and budget range, and specifying the number of guests. With this in mind, we’re then able to search and select the perfect yacht options for you.

Q: How does the Asian market in chartering compare to the rest of the world?

A: The Asian charter market focuses mainly on Southeast Asia, from Myanmar to Thailand and Malaysia to Indonesia. Compared to a European destination like the Mediterranean, the market size in Asia is much smaller. This is due to both lower demand as well as local governments regulating commercial pleasure boating in Asian countries; such marine regulations are not maturely setup as it is in more established markets. In Asia, Thailand is the most thriving yacht charter market due to local government support and friendly policies towards yacht charter operations in the region. The industry also benefits from relatively mature infrastructure, including well-built marinas and maintenance shipyards. Basically, Thailand is one of the best places to cruise in Asia!

Q: What is your most popular yachting destination?

A: Phuket, definitely, along with Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago, Langkawi in Malaysia and other neighbouring Thai islands. Further south, the Komodo Islands or Raja Ampat in Indonesia are also very popular. The Andaman Sea surrounding Phuket offers by far some of the most stunning water around plus the region has hundreds of uninhabited islands to anchor in and explore. It’s also a convenient jumping off point to journey to more remote tropical destinations like southern Myanmar.

Q: In Thailand, do travellers prefer bare-boat or crew charter bookings?

A: Currently, guests are opting for more bare-boat charters, which are perfect for confident, experienced sailors or qualified skippers looking to explore Thailand’s waters aboard a high-quality yacht without any constraints or crew. We are seeing an increase in crewed charter bookings, however, for guests wishing to fully unwind and enjoy a guided experience. We offer partial and fully crewed options that can include a professional skipper, chef, stewardess and deckhand to take care of everything from chartering the course to whipping up delicious meals.

Q: So, ultimately, why should a customer choose Simpson Yacht Charter?

A: The core value of Simpson Yacht Charter is to provide personalised services to our customers, which is reflected in the number of repeat customers and agents we see. We have access to at least 90% of all available charter yachts in Asia, enabling us to satisfy clients’ requests with a variety of options. We also can arrange any number of ad-hoc services upon request – both on and off our vessels. From scuba diving and onboard masseuses to VIP tickets for big onshore events, we do it all!

CHOOSE YOUR CRUISE

Get in touch with the Simpson Yacht Charter team to start planning your getaway. Choose your dream destination and yacht specifications and they’ll put together a tailored itinerary that matches your every desire.

Embark on an adventure from their bases in Thailand or Malaysia to discover the best the region has to offer, or jet set to one of the many marinas around the globe to experience world-class sailing.

BLUE MOON – LAGOON 52F

One of the most popular selections for Thailand, this luxury vessel offers a generous five-cabin layout and plenty of outdoor lounge space and is available for touring the best sailing destination in Asia: Phang Nga Bay in the Andaman Sea. Lounge in the sun whilst watching incredible reefs and geological formations pass by. Drop anchor at an uninhabited island and share the bay with only the flora and fauna. Wherever you choose to venture around the Andaman, Blue Moon provides a stylish base from which to sail and soak up the sun.

AFTER 8 – AZIMUT 55

Based in Phuket, this Azimut 55 Evolution from 2017 has been kept in impeccable condition. Distinctive fin-shaped salon windows and vertical glass panels on the hull-sides allow plenty of natural light into the master cabin, while a sizeable swim platform, large sofa facing the helm and a spacious sun pad provide plenty of leisure and lounging areas. Available for both daily and overnight charters complete with an expert crew of three (one captain, one deckhand and one hostess), the elegant vessel comfortably fits up to four adults and two children. Explore onshore or dive below at the many marine national parks and, when you’re ready to mingle, arrive in style at a beach club or luxury resort on Phuket or other nearby Thai islands.

PRIMETIME – LAGOON 620

Want to voyage further afield? Head to new waters in Indonesia’s Anambas Archipelago in 2019 or venture to Cebu and Palawan to explore the scenic coasts and stunning waters of the Philippines starting spring of 2020. A glorious catamaran designed to sleep up to eight passengers in the utmost comfort, Primetime is specially designed for charter with a shallow draft that allows you to reach the most beautiful moorings. A spacious flybridge and cockpit, illuminated salon and luxurious cabins are welcoming and versatile, perfect for entertaining guests. Specially kitted out for onboard entertainment as well as ondemand diving, there’s never a dull moment on this luxury yacht.

JOY – LAGOON SEVENTY 7

After enjoying the Simpson Marine experience in Asia, the world is your oyster. Island hop in stunning French Polynesia aboard this magnificent four-cabin catamaran. As a fully crewed superyacht, you have all the comforts of a luxury hotel travelling from Tahiti and Raiatea to Bora Bora and beyond. The design of this boat makes it the perfect base from which to experience water sports plus enjoy a choice of sunning spots and places from which to hop into the crystal clear water. Generous living space means sharing with up to eight guests still offers peace, comfort and privacy, even on an extended journey.

CRUISE CONTROL

Want a yacht without the hassle? Simpson Yacht Charter’s Charter Yacht Ownership Programme was developed to cater to the needs of yacht owners wanting to enjoy time on their yachts without any of the worries or time-consuming demands of daily yacht operations. Available to new yacht buyers who would like to off-set their yacht’s operational costs with charter incomes when unused by the owner. The programme is particularly popular in Phuket and continually looking to expand its network of lagoon sailing 40- to 46-foot catamarans.

For more information contact: simpsonyachtcharter.com