Thailand. Tropical Island Escape

Phuket

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Three features assure you that you’re anchored in Phuket: luminous blue water, pink sand beaches and rolling green hills. Thailand’s premier resort basks in an average temperature of 28ºc (85ºf) – for a full 12 months each year. Lobster and fresh fish come courtesy of the local fishing fleet. Recipes are dispensed along with each purchase, so the chef can recreate a fiery Thai classic back onboard. A dozen private golf courses stud this Asian backdrop. Stage your own mini-tournament at Blue Canyon, the venue for the Johnnie Walker Classic, or ask staff to prepare a private putting green on deck. A sunset RIB safari to one of Phuket’s tiny islets – with a picnic basket of ginger prawns, lime dip and Singha beer – sums up this sun-blessed jewel.

Phang Nga Bay

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Phang Nga Bay is the adventure-rich lagoon that links Phuket with the Andaman Sea. Every conceivable marine activity is available, from paddleboarding to an unnamed beach, to rappelling over a watery chasm. The wider bay is protected by 300m-high limestone pinnacles tufted with Jurassic jungle and precipitous palms. Crew can lead kids to the rock faces of Koh Panyee Island or along the shallow reefs where clownfish play. Grown-ups can take in the floating villages of local Muslim fisherfolk, then indulge in a 120-minute pre-dinner massage to round off the day. The curious of all ages will delight in Phang Nga’s hongs. These secret lagoons can only be reached by kayak or rowing boat.

Koh Lanta

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Koh Lanta drips off Thailand’s Krabi Isthmus like a teardrop of white sand beach. Better still, its silky coves are surrounded by countless smaller islands offering some of the finest diving in South East Asia. Take the tender to the tiny islets of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Whale sharks abound, as are over 200 species of dazzling reef fish. Kayak explorers can paddle to ‘sea gypsy’ villages near the east coast mangrove lagoons or take a guided visit to the spectacular Khao Mai Kaew bat caves. Back onboard, entertainment can include performances by local shadow play actors and phleng tanyong dancers.

Butang Islands

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The Butang Islands are nature’s gift to yachtsmen. Sheltered by the Tarutao National Marine Park, more than 50 islands lie scattered across 1,200 square kilometres of translucent sea. Private yacht is one of the only ways to access the vast majority of these tropical jewels. This protected park is home to 25% of the world’s tropical fish species. Use the RIB or chase tender as an expedition vehicle to spot them all. Crew can also lead kayak excursions to the ‘sea gypsy’ villages of Ko Lipe, the archipelago’s only inhabited island. After some recipe tips from the locals, red snapper, barracuda and kingfish can become the centrepiece of an onboard barbecue dinner.

Langkawi

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Malaysia’s Langkawi archipelago tempts sailors from across the Andaman Sea. Fine wining and dining options blend with a St Tropez-style array of boutiques and bars. Ride the cable car to Langkawi’s Skybridge viewing platform. The panorama sweeps over a UNESCO rainforest Geopark down to your luxury yacht, moored in the bay below. Pedal the yacht’s mountain bikes along the Tour de Langkawi cycle race route. Away from the main island, the Langkawi archipelago offers tranquillity, exclusivity and utter privacy. There are 99 islands to choose from, of which only four are inhabited. Most are merely specks on your captain’s chart, where sea eagles soar above deserted white beaches and nodding palms.