Asia sailing cruises

Thailand is very close to the equator but outside the cyclone zone of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, which means calm waters and idyllic sailing almost all year round.

The dry season (November to April) is generally the best choice: there’s less chance of monsoonal rain and the balmy 30-degree days make for some wonderfully refreshing swims off the back of the boat.

During the wet season (May to October), winds are better for sailing, but heavy rains can often blow in unpredictably. 

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When cruising the waters of the Andaman Sea, a twin-hulled catamaran is our vessel of choice. The size of the yacht may vary depending on the group, but the boat will usually have four twin-share cabins, 1-4 shared bathrooms, hot water showers, and flushable toilets. Most meals, including lunches and dinners, are included on our Asia sailing trips, prepared by our resident chef on board. Life on the yacht is designed to be flexible: take a turn as a skipper or kick back with a mai tai and an island sunset – it’s up to you.

You don’t have to lift a finger if you don’t want to (unless you need to turn the page of your novel or eat a grape). But if you’d like to learn the ropes, that’s fine too. Your expert skipper can teach you everything you’d like to know – from tying knots to unfurling the sails.

There’s about a 30/70 split between land-based and water-based activities on our Asia sailing trips. However, much of this depends on the weather conditions. There are usually at least a few hours each day spent exploring ports, trekking the surrounding areas or relaxing on beaches. Of course, depending on location, there will always be the chance to wine and dine at the local hot spots. 

Travellers with passports from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States are exempt from a tourist visa if they are travelling for 30 days or less. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry to Thailand.

If you plan on staying longer as a tourist, or if you are travelling for a reason such as study or business, you may need a visa.

The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Last updated: 02/11/2023

No vaccines are required in order to enter Thailand but some are recommended for protection against disease. Visit your doctor or travel clinic for advice and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

When cruising the waters of the Andaman Sea, a twin-hulled catamaran is our vessel of choice. The yacht has two quad share cabins and, three twin/double cabins, five shared bathrooms with hot water showers and flushable toilets. Most meals, including lunches and dinners, are included on our Asia sailing trips, prepared by our resident chef on board. Life on the boat is designed to be flexible: take a turn as skipper or kick back with a mai tai and an island sunset – it’s up to you.