Sail Ko Chang.

Ko Chang sits in the far east of the Gulf of Thailand, near the Cambodian border, and it sails nothing like the busy Andaman side. The archipelago around it — Ko Wai, Ko Mak, Ko Kood — is a cluster of low green islands with sandy bottoms, shallow reef edges and anchorages you often have to yourself outside the peak weeks. Water is warm year-round and usually flat inside the island chain. Distances are short: most hops run 6 to 15 nautical miles, so you sail in the morning, anchor by lunch, and swim the afternoon.

We like it here because it rewards people who'd rather anchor off an empty beach than fight for a berth. It's quieter, cheaper on the ground than the west coast, and the sailing is forgiving. If you want big passages and strong wind, this isn't it. If you want an easy week of island-hopping in warm water, it's hard to beat.

The cruising area is compact and self-contained. From the base you can reach the whole southern group inside a day's sail. Ko Wai is the first stop for most — a narrow channel of clear water between two islets, coral close in, good snorkelling straight off the boat. Ko Mak is flatter and friendlier, with a couple of beach bars and easy holding in sand. Ko Kood (Ko Kut) is the largest and greenest, with waterfalls ashore and long quiet beaches on its west side.

There are no marinas to speak of once you leave the mainland — you anchor. Holding is generally good in sand at 4 to 8 metres, but check your set near reef. Navigation is straightforward line-of-sight island work; there's little commercial traffic and the hazards (coral heads, fish-farm buoys) are visible in daylight. We sail here by eye and daylight, not at night.

The usable season runs roughly November to April, the north-east monsoon and dry season. Skies are clear, seas are calm inside the islands, and the wind is light — often 5 to 12 knots, sometimes less. This is honest to say: Ko Chang is not a strong-wind destination. You will motor-sail some days. People come here for the anchorages and the water, not for a rail-down beat.

The south-west monsoon (May to October) brings rain, swell on exposed beaches and unsettled conditions; many services on the islands close. We don't recommend chartering through the wet months. The sweet spot is December to March — driest air, best visibility, most reliable light breeze in the afternoons.

We run bareboat charters from Ko Chang. If you hold a recognised sailing qualification and have real coastal experience, you take the boat yourself; the grounds here are a good place to do it, since passages are short and the water is warm and shallow. Handover, chart briefing and local knowledge come as standard before you slip lines.

If you'd rather not skipper, we can arrange a local skipper to join you for the week — worth it if you don't know the coral heads or fish-farm ground. Provisioning is straightforward from the mainland before departure; the islands have small shops and beach kitchens but you should stock the boat first. Crewed and catered options are on request rather than off the shelf.

Bareboat rates depend on the boat, the length of the week and the month — high season (December to February) sits at the top of the range, shoulder weeks are softer. As a guide, a week's bareboat charter here typically runs in the low-to-mid four figures in EUR, before extras. Beyond the base rate, budget for fuel (you'll motor more than you sail), a refundable security deposit, end-cleaning, and a local skipper's fee if you take one.

On-the-ground costs are low compared with the Mediterranean: beach kitchens, island shops and moorings are cheap or free. For an exact quote against your dates and boat, price on request — message us on WhatsApp with your week and party size and we'll come back with real numbers rather than a headline figure.

Day 1 — Handover and briefing at the base, provision, and a short afternoon hop to a sheltered anchorage off the south of Ko Chang to settle in.

Day 2 — Sail south to Ko Wai, pick up the clear channel between the islets, snorkel the coral off the bow, overnight at anchor.

Day 3 — Short leg to Ko Mak, anchor off the west beach, walk ashore, dinner at a beach kitchen.

Day 4 — Longer reach down to Ko Kood, anchor off the west coast, ashore for the waterfalls inland.

Day 5 — Explore the Ko Kood beaches by dinghy, or move to a second anchorage further up the island; an easy day.

Day 6 — Work back north, stopping again at Ko Wai or Ko Mak for a last swim, overnight in a quiet cove.

Day 7 — Morning sail back toward base, top up water and fuel, hand the boat back. Routes flex with wind and your pace — nothing here needs to be rushed.

Most people fly into Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang), then travel east toward Trat. It's a long road transfer — roughly 4 to 5 hours by car — or a short domestic flight to Trat airport followed by a shorter drive and the mainland ferry across to Ko Chang. Build in the arrival day; it's not a place you reach in an hour.

Bring your passport, sailing qualification and logbook if you're taking a bareboat, and reef-safe sun cover — the sun is strong even in the dry season. Message us on WhatsApp once your flights are set and we'll line up handover timing, provisioning and any transfers. It's more travel than the Andaman coast, but the reward is a quieter, cheaper, less crowded week on the water.