It's official: Phuket is the region's best sailing destination. In a recent gala event in Hong Kong, Phuket was named the Asian Marine Capital of the Year in the Asia Boating Awards. Anyone who has ever discovered the natural wonders of the island and its surrounds aboard a Phuket yacht charter would certainly agree with the honour. Phuket really is a world of its own, far both in distance and mindset of places where politics or other worldly concerns take centre stage.

What sets Phuket apart is its immense diversity in delights that it offers to sailors -- whether you're a recent arrival to the island or an old salt, there's always something new to explore. Phuket serves as the launching point to countless exotic tropical beaches and bays, from the nearby Racha Island to the more remote Similans and beyond to the virtually untouched Andaman Islands. The unusual karsts of Phang Nga Bay, an easy sail off Phuket's east coast, are a towering scenic marvel that have sparked the imaginations of many a budding sailor.

The island's culture and history are equally fascinating. People have been sailing here for hundreds, even thousands, of years in search of fortune or a better life, from the Burmese invaders who were fended off by Phuket island natives in 1785 to the Europeans and Chinese who flocked here in the 1800s tin mining heydays, to today's Hollywood celebrities seeking rest and a respite from the glare of paparazzi camera flashes. The island is host to a good number of globe-trotting sailors who, after a lifetime of sea exploration, simply dropped anchor in Phuket and never left. Gaze out across the Andaman Sea and you'll see every kind of boat imaginable, from traditional wood long-tail boats to Technicolor fishing boats to snazzy catamarans to superyachts. Life can be as simple or as glamorous as you wish -- it's all part of Phuket's appeal.

Phuket's high-tech and high-class offerings give yacht enthusiasts everything they need both on and off shore. Its world-class marinas are chock full of services that cater to those who love life and the sea. Get everything you need from a yacht repair and refit to a five-star meal to a foot massage, all within a hop skip and a jump from your mooring.

A Far Away Phuket yacht charter is the perfect opportunity to see why boating industry insiders named Phuket a top spot for sailing. Not only do we take you to the world's most beautiful sailing spots, but we take you there in style, offering our unique and attentive Phuket hospitality aboard a top-quality sailing yacht.

Come aboard and you'll discover why, indeed, Phuket is Asia's Marine Capital.