Phuket is well on its way to establishing itself as the sailing and yachting capital of Asia because there are few places on earth that compare to Phuket when it comes to sailing.
The Andaman Sea is Thailand’s reigning maritime jewel and key to attracting the yachting industry’s best and brightest to the Kingdom’s sun-kissed shores. Here we present a curated selection of top yachting events in Phuket.
Phuket Raceweek | 19 to 23 July | Cape Panwa Hotel
Phuket Raceweek is the first regatta on the annual AsianYachting Grand Prix Championship calendar and it is considered one of the best regattas in Asia. This event is held at Cape Panwa Hotel and regularly attracts over 40 yachts competing for honours in a variety of classes including IRC racing, sports boats, cruising, bareboat, charter yachts, and multihulls.
The Regatta is highly competitive and often enjoys blustery south-west monsoon weather conditions and wind patterns making it tactically challenging. The racing is always fun and Phuket Raceweek is renowned for attracting an ever-growing international legion of loyal yachties who come especially for the occasion and often end up chartering boats or joining crews.
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta | 2 to 9 December | Kata Beach Resort
The King’s Cup Regatta is Asia’s most prestigious international yacht racing event, boasting the largest contingent of keel boats, multi-hulls and traditional craft. It returns to the azure waters off Phuket in early December for a week of sailing and great fun. This year marks the event’s 31st year of prominence on the Asian yacht racing calendar. The King’s Cup Regatta attracts some of the world’s best and their expensive racing yachts that drop anchor in front of the Kata Beach Resort. Most races are held off Phuket’s west coast, where local and visiting sailors vie for the coveted trophy.
The races are always hard-fought affairs, the atmosphere ‘off the course’ is very relaxed and there is great camaraderie amongst all participants. The combination of happy sailors and smiling Phuket people gels well – above all the Regatta is a fun time to be enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.
Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous | 8 to 10 December | Kata Rocks Resort & Residences
The Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR) is held in conjunction with other yachting events on Phuket during December and focuses on the social side of the yachting industry. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the exclusive and fun-filled KRSR returns to Phuket’s award-winning Kata Rocks from 8 to 10 December this year.
Last year inaugural KRSR quickly established its yachting credentials with an exciting series of customised activities, glamorous parties and social events in a relaxed, luxurious environment. The invitation only event features a personally curated guest list that is expected to include Kata Rocks villa owners, superyacht owners, yachting industry professionals plus an influential selection of international luxury, lifestyle and yachting media. Marking the beginning of Thailand’s charter season, KRSR is uniquely positioned to allow superyacht owners to meet like-minded and high-net-worth individuals in a chic social setting.
Thailand Yacht Show | 14 to 17 December | Ao Po Grand Marina
Now in its third year, the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) features superyacht charters with a lifestyle exhibition including both yachting and supercar displays, in addition to luxury water toys for those who enjoy the fun side of being out at sea. There is a fashion show too just for good measure, as the event was created by the organisers of the Singapore Yacht Show and is set to become a ‘must’ on Thailand’s yachting calendar.
There will be ‘sea-trial’ excursions, sunset cruises, watersports demonstrations and try-outs. During the 2017 event from 3pm to 10pm all exhibition displays will be open to the public. The exhibition pavilion will be replaced by purposely-designed booths on floating platforms next to yachts and boats, bringing all displays together in a single, on-water venue.
Phuket Rendezvous | 4 to 7 January 2018 | Royal Phuket Marina
The inaugural Phuket Rendezvous is scheduled to take place from 4 to 7 January 2018. Hosted at Royal Phuket Marina (RPM), the four-day Phuket Rendezvous will showcase high-end luxury products and attractions both on land and sea. Visitors will be dazzled by the dizzying array of activities and interactive displays that intend to showcase some of life’s finer luxuries including yachts, classic cars, supercars and refined timepieces.
Event organisers promise the first event will bring together an impressive group of influencers, yacht brokers, high-end property developers, luxury travel experts including private jet and helicopter operators, in addition to auction, art and investment specialists.