Koh Chang - Thailand

Transcription

1 Koh Chang - Thailand Koh Chang - Thailand 1 THE SAILING AREA 2 KOH CHANG, THAILAND S KEY SELLING POINTS 2 Thailand Overall 2 Thailand Location Map 3 Koh Chang Location Map 3 Koh Chang Cruising Area Limits 3 Koh Chang - Thailand 4 GENERAL AREA INFORMATION 4 Base Address 4 Time Difference 4 Base Facilities 4 Tides and access 4 Sailing Experience Level 4 Turnaround Days & Embark/Disembark & Briefings 5 Base Open Hours 5 Out of Hours Arrival Procedures 5 Options 5 Cruising Taxes 5 Shore Facilities 5 Airport & Departure Taxes 6 Transfers 6 Water 6 Provisioning 6 Hotel 7 Diving 7 Sharks 7 Currency 7 Passports & Visas 7 Health 7 Pirates 7 Moorings 7 Charts & Pilot Book 7 THE AREA, SAILING AND WEATHER 8 North East Monsoon (Dry: Nov Apr) 8 Best Sailing Months 8 October to April 8 Tides 8 Weather Chart 8 Excursions 8 Sample Itineraries 9

2 Koh Chang Overview THE SAILING AREA Thailand has a great deal to offer the visitor and sailor, including a colourful culture, delicious food and very friendly people. The scenery is exquisite - spectacular coastline and beaches, tropical islands, crystal clear waters in the south and beautiful scenery in the north, and excellent sailing conditions. Our cruising ground is the Koh Chang Archipelago, a string of islands in the far eastern limits of the Gulf of Thailand. The main islands of Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kut have been spared the wildfire tourism development seen on Koh Samui and Phuket by their national park status and the lack of an airport (Trat on the mainland is the nearest airport). The wind is consistently from the NE from November to January, and blows down from the nearby Cambodian hills, so the temperature is cooler than other Asian bases, and the waters flat (as there is no fetch). The Sunsail base is located in the SE tip of Koh Chang which allows clients instant access to white sand beaches, great snorkelling and small family run Thai restaurants serving up delicious Thai food. With it s many islands, line of sight navigation, sheltered anchorages and consistant winds Koh Chang was a big hit with clients last year. Moorings are all on anchor, the area is tidal and there are several uncharted rocks so definitely a Day Skipper with experience bareboat destination. The one week cruising area encompasses over 70 islands and 120 nm. Clients on a two week charter have the option to extend the area to over 200nm and visit nearby Koh Samet. KOH CHANG, THAILAND S KEY SELLING POINTS Thailand Overall - Instantly accessible - Better value than ever before - Less expensive than the Caribbean, and much of the Med - Full of fresh adventures - Fantastic for food lovers - A dream for shoppers - A paradise for beach lovers - A heaven for culture buffs

3 Thailand Location Map Koh Chang Location Map Note: This plan is for information only and should NOT be used for navigational purposes. Koh Chang Cruising Area Limits Between November & April, when the prevailing wind blows from the Northeast, the cruising area covers all Thai waters from the Cambodian Border to the SE across to Koh Samet in the west. Boundaries: Southern: 11 20N Northern: North of Koh Chang is the limit, no anchorages beyond this point. Eastern: E Western: Koh Samet. The base closes in May, at which time the boats are moved to Koh Samui. 3

4 Koh Chang - Thailand Base Address GENERAL AREA INFORMATION Sunsail Koh Chang Koh Chang Marina 48/14 Moo 2 Salak Phet Village South Koh Chang Thailand Country Manager: Kevin Quilty Base Manager: Guy Harrison Mobile phone: Tel: Fax: (Phuket) [email protected] Time Difference GMT + 7 hours Base Facilities The Sunsail base is located at the Koh Chang Marina, Salak Phet Bay on Koh Chang. Water and electricity are available on the berths at the base and there are showers, toilets, and restaurant and a hotel for those wishing to spend a night ashore before and after their charter. Tides and access The marina entrance channel is restricted by tide, contact the base for information about specific dates for clients joining advice. Tide information for Trat can be found at As local regulations forbid crew staying aboard yachts in the marina overnight, clients choosing to turn up outside office hours will find the yacht anchored at a nearby seafood restaurant. This gives the client an option of renting an air-conditioned bungalow within the marina complex or dinghy out to the yacht for the first night. Be advised restaurants close to the base generally close around 20.30, we always aim to have clients briefed and ready to go before the 1600 contract start time, clients should NEVER be instructed to wait until 1600 hours before coming to the base. Sailing Experience Level Experience levels are based on sailing conditions. This rating scale is designed as a guide based on the prevailing conditions. Thailand Level Description Koh Chang WIND / WEATHER: 2 NE season up to 25 knots. Understand tidal flow NAVIGATION: 2 Navigate in open waters and enclosed waters with uncharted rocks. ANCHOR / MOORING: 2 All overnight stops. Good anchoring skills and the ability to assess wind and swell situations and choose suitable anchorages 4

5 Koh Chang cont d Turnaround Days & Embark/Disembark & Briefings GENERAL AREA INFORMATION CONT D Charters commence at 1600 hrs on the first day and finish at hrs on the last day. However, we ask that clients call the base prior to arrival as the yacht may be available earlier so that you may get out the first afternoon. All clients will receive a Yacht and Chart Briefing on arrival at the base. This will take approximately 1 to 2 hours so they need to allow plenty of time. Clients will not be permitted to leave without adequate briefing. Base Open Hours Offices are open 7 days a week from 0800 to Out of Hours Arrival Procedures If clients are arriving after and have requested a transfer they will be met by a member of staff and shown to their yacht. If we have no arrival details and we have not heard from the clients by they should call the base manager upon arrival if they wish to dinghy out to the yacht or check into the resort rooms for the night if they don t. Options Included in Charter Fee Rib Dinghy with 5 HP Outboard Motor Linen & Bath Towels Snorkelling equipment 1 bag of ice Bimini Chartplotter Available for Extra Cost Cruising Chute Ocean Kayak, single or double Skipper Provisioning & Beverages Ice and Ice boxes Cruising Taxes There is a charge of 400 Baht per person per day when entering Thailand's national parks. Shore Facilities Near the base there is a selection of restaurants and a hotel, which is recommended if clients want to spend a comfortable night on dry land. There are very few shops near the base, clients not ordering provisioning online should provision at the supermarket in White Sands (west side of Koh Chang) before arriving at the base. The following facilities are available at the base:- Facilities Water Fuel Beverages Showers & toilets Pay Telephone Swimming pool Restaurant & bar Banks and ATM Sauna & Massage nearby Hotel Mini mini market 5

6 Airport & Departure Taxes Bangkok s Suvarnabhumi Airport is Thailand s principal airport, which is situated 20 miles outside of the city centre. The majority of flights entering or departing Thailand do so from Bangkok, which receives and sends flights to major airports all around the world. Thai Airways provides flights from Bangkok to Trat. All flights into Trat are coordinated with the ferry to Koh Chang (last ferry is at 7pm). A taxi from Bangkok to Koh Chang takes 5 hours and costs between 5000 and 6000 Baht. A taxi from Trat Airport to the base costs around 2000 Baht. It is virtually impossible to get a taxi to the base from the ferry terminal. Departure Taxes Koh Chang Domestic - Clients will be asked to pay a local Departure Tax of 300 Baht per person locally on top of their flight ticket price. Thailand International - International departure tax is now included in the price of the ticket. Reconfirmation of all flights It is no longer necessary that clients reconfirm Internal and International flights on most airlines 72 hours before departure. Reconfirmation can be done from the airports, from any large hotel and from the Sunsail base. There is usually a small charge of 50 Baht per ticket (International). There is no need for clients to reconfirm Thai Airways or Malaysian Airlines for domestic and international flights. Transfers On arrival in Trat, a transfer from the airport to the base can be arranged. If clients would like to use this service, we just need their arrival details at Trat Airport. There will then be a Sunsail driver waiting for them with a Sunsail board to bring them directly to the Marina. Meter taxis can also be found in the car park of Trat Airport and Bangkok Airways have a limousine service. Booking Type of Transfer Cost Transfer Transfers from/to Base Recommendations Transport (one way) Duration Book in advance & Pay at the end of Trat Airport Koh Chang Marina 2000 Baht plus 60 baht per 1 hour 30 your charter OR Minibus person for ferry ticket minutes organise own approx. transfer at airport on arrival. Airport limousine Bangkok Airport-Koh Chang Marina Car Up to 6000 Baht 5-6 hours taxi Water Generally water is not easily accessible throughout the cruising area and can only be obtained by carrying canisters on to the boat. Only bottled water should be used for drinking. When provisioning, clients should allow at least 1.5 litres per person per day. Provisioning It is usual for charterers to eat on board for about 1 or 2 nights, generally using the BBQ However most anchorages have restaurants in them. Most clients also take most breakfasts and snack lunches on board the yacht. As there are few shops on the outlying islands clients should get all provisioning done while on Koh Chang. Sunsail Thailand offers clients a food and beverage provisioning service, which is designed to save clients the stress and time of shopping for groceries when they arrive. Orders are made through our website, using our on-line provisioning service. Orders must be made no later than 10 days before departure. Payment is made at the base on arrival by cash, or Credit Card (credit cards are deducted in Baht). In summary, we offer clients the following advice for their provisioning: 2-3 days provisioning (7 to 10 day charter) 4-5 days provisioning (14 day charter) 6

7 Koh Chang cont d Hotel GENERAL AREA INFORMATION CONT D For clients wishing to stay on Koh Chang prior to their charter accommodation is mainly on the west coast (approx 40 mins from base) further information about accommodation can be found at Diving The diving in Thailand is fantastic. The dive centres are very strict and safety conscious, clients must carry a PADI or equivalent qualification to be able to dive. Unqualified divers can do courses or resort dives. Prices range from centre to centre but it usually costs between 1500 Baht ( 22) and 2500 Baht ( 36) per person for two dives and lunch. If a client wishes to dive whilst chartering with Sunsail we recommend visiting Bang Bao pier on Koh Chang, where all major dive shops have offices or Ploy Scuba on Koh Mak or the Away Resort Dive shop on Koh Kut. Sharks There are sharks around but most of them have no teeth! Leopard sharks feed on shellfish and whale sharks although very large eat only plankton. They are not a threat to sailors or swimmers. Currency The unit of currency in Thailand is the Baht. Thai Baht is available at the airport and in most medium sized towns. We recommend that sufficient money is changed before departing into the cruising area (airport is easiest). There are moneychangers on the islands, although the exchange rates may not be so good. Passports & Visas Clients must ensure that their passport is valid for up to six months beyond their stay. Visas are generally not required if staying for less than 30 days and can be applied for on arrival, otherwise Visas can be obtained form the Thai Consulate in the country of origin. For the UK, clients should apply, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope, to the Visa Dept., Royal Embassy, Queen s Gate, London, SW7 5JB. For non-british passport holders, suggest contacting the local consulate for advice on visa & passport requirements. Health For up-to-date authoritative advice on health protection and vaccinations, we recommend that clients consult their family doctor. Pirates The main problem area with pirates is the South China Sea. Piracy around Thailand is very rare and they are only interested in Cargo ships and not charter yachts. It is quite safe to leave the yachts and the dinghies. Moorings There are some mooring buoys, however due to many accidents which have involved the use of these mooring buoys; it is no longer permitted to use mooing buoys in Thailand. The reason is that they are not reliably maintained, they are usually sat on top of a reef in about 6 inches of water and line attached is very easily broken. Therefore, all overnight stops must be at anchor. Charts & Pilot Book Sunsail yachts carry all relevant Thai charts on board, as well a comprehensive sailing and cruising guide written by the base manager and local Sunsail skippers. This local guide with chart information is available from [email protected] The Andaman Sea Pilot as well as the British Admiralty chart number 3941 which covers this area are available by mail order from the 7

8 Koh Chang cont d THE AREA, SAILING AND WEATHER Thailand is an ALL YEAR ROUND sailing destination. There are two main seasons, which are called the wet and dry season, or the SW or NE monsoon, respectively. Seasons tend to be predictable, although there may be inconsistencies as they change from one to the other. Koh Chang operates during the NE Season as it s proximity to the Cambodian Mainland meets good strong winds in sheltered, flat waters (there is no fetch). In May the yachts are relocated 180 SW to Koh Samui for the SW season as these islands are close to the Thai Mainland and sheltered from large waves. North East Monsoon (Dry: Nov Apr) The NE monsoon, as the months from November to April are called, has wind speeds of force 2 to 5 from the NE. The winds are quite stable during this period and temperatures are usually in the region of 30 deg C. It is consistently dry and sunny, with ideal conditions for sailing. In February there is often a swing round to the SW with the wind patterns, which can cause some ground swell, however there are plenty of sheltered anchorages around the islands. Best Sailing Months October to April Tides Tidal range is 1 to 2 metres. Weather Chart Month Temperature Rain Fall Inches Humidity % Wind Force (knots) Wind Direction Sea State OCT 98 F 11 91% Var - NE Slight to Mod NOV 91 F 11 92% NE Slight to Mod DEC - 89 F 9 94% NE Slight to Mod FEB MAR - APR 89 F 9 93% NE Slight to Mod Excursions Sunsail offer a whole range of shore based excursions which are extra to our normal product and are organised through a 3rd party company. Should your client wish to partake of these arrangements, and then please contact our UK sales office at [email protected]? 8

9 Sample Itineraries Day Destination Facilities Distance NM Day 1 Koh Chang Marina, Salak Phet Bay Day 2 Bang Boa Bay Water, Provisioning, Restaurants 5 Day 3 Koh Wai Restaurants 10 Day 4 Koh Rang Eat Onboard 9 Day 5 Koh Mak Many Restaurants & shops for Provisioning 4 Day 6 Koh Kut, Captain Hook Resort Seafood Restaurant & Shops 15 Day 7 Koh Kut, Away Resort Restaurants, river trip and waterfall 7 Day 8 Koh Kut, Double U Bay Restaurant, Water 14 Day 9 Koh Kut 7 other anchorages to choose from Day 10 Koh Kut 7 other anchorages to choose from Day 11 Koh Mak Restaurant & Shops 15 Day 12 Lonely Beach, Klong Prao Provisioning, Restaurants, Monkeys, Elephants, Tree Top Trail 14 Day 13 Salak Phet Seaford Restaurant Best Seafood Restaurant 10 Day 14 Koh Chang Marina, Salak Phet Bay 0.2 9