Phuket - Thailand's maritime jewel< b

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and is Thailand's maritime jewel.   A mountainous island, 70% of the place is covered with rainforest.  The west side of the island offers beautiful sandy beaches, while the east side consists mostly of muddy flats.  North of the island has about 20 km of rainforest.

Sailing is very much a part of Phuket's attraction.  Every year, it hosts the Phuket King's Cup Regatta which runs the first week of December.  Started in 1987, the Regatta counts over 100 participating yachts and about 1,000 sailors.   Another Regatta called the Phang Nga Bay Regatta was started in 1999 and runs every Chinese new year for 3 consecutive days. 
 
There are several bareboat or crewed yacht charter companies in Phuket including small boat rentals, and packaged adventure excursions for snorkelling, diving and cave exploring.

Phang Nga Bay is most famous for being the setting for the 1974 James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun" starring Roger Moore.  The dramatic landscape of towering limestone formations inspire awe from visitors.  Small boat rentals are available for exploring the caves and for snorkelling in the area.

Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Caves

Cruising around Phuket Island

Phuket Marina

The alarm system will emit a 121 decibel alert that can be heard 1,500 meters away.  Procedures are also in place for a systematic evacuation in case of an alert warning.