Overview
Phuket is the undisputed yachting capital of Thailand and Southeast Asia. The island has several full-service marinas, all within easy reach of the international airport, making it the natural base for an Andaman charter.
Yacht Haven Marina
Yacht Haven, on Phuket's northern tip, is the largest and best-equipped marina, with deep-water berths, a haul-out yard, fuel, and provisioning. It's the main bareboat charter base and a popular long-stay marina for cruisers.
Ao Po Grand Marina
Ao Po Grand Marina, on the east coast, offers the closest access to Phang Nga Bay's limestone karsts. It's a premium marina with excellent facilities and a popular departure point for the bay's signature scenery.
Krabi & beyond
Krabi, on the mainland east of Phuket, provides an alternative base closer to the Phi Phi Islands and the eastern Andaman. Facilities are more modest but improving, and the position suits one-way or eastern itineraries.
Marina comparison
Phuket's marinas each serve a different purpose. Here's the practical picture:
| Marina | Location | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht Haven | North tip of Phuket | Bareboat charter base | Largest marina, deep water at all tides, haul-out yard |
| Ao Po Grand | NE coast | Phang Nga Bay access | Closest base to the limestone karsts; premium facilities |
| Royal Phuket Marina | East coast | Luxury berthing | Upscale, condos and restaurants, inner-lagoon berths |
| Boat Lagoon | East coast | Services & refit | Extensive yard services; shallow tidal entrance |
| Krabi Boat Lagoon | Mainland (Krabi) | Eastern itineraries | Smaller; handy for Phi Phi and the eastern Andaman |
Arrival, clearance and provisioning
Chalong Bay, in Phuket's southeast, is the island's official port of clearance — arriving yachts check in at the one-stop immigration/customs pier there, and it's also the busiest dinghy-and-longtail anchorage on the island. Getting to the marinas: Yacht Haven and Ao Po are 30–45 minutes from Phuket International Airport; Krabi has its own airport 30 minutes from the Boat Lagoon.
Provisioning is easy and cheap by charter-destination standards: large supermarkets (Makro, Villa Market, Central Food Hall) deliver to the main marinas, and fresh markets in Phuket Town are excellent for fruit and seafood. Most charter bases will pre-provision to your list — worth taking up, as first-day shopping in the heat eats half a day. Marina berthing runs roughly $30–50 a night for a 45-footer; anchoring throughout the islands is free.