Discover Southern Thailand’s best cruising destinations—Koh Lanta, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao—by luxury motor yacht. Plan your island journey with the Maritimo.
# Island Hopping Through Southern Thailand
Southern Thailand’s best-kept secret isn’t found in guidebooks or trending on social media. It’s experienced from the helm of a motor yacht, anchored in a sheltered bay with nothing but turquoise water, limestone cliffs, and the gentle lap of waves against the hull.
For New Zealand boat owners considering an extended Southeast Asian cruise, the islands of Koh Lanta, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao offer the kind of cruising that rewards patience. Short distances between destinations, reliable anchorages, and abundant provisioning make this corner of the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand surprisingly accessible for owners accustomed to New Zealand’s cruising grounds.
Koh Lanta sits apart from the busier tourist hotspots. Long stretches of sand, fishing villages, and quiet bays dominate the west coast, where vessels commonly anchor in Kantiang Bay or Klong Dao Bay. Nearby islands such as Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, and Koh Kradan make worthwhile day excursions, and the snorkelling around the limestone formations justifies lingering for several days. Old Town’s waterfront offers decent dining, while the pace of life suits those seeking genuine escape rather than nightlife.
Koh Samui presents a different proposition. Here the mood is livelier, with beach clubs, fine dining, and luxury resorts sharing space with natural attractions. Bo Phut Bay and Bang Rak accommodate visiting yachts on moorings or at anchor, and proximity to Ang Thong National Marine Park means exploring options beyond the island itself. It’s the sort of place to base yourself for a couple of weeks, moving between anchorages rather than treating it as a quick stop.
Koh Tao, just a short cruise away, boasts some of Thailand’s clearest water. Shark Bay, Ao Leuk, and Mango Bay offer good holding in most conditions, and the diving and snorkelling are exceptional. A morning swim from your swim platform, lunch ashore, and an evening cruise along the coast creates the kind of rhythm that makes extended cruising worthwhile.
Before departing, New Zealand owners will want to check in at marinas like Ao Po Grand Marina or Royal Phuket Marina in Phuket, or Port Takola in Krabi for fuel, provisioning, and any mechanical work. These facilities understand the needs of transiting yachts.
For those considering which vessel suits extended cruising in this region, the recently launched Maritimo S50 Sedan Motor Yacht warrants attention. Unveiled at the 2026 Sanctuary Cove show, it’s designed around the reality of life at sea rather than weekend entertaining. The aft galley and integrated saloon-to-cockpit flow create natural gathering spaces, while the two-stateroom layout and generous storage matter more than flashy trim when you’re spending weeks aboard.
The S50’s long-range capability and proven offshore construction give owners genuine confidence to venture beyond well-known ports. The efficient fuel consumption means exploring those quieter anchorages without constantly calculating fuel reserves. For New Zealand owners who’ve spent summers cruising the Marlborough Sounds or Great Barrier Island and fancy taking their skills south, this yacht bridges the gap between comfortable cruising and the ability to cover distance when needed.
Thailand’s islands remain popular, but arriving by motor yacht rather than tour bus fundamentally changes the experience. The crowds recede, and what remains is precisely what drew sailors to remote cruising in the first place.
