The latest on Covid in Phuket
Update: Thailand’s new Test n’ Go program is a go! Keep on scrolling…
30th Jan 2022
As the Omicron wave passes through Europe, countries such as the UK, the Netherlands & Denmark are leading the charge in downgrading Covid to an “endemic”. Travel restrictions and mandatory mask-wearing are being withdrawn, and life seems to be heading for something akin to “normal” again.
After these past two dark years, should we see this as the beginning-of-the-end to Covid ? Opinions vary, of course – but it’s hard not to pop the champagne and celebrate a little….even if cautiously!
Last summer in Greece, we already popped several bottles with our intrepid SeaScapers; this coming summer, it looks like we will be ordering multiple cases of champers! With the outdoor lifestyle of the Greek islands, and our preference for avoiding crowded places anyway – sailing is a wonderful way to take a big breath of fresh air and freedom. Entry conditions to Greece are just a negative PCR test on arrival.
In Thailand, the new Test n’ Go scheme is in operation as of March 1st.
It is now just one night in a “quarantine hotel” (there’s some gorgeous ones, not exactly any great hardship). You wait there until your airport PCR test results are delivered – and that’s it! You really can then Go….. Sailing !!
Thailand’s “Test and Go” deal
Here’s the latest scoop on Phuket’s “Test and Go” scheme.
OR –
“Can I go sailing in Thailand yet ?????”
31st Jan 2022
As the Omicron wave passes through Europe, countries such as the UK, the Netherlands & Denmark are leading the charge in downgrading Covid to an “endemic”. Travel restrictions and mandatory mask-wearing are being withdrawn, and life seems to be heading for something akin to “normal” again.
After these past two dark years, should we see this as the beginning-of-the-end to Covid ? Opinions vary, of course – but it’s hard not to pop the champagne and celebrate a little….even if cautiously!
Last summer in Greece, we already popped several bottles with our intrepid SeaScapers; this coming summer, it looks like we will be ordering multiple cases of champers! With the outdoor lifestyle of the Greek islands, and our preference for avoiding crowded places anyway – sailing is a wonderful way to take a big breath of fresh air and freedom. Entry conditions are just a negative PCR test on arrival.
In Thailand, we were all super-enthused about the re-introduction of “Test and Go” on Feb 1st; a PCR test on arrival and a one night stay in a quarantine hotel, awaiting test results. Assuming negative, you’re free to wander off where you like! Except…. here comes the bummer for us sailing folks – Day 5, another night in a quarantine hotel + another test. No big issue if you are staying in well populated areas; not so convenient if you’re in the middle of nowhere on a sailboat!
Given the rate at which changes are happening, it’s widely hoped here that the Day 5 requirement will be canned soon; but of course, there’s no guarantees on that. But not to be deterred – we still have ideas & options to deal with this !
PLAN A:
1. Day One – on arrival, stay at a gorgeous beachfront hotel very close to our base in Phuket. It’s an ideal way to chill after a long flight and get over jetlag anyway! We pick you up in the dinghy from the hotel the next morning, and off we go for 8 days around our favourite spots. For Day 5 – we organise our route such that we are in Ko Lanta – loads of nice quarantine hotels there. You get a test, unlimited hot water showers and a night of aircon :), before coming back to the boat the next morning.
PLAN B:
2. For those with plenty of vacation time…. and needing as much therapeutic tropical sunshine as possible – go for the land-AND-sea option. Stay for your first 5 nights in our favourite waterfront resort, on our gorgeously quiet and tranquil beach of Kao Khad. After your initial PCR test on arrival, you can explore wherever you like around Phuket for the next 4 days. On Day 5 , you do your second test – after which you are free to come sailing or go wherever else you like, with no limitations!
Soniya
Soniya is a Dean 44 catamaran. She combines the best of two worlds – all the comfort and convenience of cataramans (no danger of that g n’t falling off the table!), but still has great sailing performance.
She has 2 double guest cabins up f’ard; one of the aft cabins can be a (cosy) double bed, or probably better used as a bunkbed cabin. The owner/skipper Kareem has a huge range of fun “water toys” – check out the video of us trying out some yoga moves on his enormous SUP. (Yes, of course – we all went into the water like dominos! Beer o’clock on the SUP turned into a better idea…
Like all other boats in the Philippines, Soniya charters out just to full groups. However, when our SeaScape team put together one of our shareboat groups, there’s chance for you to join as a single/couple, etc – you don’t need to worry about recruiting a whole group of friends!
Of course, if you already have a group of buddies ready and rarin’ to go – you can pick whatever dates are available!
Layout
- 4 cabins in total
- 2 double forward cabins
- 1 small double / bunkbeds aft cabin
- 1 crew aft cabin
Owner/skipper on Soniya – Kareem
Having spent most of his early professional life in the media business in Hong Kong, Kareem picked up a love of sailing there.
He soon realised, however, that dodging containers and other various vessels around the crowded Hong Kong waters wasn’t really his style… and “living the dream” was something he wanted to do whilst he was still in his prime years, no waiting around for retirement!
So from one extreme of shoulder-to-shoulder population to the pristine, open waters of the Philippines – Kareem has now made these islands home; cruising and chartering for the past 6 years!
| Skipper | Informal sailing instruction available too, if desired. |
| First mate / cook | Top class food, both local and Western. Our cooks do all the provisioning, cooking and cleanup for meals on board |
| Soft drinks, tea, coffee, bottled water | Always available |
| Fresh fruit | Always available |
| Breakfast, lunches & dinners all onboard, except the final night dinner | Our grand finale dinner is often ashore, at the gorgeous Al Faro (the "lighthouse") |
| Boat running costs | Mooring fees, fuel, water, local taxes, end-of-trip cleaning. |
| Airfares and transfers | Our local knowledge is at your service, though we don’t directly book travel |
| Personal insurance | We very, VERY highly recommend travel insurance. It is not yet obligatory, but new laws may soon require at least medical coverage. |
| Optional onshore excursions | |
| Food and drink ashore | The last evening's dinner is usually ashore (not included in "package" cost) |
| Marine National Park fees. | Payable for some environmentally-protected beaches and bays. It's a nominal amount by our western standards. |
| Scuba dive package (full equipment + compressor supplied onboard | 40 euros per dive. Usually one dive/pp/day, additional by special request | Includes full scuba kit and dive leader |
| 3 person kayak(s) | 15 euros/day | |
| Stand Up paddle board | 15 euros/day |
Some of Kareem’s stunning drone shots
Techie Specs
- Built in Cowes, UK specifically for chartering in the tropics. Full refit in 2009.
- Length: 60′
- Beam: 18′
- Guests: 8
- Crew: 2
- Fuel capacity: 1,400 litres
- Fresh water: 2035 litres
- Watermaker 60 l/hr
- Engine: Perkins 128hp
- Rigging: Slab-reefed main, furling genoa
- Electricity: 12V / 220V
- Fans in all cabins
Boat toys
- Tender + 30 engine hp
- Flat screen TV and movie library
- Optional sea kayaks & SUPs
- Snorkelling & fishing equipment
- 4 full sets of scuba gear, plus dive compressor
- Towing “donut” for the kids
- Wakeboard
Orion
A beautifully traditional yacht, with class and character++
Orion was custom-designed by her owners specifically as a charter yacht, and she is just perfect for the job!
With 60′ of space, there’s tons of room both above and below decks. A spacious cockpit, big enough to invite the neighbours over for Happy Hour, and later enjoy dinner-under-the-stars, with a feast rustled up by Skip and Thalie, a mix of Phillipino and western cuisine.
She has 4 double guest cabins, two of which can convert to bunkbeds for singles. The crew cabin is up f’ard, with their own facilities. Onboard there is plenty of snorkelling equipment; the tropical underwater world is just stunning, that snorkel gear is going to get a lot of use! Fishing tackle is also included; sea kayaks and SUPs are available on request also.
Orion normally charters out just to full groups; however, we also run an annual shareboat trip there, usually around the March/April timeframe. Contact us for the latest lowdown on each year’s shareboat trip.
(Else bring your own group of buddies, then you can come explore this tranquil, tropical paradise whenever you like!)
Layout
- 5 cabins in total
- 2 double aft cabins
- 2 double / bunk forward cabins
- Double crew cabin up f’ard
Your hosts on Orion – Skip and Thalie.
Hailing originally from California and France, Skip and Thalie have lived aboard their gorgeous S/Y Orion for over a decade now. Skip is the archetypal “man of the sea”, having lived aboard yachts for most of his adult years. He is also a very dab hand in the galley – don’t expect to lose any weight on this trip!
Thalie is the mermaid of the team; dive instructor and expedition leader, whether we’re exploring under the water, or hiking up to dramatic peaks.
Prices
| No. of guests | 6 Jan - 19 Dec | 20 Dec - 5 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| 2 - 4 | 1300 | 1480 |
| 5 - 6 | 1400 | 1580 |
| 7 - 8 | 1480 | 1680 |
| Skipper | Informal sailing instruction available too, if desired. |
| First mate / cook | Top class food, both local and Western. Our cooks do all the provisioning, cooking and cleanup for meals on board |
| Soft drinks, tea, coffee, bottled water | Always available |
| Fresh fruit | Always available |
| Breakfast, lunches & dinners all onboard, except the final night dinner | Our grand finale dinner is often ashore, at the gorgeous Al Faro (the "lighthouse") |
| Boat running costs | Mooring fees, fuel, water, local taxes, end-of-trip cleaning. |
| Airfares and transfers | Our local knowledge is at your service, though we don’t directly book travel |
| Personal insurance | We very, VERY highly recommend travel insurance. It is not yet obligatory, but new laws may soon require at least medical coverage. |
| Optional onshore excursions | |
| Food and drink ashore | The last evening's dinner is usually ashore (not included in "package" cost) |
| Marine National Park fees. | Payable for some environmentally-protected beaches and bays. It's a nominal amount by our western standards. |
| Scuba dive package (full equipment + compressor supplied onboard | 40 euros per dive. Usually one dive/pp/day, additional by special request | Includes full scuba kit and dive leader |
| 3 person kayak(s) | 15 euros/day | |
| Stand Up paddle board | 15 euros/day |
Sailing around Palawan
Techie Specs
- Built in Cowes, UK specifically for chartering in the tropics. Full refit in 2009.
- Length: 60′
- Beam: 18′
- Guests: 8
- Crew: 2
- Fuel capacity: 1,400 litres
- Fresh water: 2035 litres
- Watermaker 60 l/hr
- Engine: Perkins 128hp
- Rigging: Slab-reefed main, furling genoa
- Electricity: 12V / 220V
- Fans in all cabins
Boat toys
- Tender + 30 engine hp
- Flat screen TV and movie library
- Optional sea kayaks & SUPs
- Snorkelling & fishing equipment
- 4 full sets of scuba gear, plus dive compressor
- Towing “donut” for the kids
- Wakeboard
Schooner Dallinghoo
A Classical Lady with grand style and character
Stepping aboard 30m Schooner Dallinghoo is like taking a trip back in time, to Ye Olde Days of gaff-rigged tall ships, in all their splendour and style. She was built in 1990, then treated to a top-to-toe refit and facelift in 2014-16.
Now she combines all the glamour and traditional feel of a classic yacht, with the latest in modern technology and interior design to make her super-comfortable as a liveaboard sailboat. She still features original Burmese teak fittings and flooring, with bright, cheerful Thai silk adornments to add to her character.
The yacht usually sleeps up to 8 guests in total, with a huge master suite aft; two other spacious double cabins plus a 4th guest cabin which can be a double or twins. All have en suite facilities and air-con. Or for those who prefer their sleep to be more au naturel, each cabin has quiet fans and plenty of ventilation.
Down below, there is a large, semi-circular dining area, which can seat 8 guests with plenty of space and comfort. Or of course, dining under the stars is always a magical option; to match the “magic” of what comes out of the galley, from her amazing Thai chef!
You are more than welcome to get involved in the sailing, and learn about the old art of sailing a gaff-rigged yacht; or sit back and relax on her expansive, shaded deck; taking in the stunning scenery surrounding you. When at anchor, there are plenty of boat toys to play with; kayaks, SUPs and a small sailing dinghy. For certified divers, there is a compressor and dive gear onboard; if anyone is a little “rusty” on their scuba skills and needs a refresher, a divemaster can be added to the crew also.
Layout
- 6 cabins in total
- 1 mega master cabin with en suite facilities.
- 3 large double cabins
- 1 twin bunkbed cabin
- 1 quad crew cabin, f’ard.
Sleeps 8 guests in total, either 4 doubles or 3 double + 1 twin.
All cabins have their own heads (toilet + shower)
Prices
| Prices per night | High season (Oct-May) | Peak season (21 Dec-4 Jan) | Summer season (Jun-Sept) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-6 guests | USD 3,480 | USD 3,950 | USD 3,480 |
| 7-8 guests | USD 3,830 | USD 4,180 | USD 3,830 |
| Skipper | Captain Bruce - see bio below |
| Thai cook | Top class food, both Thai and Western. Our cooks do all the provisioning, cooking and cleanup for meals on board |
| 4 other crewmembers; engineer, stewardesses and deckhand | |
| 3 main meals per day onboard | Plus fruit and snacks during the day |
| Iced water, tea, coffee | Always available |
| All boat running costs | Mooring fees, fuel, water, local taxes, end-of-trip cleaning |
| 4 sea kayaks & 2 SUPs | |
| Small gaff-rigged dinghy | |
| Snorkelling and fishing gear | |
| Dive compressor and scuba gear | |
| Linen and bath towels |
| Airfares and transfers | Our local knowledge is at your service, though we don’t directly book travel |
| Personal travel insurance | At a minimum, medical evacuation cover is compulsory. We highly recommend a comprehensive insurance to cover the unexpected whilst travelling. |
| Optional onshore excursions, national park fees | There are opportunities to visit local temples, visit elephant sanctuaries etc. We can organise these for you at the time if you would like. |
| Food and drink ashore | |
| Marine National Park fees, permits, personal visas | Payable for some environmentally-protected beaches and bays. |
| Soft drinks, beer, wine, spirits, cocktails | Available for purchase onboard, or BYO. |
| Divemaster | Highly recommended if your scuba skills are a little rusty |
Life on board
Techie Specs
- Dudley Dix design, 1990
- Total refit 2014-16
- Length: 30m
- Guests: 8
- Crew: 6
- Watermaker
- Cruising speed 8 knots
- Electricity: 12V / 220V
- All cabins have en suites
- Double fans & reading lights in all cabins
- Full air-con available
- Wifi onboard whenever in cell signal range
Boat toys
- Tender
- Snorkelling equipment
- Fishing gear
- 4 sea kayaks
- 2 SUPs
- Small gaff-rigged sailing dinghy
- Dive compressor and scuba gear available for certified divers