You probably know how wonderful it is to sail through the Australian, Pacific, or Atlantic waterways. There are many different boating options in these locations, but how about sailing in Asia? Asia, the world’s largest continent, is difficult to categorize as a single travel destination. With a surface area of 44,579,000 km2, there are few guys who can claim to have seen enough of it to be mildly satisfied. The sailor has it a little easier, but the shoreline is still magnificent at 62,800 kilometers. So, why not plan your next voyage to visit the world’s largest continent? In this article, I’m going to list the best sailing destinations in Asia in order to help you choose those that you like the best. So, keep reading!

The Maldives

The Maldives is one of those places that you have to visit by boat. You can travel from North Male Atoll to Reethi Rah, Baa Atoll, South Atoll, and more, all while taking in the breathtaking scenery. In blue waters abounding with colorful sea life, the Maldives is an aquatic paradise and perfect for all watersport activities. You can do almost everything from your boat, which can moor in most locations, and stop at island sites along the route to see amazing wildlife and marine environments before resting beneath the moonlight.

The Baa Atoll, in the Maldives’ core atoll chain, is famous worldwide and noteworthy for its biodiversity. The atoll has a land area of around 139,000 hectares and is located slightly north of the Kaashidhoo strait, which connects the northern and central chains of atolls. The Maldives atoll chain’s southernmost atoll is Addu Atoll. The atoll consists of five inhabited islands that are divided into 6 administrative districts. The atoll consists of islands that each have their own distinct traits that set them apart from the rest of the country.

Thailand

The tropical, clean waters and ideal sailing circumstances in Thailand are what make most sailors come back there. The ideal sailing package includes brilliant white sand beaches and coral islands, sheer limestone cliffs, and forested inlets. The Mergui Archipelago, located in Myanmar near Thailand, is one of Southeast Asia’s top destinations, having over 800 islands to select from. A vast area of woodland and clean lakes provide lots to see and do while you’re here. Though this destination is so exclusive that guests will need to find a permit, it is the ideal hideaway to escape modern-day life.

Phang Nga Bay’s beauty is nearly extraterrestrial, with beautiful white sand and exquisite limestone cliffs, and it truly merits the moniker of “Pearl of Thailand.” Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island, and it’s a terrific destination to go sailing because it welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks, strange geological formations that are very funny from afar, are also located here. According to folklore, these rocks once housed shipwrecked lovers, but the story alters with each telling.

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

The Phi Phi Islands are among Southeast Asia’s most beautiful. These picture-perfect islands, not far from Phuket, offer the ultimate tropical retreat. It’s paradise perfected, with classic beaches, beautiful rock formations, and vivid turquoise waters filled with colorful marine life. The Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Leh are the two islands. The larger and more populated Phi Phi Don draws hundreds of visitors to its beautiful beaches. Ko Phi Phi is a series of idyllic islands brimming with natural marvels such as limestone cliffs, caves, and a thriving coral reef system. Due to its proximity to other renowned places such as Phuket and Phang Nga Bay, it is an excellent sailing spot.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Geographically, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located to the east of the Indian mainland. These lovely undulating islands, which number approximately 572 and were formerly a hill range reaching from Myanmar to Indonesia, are filled with deep rain-fed and evergreen woods with an unlimited variety of unique flora and wildlife. Two of the world’s 218 endemic bird areas have been designated as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On the islands, there are 96 Wildlife Sanctuaries, nine National Parks, and one Biosphere Reserve. Both the southwest and northeast monsoons bring their bounty to these islands. That’s why the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been designated as environmentally friendly tourism destinations.

These islands, such as Cellular Jail, Ross Island, and Havelock Island, have something unique to offer as a sailing destination. Tropical evergreen rain forests of the Andaman Islands, stunning silver sand beaches, serpentine mangrove-lined streams, and marine life abundant in rare kinds of plants, animals, corals, and other marine life. In addition to that, you will find watersport activities and adventure tourism such as trekking, island camping. As you can see, this is a destination for one to fully appreciate nature.

Vietnam

Vietnam is a pleasure for visitors, with its unique beauty, paddy fields, and deep tropical rainforests. The place has something for everyone, with a plethora of spectacular islands and some of the world’s most biodiverse waterways. Hoi An is a charming coastal town in central Vietnam that has been on the map since the Middle Ages as a result of its commercial importance. Its importance waned over time, and the port is currently primarily utilized for charter boats. You can sail to the adjacent Cham Islands, which have been designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

The most popular beach in the country, Nga Trang, is a great starting point for island-hopping to Mieu, Mot, Tam, and Mun. If scuba diving is your thing, you may stop by any of these and do some excellent diving. If not, the islands are a sight to behold and a fantastic area to go hiking. Best of all, they’re all quite close to one another, so you can hop from island to island or beach to beach as you want. On the other hand, there is a slew of tour operators offering Vietnam to Cambodia cruises. Of course, it’s not quite as hands-on and rewarding as steering your own boat!

Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar

The Mergui Archipelago is one of Southeast Asia’s top sailing destinations. Unlike more well-known tourist sites such as Phuket, Bali, or Lombok, this archipelago of 800 islands has remained relatively undiscovered in the modern world. The forests are filled with animals, and the rivers are clean and home to a diverse range of flora and fauna species. Because there are indigenous people there like the Moken people, sailors arriving here may receive a glimpse of how people may have felt when encountering a community totally different from our world. Despite its remoteness, sailing cruises such as the Mergui Sailing Adventure can get you there if you don’t have your own boat.

The Philippines

The Philippines is a beautiful island country that is best experienced by boat. It has rough terrain with mountains and volcanoes. More specifically, there’s Mt Pinatubo and the Taal volcano, in the north, which is brimming with culture and history. Its southern islands have unrivaled natural beauty, are bordered by beautiful waters, and teeming with diverse marine life. A voyage through the Philippines’ islands is a holiday that comes close to perfection, with highlights including diving at the Apo Reef, which is regarded as one of the world’s top dive sites and lounging on the remote beaches of the rarely-visited Tara islands.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, there are almost 17,000 different islands to discover. Indonesia, which straddles the Pacific Ocean between Asia and Australia, is quickly gaining popularity as a sailing destination in Southeast Asia. Along with well-known places like Bali, the vast network of islands offers many jewels to discover. With the addition of ten ports surrounding the islands in recent years, this region has become significantly more accessible to boats. Additionally, the diving is world-class, with whales passing through during specific seasons, as well as various sea life such as frogfish, Blue Ribbon Eel, leaf fish, harlequin ghost pipefish, and pygmy seahorses.

I would recommend the adventure if you had the time to spend a year or two exploring the entire archipelago. But, most people’s schedules only allow for a few weeks. Note that the Alor Archipelago represents some of Indonesia’s most distant, pristine, paradisiacal islands. Swim among vivid coral reefs surrounded by colorful fish, walk an active volcano through a harsh, lush rainforest setting in search of unique species, and visit a traditional village to learn about the local way of life.

Another island with picture-perfect sailing areas is Lombok. If you have your own boat you should sail to adjacent Bali, and vice versa. That’s because many people feel Lombok is just as wonderful as, if not better than, Bali. It is less crowded, has many more clean and undeveloped beaches, and is, of course, less traveled.

Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Nusa Tenggara refers to the Lesser Sunda Islands. For more adventurous sailors, this rocky area of the archipelago has a lot to offer. Begin with a few peaceful days in Bali before traveling to Sumba, Flores, and Komodo to experience traditional villages and spectacular surroundings. In Flores’ traditional settlements, ancient megaliths can still be found. You can also learn about the contrasts between Sumba’s and Flores’ traditional ikat patterns. From Flores, you can continue sailing to Sumba. Visit Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park, which is home to 87 different bird species, including endemics like the Sumba yellow-crested cockatoo.

Flores, a really beautiful island with lush flora, brilliant, crystal-clear waters, white sand, and a vibrant undersea ecosystem, in the Lesser Sunda cluster. This island is not only good for sailing; surfers, scuba divers, and free divers all frequent it. From Labuan Bajo, in Flores, you can also sail to the famous Komodo Island and visit the Komodo National Park; the last dragons surviving on Earth!

Mapur Island, Riau Islands

Mapur Island is located 16 kilometers east of the Indonesian city of Bintan. The island, unlike some other diving spots, is very calm and unknown to many divers. Mapur Island, on the other hand, has become a popular diving and sailing destination for many. This is because of its healthy coral reef and colorful nudibranchs. Keep in mind that the current can be strong, and the visibility is about 10 to 15 meters. And, note that visibility may be limited at times.

Mapur Island is larger than the adjacent islands in terms of size. The overall area is estimated to be 44 kilometers per square kilometer. Except for Merapas Island, none of the nearby islands are inhabited. Locals live in Mapur, and there are some basic tourist amenities there as well. The immaculate shorelines, which include some large coral reefs, are the first thing you notice. The shoreline is also fantastic for anchoring and staying the night.