sail the andaman  islands
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 Sail the Andaman Sea
 


Sail on Emerald Blue
Emerald Blue is a modern 48ft  S&S Classic designed by arguably the worlds most famous yacht designer Olin Stephens who has recently died aged 100.
She is strong, seaworthy, fast and beautiful.
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Discover the area
One of the world’s most beautiful and varied cruising grounds. Thousands of islands, bays and lagoons, with crystal clear water, fabulous coral and white sandy beaches, framed with tall coconut palms, within a few hours sailing.

Phang Nga bay offers stunning limestone islands with many little anchorages , completely sheltered in all seasons, a perfect place to get your sea legs before venturing further off shore.

 

 
The Captain

Nick Band is a man of the sea. He spent his early childhood sailing with his father off the coast of Dominica in the Caribbean. He bought his first “ocean going” boat, a 20 footer in the Seychelles and with his new wife Marilyn, sailed to Africa.
For the last 30 years, from their base in Phuket, the couple have sailed the Indian Ocean between Africa and S.E.Asia., Nick at the helm and Marilyn with pencils and paints drawing the life of the various Islands and people they encounter. His livelihood from the sea has included running charters but also searching for sunken treasure.
In 1983 he was a part of the team that found and salvaged the famous “Nangking Cargo” Chinese porcelain and gold, from the South China Sea.

Emerald Blue was bought in Florida and Nick sailed back to Thailand in 5 months, via the Atlantic, the med and the Indian Ocean. Since then they have logged about 80,000 miles, mostly with guests, Two 6 month “safaris” around the Indian Ocean to Zanzibar and back , and many trips to Bali, Burma, Malaysia, and now the Andaman Islands, visiting all the favorite Islands and anchorages and always exploring for new ones.

     

 
The Andaman Islands
 
 

Andaman Islands, two and a half days sailing from Phuket, the “Emerald Islands” as they are also called, are a must for the more adventurous. These islands are rich in history from colonial days and still have Stone Age tribes living in some parts. Whales and porpoises are plentiful and the fishing is excellent. Even swimming elephants can be encountered!

To the South lies Malaysia with lovely Langkawi, a duty free island, ideal for a few days cruising and a perfect place to start a trip to the southern Thai islands of Butang and Tarutao.

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andaman islands


Mergui Islands
similan
To the north lies Myanmar (Burma) and the Mergui Archipelago, recently re opened to visitors after 40 years, Island after beautiful Island, completely untouched, the only other people one is likely to meet are fisherman or sea gypsies.

When to sail
andamans  
Starting in November the northeast monsoon, dry season prevails insuring steady and pleasant sailing conditions with maximum strength winds of force 5 to 6 Beaufort scale in January, gradually decreasing during March and dying away by April.
May to September brings the Southwest monsoon or rainy season. At this time there are long periods of fine sunny weather with good breeze, but there are also periods of unsettled weather with rain and sometimes rain squalls with strong gusts.

Temperatures are between 80F /30C and 70F/24C

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