Choose Your Phuket Sailing Base

Choose Your Phuket Sailing Base

Cape Panwa – Coco Pier

Cape Panwa – Coco Pier

  • Airport Travel Time: 60 mins
  • Destinations: Southern Islands
  • High Point: Extended Cruising
  • Yacht Training: Main Centre
  • Facilities: Dining and Restrooms
  • Structure: Purpose Built Marina

Mai Khao – Play Yard

Mai Khao – Play Yard

  • Airport Travel Time: 15 to 20 mins
  • Destinations: Northern Islands
  • High Point: Convenient Arrivals
  • Easy Access: Yachts and Power Boats
  • Facilities: Dining and Accomodation Access
  • Quiet Northern Location

Come to Coco Pier (Cape Panwa) and you will find a superb professional ISSA yacht training centre with marina berths, our stunning yachts, classrooms, SIA office, cafe and a delightful high quality restaurant that can accommodate large groups of people. 

Coco Pier is now the hub for our recreational yacht training. It’s a purpose-built marine centre, designed for comfort and convenience. It features a stylish restaurant, a relaxed café, and – of course – high-quality, well-appointed restroom facilities (because we believe even the little details make a big difference!).

At Play Yard (Mai Khao)  we have our boats on the water at anchor, or on moorings. This watersports activity centre has easy access to yachts and powerboats.  The restaurant on site is absolutely wonderful.

This second site is only 15 minutes away from Phuket Airport and we can organise classy hotel accommodation or simple chalet or local guest house accommodation for you. This site is ideal for Northern Phuket residents or long stay tourists as its so quick and easy to get to, if you stay in BangTao area.

Explore Cape Panwa Base
Explore Mai Khao Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Both Coco Pier at Cape Panwa and Play Yard at Mai Khao are suitable for beginners. The most practical choice will usually depend on where you’re staying in Phuket. Do you want a largely undeveloped environment at PlayYard and environs or do you want access to the sailing grounds around SE Phuket.
If you’re staying in the south of the island, Coco Pier will generally be more convenient. If you’re staying in northern Phuket then, Play Yard at Mai Khao may be the better choice. Accommodation can be less expensive in Mai Khao but you may need transport to get about but that can be of benefit especially if you want to explore Phang Nga province just across the Saracen Bridge.

Yes, you can take your course in North or South Phuket. The Zero to Hero is from 10-21 of all months Play Yard in Mai Khao, but is scheduled for 1-12 or 16-27 of all months at Coco Pier Other courses are available from both locations, but are contingent on availability at the time of enquiry. Private Courses are especially flexible and can be planned outside of normal Zero to Hero scheduling. When you enquire, we’ll confirm which dates and training locations are available for your chosen course and you may arrange your group well in advance to get the ideal training booking for your availability. If you cannot do the 12 day course (Zero to Hero) we can break it down into 2 courses so you can still complete a Zero to Hero but in two steps. A 5 day start course and a second 7 day course at a later convenient time for you. You still complete the Zero to Hero but in a time frame acceptable to your particular work calendar. We can discuss such options if this is helpful.

Both bases provide excellent environments for practical sailing and yacht training, but they offer different surroundings.

Coco Pier provides access to the waters and islands of southern Phuket, with Ko Lon, Ko Aeo and Coral Island nearby. It has as can be seen from photos of the site the perfect safe marina location so you can learn to berth boats on a purpose built jetty and also learn to depart from one.

Mai Khao offers a quiet and delightful sailing environment in northern Phuket at a purpose built environmental centre that has an excellent restaurant and superb gentle quiet location with great onshore facilities and supported by 5 of our yachts moored just 100-150 m off shore. This tranquil environment is ideal for people who want to enjoy nature and who want to learn to sail in a safe and secure location. We leave by motorised boat from a safe sheltered shoreside location and travel by this RIB to a yacht moored just 100m away. You don’t even get your feet wet!

Not necessarily, although staying nearby can make early starts and daily travel considerably easier.

There are hotels, guesthouses and other accommodation options within easy travelling distance of both locations. If you’re unsure where to stay, our team can suggest areas and accommodation convenient for your selected training base.

Yes. Sail in Asia has accommodation available in both the north and south of Phuket.

At Ao Yon (very close to Cape Panwa), we have a beachfront one-bedroom apartment with a spacious lounge, kitchen and sea-facing balcony This would suit a couple and is 10m away from the lovely Ao Yon Beach Again this might suit people doing Zero to Hero private courses.

At Mai Khao, we have a two-bedroom house with a kitchen, two bathrooms and a furnished teaching room, particularly suitable for private-course customers. This site would suit a couple or two friends and is new and very well equipped. It’s our shore based facility and has a learning centre in it.

See the Accomodation options

Yes. If our own accommodation isn’t suitable or available, our team can help with recommendations for hotels and guesthouses close to your training location and suited to your requirements and budget.
Ask them for the Hotel and Guest house information pack for North Phuket and South Phuket.

Yes. Cars and motorbikes are widely available for hire throughout Phuket, and our team can provide information about local rental options.

For many, a car is the more comfortable option for travelling between accommodation and the training bases. They are also very reasonably priced in Phuket and usually in good condition with insurance.

If you’re considering hiring a motorbike, make sure you have the appropriateInternational Driving Permit (IDP) and your own insurance and are comfortable riding in local traffic conditions.

Cetting around in Phuket

Before your course begins, we’ll send you comprehensive Joining Instructions containing the practical information you need for arrival and your first day of training, including where and when to meet..

Keep a copy of these Instructions available on your phone while travelling, and contact us by Whats App if you need any help before you arrive.

What you’ll need varies slightly according to the course, but lightweight clothing suitable for tropical conditions, sun protection and appropriate footwear are sensible basics.

Your Joining Instructions will provide the specific information you need for your course and is quite comprehensive.

Still unsure which Phuket sailing base is right for you?
Our team will be happy to recommend the most suitable base based on your accommodation, travel plans and sailing goals.

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