Charter enquiry
You can check the availability of a specific yacht using the enquiry forms on this website. Alternatively, maybe you have some general ideas about your charter holiday requirements, but would like to receive some more suggestions concerning one or several yachts that might suit your needs.

In either case, please give as much details as possible. We will personally reply to you within 12 hours. The people of the Faraway Team are based in Phuket, where most of the charter yachts are located. We will work closely with you to put together an itinerary, including any special requirements you may have. All of us are experienced sailors and have been working in yacht charter and diving for many years. We are happy to advise you on any question you may have, whether it concerns the yachts, the cruising area, sailing with children, things to do, Thai and European catering, dive sites, weather conditions, local travel arrangements, etc ...

Here is how you can contact us:
- send a charter enquiry form from this website
- write and email to
- call us at +66 81 895 1826

Please, keep in mind that many of our charters are often booked 6 months in advanced, so it is better not to leave your inquiry to the last minute.
 

Book your yacht
Once you have confirmed your booking, we put the yacht on Working Hold (a temporary reservation until we receive your deposit) for 7 days and you will receive an invoice that we ask you to pay in two parts: Deposit (30%) immediately and Final Payment (70%) 60 days before the start date of your charter. For more details on booking, payment, changing dates, please see Booking Conditions.
 

Before you arrive here
You may want to make flight arrangements, and hotel reservations if you intend to arrive early to your destination. We can help you with suggestions for attractive places to stay, or if you wish, we can make the reservation for you.

A few weeks before your charter, we will send you a Preference Sheet, through which you can indicate your wishes for the catering: preferred breakfast and cuisine, vegetarian mails, special dietary requirements, wines, your favourite sun downer drink ... Also we like to know more about the guests on board, ages of children, sizes for dive equipment. And you can ask us to arrange the pick up from the airport or your hotel.

We recommend that you purchase Travel and Cancellation Insurance covering the activities that you will undertake.
 

When you arrive here
If you asked us to arrange transport from the airport or your hotel, our minibus driver will pick you up and bring you to the location of embarkation for the yacht. There you will be met by a representative of Faraway Yachting or by the skipper of the yacht, and your final questions can be settled or final arrangements can be made, before you embark on your charter holiday.
 

At the end of your trip
We will usually try to meet you at the end of the charter and can make travel arrangements for you from the location of disembarkation. The skipper will contact us to inform us of your requirements.

Sounds OK? What are you waiting for? Send us an email !

Related FAQ's and links:
Booking Conditions
Contact Us - Enquiry Form

Choose the Service Level that you like.

1. Crewed Charter
Includes the services of a dedicated captain and chef/hostess and all the catering you can wish for. Together with the skipper, you decide on an itinerary and you can choose to be as lazy or active as you like, from never leaving the netting with your book to sailing the boat all by yourself. The skipper knows all the good places to go and the best time to be there. You don't need to worry about the cleaning, the cooking and the safety of the yacht. Faraway offers different kind of yachts as crewed charter, the charter rates reflecting the level of luxury and style you can expect on the yacht. In all cases crewed charter yachts make perfect sailing holidays!

2. Bareboat Charter
You skipper the yacht all by yourself and also take care of the catering, the cooking and the cleaning. Many bareboat yachts can be supplied with standard catering when you arrive here, or alternatively you can ask for a specific shopping list of goods to be supplied at your arrival. Before you take off, you will receive an extensive boat and area briefing, and in some cases someone comes along for the first day to help you familiarize with sailing the yacht. In order to be able to charter bareboat, you need to give us proof of adequate sailing experience and qualifications beforehand.

3. Bareboat Charter with Engineer/guide
You are the skipper of the yacht and an engineer is on board to help you with all mechanical aspects of the yacht (checking oil, water, running systems and fixing problems on the spot). The engineer also knows how to sail the boat and will happily act as your guide, knowing the cruising grounds, best anchorages, snorkelling spots, restaurants, etc.. Some yachts only go out with an engineer, and can not be chartered fully bareboat. The charter rates are lower than a fully crewed charter and the guests pay all the extra expenses. These would be provisions (including enough for the engineer), fuel, water, marina fees, etc. Also, you prepare the meals and look after your cabins and the cleaning of the yacht. This might be a good choice for those that want to eat ashore frequently and don't need the personal service that a fully crewed charter includes. You need adequate sailing experience and qualifications to charter bareboat with engineer.

4. Luxury Charter
Luxury charters are offered by specialised top range sailing and power yachts. Not only do they have a dedicated captain and chef, but also there is a larger staff looking after your needs and wishes and sailing and maintaining the yacht. Often there will be several hosts/hostesses, a dive master, a masseuse, a sailing master, and one or more deck hands. The yachts are large and your cabin will be a roomy private en-suite cabin with all the comfort and often you find luxury items like a hair dryer, or private bath robe. You can think of a luxury charter as "a floating resort". The charter rates reflect the high service level and the size of the yacht.

Other Options
We can design a trip to meet any special requirements or requests. Here are just a few examples:

- Honeymoon and Wedding Trips
- Re-union of friends or family
- Wedding anniversaries or other anniversaries
- Corporate Events or Incentive trips
- Team building or management training
- Diving courses
- Special Diets
- On board massage

With regard to the catering: we will do everything to accommodate your personal dietary requirements. Vegetarian menus are no problem and will delight everyone, not just the vegetarians!

The most important thing is to get in touch with us as soon as possible and communicate your special wishes early. With enough warning, most things are possible.

Related FAQ's or links:
- How do I book a charter yacht?
- Enquiry Form

Simply because it is the greatest vacation on Earth!

Why private yacht charter? Imagine waking up on a private yacht in a different secluded cove each day of your vacation. Imagine deciding whether your day's activity should include a swim, snorkel or scuba diving or kayaking, or a beach stroll or cross-island hike, a sail to another beautiful island, or just relaxing on deck in the nets. The yachts are excellent and reliable, all perfectly fitted for sailing in the tropics.

If you booked a crewed charter, you're at ease because you have a crew who, in addition to being your personal tour guides, are looking after the boat, the food and the cleaning. You're on a floating resort where the scenery always changes, the food is prepared as you like it and you never run out of things to do. When it comes time to sail to your next destination you can participate as little or as much in the sailing of the vessel as you would like. The crew will be happy to teach you about the art of sailing, navigating and boat handling.

Why with Faraway?
- What you see is what you get: with Faraway all information is transparent, no hidden costs or issues.
- Booking is as easy as 1-2-3
- The yachts are carefully selected for excellent cruising holidays

You can rely on us, Faraway is one of the most experienced charter companies in Phuket, operational since 1995. We have many guests who return to book a charter with Faraway every year.

Related FAQ's or links:
- Charter Enquiry Form

Much better: total freedom and variety in a perfect setting.

Your own personal yacht charter offers you the variety and flexibility that you will not easily find with land-based resorts, hotels and villas. You will see beaches and views that you can not see from the shore and in many cases that you cannot even get to. Each charter is totally customized to your requirements,:
- no set departure dates and no fixed schedules which you have to adhere to
- there are no strangers you have to share your holiday with
- you will have anchorages and beaches to yourself when you choose to
- you can visit village, bars and resorts from the yacht

The yacht is many things at once: your hotel, restaurant, bar, swimming pool, favourite lounge place, all in a perfect marine setting. And if you wish to go to the next destination: you and your group can decide where to go and when to go, the yacht is yours.

Water sports

All our yachts have equipment on board for water sports activities. These include snorkeling, kayaking, fishing and of course the main activity sailing. On many of the yachts, Scuba Diving is also available on request. Some of the yachts offer additional activities such as: water skiing, surfing or wind surfing.

Land based activities

- rock climbing in Phi Phi Island, Raile Beach (Krabi)
- visit fishing village in Phang Nga Bay
- visit temples in Krabi and Phuket
- visit ancient worshipping caves in Krabi and Koh Lanta

Related FAQ's or links
- Destinations - Thailand, Burma, Andaman Islands

Yummy and plenty! The cooks on the yachts are excellent. Your best bet is to let them do what they do best, and sit back and enjoy the magic. Sailing builds up a healthy appetite. We have developed a reputation over the years for providing exquisite meals and we are proud of this. We pay particular attention to the freshness of meals aboard, working hard to maintain their quality, variety and creativeness. Fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood all prepared in the Asian style are standard fare. Vegetarian dishes are our specialty and dietary requirements can be catered for. We also know what kids like to eat and drink, they will be very pleased. Each morning starts with a hearty breakfast (Asian, European or American) with plenty of fresh fruit. Lunch is often enjoyed at leisure at an anchorage out-doors on deck under the awning. or perhaps under way in the saloon. Before you start on your evening meal on board, there are snacks or a fresh fruit platter in the afternoon. And don't forget your sun downer when the sun is at a 10 degree angle to the horizon. On some occasions a sumptuous beach barbeque is offered. And of course feel free to venture ashore to taste the local cuisine if you are tempted.

Yes, children love being aboard!

Activities aboard are suitable for all ages and children love playing in the water, exploring with the kayaks or simply being involved in the "crewing" of the boat, helping out with the sails, steering and learning activities that are new to them.

All of our skippers are used to having children on board and many have young families of their own, they are familiar with the needs and safety of children aboard. Especially the catamarans are very suited for holidays with younger children: they have well protected cockpits and being catamarans are more stable. Also there are excellent swimming platforms, providing easy access into and out of the water.

Would you like our suggestions for yachts that fit your needs for a family holiday? Just let us know and we are happy to advise you:
- fill in information enquiry form
- email: info@faraway.net
- call +66 81 895 1826

Still curious about what kids do on the yachts?

Related FAQ's or links:
- How do I book a charter yacht?

This is all you need for an unforgettable sailing holiday!

Clothing
The climate is tropical, humid and warm. For clothing bring casual wear, mostly shorts and T-shirts, swimsuits, flip-flops or waterproof sandals and good walking footwear for venturing ashore. Long sleeves may be required in the evening sometimes and lightweight longer trousers and sleeves protect you against occasional mosquitoes on shore. If you are travelling in Myanmar (Burma), it would be custom to wear clothes that cover knees and shoulders when visiting villages ashore.

Items to bring
- for sun protection: a hat and sunscreen that is non oily (oily sunscreens make the decks slippery and also permanently stain cushions, windows, etc).
- mosquito spray for going ashore (usually mosquitoes are no problem on the water)
- your own medication (a generic first aid kit is on board)

Snorkeling and diving
Your own mask, snorkel and fins if you're inclined, but mosts yachts carry an assortment of sizes. For small children you may want to bring your own small size mask. If you are expecting to scuba dive you are welcome to bring your own equipment, but dive equipment is also available for hire. Please, advise us ahead of your sizes. Tanks, weights and weightbelts are always on the dive yachts.

Your bags
If you can, bring only soft-sided luggage such as a duffle bag or backpack, since storage space is limited on any yacht and storage of soft luggage is a lot easier. Also hard luggage can easily damage woodwork and paint.

The yachts provide bedding, sheets and towels.

YES, but they are very small!!.

We understand that this is a genuine concern of many people unfamiliar with the waters around Thailand. It is with the utmost confidence that we can say: There is NO piracy whatsoever in the areas we charter (Northern Malaysia, Thailand and Burma) as is also clear from the on-line piracy reports from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO, click here to go to the web site of the IMO on the topic of piracy). The last act of piracy in the Andaman Sea around Thailand was recorded over 60 years ago.

All we have now are little pirates enjoying themselves on the water and dealing fiercely with their parents.

Hints, tips, and why it's generally a good idea!

It is our own, firsthand experience of the unexpected which gives rise to our strongly stated recommendation to take out trip insurance. For many different reasons; medical, loss of baggage, delays, other unforeseen circumstances which may cause you to cancel entirely - we've seen many varieties.

Yes, it does add to total trip cost - but then so does household insurance add to the cost of your home! We are not going to think you foolhardy if you decide not to take out insurance; it's a personal choice to accept the risk of the unexpected or not.

Here are some links to insurance companies whom we have researched, and appear to offer adaptable and thorough policies; plus some which come specifically recommended from past clients. All of these offer policies you can take out online; or most travel agents can also issue them.

• Travel Guard
• InternationalBenefits.com
• World Travel Centre
• World Nomads

Please note, we have no affiliation with nor derive any commission from any of these companies, and take no responsibility in the event of disputes arising with any of them; these are purely suggested links which we hope will help you in your travel-planning.

Why do I need travel insurance at all?

It has long been a source of great surprise to us at Faraway Yachting (several of us being primarily from Europe or Australia) - that many folks from the States don't appear to consider trip insurance when they travel. For us, it's simply part of the expected routine; only if the budget is tight, one sometimes decides to take a calculated risk and no travel insurance.

We learned that this was not the case in the States - trip insurance was not an automatically considered option. In fact, we discovered that many people thought they were covered for medical and baggage by their household policies - only to find out the hard way that this cover is often quite inadequate!

Of course, this does not apply to ALL household/medical policies; but we'd like to suggest that you do read the small print. Nor are we trying to scare you into thinking "I must have travel insurance!!" - we just want you to be aware of your choices in the matter.

Medical insurance is not quite as vital in Thailand and/or Malaysia as it would be, eg, for a non-US citizen visiting the States. Both these countries have State-run medical facilities which are usually very good. In fact, one often does not even pay at all for minor treatment. However, for any major medical emergency, most people would still want the facility to be flown home, ASAP - a bill that could be shockingly high. Ask a couple of our clients who had motorbike spills last year; one in particular requiring a helicopter airlift - we know how glad this guy was of his travel insurance policy!

To Explore a Few Insurance Myths:

No-one is going to cover you if you just change your mind at the last minute. But most policies will cover you if there is a serious change of circumstances not under your control, such as a death/medical emergency in your family/your travel companion, loss of employment, problems with airlines. Many companies even offer compensation if you are delayed because of the weather ! Fortunately, extreme weather conditions in Thailand/Malaysia are very rare, but there was once a time when the winds were so strong that some clients were stuck in Bangkok for 2 days. The insurance company paid up for their loss of sailing time uncomplainingly.

The "Change Your Mind" clause

One very useful item to note is the "Change Your Mind" clause now offered by several companies, which gives up to $250 compensation towards non-refundable deposits if you simply change your mind.
NB: Policy must be issued within 7 days of making the initial trip deposit.

If You're Going To Do It - Do It Soon!!

If you're going to get travel insurance at all - it pays to get it as soon as you book your trip. Any trip, not just ours! This does vary between companies, and not all companies offer these "extras" - but be aware that by taking out the policy within 7 days of paying your initial trip deposit MAY give you this Change Your Mind option; it may also mean coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Check out your chosen policy carefully!

And finally, we're always happy to hear reports of travel insurance companies, good or bad! - if you have any experiences or recommendations, we'd love to hear them.

The following items are not covered by our insurance and every guest is personally responsible for such and similar items:

Cash, jewelry, watches, cameras of any kind, phones, computers, i-pads, i-pods,  and any other electric or electronic device, passports and other documents.