Whether you have a couple of days to kill or are planning a 2-week trip, you can enjoy a fantastic sailing holiday in Singapore if you charter a luxury yacht. In this article, we’re going to explore some of the most appealing sailing destinations in Singapore and the surrounding area and see if we can’t come up with the perfect itinerary along the way.
Exploring the best sailing destinations in Singapore and the surrounding Area
Before you can start planning an itinerary for a yacht charter in Singapore, you need to know how much time you have to play with because this will play a big part in deciding which destinations are practical to include and which are not. If, for instance, you only have a few days to spare, you definitely won’t have enough time to explore the Raja Ampat Islands in Indonesia and even Phuket in Thailand could be a stretch. You will, however, be able to visit destinations such as Tioman Island in the South China Sea and the beautiful Anambas Islands in the North Natuna Sea.
5-Day yacht charter in Singapore: Sailing destinations to consider
If you have a week or less free, we recommend planning a 5-day itinerary for a yacht charter in the area, leaving yourself a couple of days leeway in case you wish to linger in any particular place for a little longer than planned. Among the places you could include in such an itinerary are the following popular destinations:
- Pulau Ubin, Singapore – If you would like to get as many miles under your belt on the first day of your trip, you will probably want to skip this small island as it’s just a 15-minute sail from the main island of Singapore, in the Johor Strait. On the other hand, if you are not in a hurry, it is well worth making time to visit this tiny little boomerang-shaped island for a look-see. Pulau Ubin is home to the last of the old-fashioned Malay villages (known as kampongs) in Singapore. While you are here, you may also like to check out the Chek Jawa Wetlands, a bio-diverse area at the eastern end of the island, with plenty of exotic flora and fauna. You probably won’t want to spend more than a few hours here, whatever your plans may be, so we recommend looking for somewhere else to drop anchor, perhaps Batam or Bintan Island, the next two destinations on our list.
- Batam Island, Indonesia – Just half an hour across the Singapore Strait is Batam Island, which is in the Riau Archipelago, which, in turn, is part of the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia. It is a popular weekend getaway destination among Singaporeans and consequently has plenty of hotels. After spending the day on one of the island’s tropical beaches, you could therefore spend the first night of your voyage on the island if desired, before setting off for new horizons in the morning. However, if you are planning a 5-star yachting break, we suggest stopping off at the next destination instead, which is only an hour or two away, as you will find the accommodation options there are more luxurious.
- Bintan Island, Indonesia – Several times larger than its neighbour Batam Island, Bintan Island is home to several upmarket beach resorts, any of which could be the perfect choice for leisure activities or a night on dry land. After a refreshing night’s slumber, you may wish to explore some of Bintan Island’s beaches or perhaps play a round of golf on one of the international-standard courses that have been built here. Exactly how long you should plan to spend on the island before moving on will depend on your next destination and how much time you would like to spend there.
- Tioman Island, Malaysia – A day and a half’s leisurely sailing from Bintan Island, Tioman Island is another beautiful yachting destination in this part of the world that you may wish to include in your itinerary. If you do have the time, it is definitely worth stopping off here as there are so many things to see and do on the island. In addition to the tropical beaches with powdery-white sand and crystal clear waters, there is an inland rainforest, with caves, waterfalls and rivers to explore. If you are planning a more active holiday, it’s also a great place for beach volleyball, snorkelling and scuba diving.
As Tioman Island is around half a day’s sail from Singapore, you may wish to return to your point of origin after leaving. Alternatively, you might like to consider visiting another nearby island before heading back.
Sailing Destinations in Singapore for a longer trip
If you have a couple of weeks on your hands or even a couple of months, your options begin to multiply at a bewildering rate as far as appealing sailing destinations are concerned.
- Phuket, Thailand – Phuket is a 2-3 day sail from Singapore, which makes it a great destination if you want to spend some quality time at sea and enjoy a nice break in the middle of your voyage. Situated in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is a mature tourist destination that has everything you would expect from such a place. 5-star resorts, world-class dining options, superb water sports facilities and luxury shopping outlets are just a few of the attractions you will find here. If you are putting together an itinerary for a 2-week yacht charter in Singapore, you should easily be able to fit a week’s stay on this tropical island paradise into your plans.
- Langkawi, Malaysia – Just over three-quarters of the way to Phuket from Singapore is the island of Langkawi in the Malaysian province of Kedah. Depending on how much time you have and your personal preferences, you may like to visit both islands on one trip, staying for a few days on each one. Alternatively, if you are looking for somewhere that offers a slower pace of life and can be reached a little faster, you could simply substitute Langkawi for Phuket on your itinerary and call it a day.
- Belitung Island –Pulau Belitung, as the Indonesians call it, which means Belitung Island, can also be reached from Singapore in a day or two, depending on the type of vessel you charter and the wind of course. Once you arrive, you will find beautiful beaches, traditional island villages and plenty of other places of interest to visit. Best of all, there are many tiny islands and atolls in the waters surrounding Belitung, which means you can spend endless days exploring the area on your yacht.
The more time you have, the more possibilities there are. Those we have discussed so far could all be included in a 1-week holiday if desired, although we would recommend allowing a little longer in most cases. It is important to remember that your sailing speed may vary quite considerably from one day to the next, and from one hour to the next at times. Weather conditions can be unpredictable in this part of the world, especially at certain times of the year, making it difficult to estimate sailing times with any degree of accuracy. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to leave plenty of slack in any itinerary you put together to avoid disappointment. We believe that a yachting holiday should be relaxing and regenerative, not an urgent race from one place to the next.
If you would like to visit any of the sailing destinations in Singapore that we have discussed, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. It will be our pleasure to arrange a yacht charter for your forthcoming holiday in South East Asia.
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