Looking For A Memorable Experience? – The Official Monthly Newsletter
It’s been another great month of tours. Seeing the smiling faces of our team, our guests and reading the amazing reviews online has really inspired us all to keep fighting forward. We are moving now into some of the best sea conditions of the year so it’s time to get out explore and find new places.
One of my new favorite places to visit is Koh Mook, with our team heading over there almost weekly at the moment. Swimming into Emerald Cave, exploring Koh Kradan (arguably the best beach in the area), and seeing the Dugongs.
Hoping to see you on board again soon!
– Shaun
IN THIS MONTH’S NEWS!
- Tours Of The Month – Bond, James Bond!
- Volunteerism And How You Can Get Involved.
- 5 Star Vlogs.
Tours Of The Month – Bond, James Bond!
- With a custom Phang Nga Bay tour, 5 Star Marine will guide you around hidden coves and lagoons, as well as stopping off at the iconic James Bond island which became a major attraction after featuring in the 1974 Bond movie, The Man With The Golden Gun.
Volunteerism And How You Can Get Involved.
- One of our very good friends (who started out as a Guest) Amy Tan writes this wonderful monthly newsletter highlighting what we like to refer to as “Volunteerism“. In her newsletter this month she focused on the Life Bag project that we have run here at 5 Star Marine.
5 Star MarineLife Bags
Staff Profile of The Month
- Name: Alex
- Position: Tour Guide
- Favorite tour to go on: Koh Rok/Koh Ha
- Favorite activity to do in Phuket when not working: Relaxing at the beach and spending time with family.
- Favorite food: Any Phuket seafood. Phuket seafood is the best.
5 Star Vlogs
Have you liked and subscribed?
Stay up to date with the latest Phuket News, see one of our tours, and find things to do in Phuket.
We also have challenges for our YouTube host Jay Leshark who last month learned how to do Brazilian Ju-Jitsu on the beach. Well, we say learned, it was more of a… well best watch to find out what happened.
Go to our YouTube page and make sure you like and subscribe. Join the 5 Star Universe.
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Thailand Pass Breaking News – Updated Test And Go Measures – March 2022
ANNOUNCEMENT – Thailand Pass Rules Update Frequently, The Information In The Below Post Is Now Out Of Date For Latest News Please Visit: https://5starmarinephuket.com/phuket-sandbox-rules-and-updates/
The CCSA met last week to discuss the further easing of restrictions and to allow the process of entry into Thailand as a tourist easier. In the announcement after the meeting, there were a number of changes to the entry conditions into Thailand.
These changes include the elimination of the need for a pre-departure RT-PCR test, a reduction in the amount of insurance coverage that is required, and a few other small adjustments
The bigger news is that we expect these to continue easing and that in July the CCSA plans to rule the Pandemic and Endemic which should see rules ease even further. Find out about the latest rule changes here:
Phuket Foodies – Smoking Fish In Jay’s Backyard Restaurant
Once a month we like to highlight a local restaurant or local cuisine and this month Jay took on the cooking himself.
He brined some fish (with his own homemade brine) and then smoked them on his Smoker (what else does he smoke?).
Find out all of this and more in this weeks’ vLog here:
Thailand Pass Adventures: Fishing With Jay, His Family And Camera Man Charlie (Or Was It Alex?)
Join Jay and his family on board with Camera Man Charlie (Or was it Alex?) as they head out on a 5 Star Marine Private Boat Tour.
In this week’s video Jay is fishing, snorkeling, and exploring the closer in islands around Phuket.
See it all here:
JAYS CHALLENGES: A Day Cleaning The 5 Star Marine Boat
We are pleased to introduce a new series of videos to our YouTube channel called Jays Challenges. Jay has been having way too much fun fishing, snorkeling, swimming with sharks and more so it’s time he does some of the hard work around the office.
Shaun asked Jay to complete his first challenge in this video which is to scrub 3 of the 5 Star Marine fleet and prepare them for upcoming tours.
As always with Jay, he took a little nap, stopped for some tea, and had a shower on the pier. All this and more in today’s video:
Thailand Pass – Test And Go CLOSED – Phuket Sandbox Open – THE LATEST NEWS!
ANNOUNCEMENT – Thailand Pass Rules Update Frequently, The Information In The Below Post Is Now Out Of Date For Latest News Please Visit: https://5starmarinephuket.com/phuket-sandbox-rules-and-updates/
With the latest outbreak of Covid starting to affect travel internationally Thailand has made changes to the entry requirements into Thailand. One of the major changes is that the Test and Go system for entry is now suspended indefinitely.
Right now the only way to enter Thailand without 14 days Quarantine is via the Phuket Sandbox program. To find out all the details join Jay and Shaun as they discuss the latest news:
And That’s A Wrap
We are excited to remain open for the entire Christmas and New Year period, and are looking forward to welcoming you on board for a tailor-made and festive private speedboat tour with us during this time!
Reflecting on the last 12 months, we would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU for the level of support we received from all of our wonderfully loyal, local customers, who have helped us during the past 20 months. Without you, we would not still be operating as we are today, and for that our company, team, captains, and tour guides are immensely grateful.
As a company, we managed to take time to regroup and focus on reprioritizing our efforts, and this meant rolling up our sleeves and getting busy. We keep continuing to support the vulnerable communities and the people around us via our charity efforts, with 5 Star Marine involved in all packing and delivery efforts of essential food relief parcels and bags. We focused on the upside wherever we could see or create one. We wanted to look at where we could add value to our community and what we should be doing during this time.
Living Waters Phuket Foundation was born from this desire to help and continue to support our community; it was set up to build brighter futures for communities in need and provides financial grants for projects around relief areas including sustainable food security, education requirements, renewable energy, and environmental issues. We are excited to report that already in only 6 weeks, 4 major funded projects have been completed and many, many more have applied for funding and are undergoing our impartial review process for approval.
Find out more on the website You can also watch our YouTube video on some of our latest grants:
We were thrilled to see many new destinations open back up for our day tours, and now offer over 11 stunning destinations including the Similan Islands, Phi Phi, Racha, Phang Nga Bay, Coral Island, Krabi tours, Mai Ton Dolphin Spotting plus many more tailor-made options to ensure you had the perfect day out. We saw a rise in popularity of our dual tour to Phi Phi and James Bond Island which literally has something for everyone; plus, we are awaiting the much-anticipated opening of Maya Bay on 1st January 2022.
You can watch more on Maya Bay and Shaun’s personal thoughts here:
Our YouTube channel has gone from strength to strength and we appreciate all the love and support we are getting. If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe and follow here:
5 Star Marine was lucky to welcome so much interest and publicity from bloggers and news reporters – we are grateful for the coverage and interest in our community efforts. Chris Parker, (from Retired Working For You), joined to see our food packing and delivery efforts first hand to see exactly what goes on behind the scenes of each vital life bag.
We also gained and appreciate hugely the support of local and international media, including but not limited to:
During the last year, we also had a chance to more than double the size of our fleet; we now have 15 Private VIP Speedboats and a VIP Luxury Cruiser which is a proud extension to our current speedboat fleet and offers a truly unique experience on the water. In addition, to accommodate our growing fleet size, the domestic market support, and prepare for the return of international tourists, we moved piers and into a new office at Boat Lagoon, Phuket. We love our new glass-fronted office which has been a more welcoming environment for all our loyal VIP customers.
So, to wrap it up – it has been a year of highs and lows, of challenges and new opportunities. We are thankful, grateful, and happy to be where we are and we will continue to help those in the community who need it most; and will always be grateful to our loyal customers for making 2021 the year it was for us.
Thank you,
Shaun and the entire 5 Star Marine Team
Phuket Private Boat Charters
Deciding which company to book a Phuket Private Boat Charters with, as well as which tropical paradise you want to explore for the day can lead to a confusing lineup of different options. To help you consider your choices, we have looked at some of the more important criteria to allow you to determine your perfect day out on a Phuket Private Boat Charter.
Experienced Crew:
All of 5 Star Marine’s boats are fully crewed by experienced captains, tour guides, and crew members; so, you get to relax onboard your Phuket Private Boat Charters and enjoy their dedicated services.
Their experienced crew also knows how to miss the crowds and take you to some hidden gems you would not get to experience with other Phuket Private Boat Charters companies. Therefore, by selecting to go on a Phuket Private Boat Charters with 5 Star Marine, they can ensure that you get to discover paradise islands, coves, and viewpoints in the best possible conditions, with the least number of tourists.
Private Versus Group Tour:
When we talk about a Phuket private boat charters, what exactly does this mean versus a group speedboat charter? Here are just some of the benefits to going the private boat charters route:
- Captain and crew will be dedicated entirely to you, your family, or friends on board
- We are able to tailor-make excursions to the islands surrounding Phuket
- We can be flexible on pick up and drop off location (hotel, pier, beach, etc.)
- You will receive a unique and customized program that is tailored to suit your exact preferences
- We can be flexible on timing; it is your private boat charter after all!
- You can choose to remain at a lagoon or private beach for a longer period if you are enjoying yourself, you won’t have to fit in with a group timetable
- With a small and intimate group of people, you are close with, it is a more Covid-19 safe environment, with fewer people on board and more space to yourselves
- You will get to discover hidden coves and caves that you will not experience on group tours because time does not allow
- We can organize a private beach picnic for your small Phuket Private Boat Charter to enjoy
Safety Is THE Top Priority:
Since 2020, 5 Star Marine have run Phuket Private Boat Charter under their TAT SHA approved status. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) awarded this certification, and the TAT Safety and Health Administration Plus Certificate is proudly held by the company also.
As one of the first tourism services to gain TAT SHA Plus status in 2021, 5 Star Marine was recognized as adhering to public health measures regarding Covid-19 safety. This means that all guests can rest assured and feel safe and secure onboard a 5 Star Marine Phuket Private Boat Charter.
New Rules – No Problem:
It is of utmost importance that tour companies keep updated with the latest rules and regulations, which change frequently here in Thailand. So, here at 5 Star Marine, we do the hard work to understand how new regulations, closures, and new openings affect you getting out on the water.
Management and crew go out to newly opened locations to personally check the requirements for themselves. This means you can be 100% comfortable when you go out on your Phuket Private Boat Charter, knowing that 5 Star Marine’s knowledge of the rules is thoroughly up to date.
Flexible Cancellation Policy:
Payments for your Phuket Private Boat Charter can be made on the day, whereas some group tours take money in advance. 5 Star Marine do not take deposits so there is no need to worry about refunds or lost money if the weather turns poor. Obviously, we cross our fingers and toes for smooth seas and bright skies, but in the event that the tour date is predicted to be poor weather, 5 Star Marine will re-schedule with you.
Luxury Inclusions:
To make sure you have the best time on your Phuket Private Boat Charter, 5 Star Marine add in a few little extras for your comfort and convenience during your private trip:
Phuket Private Boat Charter Inspiration:
- Take in the seascape views of the limestone karsts and caves in Phang Nga Bay, and visit the infamous James Bond Island
- Experience world-class snorkeling in the Similan Islands, potentially encountering manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, and a plethora of tropical fish
- Visit the caves, beaches, and island paradise around Phi Phi, including Maya Bay – the location of The Beach film starring Leonardo di Caprio
- Escape to white sandy beaches and enjoy quiet walks on Racha Island
- Try your luck spotting dolphins at Koh Mai Ton before heading to Coral Island to enjoy snorkeling and lunch at Banana Beach Club
- Visit Hong Krabi for a swim in the turquoise lagoon before getting your adrenaline pumping by climbing up to the 360-degree viewpoint
- Visit Koh Ha and Ko Rok if you are looking for something a little more exotic and lesser-known. These small islands are situated just south of Koh Lanta in the Mu Ko Lanta National Park.
Contact us to get out and explore, there are so many places to be discovered on your Phuket Private Boat Charter. We look forward to welcoming you on board for once-in-a-lifetime experiences with 5 Star Marine.
Thailand Pass Fun With Lucus, Aswa and Jay!
Watch our latest video to see the adventures of Lucus, Aswa, Jay, and cameraman Sunny as they head out fishing, snorkeling, freediving, and more around Phuket.
After leaving the 5 Star Pier at Boat Lagoon the excited team makes a stop at Koh Mai Ton. This is normally part of our dolphin spotting tour and is also a great snorkeling spot. Apart from one longtail, they had the whole place to themselves, and Lucas was straight in there showing off his freediving skills. Then the boys enjoyed some cannonball jumping off the boat before heading off to the next stop.
Fishing was on the cards next, so the private VIP speedboat stopped at Koh Doc Mai, which means flower island. This is a great diving spot too, but today was all about a spot of fishing. In only 1 hour, 4 fish were caught, including a grouper and snapper, (please note that all hooks were removed and the fish were released back into the ocean straight away).
Fishing is available onboard all our private charters, and our experienced crew can be on hand to help get all the gear ready if you need it.
Next, the gang of boys made their way to Ko He, or Coral Island to grab lunch from Banana Beach Club. This beach club serves a good selection of dishes, plus offers massages, canoes, and plenty of Instagram-worthy setups. You can enjoy some decent snorkeling from the shore there also. It is both kid and adult-friendly with big loungers, tables in the shade, and fun areas to explore for all.
With snorkeling, boat jumping, freediving, and fishing all ticked off, they headed back to base in Boat Lagoon.
If you would like to book a snorkeling and fishing experience, please contact us. All of our tours are private and fully customizable to suit your requirements.
Join Jay, his little monsters, our crew, and some of our wonderful local customers as they head out on a Private Custom Boat Tour to Khai Island, Coral Island, Mai Ton, and more in this week’s video with Jay.
In the video, you will see Jay find a Message in a Bottle on the beach, after spending more than 30 minutes trying to get the message out, the final reading of the message was…
Well, you will have to tune in and watch this week’s episode with Jay!