Top 5 Snorkeling Tours in Phuket, Thailand
By December 23, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Top 5 Snorkeling Tours in Phuket, Thailand

The islands around Phuket are known for their crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, making them ideal for exploring and snorkelling. The region is home to a wide variety of coral reefs and other underwater habitats that support a diverse array of sea species, including colourful tropical fish, sea turtles, and even whale sharks.

The warm, shallow waters and good depth visibility around many islands that are conveniently accessible on a day trip with 5 Star Marine, making it easy to see the underwater world and explore the reefs up close. In addition, trained guides can provide vital information about the aquatic ecosystems and help ensure a safe, memorable and enjoyable experience on your private speedboat tour.

1. Phi Phi
There are many reasons to consider a day trip to Phi Phi Island, which is located in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand. One of the main attractions of Phi Phi Island is its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters, which are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and exploring. The island is home to several stunning beaches, including Maya Bay, which was made famous by the movie “The Beach,” and Bamboo Island, which is known for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters.

A small selection of good spots for snorkelling in Phi Phi Island, include:
• Maya Bay: This is a popular spot for snorkelling, as the bay is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and is home to colourful tropical fish and sea turtles. Please note that you cannot snorkel directly from Maya Bay beach but can just beyond the bay from the boat.
• Loh Samah Bay: This bay is known for its crystal-clear waters and colourful coral reefs, which are home to a wide variety of marine life.
• Bamboo Island: This small island is located a short boat ride from Phi Phi Island and is known for its stunning soft sand beaches and clear waters. It is a great spot for snorkelling where you might get the chance to see tropical fish and sea turtles, as well as an idyllic lunch picnic spot.

2. Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are well-known for their striking crystal clear seas and varied marine life, making them an excellent snorkelling destination. The islands are part of the Mu Ko Similan National Park, which is home to a diverse array of coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems. With these reefs you will encounter a wide variety of marine life, including colourful tropical fish, sea turtles, and potentially whale sharks.

With a variety of dive sites and snorkelling areas to select from, the Similan Islands are particularly renowned worldwide. Elephant Head Rock, famed for its massive underwater rock formations and colourful coral reefs, and Shark Island, which is home to a variety of sharks and other marine life, are two prime examples.

Overall, the Similan Islands are a fantastic snorkelling location, with pristine seas, rich sea life, memorable scenery, and a broad range of snorkelling spots to explore.

3. Koh Rok / Koh Ha
These islands are for you if you are searching for somewhere a little more exotic and are perhaps as breath-taking as the Similan Islands. These tiny islands are in the Mu Ko Lanta National Park, immediately south of Koh Lanta.

These two islands provide some of the greatest snorkelling options available due to their exceptional water clarity, rich marine life, and colourful reefs, which make for a very unique experience. In season, whale sharks are also frequently observed swimming between these islands.

Visiting Koh Rok and Koh Ha makes for a perfect multi night experience, and will provide some of the greatest snorkelling, beautiful soft sand beaches, and less crowds than the more popular Similan Islands. Compared to most other day trip destinations from Phuket, this one is a little further out, but the assured natural beauty makes the journey worthwhile.

4. Raya / Racha Islands
Raya or Racha Islands are renowned for their pristine seas and rich underwater sea life, making them a popular snorkelling destination. The islands are situated in the Andaman Sea and are home to a multitude of coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems that are teeming with marine life, such as vibrant tropical fish and sea turtles.

Around Racha Island, there are several excellent snorkelling locations, including Siam Bay, which is located on the south side of the island and is renowned for its magnificent coral reefs and aquatic species including colourful tropical fish and sea turtles.

Patok Beach is located on the north side of the island and has a beach which is known for its clear waters and divers’ underwater life, teeming with tropical fish and other marine life. In addition to snorkelling, these islands are home to noteworthy diving locations, have 5 star hotels and restaurants to select from for a tropical lunch.

5. Coral Island
Coral Island, commonly known locally as Koh He or alternatively Koh Hae, is located close to Phuket so lends itself to being conveniently located and extremely family friendly.

This Island is renowned for its crystal blue seas and abundant marine life, making it another popular snorkelling destination to add to your list. It is situated south of Phuket and is home to a multitude of coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems.

There are a number of excellent snorkelling locations around Coral Island, including the coral reefs that encircle the island and the shallow seas along the beaches. In addition, the island is home to various snorkelling and diving locations, including Koh Hae Yai, which is renowned for its vibrant reefs.

Coral Island also lends itself to being a family friendly day trip; not only is it located near to Phuket, but because a trip to Banana Beach Club on the island serves a good selection of dishes, has clean facilities plus offers massages, canoes and plenty of Instagram-worthy set ups.

We look forward to welcoming you for a trip of a lifetime, snorkelling amongst the rich coral and marine life we are lucky enough to have around the islands surrounding Phuket.

Bookings and Enquiries:
Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
www.5starmarinephuket.com
[email protected]

Favorite Locations
By November 10, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Favorite Locations

If you are looking for the best Phuket Island destination to visit then I am sure you would just go on your phone and search in Google “Best Phuket Islands to visit”

Yes, that is great, and Google, Alexa, and Siri are all great resources to get multitude of information, BUT I was taught, when visiting a new country or a new city, that if you want to know where the best food is or the best bars and restaurants are, or the best places to hang out or even the best Phuket Islands to visit then you should ask a local.

Our 5 Star marine Phuket team, has over 40 years of experience running Phuket Boat Tours, and not just that many of the 5 Star Marine Phuket Team grow up in Phuket or Phi Phi, or Phang Nga Bay so they have more than just the years of experience out on Boat Tours, they have their whole life living and experiencing the wonders of this beautiful area.

We had one simple question to ask the 5 Star Marine Phuket team and that was; What is your favorite Phuket Tour Destination?

The top 4 Phuket Island Tour destinations from the 5 Star Marine Phuket Team were:

Koh Ha (Including Koh Rok)

If you are looking for something a little more exotic, lesser known, and arguably as beautiful, (if not more), than the Similan Islands, then Koh Ha and Koh Rok are perfect. These small islands are situated South of Phuket. The stunning water clarity with a diverse range of colourful marine life and corals, therefore make Koh Ha and Koh Rok some of the best snorkelling opportunities you can find

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Phi Phi

Phi Phi is a really well know location and of course has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Maya Bay made famous after being featured in the 2000 movie, “The Beach” featuring Leonardo DiCaprio. While many people mistakenly believe that Phi Phi is made up of just one Island, in fact, it is a group of 6 islands in total. Phi Phi also offers you experiences such as Monkey Beach and Viking Cave, as well as opportunities to swim with Black Tip Reef Sharks.

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James Bond Island

Phang Nga Bay truly is one of nature’s spectacular works of art; where the vast karst rock scenery presents a visually stunning location, and the most famous island in the whole of Phang Nga Bay is James Bond Island. This famous landmark in Phang Nga Bay found its way onto the international tourist map through its starring role in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun.

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Racha

Lying about 20kms south of Phuket, the Racha Islands comprise two islands, Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi. To confuse matters they are also known as Koh Raya Yai and Koh Raya Noi. Raya Islands provide the ideal destination to enjoy nature. With some of the best snorkelling reefs in Thailand and quiet, tropical white powdery beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, they provide a balanced combination of relaxing, tranquil locations with amazing sea life.

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So, there you have it, the locals have spoken. Of course, there are many more destinations that you can visit and explore while out on a 5 Star Marine Phuket Private Boat Tour. Just drop us a message and we will be happy to guide you to the best destination for your ultimate Phuket Island experience.

The Australian Consulate-General Phuket. Are you Australian? Do you need help?
By November 9, 2022 5 Star Marine News Comments Off

The Australian Consulate-General Phuket. Are you Australian? Do you need help?

The Australian Consulate-General Phuket is Australia’s official diplomatic mission in Phuket, with accreditations to the provinces of Phang-nga and Krabi. We went to visit the Australian console in Phuket, to meet the Consulate General of Phuket Matt Barkley to ask him all sorts of questions about what does a console do, what can it help with, what can’t it help with and to get some top tips for Australian’s traveling to Phuket.

Firstly, a bit of background:

The Consulate-General was officially opened in August 2017 by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. In 2015 the Australian Government announced that its presence in Phuket would be upgraded from an Honorary Consul to a full Consulate-General, reflecting the strength of the Australia-Thailand bilateral relationship and the number of Australians travelling and residing in Phuket.

So, my first question to Matt was an easy one, what does a consult General do?

Matt: So, a consulate general is basically like a small Embassy, so we do the role of an embassy, but outside of the capital, so that’s why we’re based in Phuket. We look after Australians; we promote Australian interests and we’re basically here as a conduit between the Australian community and the Thai community.

Are you only covering Phuket?

Matt: So, we cover Phuket, Panna and Krabi. So, if you’re an Australian that gets in trouble somewhere else in the region, then you can call us for assistance and even if you’re in places like Songkhla or Chumpon, Ranong, Surat Thani, if you need something done in southern Thailand and don’t want to travel to Bangkok, then you can travel to Phuket and we can assist you.

What services or assistance do you offer?

Matt: We do quite a few things here, so we provide passports to Australians that need them, so if you’re an Australian that wants to renew your passport, we can do that here, if you lose or damage your passport and you need to travel urgently, we can issue an emergency passport here as well, that’ll allow you to travel back to Australia. We also do something called notarial services, so if you’re an Australian that’s buying a house, going through divorce proceedings or something like that, we can do the signatures necessary for you to Lodge those documents back in Australia. And then, another major part of what we do is what we call Consular assistance, so that’s when if you’re an Australian that gets into trouble overseas, we can provide assistance and guide you through the process to hopefully get you home in one piece.

Are your services for tourists or expats or both?

Matt: It’s really interesting. So, we have about 2 000 Australians that live in Phuket and we have about a quarter of a million Australians who visit every year. Now, we provide services to both those groups and I think people would be quite interested to know that we provide about 40% of our services to the expats that live here and about 60% of our services to the travelers. So, we’re here for everyone, if you’re an Australian, if you’re an Australian passport holder, then we’re here to look after you.

What are the main things that you are asked help for from tourists?

Matt: Yes, it’s a good one and this changes on a day-to-day basis, obviously passport is a big one and particularly tourists going swimming and forgetting their passports in their pocket or putting their washing in and forgetting that their passport is there, that’s a big one for us because you need a valid travel Document to be able to get back to Australia or to go somewhere else in your travel. So, helping people with their passports or even with their passports expire, that’s another big one that we help people with. The other major area is on what we call again Consular assistance, so that’s when you are sick overseas and you maybe need to go to hospital and you don’t understand the processes there, you maybe need to be in touch with your family. These are things that we can assist you with. Unfortunately, we have a number of Australians that die overseas every year as well, we’re here to be able to help the families to navigate that process to be able to get their loved ones back to Australia as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Then, there’s also Australians that maybe go down to Patong and get into some trouble down there as well and we’re also here to assist them, so if you’re arrested or if you get into an accident, you have trouble with the law, then we can help you navigate that process, it’s important to know that we can’t get you out of those situations, but what we can do is we can give you the tools to be able to work your way through it. So, for example, if you get arrested, we can provide you with a list of local lawyers who potentially speak English and Thai and can help you go through the process there. So, it’s quite a range of services that we provide and we really are there just to ensure that Australians can help themselves when they get into a situation here in Thailand.

What things can you not do or help within your role as Consulate General?

Matt: So, the key thing to understand is that Australians are subject to Thai law when they’re in Thailand, we can’t get you out of legal problems, we can’t get you out of jail, we also can’t issue visas, we can’t issue visas to Australia. We also can’t extend your Visa if you’ve got a problem with your Visa here in Thailand. We’re also unable to provide legal advice, I think people come to us and because we understand the system here, they want us to be able to give them an estimate on how long things will take to work through the system. Unfortunately, we’re unable to do that, but what we can do is we can provide you with contacts, so that you can speak to a lawyer, you can speak to an expert in these matters who can actually inform you of those things. So, while there are a range of things that we can’t do, we will always try to assist an Australian in need, we’ll always try to point them in the right direction, and if that doesn’t work, you can always come back to us and we can work on a strategy to get you the help that you need.

What are some of the top attractions and things to do in Phuket for Australians?

Matt: I came to Phuket first as a tourist, so I know what people love about Phuket and I’m so glad to be posted here now. So, my top tip is to go to Phuket old town. If you think you know Thai food, then you have no idea until you actually get to try it here in Phuket old town. Southern Thai food is something unlike what we get back in Australia we think of Thai food, but beyond that, it’s got beautiful architecture, it’s got beautiful street art and to be able to spend an afternoon wandering around there to go to The Walking Street, the markets, it’s absolutely incredible, and it’s the top thing that I do when people come and visit me. And otherwise I think Phuket got some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and I find I love getting up early in the morning going for a great walk on Kamala Beach or down in Rawai as well, I mean it’s got some of the best walking trails anywhere in Southeast Asia and it’s just such an amazing thing to do to get out there, see people going about their morning routines and to just see the sunrise over the island here, it’s absolutely amazing.

What are some of the top tips and advice that you can give to Australian tourists coming to Phuket?

Matt: Well, I don’t think we have enough time to answer all of them, but I think there’s some really good tips that we can get from that. First of all, travel advice page called smartraveler.gov.au, my top tip is if you can’t ride a motorbike back in Australia, you can’t ride a motorbike here in Thailand, it’s not an ability you just suddenly pick up when you get on the plane in Sydney. Another thing is if you’re going to ride a motorbike as a passenger or as the rider themselves, wear a helmet, we see far too many motorbike accidents here and often they’re preventable and some of the worst injuries are preventable if you wear a helmet. So, go ahead wear that helmet when you’re on a bike. The other thing that I really recommend is to get travel insurance, we don’t know what’s going to happen on our travels, we don’t know what incidents or issues are going to happen and even the best prepared people can come across issues, so get that travel insurance before you get on the plane, and even while you’re here, if you’ve forgotten to get it, there are companies out there that can get you travel insurance Midway through a trip, so definitely think about it. Thanks very much, I’m looking forward to meeting you when you’re in Phuket, hopefully for the right reasons, but I hope everyone has a great time when they visit you.

So, that was awesome Matt Barkley the Australian Consul-General. So, if you’re Australian and you do need help; hopefully you don’t, then this is a place to come and they will look after you, because they are awesome. A big Thank you to Matt and a big thank you The Australian Consulate-General Phuket team.

https://phuket.consulate.gov.au/pket/home.html

 

 

The Best Phuket Islands Private Boat Tour to Khai Islands
By October 5, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

The Best Phuket Islands Private Boat Tour to Khai Islands

Are they worth visiting?

There are many beautiful islands to visit around Phuket, Phang Nga Bay, and Krabi. Yet a 15 minutes Private Boat ride from Phuket’s East Coast Boat Lagoon Marina there are three islands that offer superb white sandy beaches and clear water where colourful and friendly fish come to swim around you.

The three Khai Islands are perfect for those visiting Phuket with young families, if you don’t wish to travel far on a Private Phuket Boat Tour, or if you are new to snorkeling and looking for snorkeling straight off the beach.

The Khai Islands are made up of 3 separate islands:

  • Khai Nai
  • Khai Nau
  • Khai Nok

Each of these three Islands off Phuket’s East Coats offers something different for you to enjoy while out on a 5 Star Marine Phuket private boat tour. The larger two islands, Khai Nai and Khai Nok are similar, each hosting some small beach bars, and restaurants, sun loungers with umbrellas, souvenir shops, and jet ski rentals. The major difference between these two tropical islands is the snorkeling.

Both offer great snorkeling off the beach, yet if you have small children or you are new to snorkeling then Khai Nok is the best option for you. Walking 1 or 2 steps into the warm tropical waters off Khai Nok and hundreds of colourful tropical fish come straight up to you and swim around you.

Now don’t get me wrong, Khai Nai also has amazing snorkeling, and you can again walk straight from the beach into the sea, and if you swim out only a few meters you will find a beautiful tropical coral reef with clown fish swimming around.

Khai Nau is the smallest of the three Khai Islands and it doesn’t have any beach bars, restaurants or even a beach, BUT it is an excellent spot for fantastic snorkeling, right off the boat and has a huge variety of coral and marine life to explore, such as moray eels, clown fish, parrot fish, sea stars and so much more.

So, to answer the question: Are they worth visiting?

The simple answer to this is YES.

The three Khai Islands are perfect for those visiting Phuket with young families, if you don’t wish to travel far on a Private Phuket Boat Tour, or if you are new to snorkeling and looking for amazing snorkeling straight off the beach.

Private Phuket Sunset Cruise
By September 4, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Private Phuket Sunset Cruise

Making Memories

Get together with your loved ones for a day on the water that will never be forgotten. Our private Phuket Sunset Cruise gives you the freedom to explore the islands surrounding Phuket at your own pace on one of our luxurious 5 Star Marine speedboats.

An ideal combination of snorkelling, dolphin watching, and a private beach BBQ at sunset sets this luxury trip apart from the others. Each reservation is unique and we work with you to ensure you have the best experience possible. Our Phuket Sunset Cruise typically involves setting sail from our Boat Lagoon dock and spending the day cruising around the beautiful islands in the waters that surround Phuket. Enjoy snorkelling in pristine seas teeming with tropical marine life. To make the day seamless, there is no need to worry about bringing snorkelling gear along, as it is all provided onboard for you.

Private Phuket Sunset Cruise

Unlike on group tours, when you may feel pressured to rush through attractions in order to keep to a strict timetable, you may take your time and see everything at your own pace while travelling with 5 Star Marine on your Phuket Sunset Cruise.

In the afternoon, you will get to participate in our respectful dolphin spotting. We at 5 Star Marine know how lucky we are to have the chance to watch dolphins in their natural environment. Due to the fact that dolphins are curious by nature, they frequently approach our luxury speedboats during the Phuket Sunset Cruise to have a closer look, and so this special itinerary allows you the opportunity to enjoy an up-close encounter with these amazing animals.

Sunset Beach BBQ

Just before sunset, indulge in the late afternoon sun by relaxing on a private, tropical beach as our dedicated staff grill beef and chicken satay in the traditional Thai way, right on the stunning soft sands. In between invigorating swims in the turquoise water, enjoy our “Mocktail of the Day” on the beach, while the sun sets in a tropical kaleidoscope. Photo opportunities are abundant as you snap away to remember your truly special Phuket Sunset Cruise.

Phuket Sunset Cruise Inclusions:

Private boat inclusion

Our experienced captains and crew know just how to miss the crowds and make your Phuket Sunset Cruise a truly memorable experience.

Book Our Luxury Phuket Sunset Cruise:

Shaun Stenning

+66 (0) 93720 6221

www.5starmarinephuket.com

[email protected]

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James Bond Island Speedboat Tour & James Bond Island by Speedboat
By August 7, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

James Bond Island Speedboat Tour & James Bond Island by Speedboat

One of our most popular day trip destinations is the world-renowned James Bond Island Speedboat Tour, which takes you to Phang Nga Bay. On this luxury day trip, James Bond Island by Speedboat, you will get to enjoy famous sights along with more active pursuits such as exploring caves in the area or taking a canoe out to experience the eye-catching rock formations up close.

Whilst on our James Bond Island Speedboat Tour you will discover stunning and vast karst limestone seascapes which jut out of the emerald-green water, giving the Phang Nga Bay area a truly unique and visually stunning location to explore.

Of course, our experienced teams will get you to the famous Koh Tapu (James Bond Island) when you select our private James Bond Island by Speedboat, to enjoy the scenery of the most notorious spot in Phang Nga Bay. Boats are not allowed too close, as this is a protected marine area, but you can take photos of the famous sight from Koh Ping Ghan; an island with an immensely tall leaning rock and some small caves to explore.

Since the mid-1970s, James Bond Island has been popular with tourists after it became a major attraction following its appearance in the Bond movie, The Man With The Golden Gun; where it provided the hideout for Bond’s antagonist – Scaramanga. This famous film has been the catalyst for many happy guests to select 5 Star Marine’s James Bond Island Speedboat Tour.

In fact, this destination has continued to prove so popular that it has helped support the locals, shops, restaurants, and the floating Muslim community of Koh Panyee; where huts, restaurants, and even a floating football pitch are built over the water. This is part of the experience on the James Bond Island Speedboat Tour.

Visiting James Bond Island by Speedboat is certainly something that should be on your bucket list, especially now as it is quieter than ever before. This James Bond Island Speedboat Tour has something for everyone; whether you want to experience stunning seascapes, partake in canoeing, caving or explore famous locations.

James Bond Island Speedboat Tour Highlights

Selecting to go to James Bond Island by Speedboat, 5 Star Marine will work with you to accommodate your desires for the day. Our experienced captains and crew will help you beat the crowds and give you a day to remember. Some of the stops you might want to make on your James Bond Island Speedboat Tour include:

  • Stop by Panak Island to float along gently inside one of the hidden caves surrounded by mangroves, before enjoying a peaceful golden bay all to yourselves.
  • Move onto Ko Kudu Yai to take in the exquisite beauty of the clear turquoise water in this stunning lagoon.
  • At lunchtime why not make your way to the small island community of Koh Panyee; where huts, houses, and restaurants are built on stilts over the water?
  • Then get your Bond Instagram to pose ready as you make your way to James Bond Island, which is viewed from Koh Ping Ghan.
  • Continue on your James Bond Island Speedboat Tour with some sea canoeing or cave exploring before making your way back to base.
  • Make a final sunset stop at Koh Pear, a small strip of an island that looks and feels like you are walking on water – a perfect end to the day.

James Bond Island Speedboat Tour Inclusions:

Private boat inclusion

We look forward to welcoming you on board a luxury 5 Star Marine speedboat to experience a truly memorable James Bond Island Speedboat Tour.

Bookings and Enquiries:

Shaun Stenning

+66 (0) 93720 6221

www.5starmarinephuket.com

[email protected]

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Best Islands to Visit Around Phuket Koh Khai Islands and Phuket’s Famous Floating Restaurants
By July 15, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Best Islands to Visit Around Phuket Koh Khai Islands and Phuket’s Famous Floating Restaurants

White sandy beaches, crystal clear water, a private boat, and then an amazing seafood lunch, what more can you ask for on a Phuket Private VIP Boat Tour.

When looking for an easy, close-by island day trip from Phuket, that is good for families, snorkeling and relaxing on the beach you can’t beat the Khai Islands.

YouTube host Jay Leshark heads out on 5 Star Marine’s newest boat Lisa 1, to show you how close by and how beautiful Khai Islands are and then invites you for lunch with him at one of his favorite restaurants, the floating Restaurants, which are between Phuket and Coconut Island.

The Khai Islands are made up of 3 separate islands:

  1. Khai Nai
  2. Khai Nau
  3. Khai Nok

Each of the three Islands offers something slightly different for you to experience; Khai Nai offers clear, shallow water and snorkeling which is perfect for families with young children. Khai Nau is also an excellent spot for some snorkeling right off the boat and has a great variety of coral and marine life to explore. Finally, Khai Nok has some good off-the-beach snorkeling and offers you the opportunity to relax on the beach.

The 3 Khai Islands are located in Phang Nga Bay, which of course is most famous due to James Bond Island, named after “Khao Phing Kan” the real name of the island, was used in the James Bond movie “The man with the golden gun”. Phang Nga bay boasts 100 islands to visit as well as hidden lagoons and caves that can only be accessed by canoes at only some tide levels.

The Famous Floating Restaurants

The floating restaurants are located between Laem Hin (On Phuket) and Coconut Island and are only accessed by boat. There are a few to choose from, but generally, they all offer the same amazing experience for anyone looking to have a dining adventure with super fresh seafood. The menus cover every type of seafood you can think of, and once you have made your choice its then time to choose your fresh seafood, most of which is kept in large nets which are built into the restaurant, so you can walk around and see which red snapper you want to have. Then your next choice is done you want it steamed, fried, or BBQ, with lemon, chili, Thai herbs, and garlic…. The choice is yours. Oh and this is not just for the fish, you can choose the seafood of your choice, the way it’s cooked, and the flavors. As we said, this is a dining experience.

If you are a seafood lover then these restaurants are a MUST to visit while you are in Phuket, and when added to a Khai Island VIP boat tour, well let’s just say you will have created an experience that you will remember for a very long time.

Private Speedboat Phuket
By July 7, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Private Speedboat Phuket

For the ultimate, luxury experience, why not hire a Private Speedboat in Phuket with 5 Star Marine?  Gather your friends and family together and create memories that last a lifetime. Explore stunning seascapes, tropical islands, and limestone karsts around Phuket and the surrounding islands; the choice is yours when you opt for our Private Speedboat Phuket option.

All of 5 Star Marine’s Private Speedboat Phuket tours leave from their pier in Boat Lagoon. Consider a multi-night experience, which the expert crew can help plan with you, to see more of the surrounding islands; or alternatively book your Private Speedboat Phuket for a day trip, with so much to see around Phuket you will be spoilt for choice

Your Private Speedboat in Phuket is 100% flexible, so you have the ability to customize your day or multi-night trip with the help of our experienced crew and captains. After understanding your requirements, 5 Star Marine will be able to put together a suggested itinerary, giving you an experience, which is exactly what you are after

With your Private Speedboat Phuket tour, you get to carve out your bespoke and unique itinerary and can enjoy your collaborated itinerary planning on the day, for the perfectly balanced experience.

On your Private Speedboat Phuket charter, you might select to explore hidden bays, canoe through caves, relax on deserted white beaches, experience exotic marine life in crystal clear waters or even adventure up to breath-takingly high viewpoints.

Private Speedboat Phuket Inspiration:

A few examples of tropical journeys you can make with 5 Star Marine on your own bespoke Phuket Private Charter include:

  • Phang Nga Bay to visit the infamous James Bond Island
  • Phi Phi, including getting photos of Maya Bay from the boat- the location of The Beach film
  • Racha Islands soft white sandy beaches and abundant marine life
  • Dolphin spotting at Koh Mai Ton
  • Coral Island with full beach club, massage and restaurant amenities at Banana Beach Club
  • Krabi, Hong Krabi lagoon and the 360-degree viewpoint
  • Koh Ha and Ko Rok for something a little more exotic and lesser-known
  • Easy to access and family-friendly shallow snorkelling at the Khai Islands
  • Tropical paradise in Koh Lipe

Private Speedboat Phuket Inclusions 

We like to look after all our guests, so you can sit back and relax knowing that your Private Phuket Speedboat charter will include the following:

Private boat inclusion

Explore the best destinations around Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and beyond in ultimate luxury, with your very own, bespoke Private Speedboat Phuket day or multi night tour.  

Bookings and Enquiries:

Shaun Stenning

+66 (0) 93720 6221

www.5starmarinephuket.com

[email protected]

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Raya Private Tour
By July 7, 2022 Island Hopping, Phuket Tips, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Raya Private Tour

Introduction:

With a 5 Star Marine Raya Private Tour, you get the opportunity to discover two idyllic Raya Islands; Koh Raya Yai and Koh Raya Noi, which are also referred to as the Racha Islands. This is one of our most popular private charters, as the Raya Private Tour provides the ideal destination to enjoy nature and boasts some of the best snorkelling reefs in Thailand. This destination has quiet, tropical white powdery beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, providing a balanced combination of relaxing, tranquil locations and breath-taking sea life.

The Two Islands:

When you hire one of 5 Star Marine’s private VIP speedboats for your Raya Private tour, the most popular island to explore is Koh Raya Yai (situated and a mere 45-minute speedboat ride away). It has stunning white powdery sand beaches and good snorkelling available straight off the beach. If you want to venture a little further, to Koh Raya Noi you can also experience the plethora of marine life on offer, around this smaller island. As an uninhabited rocky island, you cannot go onshore, but you can enjoy snorkelling around it as it has plenty of fantastic bays.

Expert Crew and Captains:

The Raya Private Tour allows you to discover these stunning destinations for relaxation, fantastic beaches and plenty of snorkelling. 5 Star Marine knows exactly where to go for the best bays, quiet beaches and coral reefs in this area, and can also suggest some idyllic restaurants to stop at with fantastic views.

Bespoke Itinerary:

When you book our Raya Private Tour, you get a luxury speedboat all to yourself, which means that you get to decide on an itinerary that suits you; unlike with group tours when you often get rushed with other tourists on a pre-determined timeframe. With a Raya Private Tour, you get to carve out your bespoke itinerary and can enjoy collaborated planning on the day, for a perfectly balanced experience. Our team of the crew might even discuss a few suggestions based on variables outside of our control such as the sea, wind condition and tide on the actual day of your Raya Private Tour.

Sample Itinerary:

All of our VIP tours are private, so you can customise to get an experience which is perfect for you. However, to give you an idea, a sample day trip itinerary for our Raya Private Tour could be:

  • Snorkel the clear waters off Coral Island
  • Relax on the sandy white beach of Patok Bay
  • Enjoy a beach picnic lunch or head to one of the restaurants with a stunning view
  • Discover amazing marine life at Siam Bay
  • Go dolphin watching at Mai Ton island on your way home

Raya Private Tour Inclusions

We like to look after all our guests, so you can sit back and relax knowing that your Raya Private Tour will include the following:

Private boat inclusion

Explore the best spots on and around the two idyllic Raya Islands, in ultimate luxury with your bespoke Raya Private Boat Tour.

Contact us to book your Raya Private Tour:

www.5starmarinephuket.com

+66937206221

[email protected]

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Who Is Shaun Stenning Founder Of 5 Star Marine
By June 4, 2022 5 Star Marine News, Private Boat Charter Comments Off

Who Is Shaun Stenning Founder Of 5 Star Marine

Shaun Stenning moved to Thailand in the early 2000’s after successfully exiting a business in Sydney, Australia. After moving to Thailand he based himself in Phuket, Thailand right on Bangtao Beach.

During the first 6 months that Shaun was in Phuket, he started exploring the islands by hiring private boats from beach vendors. Shaun Stenning instantly fell in love with the islands, snorkeling, and boating, and started researching the market.

Shaun did not have any real boating experience. In his earlier days, he used to Ski on the Murray River and owned a Jet Ski while in Australia, but he did not have experience operating a large-scale Private Boat Charter business.

Prior to investing in his first boat, Shaun Stenning rented over 1,000 private boats for himself, friends, family, and clients. In this process, Shaun discovered what he wanted in a boat he was going to purchase.

This led Shaun to his first-ever boat purchase which was Lucus 1. This was a 39-foot private speedboat. In the early days of owning Lucus 1, Shaun Stenning went on every single private tour training his team and staff on how he wanted his private charter business to operate.

After successfully operating Lucus 1 and learning more about the private boat business in Phuket Shaun purchased Lucus 2. This was his first step into operating multiple boats on a single day that he owned.

Shaun Stenning found that he loved doing this and as such moved towards purchasing, renovating, and operating more Private Boats. This is where 5 Star Marine now operates and is the business that Shaun Stenning loves the most out of the assets in his portfolio.

You will meet Shaun and his wife Lisa on the pier at departure and return from your tour and Shaun still regularly goes out on tour with his crew.