Thailand: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
36 harbours
Thailand: 36 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Thai baht
Clearing in: Clear in at Phuket at the one-stop service in Ao Chalong (immigration, customs and the harbour office of the Marine Department), in Krabi, in Satun (Tammalang) or in season on Koh Lipe. Fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card for each person beforehand. Customs allows temporary import of the yacht for six months (extendable); for passages to another province the Marine Department issues a port clearance. In the Gulf of Thailand, yachts clear in on Koh Samui (customs and harbour master at Nathon pier, immigration in Maenam) or in Pattaya (Ocean Marina Jomtien; the authorities sit in different places, usually with an agent). The clearance office for Koh Chang in Khlong Yai lies in the border area with Cambodia, against which the German Foreign Office warns.
Ausreise: Before leaving, clear out at a port of entry: immigration, customs (return the import permit) and port clearance.
Documents: Passport valid for six months; since 15 September 2026 Germans enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 30 days (extendable once by 30 days; by sea and land at most two visa-free entries per calendar year). Ship's papers, insurance, crew list, clearance from the last port, Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
Fees: Low fees for clearance and port clearance, in Pattaya usually with an agent; berthing fees in the marinas; national park entry per person and day (Similan, Surin, Mu Ko Phi Phi, Ao Phang Nga, in the Gulf Mu Ko Ang Thong and Mu Ko Chang), plus mooring buoy fee.
Fairway: From November to April the northeast monsoon with calm seas on the Andaman side, from May to October the southwest monsoon with rain, squalls and swell on Phuket's west coast; then the east side and Phang Nga Bay give shelter. Many fishing boats, buoys and nets without lights. Phang Nga Bay is shallow (often under 5 m) with mud and limestone rocks. In the Gulf of Thailand it is the other way round: the northeast monsoon brings strong winds and seas to the east coasts from Koh Samui to Songkhla from October to January, the southwest monsoon calmer seas; the Bight of Bangkok and the river mouths are shallow. Buoyage IALA A.
Nature: National parks Mu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin (closed from mid-May to mid-October), Mu Ko Phi Phi, Ao Phang Nga, Mu Ko Lanta and Tarutao: anchoring on coral prohibited, moor to the buoys, entry fee per person. In the Gulf the national parks Mu Ko Ang Thong (usually closed from 1 November to 15 December) and Mu Ko Chang with the same rules.
Tropical storm season: The Andaman Sea lies on the edge of the cyclone tracks; tropical storms from the Bay of Bengal are rare (April to June and October to December). Tropical storms and typhoons from the South China Sea occasionally cross the Gulf of Thailand from October to December (Gay near Chumphon in 1989, Linda in 1997, Pabuk in January 2019). Squall lines and thunderstorms in the southwest monsoon.
Emergency: 191 police, 1669 ambulance, 1155 tourist police; coast guard via VHF channel 16.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt: Thailand, travel and safety advice, Marine Department of Thailand, Noonsite: Thailand (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Thailand: Chumphon, Prachuap and Hua Hin
Thailand: Khao Lak, Similan and Surin Islands
Thailand: Koh Chang, Trat and Koh Kood
Thailand: Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta
Thailand: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao
- Bangrak (Koh Samui)
- Bophut (Koh Samui)
- Chaloklum (Koh Phangan)
- Mae Haad (Koh Tao)
- Nathon (Koh Samui)
- Thong Krut (Koh Samui)
- Thong Sala (Koh Phangan)
Thailand: Pattaya, Rayong and Koh Samet
Thailand: Phang Nga Bay and Krabi
Thailand: Phuket (Ao Chalong, Yacht Haven, Boat Lagoon)
- Ao Chalong (Chalong Pier)
- Ao Po Grand Marina
- Nai Harn (Phuket)
- Patong (Phuket)
- Phuket Boat Lagoon
- Royal Phuket Marina
- Yacht Haven Marina
Thailand: Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat
Thailand: Trang and Satun (Koh Lipe, Tarutao)
Frequently asked questions
Thailand: Do I need to clear in?
Clear in at Phuket at the one-stop service in Ao Chalong (immigration, customs and the harbour office of the Marine Department), in Krabi, in Satun (Tammalang) or in season on Koh Lipe. Fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card for each person beforehand. Customs allows temporary import of the yacht for six months (extendable); for passages to another province the Marine Department issues a port clearance. In the Gulf of Thailand, yachts clear in on Koh Samui (customs and harbour master at Nathon pier, immigration in Maenam) or in Pattaya (Ocean Marina Jomtien; the authorities sit in different places, usually with an agent). The clearance office for Koh Chang in Khlong Yai lies in the border area with Cambodia, against which the German Foreign Office warns.
Thailand: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months; since 15 September 2026 Germans enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 30 days (extendable once by 30 days; by sea and land at most two visa-free entries per calendar year). Ship's papers, insurance, crew list, clearance from the last port, Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
Thailand: What fees apply?
Low fees for clearance and port clearance, in Pattaya usually with an agent; berthing fees in the marinas; national park entry per person and day (Similan, Surin, Mu Ko Phi Phi, Ao Phang Nga, in the Gulf Mu Ko Ang Thong and Mu Ko Chang), plus mooring buoy fee.
Thailand: What is the emergency number at sea?
191 police, 1669 ambulance, 1155 tourist police; coast guard via VHF channel 16.
Thailand: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 36 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.