Sail away...

David Bowden navigates Asia's waters and charts the relaxation and joy of discovery that a sailing holiday can bring.

With the advent of budget airlines, compact luggage and the internet, travelling has never been more affordable or easier than it is today. While quick getaways by land and air certainly appeal, travelling by sea is a completely different experience. Slipping off your shoes to feel a boat's smooth decking underfoot, being the first in your crew to spot a new discovery on the horizon or diving off a yacht's bow to swim with a pod of dolphins are escapes even the most exclusive of resorts cannot match.

Since man first harnessed the wind, sailing has been a form of exploration. And as a form of recreation, sea-faring adventures are usually considered the domain of the rich and famous. But even if your budget can't stretch to a permanent mooring, you can always hire an appropriate vessel and sail into the sunset - even if just for the weekend.

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL...

• Sailing vessels are powered by wind and sails - not motors. Of course, all large sailing boats have a motor for emergencies - such as an immediate need to crack open a bottle of bubbly before a rapidly receding sunset slips away from view.

• It's always best to get your sailing legs first, before heading off for an extended period at sea. If you've never been sailing before don't choose a month-long sojourn as your first ocean experience. Take a sunset or overnight trip, or learn the ropes by offering to help crew a yacht moored at a local marina.

• Experienced sailors can opt for a bareboat charter. But if you don't know the bow of a boat from its stern, go for a skippered charter - complete with skipper and a crew.

• One-way charters are another option to consider. Here, you can either sail to your holiday destination and take a flight home, or sail from one holiday destination to another. Some charter operators offer this option as it assists them in continually avoiding Asia's monsoon seasons. For example, yachts are moved from Nha Trang, Vietnam to Koh Chang, Thailand in October, to avoid being landlocked for the Vietnam rains. Once Thailand's April monsoon arrives, vessels are moved on again.

• While serious sailors prefer a sail full of wind, they don't want too much of it. Asia's tropical winds affect the quality of any sail, and the squalls and heavy winds associated with monsoon seasons are something to avoid. But as timings of the rainy seasons vary throughout Asia, you'll always find a route offering good conditions.

MALAYSIA

It's long been possible to drop anchor in many places along Malaysia's extensive coastline, but the recent development of more than a dozen marinas now makes sailing throughout Malaysia a breeze. You'll find various marinas on the west coast from Johor to Langkawi - and a few in East Malaysia - all offering hire opportunities.

The island of Langkawi off the northwest coast of peninsular Malaysia is becoming one of the region's hottest sailing destinations and now supports four marinas. It's an ideal starting point for the novice sailor. Charter a crewed yacht, bareboat charter or join a sunset or day cruise. If you've never sailed, you'll have to book the services of a captain - available for around S$250 per day.

Sailing Langkawi-style is very casual and you don't need the latest Gucci loafers or Nautica polo neck to be seen here. Rebak Marina (Tel: +604 966 5566, http://www.rebakmarina.com/) is located on its own island just off the main island. Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (Tel: +604 966 4078, http://www.langkawiyachtclub.com/) has excellent facilities including a restaurant and bar open to the public. The two other marinas on Langkawi are Awana Porto Malai (Tel: +604 955 5111, http://www.awana.com.my/) and Telaga Harbour (Tel: +604 959 2202, http://www.telagaharbour.com/). Telaga Harbour is the focus for a development that includes shops, bars, restaurants and a future luxury boutique resort.

Perhaps one of the best introductions to sailing is to gather three friends and charter a Sunsail (Tel: +604 966 5869, http://www.sunsail.com/) yacht for the day. The cost is a mere S$160 per person, inclusive of lunch and a skipper to guide you and offer a few sailing tips. An off-peak, week-long bareboat yacht charter with Sunsail for four people starts at just S$2,200. Sunsail has several vessels for hire, including Sun Odyssey 35 yachts which are fully-equipped with an outboard motor, dingy, linen, towels, plates, cutlery and barbecue. Sunsail can also provide food and beverages upon request, or they'll take you shopping to buy your own. If you don't want to cook, take the dinghy to shore and dine at one of the many luxury resorts.

Test the waters with a sunset cocktail cruise courtesy of Crystal Yachts (Tel: +604 955 6545, http://www.crystalyacht.com/). Setting sail at 5pm you'll enjoy three hours on the water and an open bar serving premium drinks and canapés for just S$70 - inclusive of resort transfers. Crystal Yachts owns vessels which set sail most days and offers a variety of cruises. Experience all-day eco-adventures at S$110 per person - inclusive of an open bar, barbecue and hotel transfers - where you'll discover the island's mangrove-fringed inlets, coves and beaches. The company can also arrange extended sailing trips to Phuket, Thailand. A big attraction with this company is the huge boom net draped over each yacht's stern. Lie here suspended and gaze at the Andaman Sea while you enjoy a massage, plus delicious bites and a full alcohol bar.

While sailing purists may advise that boating is not yachting, others would argue it doesn't really matter - as long as the quality of the experience isn't compromised. Bon Ton Cruises (Tel: +604 955 3643, http://www.bontonresort.com.my/) operates a luxury motor yacht offering a superior level of comfort, gourmet canapés and an almost endless flow of alcohol - including premium duty-free wines.

THAILAND

The land of smiles is known to offer also the sea of smiles courtesy of the many sailors who frequent its waters. The Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand present the exciting sailing destinations of Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Chang. Sunsail (http://www.sunsail.com/) has operational bases in all three destinations and sailors can choose many destinations within 50 nautical miles of all.

Pattaya/Jomtien is another popular Thai seaside resort destination. It's also the home for Gulf Charters Thailand (http://www.gulfchartersthailand.com/), which sails to over 50 islands in this area and offers chartered sunset cruises to week-long expeditions.

Sailing from Phuket to Langkawi or vice versa is one of the more accepted sailing routes in Asia. Travelling time is a few days or a few weeks - depending on your schedule. For island hopping, sailors prefer the following route: Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Muk (for Emerald Cave), Koh Hai, Koh Rok Nok, the Butang Group (Koh Lipe and Adang), Koh Taratao and then Langkawi. One of this area's most-respected operators is Faraway Sail and Dive Expeditions (Tel: 6676 289 656, http://www.far-away.net/).

VIETNAM

Vietnam may seem one of the most unlikely places to set sail, but the long coastline and offshore islands make it an ideal destination - outside the monsoon months. The protected harbour of Nha Trang is home to a colourful fishing fleet and the recent Hong Kong to Nha Trang International Yacht Race helped put Nha Thrang on the nautical map. But the lack of a marina is a current hindrance, although the sheltered fishing harbour at the mouth of the Cai River helps. A planned resort, residential and marina development at Phu Quy will provide a great sailing facility when finished and operators such as Sunsail (http://www.sunsail.com/) are already offering charters in Nha Trang.

Further north, Halong Bay has long offered visitors the chance to hoist the large sails of an old Vietnamese junk for some leisurely adventure on one of South East Asia's most scenic waterways. All manner of vessels sail the 120 kilometres of coastline within Bai Chay Bay. Check out the vessels operated by Halong Luxury (http://www.halongluxurytravel.com/), offering wooden junks with large orange sails - such as Ginger Junk - and Lagoon Explorer, which is ideal for private charter by three to seven passengers.

INDONESIA

Indonesia offers a well-established sailing route through the spice islands of Flores, Komodo, Lombok and Bali, thanks to yachts from Australia heading through here to the Indian Ocean.

Unfortunately Bali - Indonesia's best known destination - is not the best sailing base, although Benoa Harbour on the island's east coast does offer safe mooring. Asia Super Yachts (http://www.asiasuperyachts.com/) operates from here and has a range of large luxury yachts for charter, but they are mostly motor yachts rather than sailing yachts. Another option is the resort and marina development of Boat Lagoon Resort (http://www.dcabali.com/) on neighbouring Lombok Island, offering bayside land and adjoining moorings.

For an unforgettable sailing experience, step aboard the Silolona (http://www.silolona.com/). This elegant, 163-foot vessel was built by 90 shipbuilders from Sulewesi and Flores, using the time-honoured traditions once used to create the Buginese phinsi schooners. It offers cultural itineraries and sails throughout Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar with a crew of 12, who cater to just 10 passengers.

Closer to Singapore, Nongsa Point Marina (http://www.nongsapointmarina.com/) is part of the Nongsa Resort located on Batam Island and offers a hotel, private villas and recreational facilities. There are 178 berths for yachts and plans to overhaul the marina in the near future. Not only is it a relaxing place to spend a weekend, it's the gateway to Indonesia's stunning Riau Islands. Sunset cruises start from just S$40 per person, for a maximum of four people.

Regional Marinas

INDONESIA

Nongsa Point Marina (Batam) http://www.nongsapointmarina.com/

Boat Lagoon Resort (Lombok) http://www.dcabali.com/

MALAYSIA

Admiral Marina and Leisure Club (Port Dickson)

Tel: +606 647 0888, http://www.admiralmarina.com.my/

Sebana Cove and Marina Resort (Johor)

Tel: +607 826 6053, http://www.sebanacove.com/

Sutera Harbour Marina (Sabah)

Tel: +6088 252 266, http://www.suteraharbour.com/

Rebak Marina (Langkawi)

Tel: +604 966 5566, http://www.rebakmarina.com/

Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (Langkawi)

Tel: +604 966 4078, http://www.langkawiyachtclub.com/

Awana Porto Malai (Langkawi)

Tel: +604 955 5111, http://www.awana.com.my/

Telaga Harbour (Langkawi)

Tel: +604 959 2202, http://www.telagaharbour.com/

THAILAND

Koh Chang Marina http://www.kohchangmarina.com/

Ocean Marina Yacht Club (Jomtien)

Tel: +663 822 7810, www.gothailand.com/ocean-marina-yacht-club

Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina http://www.phuketboatlagoon.com/

SINGAPORE

MARINAS

Raffles Marina (West)

Tel: 6861 8000, http://www.rafflesmarina.com.sg/

The Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (South West)

Tel: 6768 9288/6768 9233, http://www.rsyc.org.sg/

Opening Soon...

One°15 Marina Club Singapore (Sentosa)

Clubhouse will open in May, berths currently open.

Tel: 6100 3888/6272 4643, http://www.one15marina.com/

Marina @ Keppel Bay (South)

Clubhouse and berths to open December 2007.

Tel: 6338 8111, http://www.marinakeppelbay.com/

CHARTER

Enquire with marinas or contact the following:

Rising Tide

Luxury 85-foot motor-schooner offering three air-conditioned guest cabins with stylish ensuite bathrooms.

Tel: 9450 6880, http://www.villa-srilanka.com/

Yacht Ventures

Reasonably priced, classic two-masted 37-foot ketch, with five berths in two cabins and shared facilities. Can overnight on boat or at marinas.

Tel: 6466 0716/9807 5827, http://www.cutterketch.com/

Turmalin

Elegant 54-foot Herreschoff-designed ketch offering a variety of day and weekend charters.

Tel: 9732 4501, boatcharters@singnet.com.sg

Il Lido

Motorised, luxury Lagoon Power 44 Catamaran offering three double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.

Tel: 6866 1977, http://www.il-lido.com/

Bluesails Sportsfishing

Specialises in quality game-fishing trips on 30-foot outboard boat, but also offers day and weekend island-hopping excursions with overnight stays at Summerset Resort in Kuala Rompin, Malaysia.

Tel: 9651 6797, http://www.bluesails.com.sg/

LEARN TO SAIL

Singapore Sailing Federation

Find links to all sailing clubs.

Tel: 6444 4555, http://www.sailing.org.sg/

Jet Set: Hot travel finds

Bali Dream Villas three and four-bedroom villas are ideal for relaxing family vacations and come complete with infants' and toddlers' equipment. Special rates from US$259 are currently available for a three-bedroom villa with pool, inclusive of tax, transfers, chef and daily car with driver. All readers of The Finder who make a booking of a minimum of three nights before May 31 will also receive a complimentary fruit basket and ice cream. Web: www.balidreamvillas.com, Email: acmitch@attglobal.net.

Club Med Ria Bintan's Body and Soul Week is on from April 19 to 24 and presents workshops dedicated to self-improvement, exploring your personality and revitalizing your health. Four-day, three-night packages start at just $695 and include return transfers from Singapore, accommodation, all meals, free flow alcohol and snacks, workshops, sporting activities and entertainment. Tel: 1800 2582 633, Web: www.clubmed.com.sg.

Sea Gypsy Village on Pulau Sibu, Malaysia is looking for two ladies keen to work as waitresses for the summer season from April to September 2007. Learn the food, beverage and hotel trade, meet new friends and scuba dive for free! Ideal opportunity for gap-year students. Tel: +607 222 8642, Web: www.siburesort.com.

Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi Resort & Spa has officially opened and is offering the LeSpa Signature Treatment Package for just US$215 per night until June 30. This special offer includes deluxe accommodation and a massage treatment for two, plus daily breakfast. Tel: +66 75 627 800, Web: www.accor.com.