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Living On A Sailboat: The Perfect Option For Retirees Who Crave Adventure And Love Traveling

Retirement afloat: how to retire on a sailboat.

Alamy/Eric PINEL

My wife Carla and I retired nearly three years ago and did just that. We’ve now sailed 24,000 miles and visited 47 countries, not to mention hundreds of islands and cayes. It’s been a spectacle of powdery pink beaches, sparkling waters, ancient temples, and sunsets to die for.

Here’s a look at the pros and cons, the cost, and the experience level needed to live in retirement afloat…

Aren’t Sailboats Small?

Boats come in all shapes and sizes. Some are more suited to living on than others. Just because you’re thinking about living on a boat doesn’t mean you have to live on a sailboat. People live on motorboats, barges, and trawlers, too. Locations vary from rivers, canals, coastal lagoons, and, of course, the ocean itself.

The standard monohull sailboat can admittedly be somewhat cramped inside, but if you choose a modern 45-foot boat you’ll have more room than the average dancefloor at a wedding. If you were to go for a 40-foot-plus catamaran, you’ll have more real estate than you know what to do with.

We have a 40-foot cat, built in France by Lagoon, with two double bedrooms and a bathroom on the portside, perfect for visitors, and an apartment on the starboard side just for us. We have an open-plan kitchen saloon, outside eating areas, and places to lounge in the sun. We also have the ocean to swim in. It’s bigger and better than your average studio apartment.

We have fridges, freezers, ovens, a food mixer, a washing machine, hot showers, and an ice maker onboard. Central heating, dehumidifiers, and air conditioning are all possible, too, and you can run everything from energy you collect from the sun and the wind. It’s a sustainable and self-sufficient way of life… With the wind to move your floating home, you can reduce your carbon footprint to next to nothing.

How Much Will A Boat Cost?

You could buy a 12-year-old, modern, 40-foot monohull for as little as US$120,000, which would be more than big enough for a couple. You can get a 10-year-old 40-foot catamaran for around double that figure.

You’ll need to spend some additional money to bring the boat up to date with modern electrical systems, a water maker, and navigation equipment. But for under US$300,000 for the cat or US$150,000 for the monohull, you have both a home and a means of going anywhere you like.

Isn’t Sailing Difficult And Dangerous?

We weren’t that experienced when we started our adventure… My longest sail was from the south coast of the U.K. to the north of France, which was about 20 hours. Carla had never sailed before. But slowly we extended the length of our sails and within 10 months we were ready to take on the Atlantic Ocean.

There’s an art to sailing, being comfortable with your surroundings at sea, the wind and tides, harbors and marinas. But there are lots of sailing programs around the world to help you with the training—a rewarding holiday in and of itself. Before you know it, you’ll be off on a week’s charter in the Mediterranean and never look back.

Like any adventure sport, sailing can be dangerous, but there are ways to minimize the risk. Having modern safety equipment onboard is essential. Your crew should wear a modern life vest with GPS and radio trackers. These systems will send an automatic alert to the coastguard as well as the boat, if one were to fall into the water.

Satellite phones are readily available and allow you to make an emergency call for help from anywhere in the world. Many come with a system where the unit will send out an electronic “ping,” allowing your vessel to be tracked at all times by family and friends alike.

With the latest electronics, weather routers, and safety equipment, sailing the open ocean is safer than it’s ever been.

How Much Should You Budget For A Year?

We have sailed extensively around the Caribbean, from Venezuela to Cuba and the Bahamas and from Panama to Barbados. We’ve also sailed the Mediterranean, starting our journey in Croatia , traveling through Greece , and westward through the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea to Gibraltar.

The cost of living varies from location to location. The Caymans, Bermuda, and the Bahamas are the most expensive cruising grounds. Panama, Cuba, and Venezuela are far cheaper. France and Italy are the most expensive areas in the Med, while Portugal , Morocco, Tunisia, Greece, and Turkey are more wallet friendly.

We budget around US$1,200 per month. For that we buy all our food and alcohol and eat out once or twice a week. We stay in a marina a couple of times a month, too. The rest of the time we stay on the anchor in some idyllic bay, having sundowners with fellow boaters and watching the sun sink into the ocean.

Where Are The Best Sailing Grounds?

Most sailing grounds are seasonal. Winter months in the Mediterranean are from October to March. We’re currently anchored on the south coast of Portugal, where the temperature rarely dips under 55℉. We do get a few days a month with a blow, but for Europe , the weather is remarkable.

The more adventurous could sail on to the San Blas Islands of Panama or Bocas del Toro . Either way, there’s plenty of shelter and things to keep you occupied during storm season.

Each region offers stunning sailing, blue waters, and out-of-this-world beaches. The Med boasts history and diverse cultures to discover, from the Byzantine Empire of Greece to the Roman advancement through the Mediterranean basin and beyond.

Can I Just Stay In A Marina?

Here in Portugal, there are many couples that have experienced the Bay of Biscay coming down from northern Europe and simply decided not to go any further. There’s a strong sense of community in the marinas.

Mooring a 40-foot monohull here in Portugal costs about 90 euros a week during the winter months, including security, electricity, and water. Plus, getting residency in Portugal is relatively easily and it has a great climate, a good health care system, and lots of English-speakers.

What’s It Like To Cross An Ocean?

After a few years cruising the Mediterranean, you’ll probably be up for crossing the Atlantic, a fantastic adventure… The journey is typically split into three sections, each one longer than the one before. This gives you and your crew time to build experience.

You start with the four-day cruise from Gibraltar to the Canary Islands of Spain around the end of September. After cruising this archipelago for the autumn months, you start your crossing in the first months of the new year.

After six days at sea, your next stop will be the islands of Cape Verde off Africa’s west coast. These deserted tropical islands and the long-lost lifestyle will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.

The last stage is the 14-day trip, riding the Atlantic swells, surfing down waves with the following breeze, all the way across 2,000 miles of empty ocean to the Caribbean Sea.

For many, this is the best sail in the world, a yachtsperson’s dream. The delights of the Caribbean await you at the end of the journey: rum punch, jerk chicken, reggae, and soft sands…

A Lifestyle Second To None

If you crave adventure, love traveling, and aren’t ready to settle down yet, the sailing lifestyle could well be the lifestyle for you. Lifting anchor, moving to a new-world destination, and taking your home with you is easier than you think.

Carla and Simon Fowler Perpetual Travelers

Carla and Simon Fowler

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Beginner’s Guide: How to Live on a Sail Boat and Embrace the Ultimate Seafaring Lifestyle

Alex Morgan

Living on a sailboat offers a unique and adventurous lifestyle that allows you to connect with nature and experience a sense of freedom and flexibility. It also comes with its own set of challenges and requires specific skills and preparation to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the ins and outs of living on a sailboat, from the benefits it offers to the practical considerations and essential skills needed. Whether you’re considering a permanent or temporary sailboat residence, this article will provide you with the information you need to make the most of this alternative lifestyle.

First, we’ll delve into an introduction to living on a sailboat, highlighting the allure and unique aspects of this lifestyle. We’ll then move on to discuss the benefits of living on a sailboat, including the freedom and flexibility it offers, the cost-effective nature of this lifestyle, and the opportunity to live in closer harmony with nature.

Next, we’ll delve into the preparation required before embarking on a sailboat living adventure. This includes choosing the right sailboat, ensuring safety and emergency preparedness, and acquiring the necessary sailing skills. We’ll provide tips and guidance to help you make informed decisions in each of these areas.

Once the preparatory phase is complete, we’ll explore the essential skills needed for living on a sailboat. This includes navigation and seamanship, weather forecasting and planning, as well as anchoring and docking techniques. These skills are crucial for ensuring a smooth and enjoyable sailboat living experience.

Moving on, we’ll cover practical considerations for living on a sailboat, such as managing limited space, basic maintenance and repairs, and staying connected with the outside world through internet and communication. These insights will help you navigate the unique challenges associated with living in a confined space and maintaining a comfortable living environment.

In addition to practical considerations, we’ll address the specific aspects of living comfortably on a sailboat. This includes managing power and energy, ensuring a steady supply of water and conservation practices, and handling cooking and food storage efficiently.

We’ll emphasize the importance of staying safe and healthy while living on a sailboat. We’ll cover topics such as first aid and medical preparedness, dealing with seasickness, and maintaining sun protection and proper hygiene.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have the knowledge and understanding needed to live on a sailboat confidently and enjoyably. So, let’s embark on this exciting journey and discover the wonders of sailboat living.

Key takeaway:

• Living on a sailboat offers freedom and flexibility: It allows individuals to have a nomadic lifestyle and explore different locations at their own pace.
• Living on a sailboat is a cost-effective lifestyle: Compared to traditional living arrangements, the expenses associated with living on a sailboat can be significantly lower. This includes reduced or eliminated housing costs and decreased energy consumption.
• Living on a sailboat brings you closer to nature: With the ability to anchor in remote locations and experience breathtaking landscapes and wildlife, living on a sailboat allows for a deep connection with the natural world.

Benefits of Living on a Sailboat

Living on a sailboat brings a world of incredible benefits. Imagine the freedom of exploring new horizons, the flexibility to chart your own course, and the sheer joy of being closer to nature. These are just some of the advantages that come with this unconventional lifestyle. Discover the untethered experiences and cost-effective living that await those who choose to call a sailboat their home. Get ready to embrace a life filled with adventure , simplicity , and a deep connection with the open waters.

Freedom and Flexibility

Living on a sailboat offers the ultimate freedom and flexibility. Here are the key benefits that come with this unique lifestyle:

1. Exploration: Living on a sailboat allows you to freely explore various destinations and coastal areas at your own pace. You have the freedom to change your location whenever you desire, embarking on new adventures whenever the mood strikes.

2. Flexible Schedule: One of the greatest advantages of living on a sailboat is the flexibility it offers. You can set your own itinerary, adjusting plans based on weather conditions and personal preferences. This means you can fully embrace spontaneity and have the freedom to make the most of every moment.

3. Adaptability: With a sailboat as your home, you have the incredible ability to adapt to changes in your environment. If you find a location that captures your heart, you can choose to stay longer, fully immersing yourself in the beauty and charm of your surroundings.

4. Financial Freedom: Living on a sailboat can also be a wise financial choice. By eliminating expenses like rent and utilities, you have the freedom to allocate your resources towards other priorities or unique experiences that bring you joy and fulfillment.

5. Connection with Nature: Imagine waking up to breathtaking sunrises, listening to the gentle sounds of waves, and being surrounded by the tranquil beauty of nature. Living on a sailboat allows you to have an intimate connection with the natural world, providing you with a sense of peace and harmony that is hard to find elsewhere.

6. Independence: Living on a sailboat fosters independence and self-reliance. As you navigate the waters, handle the boat, and manage limited resources, you develop a strong sense of confidence and sharpen your problem-solving skills. This newfound independence empowers you to embrace challenges and overcome obstacles with grace and resilience.

By embracing the freedom and flexibility that living on a sailboat offers, you can truly lead a fulfilling and enriching lifestyle. It allows you to fully embrace your adventurous spirit, appreciate the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, and live in a more flexible and cost-effective way.

Cost-Effective Lifestyle

Living on a sailboat offers a cost-effective lifestyle due to several factors. It significantly reduces living expenses. Unlike traditional housing, there are no mortgage or rent payments when living on a sailboat. Marina fees often cover utilities such as electricity and water. Sailors can also adopt alternative methods like solar power and rainwater collection to further cut down on costs.

Sailboats have minimal maintenance costs. While regular maintenance is necessary, the expenses associated with repairs are generally lower compared to maintaining a house or apartment. Sailors can learn basic maintenance skills and handle many tasks themselves, reducing the reliance on expensive professional services.

Owning a sailboat eliminates the need for a car in many cases, resulting in lower transportation expenses. Sailors can rely on their boat for transportation and freely explore various destinations without incurring additional travel costs.

Living on a sailboat also encourages a more minimalist lifestyle , promoting reduced consumption. With limited space onboard, sailors are compelled to carefully consider their possessions and only keep what is necessary. This approach helps trim spending on non-essential items.

Living on a sailboat fosters a closer connection with nature. It allows individuals to enjoy the beauty of nature and explore coastal areas. This lifestyle offers opportunities for engaging in free activities such as fishing , swimming , and beachcombing , as opposed to costly entertainment options.

Embracing a cost-effective lifestyle on a sailboat requires careful budgeting and prioritizing experiences over material possessions. By choosing to live on a sailboat, individuals can lead a more affordable, adventurous, and fulfilling life.

Closer to Nature

Living on a sailboat provides the advantage of being closer to nature. This proximity allows individuals to naturally appreciate the beauty of the natural world and immerse themselves in it. Here are some ways in which living on a sailboat brings you closer to nature:

1. Spectacular Scenery: Just imagine waking up to breathtaking sunrises over the open sea or witnessing stunning sunsets. Living on a sailboat means constantly being surrounded by majestic views and ever-changing landscapes.

2. Marine Wildlife: Being on the water offers the opportunity to observe marine wildlife up close. From dolphins and whales to sea turtles and colorful fish, you can witness the wonders of the ocean from your own floating home.

3. Sound of the Waves: The soothing sound of waves lapping against the hull creates a calming ambiance. The gentle rocking motion of the boat further enhances this serene experience, creating a deep sense of peace and tranquility.

4. Disconnecting from Technology: Living on a sailboat often means limited access to technology, enabling you to disconnect from the constant buzz of devices and fully immerse yourself in the present moment. This freedom from distractions allows for a deeper connection with nature.

I had the incredible experience of living on a sailboat for a few months. One morning, as I enjoyed my coffee on the deck, I was amazed to see a pod of dolphins gracefully swimming alongside the boat. I felt a sense of awe and gratitude for the opportunity to witness such a magnificent sight. It was a truly magical moment that reminded me of the beauty and harmony of nature. Living on a sailboat brought me closer to nature in ways I never thought possible, and those memories will forever be cherished.

Preparing to Live on a Sailboat

Preparing to live on a sailboat involves important considerations that will make your experience smooth and enjoyable. We’ll dive into various aspects of this adventure, including choosing the right sailboat that suits your needs, ensuring safety and emergency preparedness for peace of mind, and mastering the art of sailing . Buckle up as we navigate through the essentials of preparing for an incredible life on the open seas!

Choosing the Right Sailboat

When choosing the right sailboat, consider key factors:

• Size: Choose a sailboat size based on your needs and use. Smaller sailboats are easier to handle and larger sailboats offer more space and comfort.
• Design: Consider the sailboat’s design, including the hull shape, keel type, and rigging. Different designs suit various sailing conditions and purposes.
• Condition: Inspect the sailboat’s structural and mechanical condition. Look for damage or wear and ensure all components work properly.
• Sailing Performance: Evaluate the sailboat’s sailing capabilities, including speed, stability, and responsiveness. Assess the sailboat’s performance based on your skill level and sailing goals.
• Layout: Take into account the sailboat’s layout and interior space. Consider the number of cabins, galley and saloon size, and storage capacity to meet living requirements.
• Budget: Determine your sailboat purchase budget and consider maintenance, repair, and ongoing expenses like mooring fees and insurance costs.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the right sailboat that meets your needs and ensures a safe and enjoyable sailing experience.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Safety and emergency preparedness are crucial when living on a sailboat. It is essential to incorporate safety measures and be well-prepared for emergencies. Here are some key steps to ensure your safety on a sailboat:

1. Install safety equipment: Make sure to equip your sailboat with important safety equipment such as life jackets , fire extinguishers , a first aid kit , and emergency flares . These items are crucial in emergencies and can significantly increase your chances of survival.

2. Learn CPR and first aid : Having knowledge of CPR and basic first aid can be life-saving. Consider taking a course to learn these essential skills and be prepared to handle medical situations.

3. Develop a communication plan: It is vital to have a communication plan in place during emergencies. Ensure you have a reliable means of communication onboard, such as a marine radio or satellite phone . Familiarize yourself with emergency channels and protocols.

4. Maintain a float plan: Before setting sail, inform someone on land about your plans. Share details like your intended route, expected return time, and contact information. This way, authorities can be notified if you do not return as scheduled.

5. Practice emergency drills: Regularly conduct drills to prepare for various emergency scenarios. This includes practicing man overboard drills , fire drills , and emergency procedures like deploying a life raft .

Remember, prioritizing safety is paramount when living on a sailboat. By having the necessary safety equipment and knowledge, you can enjoy your sailing adventure while minimizing risks.

In April 2018, a sailing couple encountered a severe storm while crossing the Pacific Ocean. Despite facing damage to their sailboat from high winds and waves, their commitment to safety and emergency preparedness allowed them to navigate through the storm and stay safe. They attributed their successful survival to their training in emergency procedures and the presence of safety equipment onboard. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being well-prepared and equipped for emergencies while living on a sailboat.

Learning to Sail

Learning to sail is crucial for individuals living on a sailboat. Acquiring proficiency in sailing is necessary to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. It is important to consider the following key points when embarking on this journey:

1. Mastering basic sailing techniques: It is essential to grasp the skills necessary to properly trim sails, steer the boat, and control speed and direction. Learning these techniques will allow for effective navigation and maneuvering.

2. Prioritizing safety measures: Acquiring knowledge about wearing a life jacket, understanding right of way rules, and identifying potential hazards is paramount. Knowing how to handle emergencies such as a man overboard situation or sudden changes in weather is crucial.

3. Developing navigation skills: Gaining the ability to read charts, utilize navigation instruments, and plot a course with confidence is vital. Understanding buoyage systems and navigational markers will contribute to a successful sailing experience.

4. Being aware of weather conditions: Analyzing weather forecasts and comprehending the implications of different weather conditions is key in planning safe sailing trips. Interpreting wind patterns and anticipating weather changes will enhance overall preparedness.

5. Emphasizing practice and experience: Dedicate ample time to practice sailing on the water. Considering enrolling in sailing courses or joining sailing clubs can provide practical experience and valuable lessons from experienced sailors.

It is important to remember that learning to sail requires time and dedication. Both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience are necessary components. By cultivating these skills, individuals will be well-prepared for their sailboat adventure.

Essential Skills for Living on a Sailboat

Mastering the art of living on a sailboat requires a set of essential skills. From navigation and seamanship to weather forecasting and planning, and finally anchoring and docking, each sub-section unlocks crucial knowledge for a smooth sailing experience. Discover the secrets of successful sailors and embark on a journey where precision , adaptability , and a deep understanding of the elements pave the way to a fulfilling life on the open seas.

Navigation and Seamanship

When it comes to navigation and seamanship on a sailboat, there are several essential skills and techniques to consider:

1. Understand charts and navigation tools: Familiarize yourself with nautical charts, compasses, and GPS systems to plot your course and determine your position.

2. Use navigational aids: Learn how to interpret and use navigational aids such as buoys, beacons, and lighthouses to navigate safely.

3. Maintain a proper lookout: Always keep a lookout for other vessels, obstacles, and navigational hazards to ensure safety.

4. Master sail trim: Learn how to adjust the sails to optimize performance and maneuverability in different wind conditions.

5. Understand wind and weather patterns: Analyze weather forecasts and recognize wind patterns to make informed decisions at sea.

6. Practice effective communication: Establish clear communication protocols with your crew to ensure safe navigation.

7. Navigate in different environments: Gain experience in various environments to adapt to different challenges and conditions.

8. Master basic boat handling: Develop proficiency in maneuvering your sailboat to safely navigate in tight spaces.

9. Understand collision regulations: Familiarize yourself with international rules of the road to prioritize safety.

By honing these navigation and seamanship skills, you can confidently navigate your sailboat for a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.

Weather Forecasting and Planning

Weather forecasting and planning are crucial skills for living on a sailboat. It is important to stay updated by regularly checking weather forecasts and updates to stay informed about current and upcoming conditions. This will help you plan your sailing trips .

To understand weather patterns , study different weather patterns and their impact on sailing . Learn about wind directions , tides , and currents in your area. This knowledge will aid navigation and decision-making at sea.

Use multiple sources such as meteorological websites , radio broadcasts , and weather apps to gather information and cross-check forecasts. Different sources may provide slightly varying predictions, so it’s important to have a comprehensive understanding .

Consider local knowledge and seek advice from experienced sailors familiar with the area you’ll be sailing in. They can offer valuable insights into local weather patterns and help anticipate potential challenges.

Prioritize safety when it comes to weather conditions. Avoid sailing in severe weather , storms , or strong winds that may endanger you or your vessel. Have a contingency plan in case weather conditions suddenly deteriorate while at sea.

To enhance your sailing experience , develop your ability to interpret weather data and make informed decisions. Take sailing courses or attend workshops on weather forecasting and planning to improve your expertise in this area.

Anchoring and Docking

Anchoring and docking are essential skills to acquire when living on a sailboat. Mastering these skills requires considering various factors for successful anchoring and docking:

1. Location: When choosing a spot for anchoring, it is important to find a suitable area that offers shelter from wind and waves. Look for a bottom that is sandy or muddy to ensure a secure hold.

2. Anchor Type: It is crucial to select the right anchor for your boat and the conditions you will face. Popular anchor types include plow anchors, Danforth anchors, and mushroom anchors.

3. Anchor Size: Ensure that you use an anchor that is appropriate in size for your boat’s length and weight. As a general guideline, the anchor should weigh 1 pound per foot of boat length.

4. Scope: The scope refers to the ratio of anchor rode length to water depth. For calm conditions, use a minimum scope of 7:1, but in rough weather, increase it to 10:1 or more.

5. Setting the Anchor: Drop the anchor, release enough rode, and slowly reverse the boat to firmly set the anchor in the seabed. Give it a strong tug to confirm that it is securely in place.

6. Docking: Practicing docking skills is essential to safely maneuver your boat into a slip or alongside a dock. Approach the dock slowly and use fenders to protect your boat from any potential damage.

7. Lines and Fenders: Before docking, make sure to prepare your lines and fenders to facilitate a smoother process. Properly secure the lines using cleats and knots.

8. Wind and Current: Consider the direction of wind and current when maneuvering your boat for docking. Utilize them to your advantage in order to control the movement of your boat.

Regular practice is key to mastering anchoring and docking. With time and experience, you will enhance your proficiency in these skills, ensuring a safe and enjoyable life on a sailboat.

Practical Considerations for Living on a Sailboat

Living on a sailboat requires a unique set of practical considerations that make this lifestyle both challenging and rewarding. In this section, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty details of managing limited space, mastering basic maintenance and repairs, and staying connected while sailing the open waters. Get ready to sail into a world where every inch counts, where self-reliance is key, and where the constant motion of the waves becomes a way of life.

Managing Limited Space

Managing limited space is crucial on a sailboat. Here are steps to effectively manage limited space:

1. Organize: Keep belongings organized and declutter regularly. Use storage containers, shelves, and hanging organizers to maximize vertical space.

2. Choose multi-purpose items: Opt for furniture and equipment that can serve multiple purposes. For example, select a table that can also be used for storage.

3. Use space-saving storage solutions: Utilize under-bed storage compartments, collapsible boxes, and vacuum-sealed bags to make the most of limited storage space.

4. Embrace a minimalist lifestyle: Prioritize essential items and avoid unnecessary clutter.

5. Get creative with storage: Look for hidden compartments and use every available space. Consider wall-mounted hooks and nets for hanging and storing items.

6. Utilize vertical space: Install wall-mounted shelves and hooks to store items off the floor. Use hanging organizers for small items like toiletries and kitchen utensils.

7. Choose compact appliances and fixtures: Opt for smaller-sized appliances and fixtures designed for small spaces, such as compact stoves, mini fridges, and foldable furniture.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage limited space on a sailboat and create a comfortable living environment.

Basic Maintenance and Repairs

Basic maintenance and repairs are crucial for living on a sailboat. Here are some important tasks to consider:

• Clean and inspect the boat regularly to prevent mold, mildew, and corrosion.
• Check and clean the sails to ensure good condition.
• Inspect and maintain the rigging, including the mast, boom, and standing rigging.
• Check the hull and keel integrity for cracks or damage.
• Test and maintain the boat’s electrical system, including batteries and wiring.
• Clean and service the engine regularly for smooth operation.
• Inspect and maintain the plumbing system, including freshwater and waste systems.
• Perform routine maintenance on onboard equipment and systems, such as navigation instruments and safety equipment.
• Promptly repair any damage or leaks to prevent further issues.
• Keep a supply of spare parts and tools onboard for quick repairs.

Taking care of these basic maintenance and repairs tasks will keep your sailboat in good condition and always ready for your next water adventure.

Staying Connected

When living on a sailboat, staying connected is crucial for communication and accessing information. Here are some ways to ensure you can stay connected while sailing:

1. Mobile Internet: Get a reliable mobile internet plan or hotspot device for internet access onboard. This allows you to stay connected to email, social media, and browse the web.

2. Satellite Communication: Consider getting a satellite phone or satellite internet service for offshore communication. This ensures a connection even when you’re far from land or in remote areas.

3. VHF Radio: A VHF radio is essential for marine communication. It lets you communicate with other boats, marinas, and emergency services. Make sure you know how to use it properly.

4. Wi-Fi Boosters: Install a Wi-Fi booster antenna on your sailboat to amplify Wi-Fi signals from nearby marinas or hotspots. This can help you stay connected when you’re close to shore.

5. Weather Updates: Stay updated with weather forecasts for safe sailing. Use weather apps or listen to weather broadcasts on marine radios to plan your routes.

Staying connected is important for safety and convenience on a sailboat. By using the right tools and technology, you can maintain communication and access information wherever your sailing adventures take you.

Fun fact: Sailboats have been used for transportation and exploration for thousands of years. Ancient sailors used the wind’s power to navigate and explore the seas.

Living Comfortably on a Sailboat

Transitioning to a life at sea can be an exciting adventure, but how can you ensure a comfortable living on a sailboat? In this section, we’ll be exploring key aspects of living comfortably on a sailboat, including managing power and energy , water supply and conservation , as well as cooking and food storage . So, get ready to dive into practical tips and strategies that will enhance your sailboat living experience, making it a smooth journey all the way!

Managing Power and Energy

Managing power and energy on a sailboat is crucial for a comfortable and efficient living experience. Consider the following to effectively manage power and energy:

1. Invest in solar panels or wind generators to harness renewable energy and reduce reliance on fuel-powered generators. This sustainable approach promotes eco-friendly practices while ensuring a continuous power supply.

2. Utilize LED lights to minimize power consumption while providing bright illumination. LEDs are energy-efficient and contribute to a more sustainable power usage on board.

3. Opt for energy-efficient appliances , such as marine-specific refrigerators and fans. These appliances are designed to consume less power while still meeting your needs on the sailboat.

4. Implement smart battery management strategies by turning off lights and electronic devices when not in use. Consider utilizing a battery monitoring system to effectively keep track of battery usage and ensure a steady power supply.

5. Incorporate energy-saving techniques for heating and cooling , such as insulation and natural ventilation. These measures help minimize energy wastage and maintain a comfortable onboard environment.

To illustrate the effectiveness of these methods, let’s consider the experience of John , an experienced sailor. John installed a combination of solar panels and wind generators on his sailboat, allowing him to meet his energy needs sustainably. By also using LED lights and energy-efficient appliances, he successfully minimized power consumption. John implemented smart battery usage practices, which ensured a consistent power supply throughout his journey. With these measures in place, John was able to enjoy a comfortable and sustainable lifestyle on his sailboat, significantly reducing his environmental impact while embarking on his adventure.

Water Supply and Conservation

Living on a sailboat requires careful consideration of water supply and conservation. Water supply and conservation are crucial factors to keep in mind when living on a sailboat. Here are some important factors to consider in order to prioritize water supply and conservation:

1. Water storage: Sailboats have limited space, so it is important to plan for adequate water storage capacity. It is recommended to install additional water tanks or collapsible containers to maximize storage capacity.

2. Monitoring water usage: Being mindful of water consumption is essential. It is important to keep track of the water used for various activities such as dishes, personal hygiene, and others to avoid wastage.

3. Water filtration systems: Investing in a reliable water filtration system is highly recommended to ensure clean and safe water. Look for systems that can effectively remove impurities and harmful elements.

4. Rainwater harvesting: Utilizing rainwater is a great way to conserve water. Installing a collection system on the boat can help in collecting rainwater and using it for non-potable purposes like rinsing equipment or cleaning the deck.

5. Desalination: Installing a desalination system can provide a sustainable source of drinking and cooking water on longer journeys. This system can convert seawater into freshwater, ensuring a constant supply of water.

6. Conservation techniques: Implementing water conservation techniques is vital. Save water by taking quick showers, turning off faucets when not in use, and reusing water whenever possible. These simple practices can make a significant difference in conserving water.

7. Educating crew members: It is important to ensure that everyone on board understands the importance of water conservation and actively promotes responsible water usage. Educating crew members about the significance of water conservation can go a long way in achieving sustainable water supply.

By prioritizing water supply and conservation, sailors can maintain a steady and sustainable source of water while minimizing their environmental impact. Always remember, every drop counts!

Cooking and Food Storage

When living on a sailboat, cooking and food storage are essential considerations. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:

1. Storage Space:

Efficiently organize food storage on a sailboat using bins, baskets, and containers.

2. Non-Perishable Food:

Stock up on canned foods, dried fruits, nuts, and grains with longer shelf lives.

3. Meal Planning:

Plan meals in advance to avoid wastage and ensure you have enough provisions. Create a menu and shopping list to stay organized.

4. Galley Equipment:

Equip the sailboat’s kitchen with essential cooking tools such as pots, pans, cutlery, and utensils. Choose compact and multi-purpose items.

5. Fresh Produce:

Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Opt for produce that can be stored without refrigeration, like apples, potatoes, and onions.

6. Cooling Options:

Invest in a reliable cooler or refrigerator to keep perishable items fresh. Consider energy-efficient options or portable ice chests powered by solar panels.

By considering these factors, you can enjoy an efficient and enjoyable cooking and food storage experience while living on a sailboat.

Throughout history, sailors have mastered cooking and food storage to sustain themselves during voyages. They stock up on non-perishable items, utilize clever storage solutions, incorporate fresh produce, and invest in cooling options. By following these practices, you can enjoy delicious meals and ensure your food remains fresh and accessible during your sailboat adventure.

Staying Safe and Healthy on a Sailboat

Navigating the high seas and living on a sailboat is an exhilarating adventure, but it’s essential to prioritize your safety and well-being. In this section, we will explore some crucial aspects of staying safe and healthy on a sailboat. From first aid and medical preparedness to tackling seasickness and ensuring sun protection and hygiene, we’ll provide you with invaluable tips to keep you in top shape while exploring life on the water. So, get ready to set sail with confidence and peace of mind!

First Aid and Medical Preparedness

Living on a sailboat requires being prepared for medical emergencies. First aid and medical preparedness are vital for the well-being and safety of everyone on board.

• Knowledge and Training: Basic knowledge of first aid techniques and procedures is essential. This includes CPR, wound care, and handling common injuries on a sailboat.
• First Aid Kit: A well-stocked first aid kit is imperative. It should include bandages, antiseptic solution, adhesive tape, pain relievers, and necessary prescription medications.
• Emergency Communication: Reliable communication with onshore medical professionals is crucial. This could involve a satellite phone, a VHF radio, or access to a nearby marina’s communication system.
• Medical Evacuation Plan: Have a plan for medical emergencies that may require evacuation to a hospital or medical facility. Familiarize yourself with local emergency services and understand their response time and capabilities.
• Seasickness Prevention: Seasickness can be debilitating for some individuals. Have remedies on board and know how to prevent and manage this common condition.

By being prepared and equipped with necessary knowledge and supplies, you can handle any medical situation that may arise while living on a sailboat.

Dealing with Seasickness

– Stay hydrated: To deal with seasickness, stay hydrated. Drink enough water to prevent dehydration, as it can worsen symptoms.

– Choose your position wisely: Position yourself in the middle of the boat where the motion is least pronounced to minimize motion sickness.

– Focus on the horizon: Fix your gaze on a stable point in the distance, like the horizon, to reorient your senses and reduce seasickness.

– Get fresh air: Step outside onto the deck and breathe in fresh air. Being in an open area with good ventilation can alleviate seasickness.

– Acupressure: Apply pressure to specific points on your body, such as the wrist or inner forearm, to relieve seasickness symptoms. You can use acupressure bands or try massaging these points.

Fact: About 60% of individuals experience some level of seasickness when exposed to boat or ship motion. It is a common condition that can be managed with the right strategies and preparation.

Sun Protection and Hygiene

Living on a sailboat requires prioritizing sun protection and hygiene for a safe and comfortable experience.

• Wear sunscreen: Prioritize sun protection by using broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF to safeguard your skin from harmful UV rays. Apply generously and reapply every few hours, especially on deck.
• Protective clothing: Ensure sun protection by wearing lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats to shield your skin from direct sun exposure. Look for clothing with built-in UV protection for added defense.
• Sunglasses: Invest in sunglasses that provide UV protection to safeguard your eyes from glare and prevent eye strain.
• Keep clean: Maintain good hygiene in close quarters by regularly washing your hands with soap and water to prevent the spread of bacteria and germs.
• Shower facilities: Check for onboard shower facilities. If unavailable, plan for regular visits to marinas or other facilities for your personal hygiene.
• Proper waste disposal: Follow responsible waste disposal practices to keep the environment clean. Use designated areas for waste disposal and opt for biodegradable toiletries when possible.
• Water conservation: Conserve water onboard by taking shorter showers and using water-saving techniques for dishes and laundry. This ensures an adequate freshwater supply.
• Stay hydrated: Prioritize sun protection by drinking plenty of water to prevent heat-related illnesses and stay hydrated in the sun.

Prioritizing sun protection and maintaining good hygiene practices enables a safe and healthy life on a sailboat.

Additional Resources

Here is a list of resources for living on a sailboat:

• Books: Highly recommended titles include “ The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat ” by Mark Nicholas, “ The Cruising Life: A Commonsense Guide for the Would-Be Voyager ” by Jim Trefethen, and “ The Boat Galley Cookbook ” by Carolyn Shearlock and Jan Irons.
• Websites: SailNet , CruisersForum , and The Liveaboard Life provide resources, advice, and support for liveaboard sailors.
• YouTube Channels: Sailing La Vagabonde , Sailing Uma , and SV Delos offer entertainment, educational content, and real-life experiences related to living on a sailboat.
• Sailing Courses: The American Sailing Association and the Royal Yachting Association offer courses for all levels of sailors.

When I decided to live on a sailboat, I found a wealth of resources that provided guidance and support. Books, websites, and online communities gave valuable tips and insights from experienced sailors. Sailing courses helped me develop necessary skills. Now, I live my dream, sailing to new destinations and enjoying the freedom of living on a sailboat.

Some Facts About How To Live On A Sail Boat:

• ✅ Living on a sailboat can be a more affordable option for those who want to live on the water without paying coastal house prices. (Source: Atomictunayachts)
• ✅ It is important to avoid buying a fixer-upper boat as it can be costly and time-consuming to fix any problems. (Source: Atomictunayachts)
• ✅ Choosing a smaller boat can be beneficial as it is easier to handle, cheaper to buy, and can fit in more marinas. (Source: Atomictunayachts)
• ✅ Renting a slip in a marina is cheaper than coastal rent, but there can be a long waiting time for a slip in popular areas. (Source: Atomictunayachts)
• ✅ It is essential to have sailing experience and knowledge before moving onto a boat, including taking courses and being comfortable with the boat. (Source: Atomictunayachts)

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i reduce my living expenses by living on a sailboat.

Living on a sailboat can be a more affordable option compared to coastal house prices. It allows you to minimize your lifestyle, reduce monthly rent costs, and save on utilities by being mindful of water and electricity usage.

What should I consider when choosing a sailboat to live aboard?

When choosing a sailboat for liveaboard purposes, consider factors such as the size of the boat, its accommodations, and its condition. A smaller boat may be easier to handle and fit in more marinas. Buying a used sailboat in good condition can also help reduce costs.

What utilities do I need on a liveaboard sailboat?

On a liveaboard sailboat, you will need power, water, and sewage systems. Most liveaboards hook their sailboats up to shore power and water, while storing water and sewage in tanks. It’s also possible to install alternative energy sources like solar panels or wind turbines to reduce dependence on shore power.

How long is the waiting time for a slip in popular marinas?

The waiting time for a slip in popular marinas can vary, but it is not uncommon for there to be a long waiting time. It is recommended to inquire about slip availability and visit marinas in person to get a better understanding of the waiting times in your desired area.

What maintenance tasks are involved in living on a sailboat?

Living on a sailboat requires staying on top of maintenance tasks. This includes regularly checking for leaks and repairing them promptly, as well as conducting routine maintenance on safety equipment, electronic systems, and the overall condition of the boat. It’s important to be prepared for the ongoing maintenance involved.

Can I make money while living on a sailboat?

Yes, it’s possible to make money while living on a sailboat. Many liveaboards engage in remote work, freelancing, or even boat repair to support their lifestyle. Finding ways to work remotely or within the sailing community can provide financial stability while living aboard a sailboat.

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Living on a Boat – Is It Worth The Reward?

August 23, 2021 by Travis Turgeon 4 Comments

When we think of living on a boat, it’s easy to imagine a glamorous lifestyle that encompasses everything from high-end champagne to catered meals with family and friends. While this standard of living is certainly possible, living on a boat is an alternative lifestyle that many make day-to-day sacrifices to fulfill. Making a home out of a boat takes a high level of planning, preparation, and commitment. Below, we outline the primary considerations for those making the transition to boat life.

What Should I Consider Before Living on a Boat?

Before diving into the planning and preparation process for transitioning to life on a boat, you’ll need to carefully consider just how the lifestyle can work in your favor. Start by asking yourself some basic questions that will directly impact how you’ll begin the process. 

• Is moving to a boat part of a lifestyle design, or will it be a temporary solution to long-term goals such as full-time cruising?
• Where will you base yourself? Does the climate support boat life year-round, or will you need to relocate during certain seasons?
• Will you need to rent a marina slip, or will you have the option of anchoring out and taking a dinghy to shore when necessary?
• How big of a budget do you have, and how comfortable are you living within your means?
• Are you single? If not, are you ready to share minimal space with your significant other, kids, or pets?
• Are you mechanically inclined? How much time are you willing to commit to learning or executing maintenance and repairs on the boat when needed?

These questions only scratch the surface when preparing for boat life, but they’re critical considerations to get you started in the right direction. Improper planning and preparation can easily lead to your efforts falling to the wayside. It’s important to create realistic expectations for a successful transition to living on a boat. 

What are the Costs of Living on a Boat?

If you research what it costs to live on a boat, you’ll probably come up with lots of conflicting answers. The problem is, every person has circumstances and living standards that may not line up with the next – skewing the “average” costs of living on a boat. The monthly budgets of those living on a boat vary drastically, ranging anywhere from $500 to $5000 per month. The good news? If others can make boat life happen on a budget, so can you. It will just take the right amount of commitment, discipline, and motivation. 

So what are the primary costs of living on a boat? To answer that question thoroughly, check out our guide to the costs of boat ownership . It covers everything from standard operating costs to upgrading your vessel with accessories to increase functionality. For a quick reference, expect to budget for the following when you own a boat:  

• Purchasing Price and Associated Taxes
• Standard Operating Costs
• Regular Boat Maintenance and Repairs
• Marina Slips, Moorings, and Storage Costs
• Boat Insurance and Registration
• Boating Equipment, Appliances, and Accessories
• Standard Depreciation Costs

The initial cost of a boat is among the biggest of all related expenses, and it’s the most common place first-time boat owners make mistakes. Wanting to live on a spacious and modern vessel is understandable. Still, it’s essential to realize that many who transition to boat life make significant sacrifices to get their foot in the door.

Another consideration to make is how mechanically inclined you are. It paves the way to buying a cheaper vessel and putting in the labor to make improvements and upgrades. Do yourself a favor, and at least attempt to build on your renovation skills. You’ll be happy you did at some point during boat ownership.

What are the Biggest Challenges of Living on a Boat?

The challenges of living on a boat change depending on the boat, owner, and numerous other factors. From the simplest things like laundry and cooking to the more complex issues like violent storms and boat repairs, you’ll need to be ready to step out of your comfort zone and explore new ways of living. Below are just a couple of the reasons people struggle – especially at first – when living on a boat.

Lack Of Space

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone considering the lifestyle switch, but the lack of space on a boat can become troublesome – especially when sharing that space with others. Even most of the biggest yachts have less space than a typical home would, so it’s important to decide just how much space is suitable for you. To make it work, you may have to sacrifice some of your possessions or get creative with utilizing the space you have. While this can be seen as a major con for some, look on the bright side. Downsizing your life and your possessions can reap big rewards. Try letting go of your material side and see how a more simple lifestyle fits your bill. 

Mother Nature

One thing not to overlook when moving onto a boat is that you’ll be at the mercy of mother nature constantly – even when living in the nicest of locations. Tropical destinations may have consistently good weather year-round, sure. But the same places are at risk of hurricanes, typhoons, and tsunamis, so it’s essential to be realistic about potential pitfalls. If you live on a boat in an area that’s less prone to tropical storms, you may be somewhere with cold winters, which should speak for itself. Heating your space will be a requirement, increasing your overall operating, maintenance, and repair costs. If you have the option of living seasonally on your boat, you may need to store it indoors over the winter or off-months. Either way, you’ll need to consider how you’ll deal with the natural elements that get thrown your way. 

Is it Safe to Live on a Boat?

“Is it safe to live on a boat?” It’s one of the biggest questions for those considering a transition to life on the water. While this question can be answered in hundreds of ways, the best answer we can give is – Yes. Just like owning a home on land, though, you’ll need to take some precautionary measures to ensure your safety, both on and off the boat. Thankfully, if you choose to live on a boat in a marina, it will likely have a few security features to help keep the community safe. Staff and security personnel, CCTV, entrance gates, and motion sensors are common in marinas, so you shouldn’t need to worry about basic security installations. For a more direct approach, you can outfit your boat with additional security equipment.

Some other safety items you’ll want to have on your boat include:

• Smoke and CO2 Alarms
• Propane/Natural Gas Detectors
• Fire Extinguishers
• Life Jackets and Throwable Inflatables
• Visual and Sound Signaling Devices
• First-Aid Kits

Can You Stay Connected While Living on a Boat?

One of the biggest challenges of living on a boat is staying connected. If you choose to live on a boat in a marina, you’ll have several convenient options that won’t break the bank. Alternatively, you’ll have a more challenging time if you plan to transit consistently or anchor away from shore. Below, we outline a few of your options to stay connected in different scenarios. 

• If you’re anchoring offshore, in remote locations, or simply making a long passage out at sea, it’s best to have some sort of satellite connection to keep in touch consistently. Satellite phones and satellite internet are both reliable, but they are among the most expensive options.
• At a marina, anchorage, or mooring, you’ll have an easier time staying conneced than you would further out. Still, it can be challenging. You will likely have access to at least semi-reliable wifi at a marina, and you can always use your cellular data where it’s available. Close to shore, we suggest buying a “booster” for your wifi and/or cellular data, which should make a weak signal usable for most things you need. 
• When traveling to new destinations, you should look into the options for local sim cards. In many places, local sims will provide you with high-speed data at a fraction of the cost of your home phone plan. In Thailand, for example, you can buy a sim card with unlimited data and 10mbps internet for about $10 per month. These speeds can provide a hotspot for nearly any device that will work without issue as long as there is cellular service in your area. Be aware of your phone’s limits, though. Not all phones are unlocked or compatible with foreign sims.

Maintenance and Repairs – What Should I Know?

Expect to have several recurring costs after purchasing your boat, many of which will come at inopportune times. Maintenance and repairs are the most common, and they can significantly impact your bank account depending on the severity of the issue. The best way to combat these unexpected costs is to do the labor yourself instead of hiring a mechanic or boat repair specialist. Not all of us are mechanically inclined, though, and some have nearly no experience working on boats or their mechanical components. Luckily, there are a ton of resources available to help first-timers save some money – you just need the time and wherewithal to do the work yourself. Some of the most basic tasks you can complete yourself include:

Washing and Scrubbing the Hull

One of the most straightforward tasks that boat owners can do to save on overall maintenance and operating costs is to wash their boats regularly – mainly the hull. Fuel efficiency can easily increase by over 25% when you clean your hull consistently, so it’s one of the first things to add to your list. Some choose to clean the hull while their boat is out of the water, and others use a scuba hookah system to clean the hull underwater. Either way, you can find marine scrubbing brushes and pressure hoses that won’t damage the paint, fiberglass, or gelcoat on your boat.

Oil Changes

Just as you need to change your car’s engine oil, you need to regularly change your boat’s engine oil to keep it running efficiently. Various outboards, inboards, and sterndrives all require regular oil changes, so it’s wise to read up on your specific engine and understand the process. For most engines, you’ll remove the drain plug and drain the existing oil, change the oil filter, replace the drain plug, and add new oil – easy enough! Choose your engine oil carefully, though. Non-marine grade oils cause boat engines to work significantly harder, reducing efficiency and increasing wear-and-tear inside the engine. 

Propellor Inspection and Support

The best way to avoid advanced damage to your propellor and its connected mechanical components is to conduct routine inspections throughout the year. If you plan on taking an extended trip, you should check the propellor as part of your pre-launch checklist. Ensure all components are secure, inspect for visible damage, and apply lubricant to all moving parts. Even small knicks and dents can decrease fuel efficiency, so check the propellor well before your launch date and source replacements if needed. 

What’s it Like to Cook While Living on a Boat?

Having a functional kitchen in any home is essential, which makes living on a boat particularly challenging if you aren’t adequately prepared. There are lots of good resources to help you set up a functional, efficient, and safe boat galley . We suggest studying them thoroughly before making the transition to boat life. We’ll cover the basics here, though, so that you can get a good grasp on what it takes to adapt to this new and exciting culinary experience. 

Lack of Convenience

Cooking on a boat is certainly inconvenient at times, and it can be downright frustrating if you arent organized and well-prepared. The biggest concern is simply the lack of space. There’s often only enough space for one person in the kitchen, so prepare to cook most meals solo or with limited assistance. Storage is also limited, which makes it difficult to quickly grab ingredients and utensils that you need while cooking a meal. Using nesting cookware is one of the best ways to efficiently use the space you have, and labeling every container will make life a bit easier for you. Lastly, safety can be of concern when in transit or during foul weather, making things like gimbaled stoves and appliances invaluable for anyone living on their boat. 

Provisioning and Storage

Provisioning and storage can be easy or complicated, depending on how much planning and preparation you put in. Only buy produce when you’ll use it right away, or purchase items with a long shelf life. You’ll also want to consider if you have a refrigerator or freezer on board, as that will dictate what foods you can buy in advance and what foods are better purchased directly before a meal. If you use cooling systems for your food, increase your energy efficiency by creating a color-coded storage system – reducing the time you keep refrigerator and freezer doors open. 

Buying items such as air-lock plastic containers, storage hammocks, and rotating cupboard shelves will help you efficiently organize foods and keep pests at bay. Never store food with paper labels or in cardboard boxes, as they are the perfect breeding ground for cockroaches and other pests. Always unpackage your items and store them in airlock containers before bringing them onboard to prevent an infestation.

Interested in more information? Start a conversation on our community forum today with a question or comment!

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Reader Interactions

January 3, 2022 at 12:21 pm

Thanks for the advice to wash and scrub your boat to save on maintenance costs. I am recently divorced and would love to live on a boat instead of in an apartment. I hope I can find the right boat for me so I can live with more peace and freedom.

January 5, 2022 at 1:47 pm

We sailed for 28 years then moved to our 50 ft Trawler. Have been full time 18 years cruising and living aboard. Great article for the New use and Dreamers. Boat insurance is getting to be a real hassle with more restrictions and pricey. They seem to have it against liveaboards.Get a Amateur Radio license, simple, and a Single Sideband radio to stay in touch.

January 6, 2022 at 4:13 am

I agree with comment policy. I am getting older, but I will get my boat to live on.

January 15, 2022 at 1:35 am

Is it good idea to haul out every year for cleaning?moreoften less ofter.

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• General Topics

Living On A Boat In Thailand?

By EarthLight July 5, 2006 in General Topics

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I am working on building a live aboard catamaran that is powered by solar energy. The boat makes no noise or pollution. It will be 16 meters by 7 meters.

I have been to Samui and think the Gulf of Siam would make a perfect place to live on and operate the boat. But I don't know about the rules in Thailand for boating in general or for being a foreigner and living on a boat. Also, the question of security and piracy in Thai waters would be of interest. Can anyone steer me in the right direction to get my questions answered?

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the tsunami last year may have been a once-in-a-century fluke,but i personally wouldn't want to chance it.i love boating but can't see rocking and swaying 24 hours a day,though lovemaking is enhanced on the waves.i plan to have one but tied up at a dock downhill from my residence.

the tsunami last year may have been a once-in-a-century fluke,but i personally wouldn't want to chance it.i love boating but can't see rocking and swaying 24 hours a day,though lovemaking is enhanced on the waves.i plan to have one but tied up at a dock downhill from my residence. and watch the new pirates of the caribbean movie and all your answers about piracy shall be answered.

Google "sailing in Thailand". Loads of forums out there.

I am working on building a live aboard catamaran that is powered by solar energy. The boat makes no noise or pollution. It will be 16 meters by 7 meters. I have been to Samui and think the Gulf of Siam would make a perfect place to live on and operate the boat. But I don't know about the rules in Thailand for boating in general or for being a foreigner and living on a boat. Also, the question of security and piracy in Thai waters would be of interest. Can anyone steer me in the right direction to get my questions answered?

dont worry about piracy in thai waters,

the only place you need really worry in this region is in the malacca straits.

foreigners live on their boats in thailand so dont worry about that.new tax laws have made this easier in the past years.

your biggest concern is the boat.

where are you now?

have you started to build the boat?

where do you plan to have her built?

it will take up your life and your bank account.

The Skipper

Sounds romantic but factor in the noise problem.

Very noisy around the water here.

I have known a few people live on yachts full time in other regions of the world and one of my childhood best mates has a fixer upper that he lives on year round in the cold UK waters.

Living on a boat is certainly a little bit of an alternative lifestyle.. You get used to very low electricity consumption, Your not going to have sat TV or a phone line, unless you live in marina facilities (or have one of these clever desalinisation kits) your going to be very concious of your water consumption, living space on even larger yachts does get a bit cramped (I am tall so do feel cramped on many smaller yachts) Sea toilets are not the most luxury of things and yacht showers rarely have much space when space is at such a premium etc etc etc.

All those downsides aside one you modify your expectations I could see it being a very satisfying way to live in usually pretty pleasant surroundings. I grew up with hippy parents and actually spent a fair amout of time living in busses and modifed vehicles and campers. I can see the yachtie lifestyle as being un upmarket version of that with less mud !!

I recently heard of a guy who lived in chalong bay at a mooring for 10 years so its certainly doable. I tend to like the idea of having a marina berth if really long term. I was in LA many years ago and made friends with a guy who was living on a near 50ft yacht in a marina near Santa Monica / Venice IIRC. His marina fees were 150 USD per month (at the same time a 1 bed in the same region was 600 rental) and for that he had his berth, locked and armed security, a phone line to the yacht, electric and water supply, an onsite resturant, onsite business center to handle fax and office duties, and lived in a delightful place. Of course he had already bought his yacht (which tend to depreciate as opposed to real estate which appreciates) but his cost of living for accomodation was a fraction of other local options.

I have known a few people live on yachts full time in other regions of the world and one of my childhood best mates has a fixer upper that he lives on year round in the cold UK waters. Living on a boat is certainly a little bit of an alternative lifestyle.. You get used to very low electricity consumption, Your not going to have sat TV or a phone line, unless you live in marina facilities (or have one of these clever desalinisation kits) your going to be very concious of your water consumption, living space on even larger yachts does get a bit cramped (I am tall so do feel cramped on many smaller yachts) Sea toilets are not the most luxury of things and yacht showers rarely have much space when space is at such a premium etc etc etc. All those downsides aside one you modify your expectations I could see it being a very satisfying way to live in usually pretty pleasant surroundings. I grew up with hippy parents and actually spent a fair amout of time living in busses and modifed vehicles and campers. I can see the yachtie lifestyle as being un upmarket version of that with less mud !! I recently heard of a guy who lived in chalong bay at a mooring for 10 years so its certainly doable. I tend to like the idea of having a marina berth if really long term. I was in LA many years ago and made friends with a guy who was living on a near 50ft yacht in a marina near Santa Monica / Venice IIRC. His marina fees were 150 USD per month (at the same time a 1 bed in the same region was 600 rental) and for that he had his berth, locked and armed security, a phone line to the yacht, electric and water supply, an onsite resturant, onsite business center to handle fax and office duties, and lived in a delightful place. Of course he had already bought his yacht (which tend to depreciate as opposed to real estate which appreciates) but his cost of living for accomodation was a fraction of other local options.

how do the visa laws apply if living aboard,do the same proofs of income apply, are there any difficulties getting driving licence for example nignoy

Visa regs are the same all over LOS regardless where or how you live in LOS.

Your problems will arise with bureaucracy.......there used to be massive taxes on imported boats...the Thai government has removed a lot of these but the boat will have to be registered in Thailand or you will find that they insist on having a Thai crew member on board every time you arrive in a different port!

OK I'm not clear on the regulations but they are still mind-bogglingly complex...one of the reasons that Thailand does not have a huge sailing fraternity...yet.

Marina fees are reasonable, my friend moors in Pattaya harbour for free, but it's the local taxes and regulations that are a killer. Get an agent or someone in the know and they may be able to help you.

steveromagnino

I will describe what I know which is not much.

AS of a year ago, there is no longer a tax to bring vessels in, so if you sail in, you will be not liable for import tax. You may be subject to VAT, but if you can prove you will leave again, then that may not be the case. I don't think the Thai customs dept have any interest in whether the vessel is environmentally friendly or not.

There are some strange regulations surrounding who can be a skipper of a vessel for charter, but that may not apply to you, unless you intend to make money through charters. I think you must have a Thai national as skipper with ownership Thai of 60% or something else bizarre, however there may be some way around it anyway.

If you are anchoring in bays around the place, cats don't wobble around much, I think you'll find it perfectly comfortable. The major marinas in Phuket are Yacht Haven, Boat Lagoon and the new one Royal Phuket Marina. THe major anchorage is Chalong Bay. Contacting these marinas, especially first two, and they can explain living on boat legality. There may be some restriction e.g. 3 months, but practically there is probably none (as per the case in NZ where you may only live onboard within a marina for 3 months, but as long as you want outside of a marina).

I am not so familiar with Samui, but to get from Samui to Phuket is a frigging long way, as you have to go all the way around Singapore and hit the Malacca straits, I suppose you could take the boat apart if it is a Wharram or similar, otherwise....hmmm... I would strongly recommend west coast; much better views and so on there; and more infrastructure in Phuket. Piracy is not a major deal that I am aware of in Thai waters.

Visa requirements would be as per any other tourist I guess.

You might like to check out the prices of boats here; there are some cheaper cats around here these days due to the reduction in import duty to just VAT 7% + duty 1% = 8% from the previous 300% of a few years ago. I am actually bringing up a racing boat from Downunder in a few months, so keep in touch and I'll let you know the hurdles that need to be jumped through.

If importing, use Thai shipping companies (from NZ/Aussie anyway). The NZ and Australian shipping companies are offering prices that are almost 10 times higher than what the Thai companies have offered me; maybe it is because I am a hansum man but more likely it is that containers from Thailand go full come back empty; containers from NZ and Aussie leave there full and return empty. So have to ride it the right way. 16m won't fit into a container anyway so maybe you are considering sailing it over here? Otherwise the shipping will be a massive number.

16m X 7m...sounds like a Wharram type cat I am guessing... you might like to consider checking out boats here; those sorts of vessels have quite poor resale, you might end up spending less to buy here and refit; refitting and sails in Thailand are well cheap.

Finally, noise levels, the long tail boats are a bit loud, but certainly no more annoying than power boaters the world over plus they don't throw up too big a wake. I'd say you'd have a great time sailing around Phuket area; pics please :-)

You might like to check out the prices of boats here; there are some cheaper cats around here these days due to the reduction in import duty to just VAT 7% + duty 1% = 8% from the previous 300% of a few years ago. I am actually bringing up a racing boat from Downunder in a few months, so keep in touch and I'll let you know the hurdles that need to be jumped through. What do you mean by "here"? What about having the boat built in Thailand and owned by an ExPat? 16m X 7m...sounds like a Wharram type cat I am guessing... you might like to consider checking out boats here; those sorts of vessels have quite poor resale, you might end up spending less to buy here and refit; refitting and sails in Thailand are well cheap. Do you think a power cat of that type could be purchased used in Thailand? Where would I look? Finally, noise levels, the long tail boats are a bit loud, but certainly no more annoying than power boaters the world over plus they don't throw up too big a wake. I'd say you'd have a great time sailing around Phuket area; pics please :-) My boat will have 12Kw of solar panels and 20 KwHr of battery storage. I will have so much energy that when I am not using it to move to a new location (range: 50 miles/day), I will have enough to air condition the boat and have every luxury! The boat is still being designed, but I have professional boat designer/builders working on it with me. It will probably look a bit like the picture I am attaching Living on a boat is certainly a little bit of an alternative lifestyle.. You get used to very low electricity consumption, Your not going to have sat TV or a phone line, unless you live in marina facilities (or have one of these clever desalinisation kits) your going to be very concious of your water consumption, living space on even larger yachts does get a bit cramped (I am tall so do feel cramped on many smaller yachts) Sea toilets are not the most luxury of things and yacht showers rarely have much space when space is at such a premium etc etc etc.

I have spent a fair amount of time living on multihulls in the Caribbean and it was great. You just need some protected waters, like the Gulf of Thailand, a place to anchor, and lots of room. My boat will have over 1000 square feet of interior space. 50 feet long and 22 feet wide is big when it is unobstructed by rigging. Plenty for me. I will be using a waterless toilet and will also have rooftop water collection and solar distillation on board. The boat will have plently of headroom.

The tsunami hit the west coast of Thailand only. Not even a ripple on the east coast. The gulf of Thailand (Siam) is actually well protected because it is shallow and mostly closed in by large island archipeligos like Malaysio, the Philippines, etc. Actuall it is safer to be on a boat in a tsunami, but not close to shore. The tsunami is just a long wavelength swell out at sea.

As far as comfort goes, catamarans in protected waters are very stable. They don't do much rocking and rolling.

Check out this wave piercer (3rd boat 4th boat down the list).....this is at the main marina in Pattaya.

http://www.powerandsailing.com/CurrentBoats.htm

here = Thailand :-)

I hadn't even considered a powercat; the yachtie in me precludes that idea :-) The beam had me puzzled as a yacht!

It looks very nice; I am sure you could find someone to build it here and then fit out yourself; there are some power cats available here already, but none that look quite like this. Doa search on pimex which is the Thai boat show, and there are a number of exhibitors there; maybe one of them has a powercat.

http://www.phuketboatshow.com/exhibitor.htm

For second hand the main brokers are only just starting up and have few listings; I guess you could also considering buying in Singapore or Malaysia and motoring up. try lee marine or simpson marine; search on both and you'll find the websites; one of them has only an operation in Singapore and the other has one here.

My idiot uncle overseas has a powercat by Givens I think, and seems to enjoy it. I can't see that what you are trying to do is particularly complex in the hull shape itself, how you fit out the interior and the power systems will be the big thing, and no doubt you could do much of that here cheaper than many parts of the world. VAT tax only applies to bringing things in; if you build here you will be paying VAT on the parts, but for some things e.g. Yanmar engines Thailand is one of the cheapest places to buy; labour is also very cheap, and at the right places with the right people of very high quality. It can be a disaster with the wrong people nevertheless.

The water here is very sheltered compared to parts of NZ; that said I don't know where you are from so maybe the comparison may not be valid?

Plenty of sun here; I think you'll find electricity generation fairly easy; might like to use a spot of wind as well.

Check out this wave piercer (3rd boat 4th boat down the list).....this is at the main marina in Pattaya. http://www.powerandsailing.com/CurrentBoats.htm

Here is a bunch of boat information from the Phuket Gazette. http://www.phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers...ref=20067684911

You can go online and get a wide assortment of officialk information. A real plus for expats and Thai folk alike.

Does size matter when registering a boat?

Is it necessary for me to register a rubber inflatable boat with a length of around three meters that has a 10hp engine?

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 DK, Phuket.

“Yes, it must be registered. In order to do this bring a copy of the records stating where the boat and engine were acquired, your passport and an alien-resident registration document – the latter is issued by the Immigration Office in Phuket City – to the PMO at Ao Makham, Tel: 076-391174. ”

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 Surin Theerakulpisut, Chief of the Phuket Marine Office (PMO).

Tax on imported boats

I would like to bring my 20-foot motorboat to Thailand. If I ship it in a container to Songkhla, would I then be able to go there myself and pay the VAT, then drive the boat to Phuket (on a trailer)? Does the zero tax rule apply to both the boat and the engine?

(I hope to get an answer soon, so that I can ship the boat and get back to Paradise – it’s so darn cold here!)

Friday, February 11, 2005 Morten, Denmark.

“You can pay the VAT yourself, or you can appoint a representative to do it for you at Songkhla, because the vessel is considered a legal import.

Other taxes – such as import duty, excise tax and Ministry of Interior tax – will be levied at zero, on both the boat and the engine.

Note that the zero tax applies to the engine only if it is part of the boat and not separate from it. ”

Friday, February 11, 2005 Theera Paeprasathithavorn, Deputy Chief, Phuket Customs Office.

Thai skippers’ licences for foreigners

I am a foreigner with a Non-Immigrant O Visa. I am also married to a Thai woman. I would like to get a Thai skipper’s certificate for a boat of up to 30 tons displacement.

I don’t have a work permit. I just want to cruise around with my boat. Where do I have to go and what do I have to bring with me?

Friday, May 14, 2004 Beached Sailor, Chalong.

“You must come to the Phuket Marine Office and bring with you the following:

- Your passport and a letter from a consulate or embassy of your home country verifying that the passport is genuine, accurate and valid;

- Three two-inch photos of yourself;

- A medical certificate verifying that your are fit to skipper a boat.

- If you have it, a certificate to show that you have two years’ experience or more as captain of a yacht.

- If you have an existing master’s certificate from another country, you should bring it with you for us to look at. We may be able to issue you with a Thai license without a test.

You do not need a work permit but we must be sure that you have the relevant knowledge to skipper a boat. The size of the boat is irrelevant. The license states only the function on a boat that the holder may perform – skipper or engineer for example.

If we decide that you must take a test, you should be aware that although the regulations are already available in English, the information booklet about the test is currently available only in Thai.

An English translation is being done and will be completed soon. The price of the booklet is 500 baht.

Test forms, too, are only in Thai, but you may bring a translator to the exam with you.

The Phuket Marine Office has already received authority from the Marine Department in Bangkok to issue Thai skippers’ certificates to foreigners. ”

Friday, May 14, 2004 Kittipong Wasukri, Phuket Marine Office

Owning and driving a Thai motorboat

I live in Thailand and would like to own and drive my own private motorboat for pleasure, for example a five-meter open motorboat with a 50-70 hp outboard engine, with Thai registration. What are the rules and regulations for this?

Monday, February 16, 2004 Peter Hallonen, Phuket.

“The documents required to register ownership are as followed;

• Your passport.

• A letter from an Immigration Office or embassy confirming your address in Thailand.

• A receipt from the previous owner of he boat.

To certify that the receipt is genuine, you also need to bring copies, signed by the old owner, of the old owner’s registration, his ID card and tabien baan (house registration document).

The fee for registration will depend on the size and type of boat, which is established by an inspection by an official.

The driver of your speedboat will need to have a Helmsman Level 2 license. ”

Monday, February 16, 2004 Sompong Srichoo, Registration Officer, Phuket Marine Office.

Registering a Thai boat

My friend has bought a Thai-made boat. Where must he go to register it, and which papers must he bring?

Monday, December 8, 2003 Ellen Castagno, Rawai.

“Your friend should come to the Marine Department’s Region 5 headquarters [formerly the Phuket Harbor Master’s Office] near the entrance to the Deep Sea Port on Sakdidet Rd, at Ao Makham.

Our opening hours are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

If your friend wants to register the boat in his name, he must bring his passport and a letter from the Immigration Office confirming his address, and, if he has one, his work permit.

If the boat is already registered in another name then he also needs to bring the registration book so we can transfer the ownership.

If he wants to register the boat in the name of a company,he must also bring the company registration papers, the memorandum of association, a list of the company’s activities and written authority from the company’s managing director to register the boat.

If the boat has not yet been registered, he will need to provide evidence of the boat’s engine number, make, model and manufacturer.

After the boat has been registered, he will need to submit a photo of the boat registration affixed to the boat.The registration fee will depend on the size, gross weight and the materials used in construction.

For more information call Tel: 076-391174. ”

Monday, December 8, 2003 Sompong Srichu, Registrar, Marine Department, Region 5.

Thai skipper’s certificate

I’m a Thai woman, who wants to go sailing. What do I need to do to get a Thai captain’s certificate? Are there any training courses or books on the subject?

Monday, July 7, 2003 Thanormkwan Wilson, Phuket Town.

“Thai captain’s certificates are issued according to the size of the vessel the captain will command. The most basic certificate permits people to captain vessels with a displacement of up 30 tons.

There is no mandatory training course required to obtain a captain’s certificate, but you will need to pass a written test of 20 multiple-choice questions. Before the test, an officer will brief you for about 20 minutes on Thai maritime rules and regulations, or give you a book containing the same information. Please note that both the test and the information booklet are in Thai.

A Thai captain’s certificate is primarily a commercial certificate, but it also permits you to captain boats registered for recreational use.

Hence, in order to get a license you must, in addition to passing the test, prove that you have worked for at least two years on a Thai-flagged boat registered for commercial use with a displacement of 30 tons or less.

To prove this, your application should include a letter from the owner of the boat that you worked on, as well as copies of the boat’s registration, the boat owner’s ID card and his house registration document. Each copy must be signed and dated by the boat owner.

Other documents you will need to bring are your ID card, your house registration document, six two-inch photos of yourself and a medical certificate verifying that you are fit to captain a boat.

The fee is 110 baht. The procedure will not take longer than a day.

On July 1, the Marine Department decided to empower Provincial Harbor Masters to issue Thai captain certificates to foreigners. We expect to receive the authority to process foreigners’ applications by the end of this month.

As a result, we will soon have the test and the information booklet on Thai maritime rules and regulations in English.

Foreigners, too, will need to prove that they have worked for at least two years on a Thai-registered boat with a displacement of 30 tons or less.

To prove this, a foreigner must provide a letter from the owner of the boat they worked on, their work permit, copies of the boat’s registration and [in the case that the boat owner is a foreigner] copies of the boat owner’s work permit and passport. Again, each copy must be signed and dated by the boat owner.

Foreigners must also produce their passport, a letter from an Immigration Office verifying their address, six two-inch photos of themselves and a medical certificate verifying that they are fit to captain a boat. ”

Monday, July 7, 2003 Thongchai Mabangyang, Officer, Phuket Provincial Harbor Master’s Office.

Restrictions on foreign boats

If a boat leaves Phuket and goes to Phi Phi or Rai Ley beach does it have to check out of Phuket then check in in Krabi province? Why is a bond necessary for the crew on vessels coming into Region 5 when apparently this rule is not enforced in Bangkok or Pattaya?

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 Cruiser Sam, Phuket.

“A boat leaving from Phuket to go to Phi Phi or Rai Ley beach does not have to check out of Phuket and check in at Krabi.

Once you have checked in at Phuket, you can go anywhere in Thai waters. You only have to check out at the nearest Customs office when you are leaving Thai waters. ”

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 Soontorn Srisangfa, Director of Regional Customs, Bureau 5.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“There is no bond on incoming crews. It is the law that a crew wishing to leave the country must put up a 20,000 baht bond. The law is the same everywhere in Thailand. ”

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 Phuket Immigration Office.

Tax on boats made in Thailand

Are there taxes on boats that are made in Thailand? What about if they are used commercially?

Wednesday, March 6, 2002 Roy Sokolowski, Honolulu.

“The taxes applicable to boats that are made in Thailand are the same as for boats imported into the country but without, of course, import duty. So the tax consists of excise tax of 5.3% of the boat’s value and Interior Ministry tax of 0.53% – a total of 5.83%.

If any of the parts have been imported, import duty will have to be paid for those parts.

If the boat is used commercially, the owner will also be required to pay Value Added Tax of 7% on the total of the value of the boat plus the other two taxes. ”

Wednesday, March 6, 2002 Narong Srivanitchakorn, Head of the Phuket Excise Office.

Bringing foreign boats into Thailand

What does Thai law require foreigners visiting Thailand on foreign-registered boats to do? What is the maximum time that the boat is permitted to stay? Are these requirements the same for Thais who buy boats in foreign countries and sail them to Thailand?

Friday, January 11, 2002 Raymond Van den Berghe, Khon Kaen.

“There are three parts to the answer to this question: Customs, Immigration and Harbor Master’s office. All three may be found at the recently reopened “one-stop shop” at Chalong Pier. Officially, the procedures apply equally to boats owned by foreigners and Thais. Below are the detailed explanations of these procedures from the three departments.”

Friday, January 11, 2002 Gazette

“The master of any foreign-registered pleasure boat, sporting vessel or yacht entering Thailand must report to a Customs Office within 24 hours of sailing into Thai waters.

In Phuket, this can be done either at the “one-stop office” in Chalong or at the Phuket Customs House Reporting Station on Phuket Rd, Sapan Hin, Phuket Town. The report must be made by the master of the boat; this is to say, the owner or a representative empowered by a written power of attorney.

To report, the master must bring his passport, the boat’s registration certificate and the boat’s port clearance from the last port of call. If the master of the boat is not the owner of the boat, he must also bring his power of attorney.

Those who arrive in port after office hours may report their arrival the next morning that the Office is open. If the need arises to lodge the report outside normal office hours, this may be done, but will incur a service charge of 200 baht.

The master should apply for a Simplified Customs Declaration Form (SCDF) when he reports entering Thailand, in order to be exempted from all import duties. To do this, the master will need to show the documents listed above.

If Customs officers are satisfied with the authenticity and validity of these documents, they will issue an SCDF, and will give a copy to the master of the boat. He should keep his copy in a safe place as he will need to present it to Customs officers when he wants to take the boat out of Thailand.

In addition to reporting the boat’s arrival in Thailand, the master of the boat must sign an agreement to take the boat out of Thai waters within six months of the day that it arrived. This agreement must be financially guaranteed by a cash deposit, a bank guarantee or a personal pledge. The amount of the guarantee is determined by the Customs officers’ estimation of the boat’s current market value, multiplied by 3.1.

If the boat does not leave Thailand within the agreed period, the master must report the reasons to the Regional Director of the Customs Office.

If the Regional Director decides that the overstay is not deliberate and was unavoidable, the owner will be fined 500 baht per day of overstay, up to a maximum of 5,000 baht.

However, if the Regional Director decides that the reasons given are insufficient, the agreement will be fully enforced. No requests for reduced penalties will be entertained.

If the master fails to honor the agreement, the boat will be seized by Customs officers and held until the amount agreed is paid. Boats seized by Customs are subject to sale.

Before taking the boat out of Thailand, the master must notify the Customs Office when the boat is to set sail and present the SCDF. A departure release fee of 100 baht per boat is charged, with an additional 200 baht charged for notifications given outside of normal office hours.

If the master loses the SCDF, he must report its loss to the Tourist Police and a copy of the police report must be presented to Customs officers before a departure release can be issued.

The boat’s departure from Thailand may be reported at a different Customs Office from the one where the boat’s arrival was reported.”

Friday, January 11, 2002 Officer, Phuket Customs Office.

“The captain of the boat must bring the boat registration papers and his passport to the Immigration office. If he’s not the owner of the boat he will also have to bring his power of attorney.

Passengers must bring their passports and come in person. If they don’t have a visa they will be allowed to stay in the kingdom for 30 days. Crew must bring either their passports or their seamen’s books and will also get 30 days.

Passengers may return to the Immigration office to extend their visas for a further 10 days, but crew may not. Crew must leave the country and re-enter in order to get a visa for another 30 days. When these 30 days are up they may then come to the Immigration office and extend for another 10 days. (Technically speaking, the first time they enter the country they do so as crew but the second time they do so as “passengers”.)

If the owner is on board and is acting as captain, then he will be regarded as crew. If, in the view of the authorities, he is not acting as captain, he will be treated as a passenger.

When crew members wish to leave the country, they must bring a bank guarantee of 20,000 baht apiece to the Immigration office. When they return they may come to the Immigration office and take it back.

If crew members are flying out of the country and will not return, the person or agency that put up the 20,000 baht bond should, after the crew have left, return to the Immigration office and apply for a refund of the 20,000 baht. Immigration will then send a letter requesting confirmation from the the Immigration office at the airport. Once the airport has confirmed that the crew members have indeed left the country, Immigration will refund the bond.

A similar arrangement applies to crew leaving the country by road.

If a crew member arrives on one boat and leaves on another, he can sign off the crew list of the first boat without paying the bond.

The master and crew must report to Immigration within 24 hours of arrival. Failure to do so renders them liable to arrest and prosecution.”

Friday, January 11, 2002 Pol Sgt Prachote Paewpunchoo, Phuket Provincial Immigration Office.

“Visiting boats must report their arrival and departure to the Harbor Master’s office within 24 hours of arrival. They must bring their boat registration, security papers, and licenses, to the Harbor Master, informing him where they are anchored and asking for permission to do so. When they want to leave they must first request clearance after we have checked all the papers. There will be a 100 baht fee for the port clearance form.

The master must report to the Harbor Master within 24 hours of arrival. Failure to do so renders him liable to a fine of up to 10,000 baht.”

Friday, January 11, 2002 Somchai Limthong, Head of the Phuket Harbor Master’s Office.

Harbor Master’s fines

There is a lot of confusion about Harbor Masters from Phuket, Krabi and Trang provinces levying large fines on the owners of private boats who are accused of failing to report to the Harbor Master’s office within 24 hours of arrival and who are then fined 5,000 baht.

My understanding is that, according to Thai law, only boats with a registered tonnage of 60 tons or more are required to report. The average size of most private boats is less than 30 tons.

Could you provide the name of the law that applies, giving the section and paragraph dealing with this? And is there an official English translation?

Friday, April 27, 2001 Harry Jones, Phuket.

“Under the Harbor Masters Act of 1913, Section 20, any foreign boat that arrives in or departs from Thai waters must inform the Harbor Master’s Office within 24 hours or face a fine ranging from 500 baht to 5,000 baht. Tonnage is not relevant.

The Act is available only in Thai, but any boat skipper should know that whenever he arrives in any port in the world, one of the first things he must do is report to the Harbor Master’s office.”

Friday, April 27, 2001 Narong Sampantharat, Fifth Regional Harbor Master’s Office, Phuket Branch.

• 4 years later...

melvinmelvin

The above entry is from 2006, is the info still valid and up to date/complete?

I am interested in operating my own (Thai) boat < 30 tons displacement, in Thai waters, rivers/klongs as well as coastal.

Can this be done, legally, with foreign certificates? When I say foreign I mean IMO compatible DO certificates.

Or is it an absolute requirement that a Thai certificate is obtained?

If a Thai certificate is required I expect that a foreign IMO compatible certificate can be "converted" to an equiv. Thai certificate?

Would that necessitate 2 years "seafaring" practice from a Thai flagged ship?

katabeachbum

The above entry is from 2006, is the info still valid and up to date/complete? I am interested in operating my own (Thai) boat < 30 tons displacement, in Thai waters, rivers/klongs as well as coastal. Can this be done, legally, with foreign certificates? When I say foreign I mean IMO compatible DO certificates. Or is it an absolute requirement that a Thai certificate is obtained? If a Thai certificate is required I expect that a foreign IMO compatible certificate can be "converted" to an equiv. Thai certificate? Would that necessitate 2 years "seafaring" practice from a Thai flagged ship?

foreign vessels can be sailed by a foreign certificate captain. Thai vessels, any size, must have Thai lisenced captain

at your local marine office

OK, and the requirements for obtaining a Thai certificate?

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Living on Koh Samui: An Expat’s Guide to Moving to the Island

Most people who visit Koh Samui fall for its charm. I certainly did, so much so that I moved to the island and lived there for over a year.

Some argue that due to development Samui has lost the island authenticity it had 20-30 years ago. But that's life…nothing remains the same. And for those discovering the island for the first time today, their experience is no doubt akin to mine all those years ago.

Yes Samui (เกาะสมุย) now has malls, yes it has lots of luxury hotels and condominiums, but it also has an abundance of natural beauty: fantastic beaches, beautiful ocean views, lots of local markets and community activities, and a perpetual air of freedom about the place that has never left my thoughts.

The thing is, spending a holiday somewhere is very different to living there full time; though I'd caveat that statement by saying that I always partly felt like was on holiday in Samui. I think living by the beach has that effect on you.

But yes, living there means doing your own shopping, getting your laundry done, staying home a lot during rainy season, budgeting expenses, etc., and, as with living anywhere in the world, there will be good and bad days.

Before we look at specific areas, let's jump into some considerations when planning your move.

Samui from afar.

Living on Koh Samui: Initial Considerations:

Whether you've visited once or twice, or you're considering a relocation, here's a few important things to think about as you start your research:

1. Location

When you're on holiday you're out every night in bars, restaurants, clubs, etc., so it makes sense to stay in a hotel that's close to the action, in this case Chaweng, the island's main town.

Most expats, however, choose to stay outside of Chaweng, away from the tourist strip.

The primary reason for this is to have the option of getting away from the touristy vibe. There will be nights where you don't want to go out of an evening, and days when you just don't want to be part of the tourist trap.

This will be your home. You don't want to hear boozed up holiday makers and loud motorbike exhaust pipes outside your window at 2am every night as they return from Sweet Soul (a club on the Green Mango).

Moreover, living in a party zone kinda takes the novelty out of partying. I found that living a few km away made going out for a night in Chaweng a little more special than having it right on my doorstep. The whole ride down to the town was part of the ritual.

Furthermore, living closer to the center, where the main beach and nightlife is, will mean higher rental costs – certainly for more modern condos.

That being said, perhaps you don't like riding a moped and won't have a car. So if you're on foot or prefer a bicycle, you will want to choose an area that is walkable to a beach, to the shops, and to some restaurants and bars.

You can always get a taxi into Chaweng or Lamai if you need to, though it's a fixed rate on the islands (no meters), which does add up to be quite an expense if taking taxis on a regular basis.

While you don't want to be right on top of a tourist hotspot, you don't want to too far away from a supermarket or large store.

Fortunately, on Koh Samui you're never more than a km from a 7-Eleven, so running out of everyday household goods won't be a problem.

The island has plenty of supermarket options, including Big C, Tesco Lotus (more than one), Topps, and a Makro.

If you have kids, then they will need an education. Expats who have Thai children (mixed or full) will have access to the Thai education system, but if you can afford it you will want to educate privately.

Samui has a a fair choice of international / bilingual schools . Here's a few for you:

• Samui Tiny Steps Nursery & Preschool in Bophut
• The International School of Samui (ISS) – in Chaweng
• Lamai International School
• Panyadee British International School – in Chaweng Noi
• Oonrak Bilingual School – in Mae Nam

Expect to pay upwards of £1,000 per term.

Living the good life on Chaweng Beach

4. Hospitals

Koh Samui has 4 main international hospitals. so wherever you stay you won't be too far from a hospital offering a good standard of care.

• Bangkok Hospital (on the ring-road in Chaweng, before Chaweng Noi)
• Bandon Hospital (near Big C Shopping Centre)
• Samui International Hospital (northern end of Chaweng Beach Road)
• Thai International Hospital (Opposite Tesco Lotus, Chaweng)

Most people arrive to Thailand with travel insurance that covers them for a limited period only.

Please consider that you'll need health insurance if you plan on living in Thailand long term. While cheaper than the West, International hospital bills can be high if you need specialist in-patient treatment.

You can get international health insurance that will cover you in Thailand, back home and in other countries.

+ Get a quote here

Or you can get a domestic insurance that will cover you in Thailand.

5. Road Quality & Driving

Despite a lot of development in the past two decades there are still a lot of awkward roads that aren't pleasant to navigate on a moped, which is what most people get about on.

So when viewing accommodation consider your route home from town and how easy it will be during the rainy season and in the dark. Some roads are more prone to flooding than others, and some can be a little dodgy to ride on late at night after a couple of tins.

I'll take this opportunity to remind you that you do get some crazy drivers on Thai roads. Always wear a helmet and ride your moped cautiously.

If you have the budget and are staying long term, hiring or buying a car is a good investment. You are less likely to be seriously injured in a car vs a moped.

6. Crime on Koh Samui

I'm quite sure the majority of crime in Samui goes unnoticed by foreign nationals. That certainly was the case for me.

I've heard stories of crime related to feuds between families, drug dealing and corruption, but it didn't affect my life.

However, national statistics suggest bribery and corruption on Koh Samui is high.

The good news is that violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery are listed as low risk. And crime overall is considered low.

In my experience, the crime in Koh Samui is tends to be opportunistic.

For example, a drunk friend of mine had his chain stolen by a ladyboy in Chaweng on a night out. Don't ask!

And when living in a ground floor condo, someone forced the sliding back doors open and stole my camera off the table. The lock was weak as hell and to be honest I should have noticed this flaw when I moved in.

To be honest, I think the thief was someone I'd had in my apartment at some point. Again, don't ask!

The only other incident I remember was a foreign couple who'd just arrived on a boat from the mainland. They gave their bags over to be stashed in the hold on the boat. When they got off the boat and looked for their cash, they realized that all their holiday money had been stolen.

They were sitting down crying on the steps of my friend's travel agents. They had saved for years for the trip and naively given the back with the money in it to a boat hand and he'd nicked it.

It was heartbreaking.

Koh Samui attracts near on 3 million tourists a year. By nature of the beast you are going to get thieves taking their chances. So just be sensible and keep your wits about you.

With these few things in mind, let's have a look at your main choice of areas to live in.

Popular Expat Areas on Koh Samui

Bophut Beach

Bophut is a great area to live as an expat. You have the best of both worlds in that the majority of Bophut is fairly quiet but there's also plenty of dining and bar options.

The Bophut beachfront is smaller than Chaweng and has two piers along the stretch where tour boats leave and dock from. This makes the beach area in Bangrak okay for chilling but not as desirable for swimming.

However, if you follow the coastal road from Bang Rak down towards Fisherman's Village, there are a number of secluded beach spots on the way, and the beach is better down near the village itself.

Fisherman's Village is a traditional waterfront area lined with wooden houses converted into restaurants and shops. It's a lovely spot for an evening meal or a daytime fruit shake and chill.

The famous Big Buddha Temple also lies within the Bophut boundary. The temple has delightful views across the ocean and, even as a non-tourist, I still used to go there sometimes just to contemplate awhile.

It's easy to get into Chaweng (the main town) from Bophut. It takes around 5-10 minutes on a moped, depending on the way you go (you'll quickly learn the shortcuts).

For food shopping, you have the option of Tesco Lotus or Big C.

There's a good range of accommodation in Bophut, too. You can rent condos, houses or villas, ranging from cheap and cheerful to very luxurious.

Bangrak, in Bophut, was where I lived and I very much enjoyed my time there.

2. Choeng Mon

Choeng Mon Beach in the early evening

Choeng Mon is pretty quiet, though not as quiet now as I remember it 14 years ago.

I remember being one of just handful of visitors to Choeng Mon Beach on an average day. Sometimes a few of us would go down there and have the place to ourselves.

We'd spend a couple of hours swimming and then stop and chat with the massage ladies on the beach – and get a massage of course!

Since then more hotels have sprung up, aimed largely at tour groups, and a building spree has seen the development of affordable condos that cater to the expat community.

I had a couple of friends living in Ban Plai Laem in Cheong Mon in very affordable one bedroom bungalow-type houses, which will suit those on a lower budget.

Choeng Mon is well located, in that it's a half way point between Bophut beach and Chaweng Beach. There's not much there, but it's a good location with great views from the bay.

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng is the main town and has the biggest beach. Parts of the beach are to die for, and in some places at low tide you can walk a long way out along the golden sand.

It has it all: the daytime beach life, with water-sports, music, massage and and plenty of cold beer to boot, and at night there are restaurants and bars everywhere.

And then there's the Green Mango strip, housing a number of bars and clubs, including one of the same name. There's a a few go-gos, too, if that's your thing.

A little moped ride away is Soi Raggae, which is home to the infamous Reggae Pub.

The open-backed club over looks the lake and is where everyone tends to turn up pickled late on in the night. Besides bad dancing and lots of flirting, you'll find pool tables, a snack bar and big screens showing live sports.

If you'd prefer a quiet(er) drink of an evening, there's always Ark Bar, a beach front chill out bar that attracts both Thai and foreign customers who want to take in the moonlight bouncing off the shoreline. You can also noodle around the shops for souvenirs and the usual holiday strip tat.

For me, Chaweng will always represent crazy nights out that start off with an intention to go home at a reasonable time :). For a more reserved night out, consider Lamai.

Lamai Beach

Lamai is Koh Samui's second-largest resort area. Located on the east coast between Taling Ngam and Chaweng, Lamai has a laid back village feel and attracts a more mature crowd.

In past times Lamai was considered a cheaper option to Chaweng, but the area has seen an upgrade in recent years, with new resorts such as The Pavillion and The Renaissance offering luxury accommodation.

Living in Lamai is easy. There's plenty of accommodation to suit varying budgets and lots of restaurants and local shopping options, including Tesco Lotus and Makro. You'll also find health spas and massages aplenty.

The beach is comparable to Chaweng, but wider and with boulders dotted here and there.  I have found the water to be a little choppier than Chaweng at times, but the waves can be fun.

One thing I love about Lamai is the various viewpoints along the coastal road. Many a time I have stopped off on my moped and just taken in the views for a while.  Be careful riding that road, though. Go slow!

One thing to consider about Lamai is that it's a solid 15 minutes ride into Chaweng, but often seems longer. It's not a journey I like doing late at night. And that's why I never wanted to live there: because my friends and lifestyle at the time was based around Chaweng (the gym, the clubs, etc).

Somewhat of a backwater village, Maenam Beach sits to the left of Bophut Beach, about a 10 minute ride away.

I don't have a huge amount of experience with Maenam, but a close friend owned a restaurant there for a while, so I know the vibe.

It's cheaper to live there than the other places on this list, and that's why many expats end up there. But it's also much quieter and lacks the tourist foot traffic of Chaweng, Lamai, and even Bophut.

The beach is lovely but has slightly coarser sand than other notable spots on the island.  It's usually not very busy, either.

The nightlife in Maenam is unimpressive but adequate. There's no entertainment into the small hours. Nope, this is a place for those who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy their own company after the sun goes down.

Where Should You Live in Koh Samui?

While the above information might be useful as a guide to get started, no blog post or collection of photos can give you the “Samui experience”.

You need to put boots on the ground and feel the place out for yourself.

I've said this before and I'll say it again: Give yourself time to acclimatize. Rent a place for a month and take your time to explore the island. Perhaps rent a month at a time in a few different areas before making a decision on where you want to stay in the medium term.

Give the honeymoon period time to wear off before making any long-term decisions, and certainly don't rush in and buy a condo or villa.

For most people, arriving on a tropical island from a boring city is like arriving in heaven: the sun, the coconut trees, the beach, the women, the smiles, the food, the nights out, the list goes on.

It's easy to get taken in by it all and declare your unbreakable love for paradise in the sun. But all love affairs have their ups and downs, and the more intense the first few months the more volatile things tend to become later down the line.

So don't rush in. Rent everything and enjoy the ride for a while.

The Big Buddha temple in Koh Samui

Why I Left Koh Samui

If Koh Samui is so wonderful, then why did I leave?

I left the island (mainly) because I hadn't seen enough of the rest of Thailand to know where I wanted to settle. I mean, back then I was still pretty young and I knew there was more to my Thailand adventure to follow.

Many of the people I had met in the early days of my time there had left, either gone back home or landed a new job elsewhere in Thailand.

Things had stagnated a bit and I felt that the island had become a bit too familiar. I'd see the same faces in the gym, on the beach, in the bars, etc.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing bad about familiar faces and feeling part of the community, but at that point I wasn't ready to commit long term.

Bear in mind that I was seeing travelers arriving and then leaving to explore all these wonderful places that I hadn't. I kind of felt that I would miss out if I didn't make a move.

So I went to Bangkok. From there I explored areas of the north like Chiang Mai and Pai, and took trips to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc.

I met my now wife in Bangkok and she wasn't keen on living on an island, so I never went back to Samui to live.

Visiting Again 3 Years Later…

I did go back for a holiday with a friend. I remember we stayed in Chaweng at the Garden Resort; but it just wasn't the same vibe. While I enjoyed the beach and being by the sea, the nightlife somewhat lost its appeal.

Perhaps it was part age or the fact that nothing is ever as good the second time around. In hindsight, I think it was because, having lived there and once felt like it was my home, being a tourist staying in Chaweng just felt strange.

When I landed on Samui to live it was a new beginning, an escape from the mundane and ghosts of the past and a new life of freedom and opportunity in the unknown. I turned 30 there, met many different people from all walks of life, and had so many great experiences.

I guess you might say it was a place I lost myself for a while and then re-found myself and moved on.

Happiness is when favorable circumstances and positive feelings collide, and nothing will beat those 18 months I spent there.

I do have plans to go back with my kids though. My wife has never been  either, so she's keen to visit.

Would I Go Back to Live in Samui Now?

I think about this sometimes….and part of me wishes I hadn't left. There's something about that island that stays with you. But much of it is nostalgia and a want to relive that part of my life.

I'm older now, I have kids and life is a little more complicated, one might say. Who knows, though, perhaps I'll retire there…

For you, though, as someone considering a move there, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

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Last Updated on March 16, 2022

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Living On A Sailboat - Pros & Cons

Last Updated by

June 15, 2022

Living on a sailboat is an adventure which requires a complete lifestyle change for most people. So, what are the pros and cons of living on a sailboat?

There are many pros and cons to living on a sailboat. Hopefully you’ll find that the pros far outweigh the cons. Pros such as privacy, freedom, and adventure top my sailboat living list. Some cons are cramped living space, having your home rock when the weather turns nasty, and small living space.

There are many variables to consider when creating a list of pros and cons for living on a sailboat. Whether you live at anchor or at a dock, one con for sailboat living is the general lack of space. There are no walk-in closets on your typical sailboat. However, this can be seen as a pro if your goal is to minimize your belongings. Being at the mercy of the weather is a con which affects boats at anchor far more than docked vessels. Again, this can become a pro as your understanding of weather patterns will improve.

Although living on a sailboat is a big change from living in a house, there are so many pros to boat life that the cons seem inconsequential. I’ve been living on board my 30ft sailboat with my family for 3 years and for the most part, we’ve really enjoyed it. My biggest con on board my boat is lack of storage space. That’s due more to the length of my boat than to general sailboat life, though. If you’re an adventurous person looking to get away from your land based lifestyle, I definitely recommend sailboat living.

Table of contents

Let's start with the positives, shall we? I always like to focus on the good, whenever possible.

When you live at anchor on a sailboat, you get to experience whatever level of privacy and solitude that you prefer. There are anchorages that are quite crowded and boisterous, but you’ll also find anchorages in which you are practically the only boat. You get to decide the level of privacy you want to enjoy.

I think one of the greatest pros for living on a sailboat is that it’s fun. It’s fun to sail around, and fun to wave to other boaters and people on land as you navigate the waters. Living on a sailboat is exciting, because every day is different and you never know what might happen next. There's very little ‘hum-drum’ in the life of a sailor. There's an endless list of projects to work on, activities to enjoy, and fellow sailors to socialize with.

Your Home Can Travel

This is one of the biggest pros for many sailors. So many of us have the permanent travel bug and it’s liberating to know that if you want a change of scenery, it’s as simple as lifting the anchor or throwing the dock lines. Within a few hours, you’re in a new place with new people and new opportunities.

For people with wanderlust, having a home that can travel is invaluable.

If you find that you don’t like the people on the boat anchored next to you, you can move your boat! Unlike living on land, you aren’t stuck with your neighbors.

Minimalist Lifestyle

It’s inevitable when moving onto a sailboat to have to get rid of a great deal of one's belongings. This forced purging gives one a new perspective on wants vs. needs. When you’re forced to par down your earthy goods to what can fit into a 30/40/50 ft boat, it allows you to see what you really need and get rid of the excess that is so common in the American lifestyle.

You value what few belongings made the cut and enjoy them that much more. It’s very freeing not to be weighed down by a garage, attic, or basement full of stuff that you don’t need.

Virtually Endless Adventure

There are so many fun activities that can be done while living on a sailboat. Besides the obvious one - sailing - consider these enjoyable pastimes:

• Scuba diving
• Kite surfing
• Windsurfing
• Paddleboarding

Typical hobbies are easily enjoyed on sailboats as well. I’ve known sailors that sewed, painted, carved, wrote, took classes, on and on. The activities available on a sailboat are limited only by your imagination and obviously by the space available on your boat.

Strong Community

It's hard to beat the sailing community when it comes to helpful, caring people. Any time I have ever needed help or advice with any boat maintenance issue, fellow boaters are always more than willing to contribute in whatever way they can. Whether it’s offering up a spare part when you’re far from civilization, helping diagnose an engine issue, or just being there to give their 2-cents, the boating community is one of the most helpful around.

I’ve had someone come to my aid when my anchor was dragging in the middle of the night and I ended up on the rocks, shared a much needed spare impeller when my water pump failed, and been given mountains of advice about weather, routes, or favorite anchorages.

You never feel alone or unsupported when you’re a sailor in need. If there is a fellow sailor around to help, they most certainly will.

Many popular anchorages have a cruisers net that meets every morning at a certain time on a particular marine radio channel. Events are stated, as well as news and needs of the local cruising communities. It’s a great way to meet friends, find spare parts, or sell unused gear.

Unique Lifestyle

If you’re someone who has always enjoyed living life differently than everyone else, then living on a sailboat may be a good option for you. There are upwards of 100,000 people in the US living on sailboats which is a drop in the bucket compared to the 331,349,281 landlubbers. People that don’t live on boats are often baffled by those who do. Some are in awe of a water based lifestyle while others are certain they couldn’t do it themselves.

There's something rewarding in knowing that you’re breaking out of the ‘norm’ and forging your own path. Living on a sailboat can be a great jumping point for your unique lifestyle.

Incredible Scenery

I don’t know how many times I’ve anchored my boat up in front of multi-million dollar homes to enjoy the same insanely gorgeous view that they do, but for a fraction of the cost. Plus, sunsets and sunrises are breathtaking on the water. It’s fairly easy to find a secluded anchorage in most places, even near bustling metropolises.

Living on a sailboat brings us closer to nature. We tend to go to sleep when the sun sets and rise with the sun. You’re dealing with the weather on a daily basis, whether it’s heat, wind, rain, or cold. You experience weather more intensely on a boat. This causes us to appreciate the good weather all that much more. When the wind blows in the direction you want, when the wind doesn’t blow so you can enjoy a still night of sleep, or when the weather isn’t doing much of anything at all. You simply feel more gratitude and stop taking those nice weather days for granted.

There are certainly some disadvantages of living on a sailboat. Trust me, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows blowing out your hatches all day long.

Small Living Space

A 30 foot sailboat averages around 250 sqft, while a 40ft would be around 300 sqft. It takes some time to adjust to such miniature living conditions. But, once you’re adjusted to it, most of us realize that we never really needed more space to begin with. Not all sailboats sport small living spaces. Some catamarans are like floating condos. But most monohull sailboats are pretty tight inside.

Mildew is a common issue for most sailboats. There are a number of products available to combat mold growth. I’ve tried multiple over the counter sprays and while they work, the mildew almost always returns. A boat's interior is simply an ideal environment for mold. It’s out of direct sunlight, there's moisture, and there's often wood. Mildew loves wood.

Besides the mildew, there’s a constant dampness to bedsheets and clothing that just never seems to go away. Dampish fabric is something that you get used to and may only realize that you’ve been living with once you get a chance to stay in a hotel or house.

Having air conditioning helps considerably with onboard dampness.

Costly Maintenance

Boat repairs are often more expensive than one might expect. Mechanical parts are expensive and mechanics are even more expensive. You can keep your costs down by doing your own repairs whenever possible, but they don’t say Break Out Another Thousand for nothing. Plus, simple things like dock lines and fenders can really add up.

Having sails or cockpit canvas replaced is something that only needs to be done every 5-10 years. You’re looking at a cost of around $4000 for new sails and about the same for new bimini and dodger canvas.

When you’re living on land, you don’t have to pay too much attention to the daily weather unless you’ve got a hurricane headed your way. On a boat, however, it’s necessary to be in tune with the weather on a daily basis. When you’re living at anchor, you need to be aware of upcoming wind changes so that you can plan protective anchorages accordingly. And for those living at the dock, it’s definitely helpful to know when to double up on your dock lines for a blow heading at you.

If you’re living on your boat full time and cruising in the hurricane zone, then you either need to move your boat out of the hurricane zone, or have a hurricane hole nearby that you plan to move to in case the storm makes landfall near you. Countless boats have been totaled by being unprepared when a hurricane hit.

Limited Resources

Sailboats have a water tank which runs water to the sinks on board. All hand washing, dish washing, and water for cooking comes out of this water tank. Tanks can vary from forty gallons to hundreds of gallons. It’s necessary to be sparing with water usage to ensure that your water tanks will last you until your next fill up. This makes every drop count.

There's no endless showers, or letting the water run while you brush your teeth or wash your hands. My family makes our 40 gallon water tank last about a week before it runs dry. An average american family of 3 would use roughly 900 gallons of water per month in a house.

If you’re cooking and find that you don’t have all the ingredients that you need, you can’t just run to the store to pick up the missing item. Also, many boats only have a 2 burner stove, mine included. This can turn cooking into a juggling act. And if you’re lucky enough to have an oven on your boat, then it’s going to be about a quarter the size of a regular oven and is likely run on propane, which must be refilled on land when possible.

Electricity

Electricity is also a valuable resource on a sailboat. Some boats rely on the engine's alternator to charge the batteries while others use a wind generator, solar panels, or gasoline generator. Your batteries can die permanently if they are drained too low by items like a refrigerator, air conditioner, watermaker, fans, or lights. It’s not as simple as flipping a light switch and not knowing where the power is coming from. Every bit of electricity is precious.

Living on a sailboat requires considerably more planning and thought than living in a house.

Home Security

In this section, I’m not talking about pirates and thieves. I’m talking about whether your boat is secure in its place in the water. Imagine leaving your boat at anchor, going to shore for shopping and dinner, only dinghy back out to your boat to find that it’s not where you left it!

Boats can drag anchor, have ground tackle fail, or even sink. If a through-hull or sea cock fails while you aren’t onboard, you may come back to a sunken boat. This is not something that you have to worry about with a house. A house will be there when you get back from the store, and it certainly won’t sink into the ground. Well, almost certainly.

Regarding pirates and thieves, there is very little theft on the water. But it’s always prudent to store or lock up any valuable items such as an outboard or generator. There are a few hot spots for piracy around the world, but with a little research, you will surely be able to avoid those areas.

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Beth lives on board her 1983 30ft S2 sailboat with her husband, 6 year-old son, and her two fur babies. She has been sailing and boating for most of her life. Beth has been blessed to experience cruising in the Great Lakes, the Bahamas, and in Alaska. She loves to travel and adores living on her tiny boat with her family.

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Cost of Living On A Sailboat (Monthly Breakdown)

The cost of living on a sailboat full-time is approximately $1,880 per month or $22,560 per year.

Please keep in mind that the cost of living on a sailboat can vary depending on your specific location, the condition of the vessel, the size of the boat and your boating experience.

The cost of living on a sailboat can be broken down into 9 monthly expenses including:

• Boat Marina Fees
• Boat Insurance Cost
• Boat Maintenance Fees
• Fuel Expenses
• Grocery Costs
• Boat Gear Costs
• Entertainment Costs
• Internet Costs
• Miscellaneous Costs

Below is a cost of living on a sailboat table summary.

1. Boat Marina Fees

The first cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the marina fees/slip fees.

The marina costs for a sailboat are approximately $10 to $20 per foot per month.

For example, a sailboat owner with a boat size of 30 feet will typically pay between $300 and $600 per month in slip fees to stay at a marina.

A marina will charge a boat owner on a per-foot basis based on the length of the vessel.

The size of the boat and the location of the marina will have a large influence on the price charged to boat owners with marinas in Florida typically being the most expensive in America compared to other locations.

Paying marina fees gives boat owners access to boat cleaning services, electricity, internet access, pump-out services and facilities, waste removal services and a marine store.

Some boat owners prefer anchoring which is free of charge. Anchoring can be the best option during warmer months from April until November when marina facilities are needed less.

Boat marina costs can be reduced by mooring in cheaper marina locations, only using the marina when necessary or anchoring the boat off the coast away from the marina.

2. Boat Insurance Cost

The second cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the boat insurance fee.

The cost of sailboat insurance is approximately $55 per month or $660 per year.

This is an approximate cost for the average sailboat owner living onboard their vessel in America.

According to Progressive , the annual Progressive boat insurance policy cost for the insurance policies they issued to boat owners in America ranged from $250 to $700 per year.

To get an accurate boat insurance cost for your specific sailboat, contact marine insurance providers for quotes.

The cost of boat insurance will vary based on the size, location and condition of the sailboat as well as a boat owner's experience and claims history.

Typically, the boat insurance cost will be 1% to 4% of the total retail value of your sailboat.

Boat insurance is the most expensive in locations that suffer from hurricanes like Florida and Texas.

Boat insurance costs can be reduced by browsing insurance providers, using cheaper sailboats, using the boat in lower-risk areas and increasing your boat experience.

3. Boat Maintenance Costs

The third cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the maintenance cost.

The average cost of sailboat maintenance is $250 per month or $3,000 per year.

A sailboat's maintenance cost can vary based on the condition, size, age and location of the sailboat as well as the boat owner's experience with repairing and maintaining the boat.

Boat maintenance cost includes paying for spare parts, cleaning supplies, boat paint, engine services, repairing fridges, electronics, lines, cookers, windows, seats, toilets, deck materials etc.

Boat maintenance costs can be reduced by using second-hand parts, manually repairing the sailboat yourself and treating the boat with care.

4. Fuel Expenses

The fourth cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the fuel cost.

Sailboat fuel costs approximately $150 per month or $1,800 per year.

Sailboat fuel costs include paying for diesel or gas for the boat engine and buying propane fuel for sailboat heating and cooking while living onboard.

The factors that affect the sailboat fuel costs are the location, weather, size and condition of the boat as well as the frequency of use.

In the winter, sailboat fuel costs tend to rise whereas they are cheaper in the months from April until September.

To reduce the fuel costs of a sailboat, use the sails more often rather than the boat motor. Sailboat fuel costs can also be reduced by only traveling when it is the optimal time for the current which can make a large difference in fuel efficiency.

5. Grocery Costs

The fifth cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the groceries cost.

The cost of groceries when living on a sailboat is approximately $450 per month or $5,400 per year.

Grocery costs include paying for food, drinks, bathing supplies and kitchen cleaning supplies.

The grocery costs remain the same year-round. To reduce the grocery costs when living onboard a sailboat, boat owners can choose to catch fish by fishing from their boat. However, this will only cause a small reduction.

A saltwater-to-freshwater converter can be used to get a fresh supply of drinkable water without having to spend money on buying drinks. This will only cause a small reduction in costs too.

6. Boating Gear Costs

The sixth cost to consider when living onboard a sailboat is boating gear costs.

The approximate cost of boating gear when living on a sailboat is $100 per month or $1,200 per year.

Boating gear costs include paying for gear like sailing sunglasses, sailing jackets, swim gear, fishing gear, sunscreen, wetsuits, sailing hats, fire blankets, and general boating accessories.

The boating gear cost is the most expensive in the winter months when extra sailing clothing is needed to keep warm.

To reduce the cost of boating gear, take good care of your current boat gear to ensure it lasts longer and purchase high-quality boating accessories that will last for a long time.

7. Entertainment Cost

The seventh cost to consider when living onboard a sailboat is the entertainment cost.

The cost of entertainment when living on a sailboat is approximately $200 per month or $2,400 per year.

Entertainment costs include paying for tv subscriptions, board games, dining out, trips to the cinema, etc.

The entertainment costs will not change throughout the year.

To reduce entertainment costs, find free entertaining activities to do rather than spend money for entertainment.

8. Internet Costs

The eighth cost to consider when living on a sailboat is internet costs.

The cost of the internet when living on a sailboat is approximately $100 per month or $1,200 per year.

Internet costs include paying for a 4G/5G connection or satellite internet connection. It includes paying for a wi-fi router to connect to the sailboat too.

To reduce the internet cost on a sailboat, anchor the boat at marinas with a Wi-Fi connection included in the slip fees.

9. Miscellaneous Costs

The ninth cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the miscellaneous costs.

The miscellaneous costs when living on a sailboat are approximately $125 per month or $1,500 per year.

Miscellaneous costs will typically remain the same throughout the year without much change.

Miscellaneous costs include costs associated with buying items like boat rugs, personal care items, boat care basics, coolers, boating decor, cooking utensils etc.

To reduce the miscellaneous costs, reduce the number of general boating items purchased and ensure the items that are purchased are of good quality so they last longer.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost Of Living On A Sailboat

Below are the most commonly asked questions about the cost of living on a sailboat.

How Much Does A Large Sailboat (Over 50ft) Cost To Live On?

The approximate cost to live on a large sailboat (over 50ft.) full-time is $3,200 per month or $38,400 per year.

What Is The Most Expensive Cost Associated With Living On A Sailboat?

The most expensive cost associated with living on a sailboat is the marina slip fees which are a monthly cost of $10 to $20 per foot of boat size.

How Can The Cost Of Living On A Sailboat Be Reduced?

The cost of living on a sailboat can be reduced by using the sails instead of boat fuel to power the boat when traveling, mooring the sailing vessel in a cheaper marina or anchoring outside a marina, browsing for cheaper marine insurance policies, ensuring care when using the vessel to keep repair costs low, downsizing to a smaller sailboat and keeping entertainment costs to a minimum by finding cheaper or free entertainment alternatives.

Sailing in Thailand – Where to Go & What to See

by Alfredo from Samboat | Mar 25, 2019

Thailand, formerly known as Siam, is a country in Southeast Asia best known for its tropical beaches, ancient ruins, ornate temples, and opulent royal places. Apart from all that, Thailand is also known for some of the greatest sailing destinations that you shouldn’t miss out on! 

When it comes to sailing in Thailand, there are two best spots; the Andaman Sea in the west or the Gulf of Thailand to the east and south. Let’s look at some of the best sailing spots the country has to offer along with things you must see!

Most sailors hit Phuket for chartering yachts because of the large number of boats available. In addition, the stunning scenery that Phuket has to offer is unmatched. It is an island province which is connected to the mainland via the Sarasin Bridge in the north.

While Phuket is the main island, there are 32 other islands as well that you can explore on your boat. After your long day of sailing, make sure you visit Bangla Road, situated only 5 minutes away from the crystal clear waters and stay at one of the unique hostels in the area.

Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay is primarily characterized by mesmerizing, emerald green waters featuring limestone karsts jutting out the water. This bay comprises of two famous islands that you should definitely visit; James Bond Island and Koh Panyee.

In fact, the James Bond Island is only one of the hundreds island in the expansive bay and is known for being featured in James Bond hit movie, “Man with the Golden Gun.”

However, the majority of tourist boat trips descend on nearby beaches at the same time, making the island very crowded. 

Meanwhile, Koh Panyee is a remarkable village that’s completely built on poles in shallow waters. For shelter, there’s a giant rock monolith behind the poles. The place is home to roughly 1500 people that provide fresh local fish to restaurants and beautiful crafts for the tourists.

Moving south-east down the coast from Phang Nga Bay to the Thai mainland, you will come across the province Krabi, which has a town with the same name.

When compared to the tourist center of Phuket, Krabi seems to have a more relaxed environment with a smaller crowd. Here, you can enjoy an incredible sea along with stunning mountain scenery along with beautiful beaches and colorful, coral-fringed islands. You can also opt for diving and snorkeling here and explore the magical world present beneath the surface.

Two of the must-visit beaches here are Hat Rai Le and Ao Nang, which have shops and restaurants. So, while sailing, you can take a stop here and restock yourselves.

Koh Lanta is essentially an archipelago with approximately 70 islands with most of them housing white sandy beaches. If you love snorkeling or scuba diving, then you must visit Koh Rok and take in the beauty of its stunning colored coral reef.

In addition, there are two dive sites which are termed as highly-rated underwater pinnacles; Hin Muang and Hin Daeng.

Phi Phi Island

If you’re obsessed with Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie “The Beach” and want to see how it feels to stand where he stood and look at the scenery he got to saw while shooting the movie; then Phi Phi Island is the place to go.

Phi Phi has an island called Ko Phi Phi Le which features the beach in the movie; Maya Beach.

Surin Island

One of the most famous island locations of the country is Koh Surin National Marine Park where you have a close up of whale sharks and manta rays and swim among sea turtles. Surin Islands are located in the Andaman Sea which is just off Thailand’s west coast.

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A Guide to Sailing in Thailand

Thailand ’s yacht-charter scene sets sail from the county’s largest island: Phuket . Pinch yourself – because the topaz waters in the surrounding Phang Nga Bay stay warm all year round. The best news? Thailand has over 1,400 other islands scattered across miles and miles of ocean – and only a handful are inhabited. The rest are the domain of macaque monkeys and Andaman parakeets. Make one of them your home from home as you sail around Thailand and its many islands.

See other coastal charms around the world by booking one of Culture Trip’s multi-day sailing adventures .

What to See and Do in Thailand

Coral Island – a short sail south of Phuket – does what it says on the tin. Anchor offshore beyond the reef for snorkels with nudibranchs and lionfish. Seeking solitude? Coral Island hosts just one rather fancy resort – after day-trippers return to Phuket, the island’s three beaches are all yours.

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Shop for far-out souvenirs in the warm night air at Phuket Old Town’s Chillva Night Market. The bazaar’s vibe is boho bling where you’ll find street eats, handmade jewellery, fried insects, silk textiles and cold beer, flogged from repurposed shipping containers.

The Best Mooring Locations in Thailand

Royal Phuket Marina is by far the hottest yachting hub in Thailand. The harbour hosts restaurants, co-working spaces and regular regattas – plus scores of yachts from single-day explorers to 35m (114ft)-long superyachts. It’s little wonder the marina holds the prestigious 5 Gold Anchor Award from the Yacht Harbour Association. Need a mooring? Call VHF channel 79 or book one of the 100 berths online. As Phuket is the yacht-charter capital of Thailand, you’ll find dozens of tiny marinas, restaurant tie-up docks and yacht-friendly islets nearby – such as Ao Po Grand Marina, which leads directly onto the northern islands of Phang Nga Bay and the safe anchorage of Ao Chalong on Phuket’s southern tip.

Where to Eat and Drink in Thailand

Phuket sits at the cultural crossroads of Thailand. The island has welcomed Chinese, Malay, Portuguese and French influences – with each group imparting their recipes, too. Dishes are generally laden with seafood, pork and Thai spices. These include gaeng som , a sour tamarind curry with fish paste and o-aew , a thirst-quenching jelly dessert containing watermelon and shaved ice. Among the most polished addresses is seafood at the Trisara Resort. Expect a Michelin-rated medley of market-fresh amberjack paired with fresh greens from the restaurant’s organic garden – all elevated into time-honoured “Thai Mama” recipes. Rawai seafood market isn’t for the faint-hearted, however – point-and-order at thousands of bubbling aquarium tanks containing giant clams and tiger prawns. An adjoining restaurant will fry up your seafood purchase.

Where to Get Groceries in Thailand

Villa Market near Royal Phuket Marina is where yachties shop for at-sea essentials and cocktail treats. Every international bite – from Bertolli olive oil to Alpen muesli – is readily available from 9am to 9pm.

Key Annual Sailing Events in Thailand

The King’s Cup Regatta – which takes place in Phuket each December – is the most prestigious in all of South East Asia. Count on up to 100 big boats competing in a week of fast sailing around the southerly islands of Phuket. These include Koh Lon – a secluded beachy gem where swings dangle from coconut trees.

Climate and Weather in Thailand

Gentle tides, warm winds and a sandy seabed render Phuket as Thailand’s year-round cruising destination – where the dry season from November to April is best for novice sailors. Northeasterly winds promise dry spells and gentle breezes, although sunny days become scorching by April. More serious sailors select the wetter season from May to October. Southwesterly monsoons usher up to Force 6 winds, with rainy squalls followed by intense heat. That said, there’s always safe sailing in Phang Nga Bay down to the Phi Phi Islands.

How to Get to Thailand

Phuket airport is the intercontinental hub for the yacht charter scene in Thailand – with direct flights from Melbourne, Moscow, Manchester and Mumbai. The airport approach highlights the allure as jets descend over an aquamarine sea, then land just past the golden sands of Mai Khao Beach. Marina and yacht charter options are within an easy 20-30 minute drive away.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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Diving at the Similan Islands, Thailand – a Review of My Liveaboard Trip with Sea Bees Diving

Are you thinking about diving the Similan Islands?  Then a liveaboard is your best option!

Out of my entire trip to Thailand this was probably the part I was looking forward to the most: to go on a liveaboard diving trip to the Similan Islands , in search of manta rays and whale sharks…

Unfortunately, I found neither. But, three days of living on a boat, doing 10 great and very varied dives at some of the most beautiful dive sites in Thailand, was absolutely incredible!

About Liveaboard Diving at the Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are considered to be home to some of the best dive sites in Thailand . And, some even say some of the best dive sites in the world.

The Similan Islands is a group of 9 beautiful granite islands, located in the Andaman Sea, around 65km (40 miles) from the mainland of Thailand. 

The Similan Islands were declared a National Park in 1982, in an effort to protect its unique habitat. And in 2014 the National Park expanded its area to include the two islands of Koh Bon and Koh Tachai.

The Thai Government restricts access to several islands and beaches to protect the wildlife on the islands. Additionally, the law prohibits sport fishing and commercial fishing in certain areas.

Similan Island liveaboards visit dive sites that feature varied landscapes and vibrant marine life. You will see massive boulders, caves, and beautiful reefs that are home to over 500 species of hard and soft corals.

Note: liveaboard trips to the Similan Islands only run from November through to May. The national park is closed for the rest of the year.

What is Liveaboard Diving?

Liveaboards are what the word suggests: boats you can live on.

During your multiple-day dive trip you stay on the boat and move from dive site to dive site. This gives you the opportunity to reach dive sites that cannot be reached on a day trip .

Liveaboards normally cater to between 10 and 30 people and range from relatively basic to very luxurious boats.

Accommodation is often shared, although many liveaboards do offer private rooms as well. All meals are provided and the staff takes care of all dive logistics.

On most liveaboards you are offered three to five dives a day. This might sound like a lot, but there are long surface intervals between dives, the staff takes care of everything, and you get to relax, eat, take a nap, or sunbathe while the captain takes the boat to the next dive site.

And obviously, you can decide to skip a dive here and there to just enjoy being on the boat.

Tip: I HIGHLY recommend getting your Nitrox certification if you decide to do a liveaboard trip. Believe me, when you are doing four or more dives per day, you will feel a lot less tired when you use Nitrox!

Why Choose a Liveaboard Dive Trip?

Beginner divers are often intimidated by liveaboard diving. They assume you have to be an experienced diver to join a liveaboard trip. And that a liveaboard, which often offers four or five dives per day, is too intense for them.

It does depend a little bit on where you go, but especially a 3-day liveaboard trip to the Similan Islands is actually very suitable for almost all levels of divers.

You will need your PADI Advanced Open Water certificate (or similar) because of the depth of some of the dive sites, but you definitely don’t need years of experience and hundreds of logged dives.

But why go on a liveaboard dive trip? A liveaboard enables you to dive more remote and often better dive sites , which is an important reason to prefer liveaboard trips over day trips.

Additionally, you get to spend your evenings close to nature, out on the ocean gazing at the stars. And you will get to know a group of divers all sharing the same dive experience.

Liveaboard life is summed up as ‘Dive. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.’, which is not far from the truth! In between the dives your trip will be very relaxing; you get to see beautiful scenery all from the comforts of a full-service boat.

Tip:  Do you want to go on a liveaboard trip but are you traveling with a partner or friend who doesn’t dive? No problem! Most liveaboards allow non-divers to join at a discounted rate. And, if he or she does want to try diving, there is often an opportunity to do a Discover Scuba Dive or even a complete course.

A 3-Day Similan Islands Liveaboard Dive Trip with Sea Bees Diving – My Review

When doing some online research to find the best places for diving in Thailand I soon found out how highly rated the Similan islands are . And, they sounded a whole lot less crowded than popular dive destinations such as Koh Tao.

I decided to go for the three-day Similan liveaboard option simply because I love liveaboard diving and because I was sure I would get to dive at better dive sites than when going on a simple day trip.

I have done an 8-day liveaboard before (in the Maldives , which also offers incredible diving by the way). And although that liveaboard trip was great, an 8-day liveaboard does take up a big chunk of your vacation, so a 3-day dive trip sounded perfect to me!

Diving the Similan Islands with Sea Bees Diving received good reviews, which made me decide to choose them.

Sea Bees offers 10 dives on their 3-day liveaboard trip.

And although that may sound like a lot, the dives were spaced out really well. With a surface interval of at least two hours in between each dive and always a meal or a snack waiting for you, it has been a surprisingly relaxing trip for me!

What I really loved about diving around the Similan islands is how diverse the dives were .

From dives with great coral and countless fish to dives with fun swim-throughs and huge rock formations. And, since I love both night dives and wreck dives I was happy we got to do each of those once during this trip.

Personally, I was also really happy to hear that the water around the islands is always around 29 °C (84 °F) which means I was never cold during the dives, something that, for me, is quite unique!

Another thing worth mentioning is that the Thai government has drastically limited the number of people that are allowed to visit the national park. This, in my opinion, is a great thing because it will help protect the reef and make sure the dives stay as pristine as they are.

According to one of our dive instructors, the Similan islands are actually one of the very few places he has seen, anywhere in the world, where the reef is improving instead of deteriorating. Having seen so many coral reefs in such bad shape all over the world, including in Thailand, that news made me very happy and more than willing to contribute to this national park!

Unfortunately I am not a great videographer and my Go Pro knockoff does not do the dive sites justice, but this is a small compilation of 3 great days of liveaboard diving at the Similan Islands:

MV Genesis, the boat we were on, is a cozy boat that holds a maximum of 12 guests.

You can either opt for a shared room with two bunk beds or a private room with one single bed.

All rooms are air-conditioned and what I appreciated the most is that they all have large windows. Rooms on boats often only have small portholes. Having a window that’s almost as wide as the room itself was great, especially when relaxing in between dives (to just enjoy the scenery from the privacy of my room) and in the morning, waking up at sunrise for our first dives, quietly watching the world wake up…

The boat offers two shower rooms, two toilets, and two outdoor showers on the diving deck. Unfortunately, there are no rooms with private bathrooms.

I initially kept comparing this liveaboard to my very luxurious liveaboard experience in the Maldives. Compared to that the boat is more basic and the rooms are small, but all in all, it was a great liveaboard experience on a nice boat with really good staff!

Oh and the delicious food that was waiting for us after every dive definitely deserves a mention! Diving makes you hungry and the great variety of food they served was perfect!

Plus the common areas are spacious and there is a really nice sun deck to relax, sunbathe and maybe take a nap in between dives.

Value for Money

Liveaboard diving really is a very comfortable way to dive, and See Beas Diving was no exception.

Their incredibly friendly staff did everything for us: from helping us get ready for our dives to making sure everything on the boat was dry, clean and comfortable as we returned from our dives.

Delicious food was waiting for us after each dive – having seen how small the kitchen is I am really impressed with the wide range of food they managed to prepare!

And I don’t know if this is more of a female diver thing but to be able to have a hot shower in between dives, to dry off properly, sunbathe for a bit, read a book… The combination of all of that made this liveaboard trip perfect!

I loved that the Genesis is a smaller boat which means you will be diving with fewer people and I think that’s worth a lot!

Sea Bees Diving is also one of a few companies offering 3-day liveaboard dive trips to the Similan Islands.

Most other companies offering liveaboard diving in the Similan islands offer longer trips.

And although part of me wanted to stay on the boat forever and just continue a life of ‘Dive. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.’ another part of me was also quite tired after 10 dives and just wanted to see more of Thailand in the limited time I had in the country.

So a 3-day Similan Island liveaboard I think is a great option.

Compared to other liveaboard options at the Similan islands, Sea Bees’ prices are competitive and I would definitely say it’s well worth it and without a doubt one of the highlights of my three weeks in Thailand!

Please note that the National Park charges a park fee. This is an extra charge on top of the price of the Similan liveaboard trip. Contact Sea Bees Diving for the current park fees and any other information you may want.

Diving the Similan Islands From Khao Lak

Sea Bees Diving’s 3-day liveaboard trip to the Similan Islands starts from Khao Lak.

They pick you up from your hotel in Khao Lak to take you to the boat, and bring you back after the trip.

They can also arrange a transfer from Phuket to Khao Lak early on the first day of the dive trip but I would recommend staying in Khao Lak the night before your trip. Or even longer than that since Khao Lak is a nice, laid-back, tourist-oriented coastal area.

There are public buses from both Bangkok and Phuket to Khao Lak and therefore most people will fly into either of those airports and travel to Khao Lak from there.

Alternatively, you can also easily get from Krabi to Khao Lak by bus or minivan .

Sea Beas Diving, along with other dive companies, offers day trips to take you diving at the Similan islands as well. But with so many incredible dive sites and the relatively remote location, I highly recommend opting for a 3-day liveaboard dive trip to the Similan Islands!

About Sea Bees Diving

Sea Bees Diving has been operating an award-winning dive resort for over twenty years. As an SSI Diamond Instructor Dive Center, they offer a full range of dive courses and excursions.

Their dive centers and outlets are located in the best dive destinations in Southern Thailand: in Phuket (Nai Yang and Chalong) and Khao Lak.

Combined with their custom-built fleet of dive boats and dive resorts in Khao Lak and Phuket, they are able to offer a great overall dive experience.

For more information go to Sea-Bees.com

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Disclosure: My 3-day Similan Islands liveaboard trip was sponsored by Sea Bees Diving. This however in no way affects my opinions. I would never recommend anything I didn’t enjoy myself and I only share my honest opinion. This Similan liveaboard review contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.

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very useful article about diving the similan islands, thanks

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I’ve Been Living in Thailand for 12 Years; Here’s What You Need to Know

So you’re thinking about living in Thailand!

I’ve been living in Thailand for around 12 years now with my family; my daughter goes to school here and Thailand is more of a home to me now than the UK.

After many questions from friends and colleagues I thought it would be helpful to put together a guide on living in Thailand , including what it’s like to live here, how to manage your finances, my recommendations on work, schooling and best places to live and visit.

I hope it helps!

Table of Contents

An Overview of Living in Thailand

Where is thailand.

Thailand is a country located in Southeast Asia. It shares borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. The bulk of Thailand is surprisingly landlocked, however, the deep South West coastline is home to the beautiful Andaman Sea and the Southern end of the country, along with Cambodia and the Southernmost tip of Vietnam meets the Gulf of Thailand.

The official language of Thailand is Thai, however English is spoken in major tourist areas and the Thai’s love to practice their English language skills!

Thailand Religion and Culture

Thailand is primarily a Buddhist country, and the religion is deeply ingrained in Thai culture. One of the most visible expressions of Buddhism in Thailand is the proliferation of amazing temples throughout the country.

Big Buddha – Phuket

Buddhism in Thailand is not just a religion, but a way of life. Thai monks are an integral part of society, and play an important role in both spiritual and community affairs. In addition to their religious duties, Thai monks also teach meditation and mindfulness, which as we all know are valuable skills for living a peaceful and productive life (although I haven’t quite got either down yet!).

The temples themselves are stunning examples of Buddhist architecture, and are often adorned with intricate carvings and beautiful paintings. Not only are they a popular tourist attraction, but you can gain a deep understanding of Thai culture by spending time exploring these beautiful and sacred places.

Top Tip: Temples across Thailand are fantastic with the most well known in Bangkok, however, for a truly stunning experience head to Chiang Rai in the North of the Country. We had minimal expectations of this province and were completely bowled over by the uniqueness and beauty of the temples, monuments and general area.

White Temple – Chiang Rai

Living in Thailand as a foreigner is an exciting experience. It’s a hugely unique culture (and a culture shock when coming from the West), with a vibrant history and rich traditions.

The Thai population is diverse and has been influenced by India, China, Cambodia, Laos and other countries throughout history. This diversity is reflected in the language, architecture, arts, festivals, music and food.

Thailand Landscape, Rituals & Food

The landscape of Thailand is largely made up of lush green forests and highlands that are surrounded by hundreds of islands along the coastlines. When you fly into Phuket from the East you’re treated to a spectacle of huge and breathtaking limestone karsts and a cacophony of islands.

If you choose to travel through Thailand by car, you’ll be treated to stunning National parks, lakes and tiny quaint villages, popping up in between awe inspiring mountainous regions.

The traditional art forms found throughout Thailand are especially interesting for visitors from abroad. From tattooing ceremonies and woodcarving to spiritual rituals like Buddhism or Brahminism – living in Thailand will give you a chance to explore these unique aspects of its culture first-hand.

Of course, no conversation about living in Thailand would be complete without mentioning food. Who doesn’t love Thai food?

Forget your local Thai restaurant, living here means you get the real deal. Chicken with cashew nuts, pad thai, kao soi (my favorite), panang curry, massaman curry. Thai cuisine is one of the best in the world (which explains my expanding waistline!)

Khao Soi – Chiang Mai Dish

Should I Move to Thailand?

Hopefully you’ll have a good idea as to the answer to this question by the time you get to the end of the post, but Thailand has become an increasingly popular destination for expats from all over the world in recent years, due to its low cost of living, friendly people & incredible climate and scenery.

It’s a perfect destination for those looking for adventure or just wanting a change of pace from their home countries! Whether you’re looking for a place where you can relax, explore or just reduce living expenses, living in Thailand as a farang (foreigner) provides something for everyone!

How many Farangs are living in Thailand?

According to Silkestate.io – as of 2022, there are approximately 3 – 4 million foreigners living in Thailand. However, the bulk of those are from neighboring countries, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

A ‘farang’ very specifically refers to a western, primarily white foreigner, and that number is far harder to calculate, however back in 2018, Thailand issued almost 80,000 retirement visas with Britons accounting for most of those. So it’s safe to say a fair few!

Is Thailand safe?

I am not exaggerating when I say, I haven’t felt safer in any other country in the world, other than perhaps Dubai.

Over the years I have lost mobile phones, money, and on occasion had a few too many with the girls late at night, and in every incident my lost goods have been returned, taxi drivers have been gracious and caring and I’ve never felt threatened or in danger.

That being said, there have been some well publicized events of random attacks, theft, sadly a couple of murders, etc. However, these are extremely rare and as with any large country it’s always wise to be aware of your surroundings.

The biggest challenges in cities such as Bangkok might be petty crime such as pickpocketing or scams targeting tourists. Outside of the cities your biggest worry is traffic accidents due to the sheer amount of mopeds on the roads, lax driving license requirements, hazardous driving conditions and natural disasters like floods and severe weather.

Despite these potential risks, living in Thailand is extremely safe compared to the rest of the world and I’ve felt that I’ve raised my daughter in a safe and caring environment.

What language is spoken in Thailand?

Thai is the official language of the country. English is also widely spoken in urban areas, making it easier for foreigners to communicate with locals. However, it’s wise (and in my opinion polite), to learn at least some basic phrases so that you can communicate with people when necessary.

What’s the Covid situation in Thailand?

As of October 1st 2022, there are NO covid entry requirements for Thailand. All travelers, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated are free to travel to Thailand and no covid related documents are required.

However, I highly recommend travel insurance for a short term visit or a more comprehensive healthcare insurance package for longer stays.

I’ll talk more about insurance later in the article.

What’s the weather in Thailand like?

It’s gorgeous of course! 😂😂😂

Seriously though, the weather in Thailand can vary depending on the time of year and location.

Depending on where you are living in Thailand, temperatures can range from quite cool up in the North of the country, with temperatures dipping as low as 10°C (50°F) in winter months; to very hot and humid throughout the year down South in provinces such as Phuket or Krabi, where temperatures can reach upwards of 37°C (100°F).

The further North you go towards the mountainous regions of Chang Mai and Chiang Rai, you can expect cooler weather due to their higher altitude.

On most Thai islands such as Koh Samui or Phangan, temperatures tend to range around 28-33°C (82-91°F) year round with high humidity levels but also gentler winds than you would find on Thailand’s mainland.

In terms of average annual temperature across Thailand, most areas experience an average temperature between 26-31°C (78-87°F), depending on location.

There are only two seasons;

The rainy season usually runs from May through October (more recently through November) and during this time cities such as Bangkok often experience flooding from large amounts of rainfall while other areas such as the islands may suffer from a lack of electricity due to storms knocking out power lines.

The hot season runs from mid November through to April, with the hottest months being Feb – April. The seas are calm and warm, the sun is shining and the country comes alive with tourists and visitors escaping the winter!

Regardless of when you choose to live in Thailand, be sure to prepare for the warm and sunny conditions by packing light clothing and sunscreen!

What time is it in Thailand?

Thailand is located in the Indochina Time Zone (ICT), which is seven hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This means that Thailand is in the same time zone as countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

Thailand does not observe daylight saving time, so clocks remain at the same time year-round.

Where to live in Thailand?

I personally love Bangkok, the sights, sounds, smells, people, busyness, the skytrain, the shopping centers, and the plethora of amazing food!!!

Bangkok is the most popular destination for foreigners living in Thailand, and for good reason. The city offers an abundance of activities, a wide range of living options, and plenty of conveniences that make living there comfortable and easy.

That said, there are also some drawbacks to living in the Thai capital. The cost of living can be expensive compared to other areas in Thailand, traffic is usually gridlocked during rush hour (although you can jump on a motorbike taxi and weave your way through), and finding quality housing for a good price can be a challenge.

However, if you love to walk, are happy cramming on to a skytrain and want to live in a big, cultural city, Bangkok is the place.

A complete mix of sprawling metropolitan areas containing banks, hotels and offices, hiding tiny traditional villages found by exploring side streets and backstreets.

If it’s an International school you’re after you’ll find an array of highly respected institutions with popular expat apartment blocks nearby.

If you seek a more traditional experience, you’ll find plenty of Soi’s to your liking and the center of town is a cross between luxury shopping center’s, street sellers, riverboats and iconic buildings and temples.

Bangkok remains the top choice for many expats due to its vast array of offerings and its convenient location relative to the rest of Thailand.

I’m also completely in love with Chiang Mai, although it’s a completely different experience to Bangkok.

Living in Chiang Mai as a foreigner has its pros and cons.

On the plus side, the cost of living is cheaper than in Bangkok (and Phuket), and you can find plenty of foreigners, backpackers and digital nomads living there.

However, the weather gets quite cool in the winter months and between January to March time, the farmers in Northern Thailand start to burn off their fields to prepare for the following year and the air quality decreases to bordering on unsafe.

But if you’re happy for a change in seasons and to wear a mask for a few weeks, Chiang Mai is without doubt the ‘funkiest’ province to live in.

With an arts and crafts vibe, wandering the streets of old town Chiang Mai is a delight of unique, artisanal shops, ancient temples and the old walls of Chiang Mai, vegan or vegetarian health food restaurants and cozy boutique hotels.

Venturing into the more modern areas, you’re treated to markets, high end hotels, conference venues, popular restaurants, shopping streets and malls.

Surrounded by beautiful distant mountains, expats choose to make Chiang Mai their home due to the laid-back atmosphere and the abundance of activities in the surrounding area.

Phuket is where I have called home for the last 8 – 10 years.

Phuket is the main tourist destination of Thailand. With a proliferation of high end hotels and beach resorts, the gorgeous weather, access to the calm and warm waters of the Andaman Sea and picturesque white sandy beaches, pre covid, Phuket was on a mission to become one of the best vacation places in the world.

Right now, as with so many other cities around the world, it’s just trying to get back on its feet.

What makes Phuket so special is the mix of old and new. The tiny local shack restaurant, serving the most delicious Thai food, next to the huge 5 star Marriott or Movenpick resort (usually selling terrible Thai food for three times the price by the way!).

Phuket is a fantastic place to live. The expat community is big and welcoming. There’s always something going on and if you love sport (which I hate to say I don’t really), you’ll find yourself doing triathlons, marathons, cycle competitions and all sorts in no time at all. There’s also plenty of international schools.

However, these days, Phuket is peng maak! (Very Expensive).

Ten years ago when we first discovered this paradise island, it was expensive to head back to our native countries, however now the UK (me), and Australia (my husband), are cheap compared to Phuket!

And it’s across the board; housing, food, utilities, clothes, entertainment. It’s all three or four times the price you’ll find in other parts of Thailand and as soon as our daughter finishes school in 2024 we will move on.

However, Phuket will always feel like home, will have a special place in our hearts and we will visit often.

Hua Hin is a great place to live as a foreigner in Thailand. It’s much quieter and less hectic than Bangkok, but there are still plenty of things to do and see. The cost of living here is also cheaper than in the capital city.

Plus it’s on the coast!

If you’re looking for a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, Hua Hin is definitely the place to be.

With beautiful beaches lined with palm trees, quaint historic towns and charming outdoor markets, if you’re looking for a small community, away from it all, living in Hua Hin might be for you.

Living in Koh Samui is a great experience as long as you’re happy to be living on an Island with your only modes of transport to the mainland being by boat or plane.

It’s a fab little Island with beautiful beaches, amazing weather, and a laid-back lifestyle. The cost of living will depend on your preferences.

A beachfront villa will cost a pretty penny, but there are plenty of more affordable condos and apartments available.

Plus there’s not so much traffic in Koh Samui, so you can easily get round the island on a little moped.

Overall, if you are looking for a relaxing and beautiful place to live in Thailand, living in Koh Samui might be the right choice for you. Just make sure that you do your research and plan accordingly so that you can fully enjoy this unique island experience!

The Rest of Thailand

Living in rural areas as a foreigner can be a great experience, and give you the chance to learn how to speak Thai quite quickly as you immerse yourself into their culture.

If you are thinking about living in a rural area outside of the main cities and tourist destinations in Thailand, the first thing you should do is visit some of the villages and towns you’re thinking of moving to.

Many rural areas are mainly farmland, rice paddies and tea plantations, and you may find being off the beaten track and away from the Western comforts you’re used to a bit of a culture shock.

The pros of living here include beautiful scenery, amazing weather, and a relaxed lifestyle. However, accommodation options will be more limited and you’ll want a car to get around. Plus if you intend to work online you’ll need to find somewhere that has a good internet connection (Wifi is pretty good across all of Thailand).

However, if you’re looking for a real slice of Thailand, then choosing a rural Thai village to call your home might be just the ticket!

How to find accommodation for living in Thailand?

When living in Thailand as a foreigner, one of the biggest challenges can be finding suitable accommodation. This is especially true if you are unfamiliar with living in Thailand and the various accommodation options available.

Here are some tips to help you navigate this process and find the right living situation for your needs and budget.

One of the first things to consider when looking for housing in Thailand is location.

• Do you want to live in a big city, a more rural area or close to the beach?
• Are there specific neighborhoods that appeal to you, such as those with access to amenities like shopping or public transportation?
• Do you need to live close to an International school?

Narrowing down your options based on where you want to live will make your search easier and more targeted.

Another important consideration when living in Thailand is cost. How much are you willing or able to spend on housing each month?

To find the right balance between your budget and living situation, your best bet would be to holiday here, to look around and research the different areas and types of accommodation you might want to live in.

In Phuket as an example, the cost of living is far higher than say Chiang Mai or Hua Hin. To get an idea of accommodation costs use a site like – ThailandProperty.com  to check out rents and prices across the country.

I use xe.com  for the most accurate currency conversion.

Once you find a location and the type of accommodation you’re interested in, get yourself over to Thailand, look at the properties you’re interested in and negotiate with the landlord or property agent in person.

If you’re considering buying a property in Thailand, you will need to do a lot of research and employ a lawyer to understand your rights. Farangs are not legally allowed to own property here on their own and you’ll need to create a company or go into partnership with a Thai citizen.

It’s a long and complicated person which requires specialist knowledge and I would always recommend renting here first before considering buying property.

When living in Thailand as a foreigner, it is important to do your research and be willing to explore different options until you find the right living situation for you. With these tips, you can confidently navigate the housing market and find a place that feels like home in this exciting new country.

Visas for Living and/or Working in Thailand

One of the biggest considerations for living in Thailand as a foreigner is obtaining the correct visa. There are a number of different visas available, each with its own set of requirements and restrictions.

Here are some of the most popular;

Tourist Visa

The most popular visa is of course the tourist visa. If you come from one of the 64 exempt countries , you won’t need a tourist visa for stays of 30 days or less.

If you intend to stay longer you will need a tourist visa for stays of up to 60 days and you can extend that to 90 days while you’re here.

You can obtain a tourist visa online, at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country.

Tourists who enter Thailand without a valid visa will be fined 2,000 Baht for each day spent in Thailand over the permitted maximum stay of 90 days. For more information click here .

Digital Nomad Visa

Right now Thailand doesn’t have a specific digital nomad visa. They have introduced a new visa recently called a Long Term Residents visa, which would allow you to live and work here for ten years.

However, the visa is targeted at more wealthy individuals and the requirements to qualify are quite strict.

For example you’ll need to prove that you have a minimum personal income of $80,000 a year for the past two years. If this isn’t the case you’ll need evidence that you have a masters degree. You’ll also need health insurance with at least $50k coverage and various other documentation.

You can find out more here .

Retirement Visa & Marriage Visa

Other popular visas for living in Thailand include the retirement visa and the marriage/partner visa.

The retirement visa requires that you be over 50 years old and have proof of sufficient funds to live in Thailand. The marriage/partner visa requires that you be married or in a partnership with a Thai citizen, and may require additional documentation including letters from your partner’s employer confirming their employment status.

Education Visa

The Thailand education visa is given to foreigners who intend to study while in Thailand. Whether at school, university, learning the Thai language or doing an internship.

To obtain an education visa, you will need to have enrolled in the educational institution and they will then supply you with all the information and paperwork necessary to make your visa application.

When here you’ll need to report your current address to the Thai immigration office every 90 days. After the first time you’ll be able to do further 90 day reports online.

You’ll also need a re-entry permit for leaving and re-entering the country during the validity period of your visa.

If you have a child or children in school here, as the parent you can obtain a guardianship education visa otherwise known as a non immigrant O visa. One visa per parent of one child. The school will help you gather all the necessary paperwork for this visa and it will need to be renewed once a year.

Business/Working Visa

If you are looking to work in Thailand as a foreigner, Thailand expats will need to obtain a work permit or a non immigrant B visa.

You’ll need a letter of employment, medical certificate, educational qualifications and other documentation. Also your Western or Thai employer or the Thai company you work for, will need to provide a raft of documents regarding their company and your role as their employee.

This process can be complex, so it’s important you get the necessary guidance when you’re here. Your employer can help with that.

Two little girls selling their homemade jewelry at the Moken Village in the Surin Islands

An Apec card is a special visa that allows foreigners living in Thailand to stay in the country for longer periods of time. This type of visa gives you certain privileges and benefits, such as more flexible travel options, easier access to your finances, and greater flexibility when it comes to finding employment.

An Apec card allows holders to stay in Thailand for up to one year, and can be renewed as long as you are still a legal resident of your home country. To be eligible for an Apec card, you must be a citizen of one of the following countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Russia (including Siberia), Singapore or United States

If you are living in Thailand and are interested in obtaining an apec card, there are several requirements that you must meet in order to be eligible. You must first be either a citizen of one of the 21 participating countries, or have a valid residency permit for Thailand. Additionally, you will need to demonstrate that you have been living in Thailand for at least six months, and that you have a steady source of income.

To apply for an apec card, you will need to complete and submit the relevant application form along with all required supporting documentation. This may include proof of your residence in Thailand, as well as documentation showing your income. You may also need to provide a copy of your passport or residency permit.

Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the relevant authorities to determine whether you meet all of the requirements for an apec card. If approved, your apec card should be issued within a few weeks, and will allow you to take advantage of benefits such as reduced tariffs on certain goods and services. So if you are living in Thailand and are looking for a convenient way to take advantage of all the benefits of living here, an apec card may be just what you need!

The Thailand Elite Visa

If you are living in Thailand and are looking for an easy way to take advantage of all the benefits of living here, the Thailand Elite Visa may be just what you need!

The Thailand Elite Visa is available to foreign nationals who demonstrate financial soundness and a willingness to make Thailand their primary living destination. It is open to individuals, couples and families, and provides a number of benefits including tax exemptions, visa-free travel, and access to high-quality healthcare.

This visa offers a number of exclusive perks and privileges, including access to special airport lounges, reduced tariffs on certain goods and services, and VIP treatment at major tourist destinations.

The cost of the visa varies depending on your nationality, but starts at around USD$2000 per year. To apply, you will need to complete and submit the relevant application form along with all required supporting documentation. This may include proof of your residence in Thailand, as well as documentation showing your income. You may also need to provide a copy of your passport or residency permit.

Ultimately, the type of visa that is right for you will depend on your individual circumstances and goals. If you are looking to start living and working in Thailand full-time, it is important to do your research and carefully consider all of your options before making any decisions.

Cost of living in Thailand

Thailand is a popular destination for expats looking to live and work in a tropical country with a lower cost of living than many other developed nations. The cost of living in Thailand varies depending on your lifestyle and spending habits, but overall it is relatively affordable when compared to most Western countries.

Some of the main expenses you can expect to incur while living in Thailand include rent or mortgage payments, food costs, transportation expenses, and utility bills.

In general, you can expect to pay less for basic necessities such as food and transportation, while housing and utilities may be more expensive than what you are used to paying back home. This of course depends on which part of Thailand you choose to make your home.

However, living in Thailand also offers a number of opportunities to save money, including low-cost healthcare and entertainment options.

At the time of writing inflation is increasing globally due to the fallout from the Covid pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine affecting energy costs and grain supplies.

It’s no different in Thailand, with notably food and rent costs increasing quite steeply over the last year.

In Phuket for example, an average 3 bed pool villa will cost anywhere between 30,000THB to 120,000THB a month ($900 – $3500) depending which area you choose to live in.

A weekly shop at Macro for a family of 4, will cost around 8,000THB ($230) (without alcohol). Electricity costs are extremely high coming in at anywhere between 8,000THB – 15,000 THB/month ($230 – $430).

Renting a car, long term will cost around 10,000THB a month ($300), short term up to 15,000THB a month ($430) and sending your children to an International school will cost between 300,000THB – 800,000THB a year per child ($8500 – $23000) depending on which school you select.

Please note however, this is for a very comfortable expat family lifestyle. If you’re happy with a more traditional Thai style home, eating out every night at the local shacks and street food outlets and don’t have kids, you could easily live a fantastic life here for less than $1500/month.

Also Phuket is one of the most expensive places to live in Thailand. If you compare the costs to say living in Chiang Mai or even in Bangkok, all the costs including rents, food and utilities will decrease.

Before moving here, make sure to research the specific area you’re interested in, focusing in particular on the rents for the kind of accommodation you want to live in, car hire, utilities, food, and schooling if relevant.

Moving to Thailand

When moving to Thailand, there are a myriad of considerations to take into account.

• Decide where in Thailand you want to live
• Research accommodation costs, schooling and living expenses
• Find out which visa you need and what documentation is required
• Pack your belongings and arrange shipping!
• Move and live forever more in the sunshine!

When we decided to move here, we came with almost no belongings. Just 3 suitcases, a 4 year old child and big smiles!

Friends of ours have shipped their entire households over and it’s an expensive and long process.

When leaving your home country, I personally recommend using the change to have a big clearout. Do you really need those old plates left for you by your parents or grandparents?

Do you honestly need to keep all your old school papers, your old vinyl records, your 1980’s CD collection etc etc.

Since selling almost everything I’ve ever owned I’ve had a sense of freedom, not just physically, but emotionally which makes for an extremely uncluttered mind. The more stuff we gather, the more full my mind becomes.

And remember you can’t take any of it with you and none of it really means that much in the end anyway. Memories and experiences are what make a rich life.

So rather than packing up all your stuff into 40 boxes and paying the earth to have them shipped, consider what you can finally get rid of and start afresh in your new home and country.

Managing Your Money in Thailand

Opening a bank account.

Opening a bank account in Thailand is relatively simple and straightforward, with most major international banks having branches throughout the country.

Before you can open an account, however, you will need to provide some basic documents such as a passport copy and proof of address. It is also important to note that many banks will require you to have a valid work permit or student visa before they accept your application.

However, we found the SCB bank, Siam Commercial Bank, easiest to open a bank account. All they needed was our passports, visa and tenancy agreement and we were able to open a bank account and do online/app based banking.

Once you’ve gathered all your documents together, you will need to visit the bank in person in order to sign the agreement and complete any additional paperwork needed for the account opening process. Banks are usually well-equipped with English speaking staff who can help guide customers through the process if needed.

Once an account has been opened, there are various services available such as debit cards, internet banking and direct deposit options. It is also possible to obtain credit cards depending on your history and financial status. Additionally, many banks offer special discounts or privileges when using their services, so be sure to check with them directly when setting up your account.

When living in Thailand as an expat, it is important to remember that all transactions must be completed in Thai Baht (THB). This means that any payments made from foreign currency accounts must be converted into THB first before they can be used by local merchants or banks. Additionally, ATM withdrawals from overseas accounts may not be accepted at some ATMs due to security reasons so it’s best to double check on this before attempting any transactions.

I also recommend opening a Wise account online. Wise (formerly Transferwise), is an online bank which allows you to send and receive money in over 50 currencies. They’ll supply you with a debit card, plus you can create digital cards on the app which you can use for one off online payments.

The biggest benefits of Wise however, are how fast you can send or receive money. In most cases it takes seconds. The low costs associated with sending and receiving money and the fact you’re never required to ‘go into a branch’!

Paying Taxes

If you’re living in Thailand, it’s important to be aware of the country’s tax laws and what is required of you.

I’m not a tax advisor and how you manage your taxes is down to your country of residence and work status, however here is an overview of basic Thai law regarding taxes.

In general, Thai tax law is fairly straightforward and there are a number of resources available to help expats understand their obligations. The main taxes that expats living in Thailand are typically subject to are income tax, property tax and value-added tax (VAT).

The Thai government imposes income tax on all individuals who earn a salary or other form of income in the country. The rate of taxation depends on your individual income and ranges from 5% to 37%. In order to file a tax return, you will need to complete a Form 56 which can be obtained from the Revenue Department website or from any local Revenue office.

Property Tax

All property owners in Thailand are required to pay an annual property tax if they rent out their homes or use it for commercial purposes. The current rate is 12.5%. Property taxes must be paid by 31st January each year and can be paid either through direct debit or by cash/cheque at any local bank .

Thailand’s value-added tax rate is 7%, which applies to most goods and services in the country. To claim a VAT refund, you will need to obtain a VAT Refund Form from any local Revenue office and present it along with your purchase receipts when making international purchases of THB 2,000 or more.

Please ensure you get individual advice from an accountant before moving here to ensure you understand and adhere to the tax laws.

Healthcare and Insurance in Thailand

The Thai healthcare system is fantastic. If I were extremely ill and wanted the best care and attention I would come to Thailand rather than going to a hospital in my own country. In fact, I truly believe that had we been able to bring my own Mother here for treatment she would still be alive today.

That’s how much faith I have in healthcare over here. The hospitals are modern and clean, the doctors are highly trained and the staffing is such that you don’t sit in a corridor waiting for treatment. There are rarely queues or long waits.

When I suffered from mild decompression sickness after a 4 day diving expedition, I was admitted and in an oxygen chamber within an hour.

The downside is that treatment can be quite expensive, so you’ll need to ensure you have the correct insurance while here. We personally insure via Cigna and they have been an excellent choice.

Additionally you may want to insure for repatriation costs in case of long term illness or injury.

Sending Kids to School in Thailand

International schools in Thailand offer a number of benefits to students, including a curriculum that is relevant to their home country, smaller class sizes, and a sense of community among students from different backgrounds.

Unfortunately however, it will cost you!

This has been one of our biggest expenses living here. Our daughter has been attending International school since she was 9 years old (she’s now 16) and the school we chose charges between 600kTHB – 800kTHB/year ($17k – $23k), increasing as they move up each year.

The benefits outweigh the cost however, in that, she’s been in smaller classes, the facilities are excellent, her group of friends are from every culture or religion you can think of and she’s in an extremely safe and inclusive environment.

Unfortunately the school we picked does happen to be one of the most expensive on the Island and there are fantastic International schools here who charge anywhere between 300kTHB – 400kTHB a year ($8.5k – $11.5k).

Sending your child to school here is not cheap. However, the schooling is first class and the kids grow up with an incredibly inclusive mindset. I’m so happy that my daughter will forevermore be color blind and never judge someone based on their culture or religion.

However, over the years my attitude has changed towards education and in all honesty if I knew then what I knew now, I would have world schooled my daughter and never sent her to school in the first place. However, that is the subject of an entirely different blog post.

British International School Phuket

Thailand Culture and Customs

Religious festivals.

Thailand is a Buddhist-majority country, and religion plays a significant role in Thai culture.

There are many festivals and rituals which take place throughout the year and which all Thais participate in, whether they are religious or not.

One of the most popular festivals in Thailand is Songkran, which marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year.

This festival takes place from 13th – 15th April and as well as temple gatherings to pray and pay respect to Buddha, the locals throw water on one another in celebration. The practice has origins rooted in cleanliness and purification, as it’s thought that bathing oneself in water washes away any bad luck or misfortune from the previous year.

In addition to throwing water, locals will often offer blessings to each other by pouring fragrant oils on their hands or shoulders and smearing white talcum powder on their faces.

Another important Thai festival is Loi Krathong, which occurs annually in November and celebrates when Buddha made his journey across India by boat. For this festival, Thais create small rafts out of banana tree trunks decorated with flowers and incense sticks that are then set afloat down rivers as symbolic offerings to Buddha for good fortune and wishes granted.

Per Meistrup , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

This ritual also serves as a way for Thais to express gratitude for all that they have received throughout the year.

Loy Krathong also coincides with the Lanna (Northern Thai) festival of Yi Peng. Yi Peng refers to the full moon day in the second month according to the Northern Thai lunar calendar. So to celebrate alongside the krathong floating, thousands of floating lanterns or ‘khom loi’, are sent into the sky as a way to make merit in Buddhism .

Leon Contreras | Unsplash

It’s a beautiful sight to behold!

Thailand’s culture also features numerous other festivities such as Chinese New Year (which mostly occurs either in late January or early February), Chakri Day (April 6th) which celebrates the founding of Thailand’s Royal Dynasty and the infamous Vegetarian Festival.

Every year, the Vegetarian Festival (also known as ‘nine emperor gods festival’,) ignites with a vibrant display of color and spirit during the 9th lunar month according to Chinese tradition—this typically falls in either September or October.

This festival is an age-old celebration among the Chinese community centered around their belief that abstaining from meat and other stimulants can lead to better physical health as well as inner peace.

The festival is renowned for its daring and extravagant celebrations. From firewalking to body piercing, participants perform acts intended to invoke the gods. Self-mortification has become increasingly spectacular every year as mediums of the gods take on bolder challenges in an attempt to please them.

It can be quite jarring to watch as the locals stab themselves with various sharp articles, but it’s an intriguing and energetic festival not to be missed!

Gert Chesi , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

These are just some of the many traditions celebrated in Thailand throughout the year that foreigners living here can participate in (or at least witness)!

From religious rituals such as giving offerings at Buddhist temples to more festive occasions like parties thrown after weddings or large family gatherings; living in Thailand has plenty of unique cultural experiences waiting to be had!

The Thai Royal Family & Lese Majeste

Living in Thailand means living with respect for the royal family and their traditions.

As a foreigner living in Thailand, it is important to remember that displaying disrespect or dishonoring the royal family is illegal and can lead to serious consequences. It is expected that visitors and residents alike show respect when discussing the royal family, their titles, or anything related to them.

This includes standing during any ceremony or playing of the national anthem and respecting the royal portraits which are found in many public places.

When attending a cinema, visitors are asked to stand to the King’s anthem as it plays before each movie, out of respect for the royal family. When we first came here ten years ago, everyone in the cinema stood. It was such a great show of respect, it would always put a small lump in my throat to be honest.

However, since the old and longest serving King Rama IX died in 2016, many local Thai people no longer stand as instructed, which is so sad to see. As visitors to their country however, we still stand, even though sometimes we are the only ones.

Thailand’s monarchy has been a cornerstone of Thai society for centuries and the law of Lese Majeste is still very much in place, so as a foreigner living in Thailand, I choose not to get involved in local politics and beliefs and simply respect the rules as they are laid out for me.

Thailand is a country with many customs and traditions which should be respected by both visitors and residents. One of the most important aspects of Thai culture is the way in which people interact with one another. There are a number of general customs which should be followed in order to avoid causing offense.

One such custom is that it is considered impolite to touch a Thai person on their head, as the head is seen as the most sacred part of the body.

Another tradition related to touching is that it is generally considered rude to touch someone’s feet, especially if they are not your close friend or family member.

In addition, Thais always use their right hand when shaking hands or handing something over, as the left hand is seen as dirty.

These are just a few examples of the many cultural customs found in Thailand; respecting them will help you to live peacefully in this beautiful country.

In Thailand, LGBT people are protected by law from discrimination and hate crimes.

However, there is still a lot of work to be done in order to make sure that all members of the LGBT community are treated equally. While there is some progress being made, there is still a lot of resistance from certain parts of Thai society.

One of the biggest challenges faced by LGBT people living in Thailand is discrimination from their own families. Many families still view being gay or transgender as a shameful or undesirable trait, and unfortunately this can lead to many members of the community being shunned by their families.

Fortunately, there are resources available for those who find themselves living on the streets or struggling with mental health issues due to family rejection.

Another challenge facing people in the LGBT community in Thailand is securing adequate healthcare. While some medical providers are sensitive to the needs of their queer patients, others are not so understanding, and may refuse to treat them or even verbally abuse them due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In addition, access to reproductive health services like hormone therapy can be a challenge, especially for trans people who are looking to transition.

Despite these challenges, living in Thailand as an LGBT person can also be a rewarding and enriching experience. There is a thriving community of queer people who come together to support and empower one another, and many queer-friendly groups have emerged throughout the country.

Additionally, there are many opportunities available for members of the LGBT community to get involved in politics or activism, helping to create a more inclusive society where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. So if you’re thinking about living in Thailand as a member of the LGBT community, know that you will find both struggle and support during your time here.

Chainwit. , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Sex Workers & Finding a Thai Wife

It would be remiss of me not to mention the reason why so many male expats make Thailand their home.

For many male foreigners living in Thailand, their primary motivation is the availability of sex workers. Whether it’s visiting brothels and bars or searching for a Thai wife, the sex industry is an important part of life for many expats.

While some people may find this troubling, (me included) others (mainly men) argue that it reflects more broadly on Thai culture as a whole.

Prostitution has long been a part of Thai society, dating back to ancient times when women were given as gifts and traded among different villages. Therefore, the sex trade in Thailand is a complex and multi-layered issue, with no easy answers. There are many factors involved, from cultural beliefs to economic realities.

The sad fact is that due to culture, poor education options (which are improving) and lack of job opportunities, sex work is a lucrative choice for many.

I have met Thai women who were forced into sex work by their fathers, while their brothers attended University and were afforded every opportunity.

Despite this cultural acceptance of sex work, there are still challenges facing those who engage in the industry. For example, due to immigration laws in Thailand, most prostitutes cannot legally work outside of designated red-light districts. This means that many sex workers living in Thailand are living and working on the margins, vulnerable to exploitation and harassment from authorities.

As is always the case, the industry is rife with dishonest people trying to make a quick buck and amongst the women who appear to have chosen prostitution as a career choice there are those who have been trafficked, drugged, and raised from an early age as a sex worker and know no different.

Furthermore, due to the prevalence of foreigners looking for sex workers, many Thais now see prostitution as a “foreign” thing, which can lead to discrimination against those involved in the industry.

That being said, it’s all around us and it’s not unusual to see an aging 70+ man, holding hands with a beautiful 20 something Thai girl.

So if you’re thinking about living in Thailand for this reason, please be aware of the negative effects that can come from seeking out sex workers here, and at all times treat your fellow humans with respect.

Top Tips for Living in Thailand

One of the great things about living in Thailand is the availability of cheap sim cards. It costs me around $9/month for unlimited internet and calls.

I do have a UK phone contract also to use when I need to access my home bank accounts etc, but that only gets turned on when needed. For my daily living my Thai DTAC sim is brilliant.

Once you’ve purchased your sim and added credit which can be done at a DTAC store or any local 7/11, simply download the DTAC app and pick the package you want.

Plug sockets

The type of plug socket used in Thailand is a Type A/B two-prong plug. This is the same plug that is used in North America and Japan, and features two round prongs of different sizes.

It is important to note that most electronics brought to Thailand will require an adapter or power strip in order to be able to plug in.

Basic language skills

While English is widely spoken in Thailand, it’s always a good idea to learn some basic phrases in Thai. This will help you to connect with locals and get around more easily, and you’ll find that the people of Thailand are warm and welcoming towards foreigners who make an effort to learn their language.

Some key phrases to learn include greetings like “sawadee ka” or “khop kun kha”, as well as phrases like “thank you” and “how much?”

Please note that women say ‘Kha’ at the end of their sentences and men say ‘Khrap’. So when asking how much, a woman would say ‘gee baht kha’ and a man would say ‘gee baht khrap’.

Cultural norms

It’s important to be aware of some of the cultural norms of living in Thailand.

For example, it is customary for people to take off their shoes when entering someone’s home, so be sure to wear clean socks and bring a pair of slippers or flip flops with you.

Additionally, people in Thailand typically make direct eye contact when speaking with others, so avoid looking away or down when engaging in conversation.

Thais also greet each other, and you, with a slight bow and a prayer gesture, known as a ‘wai’. The lower the bow and the higher the prayer gesture the more respect is afforded. Be sure to adopt this gesture, particularly when greeting elders or monks.

By familiarizing yourself with these cultural norms, you can ensure that you are respectful and well-received during your time living in Thailand.

Mosquito protection & dengue

Living in Thailand also means living with the risk of contracting dengue, a serious mosquito-borne illness that is common in tropical and subtropical regions.

To protect yourself from dengue, be sure to use insect repellent whenever you go outside and be aware of any symptoms of dengue, which may include a high fever, muscle aches and pain, and a rash. If you think that you have dengue, be sure to seek medical attention right away.

Please note we have lived here for over ten years and haven’t as yet contracted dengue so don’t let it scare you, but it is quite a fierce illness so just be aware.

Sun Exposure

While the tropical climate is appealing, it also means that you will be more exposed to harmful UV rays when outdoors. To protect yourself from sun damage and skin cancer, be sure to wear sunscreen whenever you go outside.

Also use an umbrella or hat for super sunny days, and stay inside or under shade during the hottest parts of the day.

Negotiating prices is an important part of living in Thailand, especially when shopping at markets. Many vendors are open to bargaining, and you can save money by haggling for a better price.

Before negotiating, it’s a good idea to do some research to find out the typical cost of items in the area so that you have a baseline for what is a reasonable price. Then, when you’re shopping, start by offering a low price and work your way up from there until you reach an agreement.

Never worry that you’ll offend someone with your low ball offer. They can always say No and they often do!

Use Metered Taxis or Bolt/Grab

When living in Thailand, it is important to be aware of the taxi mafia that is rampant in certain parts of the country.

The mafia often forces drivers to charge tourists inflated prices and can even threaten physical harm if they don’t comply.

To avoid this situation, it’s best to use metered taxis or ride-sharing services like Bolt/Grab, which are cheaper and more reliable than traditional taxis.

Chris Arthur Collins | Unsplash

Tipping custom

In Thailand, it is customary to tip service providers such as waiters, taxi drivers, and hairdressers. The amount you tip depends on how pleased you are with the quality of service received.

Generally, a 10-20% tip is considered appropriate. However, it is important to note that tipping is not mandatory in Thailand, so if you don’t have the extra money to spare, you can choose not to tip.

The water in Thailand is known for being dirty and unsafe to drink.

This is because the water is not filtered or treated like it is in developed countries, so it can contain harmful bacteria and parasites.

For this reason, it is important to only drink bottled water in Thailand, and avoid drinking from taps or using ice cubes.

The food in Thailand is amazing. A big tip is to eat from shack style local restaurants as then you’ll experience traditional Thailand dishes. However, remember the real thing is different from watered down Western food options, so watch the spice! It gets hot fast!

Alcohol Laws

Please note in most places around the country you are unable to purchase alcohol before 11am and between 2pm and 5pm. Don’t ask me why!

Join Forums/Groups etc

If you’re considering living in Thailand. Be sure to seek out groups on Facebook or forums online for expats. There are a lot of people in your position or who have moved to Thailand who can help you with some of the questions you might have.

Also a good account to follow is Richard Barrow in Thailand who regularly updates his facebook page and twitter account with recent Thai news, events that affect farangs, great places to visit etc.

Living in Thailand Summary

Thailand is a beautiful country.

It has amazing weather, great food, friendly people and can reduce your cost of living substantially from your home country if you pick the right place.

It’s also a very safe country and a great place to raise smaller children.

It’s not without its challenges however. The culture is very different from what you’re likely used to. It’s consistently in the top 10 most dangerous countries to drive in (and the road accident levels are appalling), the opportunities afforded women are still way behind the times and unless you live in Bangkok, access to museums, art galleries, concerts etc are limited.

However, the International school system here is superb (but expensive), the hospitals and healthcare system is first rate and your access to Vitamin D is most definitely beneficial to the body and soul!

Be sure to do your research, holiday here before moving and starting your new life, and engage in online communities to make your move smooth and successful.

Good luck and perhaps I’ll see you when you get here! 🙂

Disclaimer: Please note this post may contain affiliate links, from which, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Also as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products and services I’ve used or would use myself. If you choose to purchase from any of my links, thanks so much for your support! 😊

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13 budget-friendly places where couples can retire abroad and live on as little as $1,500/month

Retiring in the U.S. can be expensive. In Florida, often the favorite state of the nation's retirees, settling down to enjoy your golden years can cost as much as $58,396 a year .

That's one reason why many Americans choose to leave the States and retire abroad . Nearly 450,000 people received their Social Security checks outside the U.S. at the end of 2021, up from 307,000 in 2008, according to a 2023 report from the Wall Street Journal .

But not all international retirement destinations are created equal, especially if you're on a budget. Last month, International Living released its list of the 13 destinations where a couple can retire for as little as $1,500 a month.

International Living used the following seven categories to determine the best locations out of over 200 countries in the world:

• Visas and benefits
• Cost of living
• Affinity rating
• Health care
• Development and governance

In addition to taking those factors into consideration, International Living also looked at the availability of high-speed internet, networking opportunities and English-speaking locals or service providers in each country.

While the cities and towns are spread across the globe, some countries are especially affordable for retirees. Mexico had the most cities on the list, and five destinations were in Southeast Asia.

Top affordable retirement destinations in the Americas

• Querétaro, Mexico
• Isla Mujeres, Mexico
• Cozumel, Mexico
• Armenia, Colombia
• Arenal, Costa Rica

Querétaro, Mexico, was one of the three South American cities included on International Living's list.

It is located in north-central Mexico, just over two hours from Mexico City. The local airport also offers direct flights to several hubs in the U.S., including Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston and Chicago.

Querétaro offers a mild climate and various warehouse store shopping options, such as Costco and Sam's Club.

The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Querétaro are $744.50 before rent, according to Numbeo .

In Querétaro, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is 10,571.43 MXN or about $633. The average rent for the same apartment size in retirement hotspot Florida is $1,236, according to Zillow .

Top affordable retirement destinations in Asia

• Penang, Malaysia
• Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Kuching, Malaysia
• Hoi An, Vietnam

Chiang Mai, Thailand, is one of the five Southeast Asian cities listed in the International Living survey.

It is the largest city in northern Thailand, home to hundreds of Buddhist temples. It is an hour's flight from Bangkok, the country's capital.

Not including rent, a single person's estimated monthly costs are $515.50, according to Numbeo . Additionally, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is 14,100.00฿ or about $395 per month.

Chiang Mai is home to Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand. It is known as one of the best places for birdwatching, and the park on the peak is home to over 300 species, according to Hotels.com .

Top affordable retirement destinations in Europe

• Alicante, Spain
• Granada, Spain
• Bergerac, France

Granada, Spain, is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalusia and is a city full of Spanish and Moorish history.

The city is also home to the University of Granada, which has an estimated 47,000 undergraduate students spread over several campuses around the city.

It offers retirees the opportunity to embrace the more relaxed Spanish lifestyle while still being connected to the more youthful culture of living in a "college town."

A single person's estimated monthly costs are $771.30 before rent in Granada, Numbeo states.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs an average of 583.33€ a month, or around $637. That's still about $677 less than the average rent price for an apartment in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, one of the best places to retire in the U.S. , according to U.S. News and World Report .

Conversions to USD were done on March 15, 2024, using OANDA conversion rates of 1 euro to 1.09 USD, 1 Thai Baht to 0.02 USD, and 1 Mexican Peso to 0.05 USD. All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar.

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9 spring equinox rituals and traditions from around the world

These festivities all celebrate rebirth and renewal

What happens at the spring equinox?

Twice a year in spring and autumn, the sun is positioned directly above the equator and the day and night will be around the same length – the word 'equinox' is derived from Latin aequus ('equal') and nox ('night'). In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox – also known as the vernal equinox – happens around the 19th, 20th or 21st of March. In 2024, it occurs on Wednesday 20th of March.

Cultures have their own ways of marking the changing of the seasons. There are mass water fights in Thailand, sun worship at Mayan pyramids in Mexico, egg-standing battles in China and feasting in Iran. Many of the celebrations happen amid a riot of music, colour and dancing and have become treasured customs, and in some places, controversial tourist attractions.

Read on to find out more about spring equinox traditions around the world.

Japan – Shunbun no Hi

A public holiday in Japan, Shunbun no hi marks the end of winter and a time of reflection and renewal. It's traditional to honour the spirits of ancestors, visiting family burial sites, cleaning gravestones and decorating them with flowers, as well as leaving offerings of botamochi (rice balls covered with soybean paste), said to help nourish ancestors in the next life. The renewal element celebrates nature and all living things and given it's the start of sakura ( cherry blossom season), many take to parks for picnics ( han a mi ) under the boughs of the flowering trees.

India and Nepal – Holi

The exact date for Holi depends on the Hindu holy calendar and changes each year, but it always falls close to the spring equinox, with the party lasting for two days. Hindus in India and Nepal take to the streets to throw fantastically bright coloured powders and water over each other in celebration of fertility and love, against a backdrop of music and dancing. In some places, wood and dung cakes are burned to symbolise the triumph of good over evil.

Thailand – Songkran

Songkran actually takes place just after the spring equinox. It's a three-day water festival to mark the start of the Thai New Year. The most famous part of the celebration is the huge water fight that takes place in the streets with participants grabbing buckets, water pistols and hoses to battle with neighbours, while loud music plays. The water is said to wash away the bad luck from the previous year. There are some more sedate traditions too: sprinkling water on Buddha statues at the temple to represent purification and good fortune or pouring water into the hands of the elderly to show respect. The water-fight element has become a huge attraction in recent years, with tourists flocking to join the fray.

Central Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Balkans – Nowruz

Nowruz, meaning 'new day', is rooted in the beliefs of the religion Zoroastrianism, practiced in ancient Persia. It's marked by countries with significant Persian cultural influences and, while traditions vary, they celebrate the same things: spring and a time for rebirth and renewal. For some, the run up includes intense spring cleaning and, for others, the preparation of fire and water rituals, including jumping over bonfires. The flames are said to symbolically purge bad experiences from the past year. During the two-week celebrations, there are family gatherings, showcases of poetry, music and traditional sports, and a lot of food and drink. Persian New Year is on the day of the equinox and many will prepare the Haft-Seen table – a spread of seven items that represent renewal and springtime. The centrepiece, the sabzeh , is a sprouting plant symbolising rebirth.

England – Sunrise at Stonehenge

For the likes of pagans and druids, the spring equinox (Ostara) is celebrated as a time of renewal and rebirth – and 5000-year-old Stonehenge in Wiltshire is the best known place to gather in the UK. It attracts people from all over the world (including many curious tourists) who congregate at dawn to see the sun rise over the stones. Anyone making the trip can expect a friendly atmosphere amid chanting, drumming and even the occasional druid wedding.

Mexico – El Castillo and Teotihuacan

Mexicans and tourists alike celebrate the new season at ancient Mayan sites. At the Temple of Kukulkan on the Yucatán, a play of light and shadow during the equinox creates the illusion of a snake rippling down the northern staircase, symbolising the return of an ancient god to earth, said to bring hope for spring. At Teotihuacan, near Mexico City, pilgrims gather dressed in white with red scarves. They hold out their hands to worship the sun and welcome its energy and warmth. There is a carnival atmosphere, with music, dancing, incense-burning and hot-air balloon rides.

Poland – The drowning of Marzanna

In Poland, they still observe the pagan tradition of the drowning of Marzanna, the Slavic goddess and symbol of winter. On the first day of spring, people burn effigies (dolls tend to be made from straw and ribbons), which are then 'drowned' in a river in a bid to usher out winter and welcome spring.

Bulgaria – Martenitsa

In Bulgaria, celebrations kick off from th e beginning of the month to honour Baba Marta (Grandmother March), characterised as a grumpy old woman as unpredictable as the weather. People exchange red and white bracelets, dolls or tassels, known as Martenitsa –the red symbolises life and passion and the white, purity. When a sign of spring is spotted, such as a stork in the sky or a blossoming tree, Baba Marta is said to be appeased and will let spring through. The spotter will then take off their amulet and hang it on a nearby tree to symbolise health and happiness for the new season.

China – Standing eggs

In China, children get involved in the spring equinox celebrations by decorating eggs and making them "stand up" or balance on their ends. It's believed that the position of the sun at the time makes it the best day to attempt the feat – anyone who succeeds will have luck for the year ahead.

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Queensland local government election results show several incumbent mayors face 'kicking' from voters

A mood for change has swept through regional Queensland, with voters punishing several incumbent mayors in major cities who are fighting to hold onto their jobs. 

The long-time mayor of Townsville, Jenny Hill, is battling to save her political career after a challenge from local businessman Troy Thompson.

With almost 70 per cent of the vote counted, Ms Hill is trailing Mr Thompson 43.71 per cent to 46.19 per cent on the first preference vote.

The third candidate, nurse Harry Patel, has received just over 10 per cent of the first preference vote.

Mayors in Cairns, Bundaberg, Mackay,  the Southern Downs and Mount Isa are also facing tough times and, in some cases, are losing the battle to hold on to their jobs.  

Voters dissatisfied

Griffith University political analyst Paul Williams said there appeared to be a mood for change across some, but not all, regional parts of the state.

"The only indicator that we might have to what voters might be thinking in changing local government representatives, as any reason why voters want to change incumbents, is general dissatisfaction," Associate Professor Williams said.

"So we know that voters, particularly in regional Queensland are unhappy with a range of issues.

He said cost of living was the biggest issue, followed by youth crime.

"So if the local voters feel politicians aren't doing enough about youth crime, if politicians aren't doing enough about cost of living, they will kick the incumbent at the first opportunity," he said.

"And the first opportunity in this occasion is a local government election in regional Queensland."

He said that was the case even if the level of government involved didn't have oversight over that issue. 

State election warning

Associate Professor Williams said the results in areas such as Townsville and Cairns would be a worry for the Labor state government, which is looking to hold onto those seats at October's State Election.

He said Labor members and candidates in the regions would feel the mood for change more than others.

"Just because voters have kicked incumbents in regional Queensland, particularly in the provisional cities, doesn't mean they're going to kick LNP candidates, far from it," he said.

In Townsville, neither Mr Thompson nor Cr Hill, who has been mayor since 2012, has claimed victory.

Mr Thompson said he would be closely monitoring the results today.

"I won't say I'm comfortable at all I'm just at the point where we wait with caution and see how we go," Mr Thompson said.

"There's still 45,000 votes to come in and also the preferences."

Mr Thompson, who is reported to have previously sought preselection with One Nation but is currently not a registered member of the party, ran on a rate freeze and tough-on-crime platform.

Crime, cost of living key issues

High crime rates in the city and the cost of living were two of the key issues voters raised at the polling booth.

"Just fix up the crime around Townsville make it a better place for all of us," one voter told the ABC.

"Cost of living … that is a lot, it's expensive."

Another voter, Grace Bryce, said that her while crime was an issue, road conditions and access to parks were also important.

The tough results for Cr Hill come after she was found not guilty in 2021 of driving without due care and attention in a crash that claimed the life of a 33-year-old motorcyclist.

The crash occurred in January 2020, in the months leading up to the previous council election.

She is one of many incumbent mayors across regional Queensland facing a strong challenge as counting continues from Saturday's elections.

In Bundaberg, incumbent Jack Dempsey, who in 2022 unsuccessfully ran for federal parliament, is trailing challenger Helen Blackburn.

Ms Blackburn, with 71 per cent of the vote counted, has just over 57 per cent of the first preference vote, while Mr Dempsey has just over 32 per cent.

Cr Dempsey took to Facebook on Sunday afternoon to thank people for their encouragement and support over the past eight years.

"It was a pleasure and a privilege to serve as mayor of the beautiful Bundaberg Region," the post said.

Ms Blackburn said the election results showed a mandate for transparency and accountability.

"I'm feeling very confident with the election results, that the people of the Bundaberg region have decided that what they are after is change," she said. 

Cairns Mayor Terry James is trailing challenger Amy Eden, who has 31 per cent of the first preference vote to his 22 per cent – with 55 per cent of the vote counted.

Ms Eden said she was feeling "buoyed" by the results. 

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson is currently leading the first preference count, receiving 42 per cent of the vote.

However, former rugby league player Steve Jackson is coming second with just over 38 per cent of the first preference vote, while councillor Laurence Bonaventura has received just under 20 per cent.

"It's a very close race, there is no doubt about it," Cr Williamson said.

"All we can do now is wait.

"All of the pre-poll votes have got to be counted and there's a few thousand of those to go, and once that's determined then there's the distribution of the preferences."

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen is trailing challengers Tom Sharp and Jeffrey McConnell.

He conceded defeat on Sunday afternoon. 

On the Southern Downs, Mayor Vic Pennisi is behind challenger Melissa Hamilton.

Ms Hamilton said the votes were showing an appetite for change.

"If the voting trends continue then I am ready to lead a new council that works together to get things done for all of our wonderful communities, and I'm excited by the opportunities for our region," she said. 

Incumbent mayors in the Cassowary Coast, Aurukun, Burdekin, Cherbourg, North Burnett, Charters Towers, Mornginton Shire, Wujal Wujal and Maranoa were also under pressure as counting continued.

An 'anti-incumbency trend'

Queensland University of Technology Associate Professor John Mickel, a former speaker of Queensland's Legislative Assembly, said there had been an "anti-incumbency trend" across many parts of regional Queensland.

"It was profound in Bundaberg and the Scenic Rim. There is evidence of it in Mackay, and it seems to be there in Townsville as well," he said.

"In the absence of exit polling, it's hard to know why the trend is there.

"But it seems to be part of a story this time in regional Queensland."

Professor Mickel said local government elections in Queensland worked on an optional preferential voting model – where voters just had to put a 1 next to their candidate of choice.

He said the trend across previous elections showed voters generally didn't preference other candidates, so those who were leading in the first preference count tended to win.

"There might be some exchange of preferences, but not enough to overhaul anybody," he said.

"A lot of people are happy just to put one because they know that person."

But he said while there were these tight races in some areas, such as Gladstone and smaller regions like Goondiwindi, there had been a trend of some mayors running unopposed.

"It's a tale of Queensland in a way, there's so much regionalism," he said.

Some candidates confident

In Rockhampton, Mayor Tony Williams said he felt confident he would retain his role for another term.

Mr Williams is leading the count with 68 per cent of first preference votes, and around 80 per cent of the votes have been counted.

"There is plenty of opportunity coming up for our region over the next decade, and I think now is a great time to take advantage of that," Mr Williams said.

Former federal MP George Christensen looks set to return to politics as vote counting continues in the Mackay councillor race.

Mr Christensen is a member of Steve Jackson's 'Jacko's Team' grouping and is currently coming second in the race for one of 10 councillor positions — but only a small number of votes have been counted so far. 

In recent days, Mr Christensen, now a member of One Nation, has been running on an anti-woke platform, slamming a theatre event for kids at the council-owned events centre, as it features drag queens.

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Dozens of Migrants Die After Their Dinghy Deflates in the Mediterranean

Survivors, who departed from Libya, said they had been adrift for four days when they were found.

By Gaia Pianigiani

A European humanitarian aid group said on Thursday that about 50 migrants died after their small boat deflated during an attempt to cross the central Mediterranean Sea.

A ship belonging to the charity, SOS Mediterranee , spotted the deflating rubber dinghy on Wednesday, in international waters under the Libyan rescue jurisdiction. Twenty-five dehydrated and exhausted migrants were on board.

The survivors told the charity that they had been adrift for four days, since the engine on their dinghy broke. Some 50 other people were with them when they departed from the Libyan port of Zawiya, they told the rescuers, including two infants and four women. There were only male survivors, half of them boys, the charity said.

Valeria Taurino, the director general of SOS Mediterranee, said the situation on board was “disastrous.”

Two of the passengers were unconscious when they were found, and they were evacuated by the Italian military for treatment on shore. The rest, hailing from Gambia, Mali and Senegal, showed signs of dehydration, exhaustion and burns from fuel on the boat, and were receiving medical treatment aboard the charity’s ship, the Ocean Viking, Ms. Taurino said.

The Ocean Viking was heading to disembark the passengers at Ancona, on the northeastern Italian coast, over 870 miles from where the survivors were found. The government says it is spreading the burden of identifying and later housing migrants. But charity groups argue that the practice is aimed at keeping ships occupied and off the ocean where they look for migrant boats, and makes rescues more expensive in terms of fuel consumption.

Migration advocates say there is a glaring scarcity of rescuers in the central Mediterranean. The U.N. International Organization for Migration said that 227 migrants had died on the Mediterranean route this year, without taking into account the most recent shipwreck. While arrivals have decreased by 70 percent compared with 2023, the death rate is not falling as rapidly.

“Deaths are down by 20 percent only,” said Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration in Italy. “It is a clear sign that the rescue system at sea is insufficient, and people keep dying as a result.”

An earlier version of this article misstated the distance between Ancona and where the survivors were found. It is 1,400 kilometers (870 miles), not 1,400 miles.

How we handle corrections

Gaia Pianigiani is a reporter based in Italy, covering breaking news across Italy and Europe. More about Gaia Pianigiani