Fun and facts for the 14th Bay Regatta

Fun for all!

With just a day to go until registration at The Village Coconut Island at Koh Maphao off Phuket Island's east coast, this year's The Bay Regatta, now in its 14th runing, is shaping up to be yet another exciting one. Four days of racing and five nights of parties fuel this sailing event into making it a paramount regatta to attend for participants who return year after year to embrace features and elements such as the spectacular scenery of limestone islands, beaches and fabulous party venues and not to mention the fantastic sailing opportunities the Phang Nga Bay area has to offer. Unique amongst the four Phuket-based regattas, The Bay Regatta appeals to both those keen about racing and those who take a more laid back approach: both serious racers, casual cruisers and liveaboards attend - and are eager to talk about it.

The Regatta takes place from Wednesday February 9 through Sunday the 13th. Information including the Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, Courses and Hotel Accommodation are available on the Regatta website; the programme and details for the Regatta are as follows:

• Registration and the opening party are on Wednesday the 9th from 12pm at The Village Coconut Island, Koh Maphrao with the Skippers Briefing held at 5:30pm and the party starting at 6:30pm. See details of anchorage, maps, driving directions and water taxi schedules from Laem Hin here. Race packages of accommodation, breakfast and lunch may be ordered on their online form here.
• Day 1: Racing off the east coast of Phuket Island. Presentations and party are at the same venue, The Village Coconut Island, Koh Maphrao at 6:30pm. Race packages of accommodation, breakfast and lunch can also be ordered on their online form here.
• Day 2: Course follows a northeast course to Koh Yao Noi. Presentations and party are at The Paradise Koh Yao Boutique Resort & Spa, Koh Yao Noi at 6:30pm. See navigational chart here.
• Day 3: Racing to the southeast side of the bay to Krabi. Presentations and party are at the Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort, Krabi. See navigational chart here.
• Day 4: the 13th: Racing from Krabi finishes at the southeast end of Phuket. Final award presentations and party at the venue of the event organizer, the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) at 7pm. Navigation chart and driving directions to ACYC are available here.

And the facts

• Registration takes place from 12 noon at The Village Coconut Island on Wednesday February 9. Registration can be made online and payment made by bank transfer. (See registration online). Payment on the 9th is acceptable ONLY BY CASH. Please note that there are NO ATM FACILITIES on Koh Maphrao and there are NO CREDIT CARD FACILITIES available. The closest ATM facilities to Koh Maphrao are at the Boat Lagoon or Royal Phuket Marina or towards Phuket City. Skippers, please inform crew and others wishing to attend parties. The Committee asks that you prepare in advance to expedite registration and payment
• The Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) car park will be closed from Saturday so that the area can be set up for the Closing Party. Please do not leave your car at the yacht club if you are sailing in the Regatta. Any cars parked there will be towed to make room for the party set up and there will be security and police on site and in the area enforce this no parking policy on the final day, Sunday February 13.
• Parking for Sunday's final party at ACYC will be available in Ao Chalong (next to Kan Eang@pier) with two shuttle buses available running from 6:30pm, returning later in the evening. See map here.

For more information, the Notice of Race (NOR), Sailing Instructions, Courses and to register for the event, please visit www.acyc-phuket.com/bayregatta.htm and email Facebook!