Extended Andaman Sea mile-building passage

Experience building · MILE BUILDER

14-Day Andaman Cruise / Mile Builder

A two-week experience-building passage with longer legs and a flexible route selected for conditions and training objectives.

14 daysApprox. 400 nmInternational passage

Duration

14 days

Level

Intermediate

Max students

5

From

€2,800

Course Overview

The 14-day Mile Builder is a passage-focused Phuket–Langkawi round trip targeting approximately 400 nautical miles. It uses fewer overnight stops and several passages of 60 nautical miles or more to develop sustained watchkeeping, navigation, helming and crew-management skills.

The operational plan reaches Langkawi on Day 6, allows two days for the international midpoint, rest, formalities and yacht checks, then begins the return passage. Arrival at Yacht Haven is planned for Day 13 night or Day 14 morning so the final day remains a genuine weather and clearance buffer.

Sailing conditions

Phuket offers year-round tropical sailing. The northeast-monsoon months are generally drier, while the southwest monsoon can bring fresher winds, tropical showers and larger swell on exposed Andaman routes. Phang Nga Bay provides more sheltered water, allowing the instructor to select suitable training areas for the day’s conditions.

Places to explore

Depending on weather and training objectives, the cruising area can include limestone anchorages in Phang Nga Bay, islands near Phuket and, on suitable passages, the Phi Phi Islands. The final route is always set by the instructor and is not a fixed holiday itinerary.

Who Is This Course For?

Sailors seeking a substantial block of sea time and deeper experience of living, navigating and working as part of a cruising crew.

Prerequisites

  • Previous practical sailing experience recommended
  • Reasonable fitness and mobility for two weeks aboard
  • Minimum age: 16 years old

Typical Itinerary

The exact route is confirmed close to departure and may include a Phuket–Langkawi round trip when weather, clearance arrangements and the crew make it appropriate.

  • Preparation, passage planning and crew organisation
  • Several coastal and offshore passages of 60 nautical miles or more
  • Langkawi arrival on Day 6 and a two-day international midpoint
  • Day and night watchkeeping where appropriate
  • Navigation, pilotage and rotating onboard duties
  • Return to Yacht Haven on Day 13 night or Day 14 morning, subject to conditions
Yacht Haven Marina, PhuketOpen in Google Maps →

Sailing Yacht on This Course

Practical courses are currently scheduled aboard our dedicated liveaboard training yacht from Yacht Haven Marina.

Andaman Cruise 2 training yacht placeholder

Andaman Cruise 2

Jeanneau · Sun Odyssey 42DS

LOA: 42 ft (12.8 m) · 3 cabins · 2 heads

Comfort: air conditioning, electric toilet and a fully equipped galley.

View yacht information →

What Is Included

Included

  • 14 days aboard the scheduled training yacht
  • Skipper-led passage planning and practical experience building
  • Onboard accommodation during the published passage
  • Use of the yacht's safety and navigation equipment
  • Normal yacht operating costs during the passage

Not included

  • Flights and transport to or from Phuket
  • Travel insurance and personal expenses
  • Meals, drinks and personal provisions unless specifically selected
  • Supporting courses, examination fees and optional services
  • Accommodation ashore before or after the liveaboard course

Optional extras

  • Course textbook€20 per book
  • RYA logbook€20 per book
  • Airport pickup€30 per trip
  • Shore accommodation€50 pp / night

These can be selected on the booking page.

Course Syllabus

  • Passage planning and practical navigation
  • Watch systems and log keeping
  • Helming and sail trim
  • Pilotage, anchoring and seamanship
  • Crew routines and passage management

Recommended to Bring

  • RYA logbook
  • Quick-drying sailing clothing
  • Sun protection and waterproof layer
  • Compact soft luggage

Supporting Courses

Local Information

Flights and Arrival

Phuket International Airport is approximately 20–30 minutes by road from Yacht Haven Marina in normal traffic. Plan to arrive with enough time for Sunday-evening boarding. Airport transfer and accommodation before or after the course can be arranged separately.

Typical Weather

Phuket is warm throughout the year, but the monsoon seasons influence wind, rainfall and route planning. These are typical patterns rather than a forecast.

Nov–Jan

24–31°C

Drier northeast-monsoon period with more sunshine and generally comfortable cruising conditions.

Feb–Apr

25–33°C

Hot, mostly dry weather. Winds can become lighter and more variable as the season progresses.

May–Aug

24–32°C

Southwest-monsoon sailing with tropical showers, fresher winds and more swell on exposed routes.

Sep–Oct

24–31°C

Typically the wettest and most changeable period, with squalls and routes adjusted to conditions.

Your Next RYA Step

Review your newly logged experience with the school before selecting an advanced practical or Yachtmaster pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know whether 14-Day Andaman Cruise / Mile Builder is suitable for me?

Send us your recent sailing experience and qualifications. We will check the prerequisites and recommend the most suitable course date.

Will we return to the marina each night?

Normally no. Practical courses operate as a liveaboard training cruise, with the route adapted to weather and learning objectives.

What happens if weather affects the planned route?

The instructor adjusts the route and exercises to keep the course safe while covering the required practical skills wherever conditions allow.

Duration

14 days

Price from

€2,800

Send enquiry

Course reviews

What students say

Illustrative testimonials for design development. Replace these examples with verified student feedback before public launch.

1 / 20
Alex Morgan, sailing course student

I arrived as a complete beginner and finished the week confidently helming, handling sails and helping around the yacht. Steve Miller explained everything calmly, and learning among the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay was unforgettable.

Alex Morgan

RYA Competent Crew

United Kingdom

Sofia Bennett, sailing course student

The liveaboard format made the course feel like real cruising rather than a series of classroom exercises. Phuket's warm water, quiet anchorages and spectacular scenery made an ideal place to learn.

Sofia Bennett

RYA Competent Crew

Singapore

Daniel Wu, sailing course student

Steve gave me space to make decisions while always keeping the boat and crew safe. By Friday I was planning approaches, briefing the crew and taking command with much more confidence.

Daniel Wu

RYA Day Skipper Practical

Germany

Lena Fischer, sailing course student

A challenging but very rewarding week. Pilotage around Phuket's islands turned the chartwork into something practical, and Steve's feedback after every manoeuvre was clear and useful.

Lena Fischer

RYA Day Skipper Practical

Hong Kong

Oliver Grant, sailing course student

The passages, changing conditions and busy approaches gave us plenty to work with. Steve remained calm throughout and pushed each student at exactly the right level.

Oliver Grant

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical

Australia

Camille Laurent, sailing course student

I wanted more confidence leading an experienced crew, not just another certificate. The coaching was precise, the yacht was comfortable, and the Andaman sailing area was genuinely beautiful.

Camille Laurent

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical

France

Thomas de Vries, sailing course student

Steve quickly identified the small habits that were weakening my skippering. The week was intensive, practical and focused, and I went into the exam feeling properly prepared rather than simply rehearsed.

Thomas de Vries

Yachtmaster Preparation

Netherlands

Maya Hassan, sailing course student

Excellent preparation for command, pilotage and crew management. Steve asked difficult questions but always explained the reasoning, and the varied waters around Phuket provided a superb training ground.

Maya Hassan

Yachtmaster Preparation

United Arab Emirates

Narin Chai, sailing course student

The passage-planning and navigation topics finally made sense. Every exercise connected back to situations we could encounter around Phuket and Phang Nga Bay.

Narin Chai

RYA Day Skipper Theory

Thailand

Li Wei, sailing course student

A well-structured course with patient explanations and plenty of practical examples. It gave me the confidence to move from theory into my Day Skipper practical week.

Li Wei

RYA Day Skipper Theory

China

Erik Lund, sailing course student

An intensive programme made manageable through logical teaching and excellent course materials. Weather, passage planning and collision regulations were all connected into one clear picture.

Erik Lund

Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory

Sweden

Aisha Rahman, sailing course student

The radio procedures were taught clearly and then practised until they felt natural. I left understanding how to make routine, urgency and distress calls—not merely how to pass the assessment.

Aisha Rahman

RYA Marine Radio SRC

Malaysia

Connor Murphy, sailing course student

Steve made a technical subject relaxed and practical. The DSC exercises and realistic call scenarios were especially useful, and I felt fully prepared for the exam.

Connor Murphy

RYA Marine Radio SRC

Ireland

Hannah Brooks, sailing course student

A practical first-aid day focused on the realities of helping someone afloat. The marine scenarios made the training far more relevant than a standard workplace course.

Hannah Brooks

RYA First Aid

New Zealand

James Walker, sailing course student

Two packed days of manoeuvring, planning and close-quarters handling. Steve was patient, precise and encouraging, and I finished feeling ready to handle a powerboat independently.

James Walker

RYA Powerboat Level 2

United Kingdom

Emi Tanaka, sailing course student

The training was professional without feeling pressured. Practising around Phuket gave us a useful mix of open water, marina handling and real traffic.

Emi Tanaka

RYA Powerboat Course

Japan

Chloe Martin, sailing course student

A perfect introduction to sailing. I was nervous at the start, but Steve had me steering and helping with sails on the first day. I immediately wanted to continue to Competent Crew.

Chloe Martin

RYA Start Yachting

Canada

Pieter Jacobs, sailing course student

Real miles, proper watchkeeping and useful coaching rather than simply being a passenger. Sunrise among the islands and the overnight sailing were highlights of the trip.

Pieter Jacobs

Andaman Mile Builder

South Africa

Luca Bernardi, sailing course student

The two-course pathway worked brilliantly. I built solid crew skills first and then learned to make decisions as skipper, all while living aboard in one of the most scenic sailing areas I have visited.

Luca Bernardi

Competent Crew + Day Skipper Package

Switzerland

Rachel Adams, sailing course student

The private format let Steve tailor every exercise to our family and our future cruising plans. We learned a huge amount, enjoyed beautiful Phuket anchorages and never felt rushed.

Rachel Adams

Private Yacht Training

United States