Mistakes Cruisers Make

Top 5 Mistakes Cruisers Make in Southeast Asia (and How to Avoid Them)

Southeast Asia offers some of the most rewarding cruising grounds in the world – hundreds of islands, diverse cultures, and year-round sailing if you plan correctly. But even seasoned skippers can run aground – figuratively or literally – by overlooking a few region-specific realities.

Here are the top five mistakes we see time and again, and how you can avoid them.

1. Misreading the Monsoons

In Southeast Asia, seasons aren’t just about temperature – they dictate safety, comfort and where you can go. Ignore them at your peril.
⇒ Avoid: Sailing the Andaman Sea in August, or the southern Philippines during typhoon season.
⇒ Do: Use seasonal routing to follow the dry monsoon winds and dodge the storms.

2. Underestimating Paperwork

Clearance here can be refreshingly simple – or baffling. Each country has its quirks, from mandatory AIS declarations to multiple paper copies of crew lists.
⇒ Avoid: Arriving without the right crew lists, boat documents, or prior notification where necessary.
⇒ Do: Keep multiple printed copies of your documents and digital backups.

3. Skimping on Maintenance in Remote Areas

In the Med, there’s always a chandler nearby. In Raja Ampat or the Andaman Islands, not so much.
⇒ Avoid: Waiting until something breaks in a remote anchorage.
⇒ Do: Stock spares, tools and critical consumables before leaving major ports.

4. Overestimating Anchorage Shelter

Many Southeast Asian bays look perfect on a sunny afternoon – but can turn into washing machines if the wind shifts.
⇒ Avoid: Relying only on satellite images.
⇒ Do: Consult cruising guides and check for swell exposure and seasonal wind directions.

5. Forgetting the Cultural Factor

Cruising here means entering communities with deep traditions. What’s acceptable in one village may cause offence in another.
⇒ Avoid: Walking into a rural Muslim village in swimwear.
⇒ Do: Dress modestly ashore and learn a few greetings in the local language.

The Bottom Line:

Southeast Asia rewards preparation. Know the seasons, respect local customs, carry your spares and your trip will be all smooth sailing.

For anchorage notes, charts other useful information, see Southeast Asia Pilot – 7th Edition with detailed coverage of over 600 anchorages across nine countries, from the Andaman Sea to the Spice Islands. Available now in print and digital editions.

Order at https://www.southeastasiapilot.com/order/

Southeast Asia Pilot and Phuket Publicity Services do their best to ensure that the information on this website is accurate. However, good seamanship demands that seafarers check critical information carefully with relevant sources to ensure it is up to date.