TWELVE YEARS
READING THESE
WATERS
Kelpstone was built by people who came to Phuket for the sailing and stayed for the life. We operate small, attentive charters out of Boat Lagoon Marina, placing our guests in capable hands on some of the most beautiful coastal waters in Southeast Asia.
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HOW KELPSTONE BEGAN
Kelpstone was founded in 2013 by Pieter van Houts, a Dutch merchant mariner who had been sailing the Andaman coast recreationally for several years before making Phuket his base. After years of taking friends out on private day trips, and watching guests struggle to find small, well-run private charters, Pieter registered the company and acquired the first vessel — a 42-foot sloop — from a retiring skipper in Langkawi.
The early years were deliberate and unhurried. Kelpstone grew through referrals rather than advertising, and the fleet expanded gradually: a second yacht in 2016, a third in 2019. Each vessel has been chosen with the same criteria in mind — well-maintained, suited to the routes we run, and comfortable for a small group without feeling crowded.
Today the company remains privately owned and small by intent. We believe that charter quality depends directly on the skipper and crew who show up on the day, and keeping the operation close means we can maintain that standard. Every charter is personally overseen by one of our experienced team, and no two trips feel quite the same.
WHAT GUIDES US
HONESTY ABOUT THE SEA
We tell guests what conditions are like, which routes are suitable, and what to realistically expect. No overstatements, no pressure to book.
SAFETY BEFORE SCHEDULE
Weather and sea conditions govern every departure decision. We'd rather disappoint a guest on a Monday than have them uncomfortable or at risk on the water.
QUALITY OVER VOLUME
We run a small number of charters on purpose. Fewer departures means more care, better preparation, and a crew who are genuinely present rather than going through the motions.
CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
We follow marine park guidelines, avoid anchoring on reef, and ask guests to approach wildlife calmly. These waters are the reason we're here.
PEOPLE YOU'LL SAIL WITH
Our skippers and crew are not interchangeable hires — each one has been with Kelpstone for several years and knows the routes, the vessels, and the guests' perspective well.
PIETER VAN HOUTS
Holds a Thai Marine Department passenger vessel license. Has completed the Phuket–Krabi passage more times than he can count, and still takes the helm on multi-day charters when scheduling allows.
KHUN SOMCHAI
Born in Phang Nga and raised around fishing boats, Somchai joined Kelpstone in 2015. His knowledge of the bay's tidal patterns, anchorages, and reef zones is unmatched within the team.
NUI PANYATIP
Nui manages the onboard experience — catering, guest comfort, and equipment. She has a background in hospitality and a calm, attentive manner that guests consistently mention.
HOW WE OPERATE
The way a boat is maintained and the care taken before each departure tell you as much about a charter company as any brochure does.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
All vessels carry current life jackets, flares, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and EPIRBs. Equipment is inspected and serviced annually.
CREW LICENSING
Skippers hold valid Thai Marine Department passenger vessel licenses. All crew hold current first aid training.
VESSEL MAINTENANCE
Each yacht undergoes a scheduled maintenance programme and is dry-docked for hull inspection and antifouling treatment every season.
INSURANCE
All Kelpstone vessels carry passenger liability and hull insurance through a registered marine insurer. Documentation available on request.
WEATHER MONITORING
We use multiple weather data sources before each charter and monitor conditions throughout. All departure decisions are made conservatively.
ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
We follow Phang Nga Bay marine park regulations, use biodegradable cleaning products, and brief guests on responsible reef and wildlife interaction.
PRIVACY & DATA
Guest information is used only for charter operations and is held securely. We do not share or sell personal data to third parties.
NAVIGATION STANDARDS
All vessels carry up-to-date chart plotters, VHF radio, and AIS transponders. Pre-departure checks are conducted before every departure.
Phuket sits at the northern end of the Malay Peninsula, with the Andaman Sea stretching west and Phang Nga Bay opening to the north and east. The bay is one of the most distinctive bodies of water in Southeast Asia — a shallow, sheltered basin studded with limestone karst formations rising vertically from the sea surface. The water is calm by comparison with open-ocean sailing, and the visual landscape is unlike anywhere else in Thailand.
Kelpstone charters use this geography deliberately. The sheltered nature of Phang Nga Bay means that even guests who have not been on a yacht before generally feel comfortable. The Koh Yao islands sit roughly at the centre of the bay — Koh Yao Noi is quieter and less developed, Koh Yao Yai slightly larger — and both offer beaches and reef areas that are accessible only by sea. The passage to Krabi follows the eastern side of the bay, passing geological formations that have attracted visitors since long before the area became widely known.
Sailing season in the Andaman runs from approximately November through April, when the northeast monsoon keeps conditions stable and visibility high. Outside those months, the southwest monsoon brings larger swell and less predictable conditions, though the bay's sheltered waters remain navigable for experienced crews during much of the shoulder season. We will always discuss realistic conditions with guests before booking.
PLAN YOUR CHARTER
Ask us anything about the routes, the vessels, or what to expect. We'll respond without pressure or sales-speak.
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