“There, that’s where we will soon have the superyachts,” says Polawat ‘Matthew’ Na Nagara, owner and General Manager of Port Takola Yacht Marina & Boatyard in Krabi, along Thailand’s southwest Andaman Sea coast.

The genteel boatsman points past existing docks where a few dozen premier sailboats, mid-sized boats and fishing pleasure craft are moored. There is an expanse of calm waters with flashes of silvery seabass leaping about, framed with rolling, grassy embankments and a verdant, high canopy jungle peppered with coconut palms.

“This is my home and a slice of paradise. I never need to travel anywhere,” says Matthew, who is past Chairman of the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA).

Nestled across 100 acres of family property, going back to his grandfather’s coconut oil plantation, Port Takola is situated close to the mouth of the rivers that run through and around Krabi town.

The family-owned marina presently has 50 berths, with expansion in progress for 150 berths with stable 3m of minimum depth at all tides. It has a standing dockyard for repairs and that can lift boats up to 38 tonnes. The expansion of the marina features extra-wide concrete pontoons to accommodate yachts from 10m to 45m.

In 2026, Port Takola is set to launch a new marina clubhouse called the ‘Capitainerie’, which includes a 15m-long swimming pool. The single-storey building will feature a Thai architectural blend of “traditional heritage with modern functionality” and include a marina office, bathrooms and a meeting room.

The upcoming Capitainerie clubhouse and pool

“Many people don’t know about us or Krabi, thinking mainly of Phuket for sailing and yachting,” Matthew remarks. “But we’re happy to be changing that with ongoing upgrades and expansion here.”

ACROSS FROM PHUKET

Just 30nm east of Phuket across the Andaman Sea, Krabi has seen an uptick in interest for family travel from Europe, South Asia and the Middle East, bringing luxury appetites for quieter and pristine getaways in stunning nature. Renovations at the Krabi International Airport, which now features a third terminal, mean it has the capacity to accommodate 4 million to 8 million passengers per year.

“We can see ourselves leveraging new customers who can fly here in about 6½ hours directly from Dubai without the need to land in Bangkok or Phuket first. Singapore is about 1hr 50m away by plane,” he says.

Port Takola currently has 50 berths and is in its next phase of expansion

“We also welcome the regional boom of yachting and sailing in Phuket for taking trips here or coming in for boat servicing. There is so much to do here in Krabi province, which has over 150 islands and islets alone.”

To get a feel for the surrounding area, my host takes me southwest of Krabi in a sports boat to visit several small islands including Koh Poda and Koh Kai (chicken island), ringed by white powdered sand and ideal for diving and snorkelling due to their turquoise waters with multicoloured fish.

They also offer stunning frames of a horizon dotted by the karst limestone islands that this region is famously laden with.

Port Takola provided a personal tour of islands and destinations around Krabi

Heading back north to the mainland, we moor at Railay Beach on the famous Railay peninsula, southeast of the bustling beach town of Ao Nang.

“Even though this is a peninsula, the beaches and its caves and rock climbing can only be reached by sea,” Matthew says. “We envision our expansion for superyachts at Port Takola with concierge and boutique services to pristine natural spots like this, which are popular for couples or families.”

Families and young students cavort through a path cutting through towering rock formations, ending at a beach with rock climbing ropes and training, as we take in the sun-kissed scenery.

Railay, a peninsula east of Ao Nang, is an iconic beach and rock climbing destination, only accessible by water

In many ways, Krabi will be able to balance nature with the more mature travellers who are coming, he says. It’s no longer purely backpackers and budget travellers inspired by the likes of The Beach movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Regionally, Thailand’s Andaman Sea coast is also seeing more private yachts for hire, with luxury cruises that feature exquisite seafood dining arranged by concierge services.

Visitors can enjoy crystal-clear water around Krabi

With regular regattas and other major boating events in Phuket, Matthew is confident that growing awareness through word of mouth will result in more people trickling over from the island for more exclusivity and privacy in the Krabi area without compromising standards of service.

LAID-BACK THAI CHARM

In fact, current customers at Port Takola include business executives from Singapore and Bangkok, as well as affluent retirees from Europe, Australia and the US.

The new Central Krabi mall has elevated shopping options in the area, while both Krabi and Ao Nang are honeycombed with restaurants running the gambit seaside glamour to alley-way authentic, whether traditional or modern Thai, European, Middle Eastern, Japanese or Korean.

Port Takola offers a relaxed vibe

There are also dozens of Indian and South Asia restaurants currying up distinction in the foodie scene. Guests can also luxuriate in traditional Thai massage and wellness treatments, including local saltwater spas.

At present, there are more than a dozen boats in Port Takola’s 10,000sqm dry-berth maintenance area, which is set to expand to 15,000sqm and include a boat lift that can carry 60 tonnes. This upgrade will include a 25m boatshed plus ancillary support businesses for diving and fishing, plus homes for proper seaside living.

“We are planning to build residential properties here for coastal living,” he says, pointing to a grassy plateau overlooking the harbour, which is graced by a statue of the Indian god Ganesha atop a classic China treasure ship that Admiral Zheng He sailed across the Indian Ocean on in the early 15th century.

On the Port Takola site, the family home created by Matthew’s grandfather has been refurbished

Past it, down a small road with a lake and lush jungle of coconut groves, Matthew has refurbished his grandfather’s family home made of old timber with fresh lacquer and lights as a tribute.

“Both my grandfather and father were in the Royal Thai Navy, so boating is my blood. I want to share old town Krabi charm and the easy-going sea and river way of life here.”

porttakola.com