Koh Tan, Koh Madsum & Koh Rap (8hrs)
Most sailors miss the hidden gems scattered around Koh Samui's eastern waters, but that's exactly where the magic happens. The Moondancer Princess Yacht 42ft cuts through these crystalline waters like she owns them, and with her spacious deck and stable platform, your group of eight will have front-row seats to some seriously stunning scenery.
In our Thailand experience, the trio of Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, and Koh Taen delivers everything postcard dreams are made of without the tourist circus. What we've found in Thai waters is that these islands offer the perfect blend - Koh Madsum's famous pig beach (yes, swimming pigs), Koh Tan's pristine coral gardens, and Koh Taen's secluded coves where you might spot the occasional monitor lizard sunbathing.
The hardest choice here is snorkeling at the coral gardens or lounging on Moondancer's flybridge with a cold Chang (spoiler: you can absolutely do both). Worth noting about Thailand's tropical climate - those brief afternoon showers just cool things down perfectly and add to the authentic island vibe.
Thailand has a way of surprising you with moments of pure bliss, like floating in turquoise water between limestone karsts while your crew prepares fresh fruit on deck. Fair warning though - these remote spots have limited facilities, so pack your essentials and bring that camera for the inevitable "nobody will believe this" shots.
Eight hours isn't nearly enough, but it's exactly as good as it gets in Thai paradise.