Guests Who've Sailed with Windholm

CHALLENGE

Anniversary Trip, Remote Anchorage

A couple wanted to mark an anniversary with a sailing trip but had no experience on boats and were concerned about seasickness. They wanted something more private than a group day tour.

APPROACH

Windholm arranged a private Coral Island charter, departing mid-morning when the sea was at its flattest. The crew recommended ginger tea before departure and paced the sail gently. The return avoided the afternoon chop by choosing a sheltered coastal route.

OUTCOME

Neither guest experienced seasickness. They had three hours at anchor in a quiet bay with lunch onboard. The couple returned for a multi-day voyage the following year — their first extended sailing trip.

A genuinely considered approach to a trip we weren't sure was right for us.

CHALLENGE

Group of Eight, Mixed Interests

A group of eight friends with a mix of priorities — some wanted active snorkeling and paddleboarding, others wanted to relax on deck, and two were vegetarian. Finding a charter that suited everyone without compromising anything was the concern.

APPROACH

The Coral Island full-day format accommodated both — the shallow reefs at Koh Hae work well for active guests while the deck has enough shaded space for those who prefer not to snorkel. Dietary requirements were noted at booking and the galley prepared separate dishes without an upcharge.

OUTCOME

The group spent eight hours without any logistical friction. Three of the eight booked the half-day coastal glide separately the following day. The group has since recommended Windholm to other travellers, generating three additional bookings in the same season.

Everyone in the group left satisfied, which isn't easy with eight people.

CHALLENGE

Five-Day Voyage, Weather Disruption

A group had booked a five-day Andaman voyage toward the Similan Islands. On day two, wind and swell from an early-season weather system moved into the area, making the open-water crossing to the Similans unsuitable.

APPROACH

The captain briefed the group the evening before, explained the conditions clearly, and offered two alternative routes: a sheltered island-hopping route south toward Koh Racha, or a revised Phang Nga bay approach. The group chose the Racha route, which the captain knew well from previous charters.

OUTCOME

The revised route covered four different anchorages across three days, including one bay the group later described as the best stop of the whole trip. The transparency of the situation and the quality of the alternative left the group rating the voyage as highly as if the original plan had held.

The way the crew handled the weather situation actually made us trust them more.