Yacht charter in Phuket: how to pick a boat and what you pay for

Yacht, catamaran or speedboat: which one?

Take a catamaran for a relaxed day with kids or a big group, a motor yacht for long runs to distant islands, and a speedboat for quick hops between beaches. The details below.

A catamaran sits on two hulls, so it rolls less in a swell. You get a wide deck and a trampoline net up front where everyone ends up after lunch. Our catalogue has the Lagoon 440, 500 and 560 and a Nautitech. The catch: catamarans aren't fast, and a far island eats a good chunk of the day.

Motor yachts like Princess, Azimut or the Astondoa 102 cover distance faster and give you an air-conditioned saloon. They suit birthdays, business on the water, or a route with several stops. A speedboat is about speed and budget: get there, swim, move on. Not much shade, not much space, and you'll feel the waves.

There's also a classic sailing ketch, for people who care more about the sailing than the destination. Wind doesn't always cooperate, so keep that route short.

How much does a yacht charter in Phuket cost?

Four things set the price: the size and class of the boat, the duration (half day, full day or several days), the distance of the route, and the season. Today's prices are on the cards below and in the boat catalogue.

A longer route means more fuel and more crew hours, so Phi Phi on a motor yacht costs more than Coral Island on the same boat. High season pushes demand up, and the good boats around holidays go early. On a tight budget, shorten the route rather than downgrade the boat. A short day on a great yacht beats a long one on a cramped one.

What's included, and what to confirm

Inclusions differ from boat to boat, so ask about these five before you pay. The manager will answer for that specific vessel.

• Fuel: included, or charged separately
• National park fees: Phi Phi, the Similans and Phang Nga Bay charge entry, usually paid on top of the charter
• Hotel to pier transfer and back
• Food and drinks on board, and whether you can bring your own
• Snorkel gear, kayak or paddleboard, and which of them this boat actually carries

How many guests can come on board?

Every boat card lists its capacity, and it's a hard limit: the crew won't leave the marina over it. Count everyone, kids and a photographer included.

That number is the maximum, not the comfortable figure. If you want shade for everyone and nobody perched on the steps, book a size up. For overnight trips, look at the cabin count, not the daytime seats.

Do you need a captain?

In Phuket, leisure yachts almost always come with a captain and crew, and for a holiday that's what you want. The captain knows the reefs, the currents and which bay is calm today.

Bigger yachts add deckhands and sometimes a steward or hostess. They handle mooring, the swim ladder, the snorkel gear, and they keep an eye on anyone drifting with the current. Your job is to say what you'd like, not how to get there. Tipping the crew is up to you.

Where do yachts depart from in Phuket?

It depends on the route: for Racha and Coral Island the south of the island is closer, for Phang Nga Bay the east coast. The main marinas and piers are Chalong Pier in the south, Royal Phuket Marina and Boat Lagoon in the east, and Ao Po Grand Marina and Yacht Haven in the northeast and north.

The pier is listed on each boat's card. Staying on the other side of the island? Allow time for traffic around Patong and Chalong.

When is the best time to charter?

The dry season, roughly November to April, gives the calmest sea and the clearest water. From May to October the southwest monsoon makes the west coast rough, while Phang Nga Bay stays sheltered.

Some spots close seasonally. The Similan Islands National Park usually shuts from around mid-May to mid-October, and Maya Bay on Phi Phi closes for August and September. The national parks department sets the dates each year, so check before you travel. More in our Phuket season guide and the guide to Phuket islands by yacht.

Booking with Siam Luxury Adventure

There's no online payment on the site. Pick a boat in the catalogue, or just message a manager on WhatsApp or Telegram with the date, group size and where you'd like to go. A Siam Luxury Adventure manager checks availability and sends you exactly what's included.

Want the whole day put together, with transfers, dinner or a helicopter flight over the bay? Same manager.

Browse boats with today's prices or reach us through the concierge service, and we'll match a yacht to your route.