Yacht Rental in Phuket: Complete Price Guide

The price of a yacht rental in Phuket depends on the vessel type, duration, route and season, so the range is wide. Reference points from the Phuket B2C catalog: a speedboat for half a day from 33,900 THB, a sailing catamaran for a full day from 45,000-48,000 THB, a motor catamaran or motor yacht for a day from 55,000 THB, a luxury yacht for a day from 125,000 THB. Every price is for the whole vessel with captain and crew, not per person, and normally covers a group of up to 10 guests.

For a group of 8-10 people that comes to roughly 3,500-17,000 THB per guest for a full day on the islands. It is often cheaper and more relaxed than a shared group tour: you choose the route, the departure time and the stops, and nobody else is on board.

A sport cruiser such as Ocean Pearl 42 (30 knots, up to 20 guests) costs from 33,900 THB for 5 hours and from 39,900 THB for 8 hours around the nearby Khai islands. Longer routes cost more: Phang Nga Bay, or Maiton and Khai from 42,900 THB, Hong and Racha from 47,900, Krabi and Phi Phi from 49,900 to 52,900 THB. The speed lets you reach far islands in a single day and stay there longer than on a slow yacht.

The large speedboat Gambit carries up to 28 guests: a private 8-hour charter costs 45,000 THB, while a seat on a group join-in tour is 2,500 THB for an adult and 1,900 THB for a child. Speedboats have no cabins and can feel rough in a swell, so in the rainy season choose routes inside the sheltered Phang Nga Bay.

The sailing and motor catamarans in the catalog take from 14 to 48 guests. The sailing Peaches, 47 LP, Aste and Simply cost 48,000 THB for 8 hours for up to 10 guests, with a 2,000 THB surcharge per extra guest, and Peaches for 4 hours is 38,000 THB. The sailing Nautitech 40 costs 45,000 to 65,000 THB for a day and from 35,000 THB for 5 hours.

Motor catamarans are faster and more comfortable. Prada 50 costs 60,000 to 70,000 THB for 8 hours (from 45,000 THB for 5 hours), Mufasa from 55,200 THB in the low season, Buli from 73,000, Yati from 83,000, Zim from 93,000 THB. The biggest, Gani, with six cabins and a jacuzzi on the upper deck, starts at 130,000 THB, and a group charter for up to 50 guests is 188,000 THB. These catamarans more often include a Thai lunch and beer, and overnight stays are possible for 6-14 guests.

Grand Banks 53 Sambuca is a classic motor yacht with a flybridge for 10 or more guests. A 3-hour sunset cruise starts at 40,000 THB, a full day costs 55,000 to 74,000 THB, and a 2-day, 1-night stay starts at 130,000 THB. She cruises at about 10 knots, but she is quiet, cosy and has two cabins.

Princess 65 Oceana and Riva 70 belong to the luxury class. A 5-hour trip costs 99,000-100,000 THB, a full day around the Khai islands or in Phang Nga Bay 125,000-129,000 THB, and Racha or Phi Phi 145,000-149,000 THB in the low season and up to 165,000-169,000 THB over the New Year period. An overnight stay on Oceana starts at 280,000 THB for 2 days and 1 night, on Riva at 300,000 THB. The price includes a crew of 4, meals, beer, wine and water toys.

Season. Most vessels have three price periods: May - October (low season, the lowest prices), November - April, and 20 December - 20 January (holidays, the highest prices). On a catamaran the gap between the low and the holiday period is 10,000-20,000 THB per day, on a luxury yacht up to 20,000 THB: Oceana to the Khai and Naka islands costs 125,000 THB in the low season and 145,000 THB during the holidays.

Route. The farther the island, the higher the price. The nearby Khai, Maiton, Rang Yai and Naka are cheaper, Hong Krabi, Racha and Phi Phi cost 10,000-20,000 THB more, and some catamarans add a fuel surcharge for far routes: Racha Yai +25,000 THB, Hong Krabi +13,000 THB, Phi Phi +25,000 THB.

Duration. Options include a 3-hour sunset cruise, 4-5 hour trips, a full 8-hour day and overnight stays from 2 days and 1 night. Half a day on a catamaran is roughly 20-25% cheaper than a full day (Yati: 66,000 THB against 83,000), so if you want two islands rather than five, half a day is better value.

Guests. The price normally covers 10 guests, each additional guest costs 800 to 2,300 THB extra depending on the vessel, and the maximum capacity ranges from 14 to 48 guests.

Almost always included: captain, fuel (except far routes on some catamarans), accident insurance, life jackets, water, soft drinks and snorkeling gear. Many vessels also include SUP boards, inflatable toys, a water slide and kayaking. Beer, wine and lunch are included on the yachts and most large catamarans, while on speedboats and some sailing catamarans lunch is paid separately, about 700 THB per person.

Always paid separately: national park and island entrance fees, shore activities, crew tips and extras such as a jet ski at 4,000-5,000 THB per hour, an underwater scooter at 4,000-8,000 THB and an extra hour at 5,000-6,000 THB. A hotel-to-pier transfer is included on some vessels and charged on others, so ask before you book.

First decide the number of guests and the date: in the high season the popular vessels are booked weeks ahead. Then pick the format: a speedboat for speed, a catamaran for a large group or a celebration, a yacht for comfort and overnight stays. To see the islands from above, the sea day can be combined with a helicopter flight. Check how many guests the price covers, what is included and which extra fees apply on your route.

The booking is confirmed by a 5,000 THB deposit, you pay the rest to the supplier on site, and the deposit is deducted from the rental price. If you decline after seeing the vessel, the booking money is returned in full. In the rainy season (May - October) a trip can be moved because of a storm, so ask about the rescheduling terms when booking.