Private boat charter days from Phuket

By the Editorial team. Reviewed October 2026.

A private boat day is a popular way to mark a birthday, a family visit or a team trip in Phuket. The boat, the crew and the route are yours for the day, and the price covers the group rather than each person.

Types of charter

Day charters usually leave in the morning and return in the late afternoon, with stops for swimming and snorkelling and lunch on board. Sunset cruises are shorter and start in the afternoon. Overnight charters use boats with cabins, so the group sleeps on board and wakes up at anchor. Join-in tours, where you share the boat with other guests, cost less per person but follow a fixed plan.

Routes

From Phuket, the common routes run to Phang Nga Bay, with its limestone islands, to Coral Island and Racha Yai to the south, and further afield to Phi Phi. Faster boats cover more islands in a day. Slower wooden boats and larger motor yachts suit groups who want to spend more time at each stop.

Seasons

The Andaman coast has a high season from about November to April, when the sea is calm. The green season, from about May to October, brings more rain and rougher water on some days, and lower prices. Operators may change routes on the day for safety.

Operators run boats of very different sizes. A small wooden boat may take around a dozen guests, while catamarans and larger motor boats can carry several dozen. Some operators also run join-in tours for smaller groups. Ask for both high-season and green-season prices, since they often differ.

What is usually included

Most private charters include the crew, fuel, snorkelling gear, soft drinks and a meal. Transfers from your hotel, alcohol and national park fees are often extra. Get the list in writing.

Safety checks

• Ask whether the operator is licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand or the Marine Department.
• Check that there are life jackets for every guest, including children's sizes.
• Ask whether a crew member is trained in first aid.
• Agree in advance what happens if weather cancels the trip.

Booking

For high-season weekends and public holidays, book several weeks ahead. Give the operator your group size, the ages of any children and any dietary needs, and ask them to suggest a route.