Phuket is one of the easiest places in Asia to spend a day on a private boat. There is no bareboat licence to worry about: boats go out with a captain and crew, and you choose the islands. What surprises most first-timers is not the sea, but the way prices work.
You pay for the boat, not the seat. A private charter is quoted per boat for your group, up to the number of guests shown for that boat. Six friends on a speedboat and twelve on a sailing catamaran are both “one booking”. For a group of eight to ten, a private speedboat often works out close to the per-person cost of a crowded shared tour, with your timing and no queue at the pier.
The price ladder. As a rough guide for the 2026/27 season, a long-tail boat starts at around 23,900 baht for the boat, a speedboat from about 28,900, a sailing catamaran from about 25,900, a motor yacht from about 33,900 and a power catamaran from about 35,900. Luxury yachts of 60 to 90 feet start at around 100,000 baht a day, and superyachts above 90 feet at around 350,000. The figures move with season, route and hours on the water.
Season matters more than the boat. November to April is the dry season, with flat water on both coasts and the highest rates. May to October brings lower prices and more wind on the west side, so captains favour the sheltered east: Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao and the Krabi side.
Which islands for which day.
– Half day: Coral Island and Koh Maiton, close to the south of the island.
– Full day: Phi Phi (about 48 km from Phuket, one to two hours by motor yacht, less by speedboat), Phang Nga Bay with its limestone islands, or Racha Yai and Racha Noi for clear water and no park fee.
– Overnight: boats with cabins can combine Phang Nga and Krabi, or head further to the Similans in season.
The extras to ask about. National park fees at Phi Phi, Phang Nga and the Similans are usually paid per person on the day, unless the boat includes them in its rate. Ask whether fuel for your route, drinks and snorkelling gear are included, and how many guests the price covers.
Where boats leave from. Phuket has no single yacht harbour. Boats leave from Chalong Pier in the south, Ao Po Grand Marina in the north-east, Royal Phuket Marina and Boat Lagoon on the east coast. Pick the boat first and the pier follows; a north-east marina saves an hour if Phang Nga is the plan.
If you want to compare boats and day rates side by side, the catalogue of yacht charter Phuket operator Horizon Cruises Phuket lists about 80 boats with prices per boat in Thai baht.
How to book without surprises. Send the date, the number of guests and the kind of day you want. A good operator answers with specific boats, a final figure and the deposit terms in writing. Most boats take a deposit to confirm; check the cancellation terms before you pay, especially for peak dates around Christmas and New Year, which some boats sell as non-refundable.
What a typical full day looks like. Pick-up or meeting at the pier in the morning, a briefing from the captain, then the first island before the tour boats arrive. Most groups snorkel twice, stop at a beach and have lunch on board or at an island restaurant. Around Phuket, captains tie up to mooring buoys near the reefs instead of dropping anchor on the coral, so the best snorkelling spots stay intact. You are usually back at the pier in the late afternoon, with time for sunset drinks if the boat allows it.
Who it suits. A private boat makes the most sense for families with children, groups of friends, couples celebrating something and anyone who dislikes crowds. If you are travelling alone or as two on a tight budget, a shared tour is cheaper; if you are six or more, compare the per-person cost of a private boat before you decide. The real difference is control: the timing, the route and the music are yours.