The entire boat is yours. No other guests, no fixed schedule, no group tour dynamic. Private charter in Phuket means your itinerary, your pace, and exclusive access to the vessel and crew.
The word "private" is used loosely in Phuket's charter market. Some "private tours" are simply small group tours with a fixed route, departing from a shared pier, stopping at the same locations as every other boat. When we say private, we mean something specific: you book the entire vessel for your group exclusively. The boat does not pick up additional passengers. There is no minimum group size — two people can book a private charter. The route is yours to decide, within the practical limits of time and distance.
This is fundamentally different from a shared or group tour, where you share the boat with up to 40 strangers, depart on a fixed schedule, spend 20 minutes at each location whether you want to or not, and have no say in where the boat goes. Private charter costs more per person for small groups, but it delivers an entirely different experience.
| Factor | Private Charter | Group Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Other guests on the boat | None — your group only | Up to 30–40 strangers |
| Departure time | Flexible — set with operator | Fixed (often 8am) |
| Itinerary | Customised to your preferences | Pre-set, no changes |
| Time at each location | You decide | 20–30 min per stop |
| Meal arrangements | Arranged to your preference | Shared buffet on schedule |
| Privacy | Complete | None |
| Cost (10 people) | 5,000–7,000 THB/person | 2,500–4,000 THB/person |
Beyond the obvious — not sharing space with strangers — private charter removes constraints that shape the entire quality of the day.
You are not rushed. The captain at a location you love does not have to leave because 35 other passengers are done with their 20 minutes. If you find a beautiful bay and want to anchor there for three hours, you anchor for three hours.
Noise levels are entirely different. A large group tour boat is loud throughout the day — music, announcements, conversations across dozens of people. On a private charter, the ambient sound is the sea.
You can reach different places. Group tour boats follow predictable routes to the busiest locations because that is what the majority of their customers want. A private boat can be directed to quieter bays, less-visited beaches, and anchorages that never appear on a tour operator's map.
Special occasions work properly. A honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, or proposal falls completely flat if it happens in front of 40 strangers. Private charter gives you the space to make the day genuinely significant.
A 6–10m speedboat chartered privately is the most affordable private option and the fastest. The whole boat is yours — typically room for 8–12 people. Ideal for island hopping, access to shallow waters, and groups that want to cover ground. The trade-off is comfort: less shade, more vibration, no cabin. Starting from around 8,000 THB for a half day.
The most popular private charter choice. A 44–55ft catamaran gives you space, stability, proper shade, a cabin with toilet, and a comfortable platform for a full day on the water. Carries 10–16 passengers. Best for families, groups wanting to relax, and anyone with seasickness concerns. From 35,000 THB for a full day.
Faster than a catamaran and typically more luxurious. Multiple decks, air conditioning, full catering. Suits client entertainment, anniversary celebrations, and premium group experiences. From 50,000 THB for a full day depending on size.
For guests who want the traditional sailing experience — wind in the sails, engine off, moving through the water quietly. Monohull yachts in the 38–50ft range carry 6–10 passengers and offer a different quality of experience from a motor-powered boat. From around 25,000 THB for a full day.
The process is direct. Fill in the enquiry form with your dates, group size, and what kind of day you are looking for. We review available boats in our fleet, match them to your requirements, and come back with 2–3 options and pricing within a few hours. Once you choose, a 50% deposit confirms the booking. We handle everything else — provisioning, crew briefing, route planning, and weather monitoring.
On the day, arrive at the marina 15 minutes before departure. The captain will introduce the crew, explain the safety procedures, and confirm the day's plan. From there, you are the client and the agenda is yours.
For groups of 6 or more, the per-person cost difference narrows significantly — sometimes to as little as 2,000–3,000 THB more per person compared to a high-quality group tour. For that difference you get complete privacy, flexibility on timing and route, no strangers on board, and a genuinely different quality of day. For smaller groups (2–4 people), private charter costs meaningfully more, but many couples and small families consider it worth it for honeymoons, anniversaries, and special occasions. It depends entirely on what you want from the day.
Yes. When you book, tell us the destinations you want to visit in order of priority. The captain will confirm whether the full list is achievable in the time booked and advise on the best sequence. If conditions on the day affect one location (weather, swell, park closure), the captain will suggest an alternative. You have final say on any route changes.
Yes. Bringing your own food, snacks, and drinks — including alcohol — onto a private charter is entirely fine and many groups do it. You can also add catering through the operator if you prefer not to organise it yourselves. Some groups bring a birthday cake, specific wines, or a particular meal; just let the crew know so they can assist with storage and serving if needed.
Several. The quieter bays on the leeward side of Koh Phi Phi Don, the inner lagoons at Phang Nga Bay, the northern beaches of Koh Racha Noi, and various unnamed sandbanks around the Similan chain are all effectively inaccessible on a standard group tour. A private boat gives the captain the flexibility to take you to places where no tour boat ever docks — the kinds of locations that appear in photographs but seem impossible to reach.
Most operators apply a standard policy: cancellations more than 7 days before departure receive a full refund of the deposit. Cancellations 48 hours to 7 days before lose 50% of the deposit. Cancellations within 48 hours lose the full deposit. If the charter is cancelled by the operator due to unsafe weather conditions, a full rescheduling or refund is provided. Always confirm the specific cancellation terms in writing before paying the deposit.
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