What Does a Private Yacht Charter in Phuket Actually Cost?

"How much does it cost?" is usually the first question about a private boat day in Phuket, and the honest answer is: it depends on more than the boat. Two quotes for "a catamaran to Racha Yai" can differ by a lot and both be fair, because one covers more guests, more hours or more of the extras.

This guide shows real published starting rates, explains what is normally inside and outside the price, and gives you a simple way to compare quotes.

Published starting rates: one operator's numbers

These are the lowest starting rates on Blue Andaman's published prices page, checked on 6 November 2026. Blue Andaman is the charter service behind this site; treat these as one operator's figures rather than a market survey.

At the large end, the same company lists a 78 ft double-deck catamaran for up to 120 guests from THB 125,000 per day.

Three things to know when reading a table like this:

1. These are per boat, not per person. You charter the whole boat for your group.
2. A starting rate may cover fewer guests than the boat can carry. Some listings use guest price bands, so the lowest rate can apply to a smaller group than the maximum capacity.
3. A starting rate is not the total for every route. A nearby island day and a long crossing need different arrangements, and the price follows.

What the price usually covers, and what it may not

A good quote spells out both lists. Blue Andaman's prices page suggests checking these as part of the boat's inclusions:

• the boat, captain and crew named in your quote
• the agreed departure point, route and charter hours
• the drinks, refreshments and equipment listed for that boat
• any taxes or insurance described in the confirmed offer

And these as possible extras, unless the quote says they are included:

• national park or island admission fees
• meals, catering and premium drinks
• hotel transfers or private transport
• optional equipment, route changes or extra hours

Two more items to ask about directly: whether there is a separate service charge, and whether tipping the crew is customary on that boat. Neither should come as a surprise on the day.

National park fees, explained

Many of the classic routes from Phuket enter marine national parks, which charge a per-person fee set by Thailand's Department of National Parks. Fees differ for Thai and foreign visitors and for adults and children, and they change from time to time.

Example: the Phi Phi Islands. According to the Bangkok Post in February 2024, citing the park's website, Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park charged foreign visitors an entrance fee of 200 baht per adult and 100 baht per child, plus a special service fee for visiting Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Le and Ko Mai Phai of 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child. At those rates, the special service fee alone for two adults and two children would come to 1,200 baht. Check the current amounts before you travel; we have not been able to confirm the 2026 rates from an official source.

Seasonal closures change what you are paying for.

• The Similan Islands national park closes every year during the monsoon. In 2026 it was closed from mid-May and reopened on 15 October, with the season running until 15 May 2027, according to Pattaya Mail.
• Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh closes every August and September. When it is open, swimming in the bay is still not allowed, as Time Out Bangkok reported at the 1 October 2026 reopening.
• Some parks now sell entry through an online e-ticket system that asks for identification. Khaosod English reported in May 2025 that the Similan Islands would be one of six parks using it. Have passport details to hand if your route includes one of them.

If Phi Phi is on your list, Blue Andaman's Phi Phi Islands guide is clear that a route past Maya Bay is not a promise of a landing or a swim, and that park access and permitted stops are checked for each date.

Questions to ask about park fees:

• Which parks does the route enter, and which fees apply?
• Are fees included in the quote, or paid separately?
• Are they per person, and are children charged at a different rate?
• Is an e-ticket or ID needed in advance?

Five things that move the total

1. Boat type and size. The jump from a speedboat or small catamaran to a large motor yacht is the biggest single factor.
2. Guest numbers. If the rate is banded, the price for eight people and for fifteen can differ on the same boat.
3. Route and hours. A longer crossing burns more fuel and uses more of the charter. Confirm the departure pier, the included hours, the permitted route and any extra fuel or overtime charges.
4. Date. Availability and any seasonal or holiday terms depend on the boat. Giving a flexible date range can open up options.
5. Extras. Food, transfers, water toys and premium drinks vary widely between packages. Ask for each to be listed separately.

How to compare two quotes fairly

Compare the same trip: the same date, group size, route and duration. A starting rate for a small group on a nearby route will always look cheaper than a quote for a bigger group going farther.

A simple worksheet helps. Fill in one column per quote:

Empty boxes are the useful part: each one is a question to send back before you decide.

Currency, deposits and cancellations

Currency. Check which currency the quote is in and which you will pay in. Blue Andaman's listings, for example, show baht and US dollar amounts separately without assuming an exchange rate, and the final quote confirms the payment currency. Ask whether card payments carry a surcharge.

Deposit and balance. Ask how much secures the date, when the balance is due, and how it is paid. Pay the company named on the licence and get a receipt.

Weather. In the rainy season, which the government's guide to Thailand's seasons places at mid-May to mid-October, rough seas can stop or change a trip. Before you pay, get in writing who decides, and whether you can reschedule, switch to a sheltered route or get a refund.

When a quote looks much cheaper

If one quote is far below the others for the same boat size and route, look for what is missing: fewer guests in the rate, shorter hours, park fees or fuel excluded, no lunch. Then check the company itself. Our guide on how to choose a charter company in Phuket shows how to verify a Thai tourism licence in a few minutes.

A clear quote should let you predict your total spend for the day before you leave the hotel. If it doesn't, ask until it does.