What Boat Tours Can You Take from Phuket?

Boat tours from Phuket fall into three groups: half-day runs to the nearest islands, full days to Phi Phi, Racha or Phang Nga Bay, and overnight trips to the Similans and beyond. We run all of them on private boats — the whole boat is yours, with a captain and crew, from ฿21,000 a day. There are no shared departures and no fixed timetable.

How is a private boat tour different from a shared excursion?

A shared tour sells you a seat: fixed departure, fixed route, fifty other people, and a beach that is busiest exactly when your boat arrives. A private tour sells you the boat. You pick the day, the islands and the hour you leave, and the crew works around your group.

The cost works out differently too. A shared trip is priced per person, so a group of ten pays ten times. A private boat is priced per boat and split however you like — which is why groups above six or eight usually find the private option comparable or cheaper. What exactly the whole-boat format includes — private boat charter in Phuket.

Where do boat tours from Phuket go?

Eighteen destinations have their own page with routes, timing and what to expect. Grouped by how far they are:

Half day — the closest islands

• Coral Island (Koh Hey) — about 11 km, 20–25 minutes. The shortest run there is; good for a first trip or an afternoon.
• Maiton Island — about 17 km, 25–35 minutes. Quieter than Coral, with a long empty beach.

Full day — the classic routes

• Racha Islands and Racha Yai — about 26 km, 40–55 minutes. The clearest water within a day's reach.
• Racha Noi — about 37 km. Emptier and rockier than Racha Yai.
• Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi — about 16 km, in the sheltered water between Phuket and Krabi.
• Phi Phi and Bamboo Island — about 48 km. The best-known route and the one that rewards an early start most.
• Hong Island, Phang Nga — about 13 km, into the limestone bay.

Full day — the Krabi side

• Hong Island, Krabi — about 27 km.
• Koh Pak Bia — about 26 km.
• Koh Lao Lading — about 28 km.
• Chicken Island (Koh Kai) — about 52 km.
• Koh Poda — about 40 km.
• Railay Beach — about 44 km.

Overnight and multi-day

• Koh Ha and Koh Rok — about 106 km.
• Similan Islands — about 119 km. Two days minimum to be worth it.
• Surin Islands — about 183 km.
• Koh Lipe — about 184 km, the furthest we go.

Distances are approximate and measured from the marina that actually serves each direction — the southern islands from Chalong, Phang Nga Bay and the Krabi side from Ao Po Grand Marina. Which pier your boat leaves from depends on where it is berthed, and is confirmed when you book.

How long should a boat tour be?

The honest answer for a first trip is a full day. A half day works out to two or three hours actually at anchor once you subtract the travel, which is enough for one island and not much more.

What does a boat tour from Phuket cost?

Prices are per boat per day, not per person, and a group splits one figure.

Season moves these by roughly a quarter: low season runs May to October, high season November to April, and the peak starts on 20 December (it ends between 10 and 20 January depending on the boat). The full breakdown by format and season is on the full price tables by format.

What is included, and what is not

Inclusions differ boat by boat and the exact list is on each yacht's page. Typically the day rate covers the boat, captain and crew, fuel for the agreed route, soft drinks and ice, snorkelling gear, and lunch on full days.

Not included: national park fees where the route enters a park, guests above the boat's included headcount, changing the departure pier, and extra hours beyond the programme. Lunch is usually not included on half days.

When is the best time for a boat tour from Phuket?

November to April is the settled season on the Andaman side — calm water, reliable visibility, and the months most people book. May to October is cheaper and quieter, and trips still run; the difference is that the route gets chosen around the wind on the day rather than fixed a week ahead.

Whatever the month, leaving early matters more than most people expect. Shared tour boats arrive at the popular anchorages between 10 and 11, and a private boat that starts at eight has the same bay to itself for the first two hours.

How to book

• Send your date, group size and the islands you have in mind.
• You get back the boats that are free, with final prices in Thai baht.
• A 50% deposit confirms the booking; the balance is paid on the day of the charter.
• Cancellation 30 days or more before: full refund of the deposit. 29 days or less: the deposit is not refunded.
• Cash, bank transfer to the company account, or credit and debit cards. Thai baht, US dollars and Russian roubles are accepted.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a boat tour in Phuket?

From ฿21,000 a day for a speedboat and from ฿33,900 for a motor yacht. The price is for the whole boat, so a group of ten splits one figure rather than paying ten fares.

Which boat tour from Phuket is best for a first visit?

A full day to Phi Phi and Bamboo Island, or to the Racha Islands if you want clear water with less travelling. Both are 8–9 hours door to door.

Can a boat tour be done in half a day?

Yes — Coral Island and Maiton are 20–35 minutes out, which leaves real time at anchor within four or five hours. Anything further turns into mostly travelling.

Are the boats shared with other groups?

No. Every boat on this site is chartered whole: your group, your route, your departure time.

What is not included in the price of a boat tour?

National park fees where they apply, guests above the boat's included number, a change of departure pier, and hours beyond the agreed programme. Lunch is included on full days on most boats but not on half days.