Thailand yacht charter
Thailand's Andaman coast is limestone islands, sea caves and sheltered water, with very good food ashore. November to April, outside the rainy season, is the time to go. It suits families, couples and divers.
Thailand's Andaman coast is limestone towers rising out of green water, sea caves you paddle into, and long beaches. Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi, is calm and sheltered, with dozens of islands within a few hours. The food ashore is some of the best anywhere, and a yacht reaches the bays early, before the day boats come out from the resorts.
Why go, and whom it suits
Families
The sheltered water of Phang Nga Bay, canoeing among the limestone islands, beaches and simple, good food make this good for families. Some days are hot and humid.
Couples and honeymoons
Quiet anchorages under the cliffs, Thai dinners on deck, and a resort or spa on Phuket when you want one.
Friends and celebrations
Phuket and Koh Phi Phi have the nightlife. Krabi and the bay have the climbing, kayaking and diving.
Less suited to anyone travelling in the south-west monsoon months, when the Andaman sea is rough (see "When to go").
The areas
In South-East and East Asia, Thailand is the easiest place to start: easy flights, food ashore and gentle routes. The Andaman coast is where the yachts go.
Phuket
The airport and the marinas, with resorts and restaurants. The usual start.
Phang Nga Bay
Limestone islands and sea caves, the Koh Yao islands, and Khao Phing Kan (the "James Bond island").
Krabi and Railay
Cliffs, climbing, and beaches reached only by boat.
Koh Phi Phi
Dramatic bays. Maya Bay has reopened, and closes each year from 1 August to 30 September.
The Similan and Surin islands
National parks further north-west, for diving. The Similans are open roughly from mid-October to mid-May; ask us about the Surin islands' season.
Koh Lanta and the islands of Trang
further south, for a longer trip.
The Gulf of Thailand
(Koh Samui) on the east side has its rainy season mainly from November to March, and is a separate trip.
When to go
- November to April, outside the rainy season, is the main season on the Andaman coast.
- May to October is generally the rainy season, with rough seas at times, when many yachts move or stop. Koh Samui and the south-east have their rainy season mainly from November to March instead.
Months | Andaman coast (Phuket, Phang Nga Bay, Krabi) | Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui) | National parks |
|---|---|---|---|
November to April | Outside the rainy season: the main season | The rainy season, mainly November to March | The Similans open from mid-October to mid-May |
May to October | The rainy season, with rough seas at times | Outside its main rainy season | The Similans close from 16 May to 14 October; Maya Bay closes from 1 August to 30 September |
What it costs
The charter fee is each yacht's own weekly rate. Her page shows it "from", which is her lowest season. Our guide sets out what a crewed charter costs, line by line.
- VAT applies to charters in Thailand, at the general rate of 7%.
- Licences. We confirm that the yacht you are considering may charter in Thai waters.
- National parks. Several of the islands on this coast are in national parks, with their own fees and rules. The crew arranges them, and any fees come out of the APA.
- APA, the Advance Provisioning Allowance, is paid with the balance. It is money held by the captain for fuel, food, drinks, berths and similar costs, spent on your instructions and accounted for at the end; anything unspent is returned. Budget up to 40% of the charter fee; long or remote passages can need more.
The weekly rate on each yacht’s page. "From" is her lowest season.
An advance for fuel, food, drinks and berths, spent on your instructions and settled at the end.
Set by the country the charter starts in, added to the fee.
Round trip from Phuket
The yacht, the weather and the park rules decide the real route.
Board at a Phuket marina. A short passage into Phang Nga Bay.
Paddle into the hongs early, before the day boats arrive, and spend the night at anchor under the cliffs.
A quiet island, with lunch ashore.
Cliffs, a beach, and climbing with a guide for those who want it.
Arrive early in the bays, and snorkel.
An island south of Phuket, for snorkelling.
Disembark.
The yachts that cruise here
We arrange crewed yachts in Thailand and look across the market for the ones that fit each enquiry.
The yachts on this site are a selection, not the limit of what we arrange: ask about any yacht, of any size.
Practical questions
Rene GaspersicYour broker
When should we go?
For the Andaman coast, from November to April. Outside that window the sea is often rough on this side.
How hot is it?
Hot and humid all year. Shade on deck and air-conditioned cabins matter. Ask us which yachts have the best of both.
Can we visit the national parks?
Yes, within each park's season and rules. The crew arranges the visits.
Is Maya Bay open?
It has reopened, with a closure each year from 1 August to 30 September. The park sets its own rules for the bay, and the captain plans around them.
Is it good for diving?
Yes, and the Similan islands are the best known for it, in their open season. Ask us which yachts carry dive equipment or can arrange a dive boat.
Do we need a visa?
British visitors, for example, can enter visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism (since 15 September 2026). Check the current rules for your own passport before you travel.
Is the food on board Thai?
As you like. Tell us what you prefer before the charter, and the crew plans the menus around it.
Can we combine Thailand with another country?
Ask us whether a longer trip to Malaysia's Langkawi or Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago (pages to follow) can be arranged, and what it involves.
If you are also weighing Indonesia or the Maldives
Talk to a broker
Tell us roughly when, how many of you there are, and what the week is for: a family holiday, a honeymoon, a birthday with friends. Dates and budget can stay loose. We come back with a short list of yachts that fit, say plainly what each one is like, and stay your contact from the first email to the last day on board.
Rene Gaspersic
charter broker
Email info@soretoyachting.com · Phone +44 7342 933198 · WhatsApp +44 7342 933198
Plan
Thailand.
Two short steps. Dates and budget can stay loose. We reply personally, by email, phone or WhatsApp.