Thailand
Yacht Charters

Sailing yachts are among the most popular vessel types for Thailand charters, particularly for guests who want to cover multiple islands at a relaxed pace. The Andaman Sea’s consistent winter winds provide reliable conditions from November through April, and the inter-island distances are well-suited to day sails. Thailand sailing yacht charters start from around $25,000 per week.

Catamarans are well-suited to Thailand’s cruising grounds. Their shallow draft allows access to the protected bays and hidden beaches around Phang Nga Bay and the Trang Islands that monohulls cannot easily enter, and the wide deck space makes them comfortable for families and groups spending long days at anchor in warm, calm water. Thai catamaran charters are available from around $25,000 per week.

Motor yachts give guests the flexibility to cover more ground, able to reach the Similan Islands from Phuket in a few hours rather than a full day’s sail, and carry the deck space and amenity level that suits longer, more leisurely charters. Thailand motor yacht charters are available from around $50,000 per week.

Thailand has a growing superyacht charter presence, centered on Phuket. Superyachts offer the highest level of crew, cuisine, and onboard facilities, and provide a base from which to explore the region in complete comfort. Thailand superyacht charters start from about $250,000 per week.

The Andaman Sea is one of the most popular charter destinations in Thailand. This legendary cruising ground is exotic and naturally beautiful, and offers charter guests a once-in-a-lifetime cruising experience. From the pristine Similan Islands, to the stunning granite rock formations, adventure awaits on Andaman Sea charters.

The Similan Islands, the best-known island groups in the Andaman Sea, are cherished for their picturesque bays, sparkling beaches, and dazzling coral reefs.

Additionally, the islands of Koh Lanta – which are secluded and rustic – offer dazzling beaches.

Phuket is the starting point for the vast majority of Thailand yacht charters. Ao Chalong Bay on the island’s southeast coast is the main charter marina, with full provisioning, fuel, and crew support. Phuket Town itself, just a short drive inland, has a well-preserved Sino-Portuguese old quarter with good restaurants and a lively night market. The island’s west coast beaches, including Patong, Kata, and Karon, are the busiest on the Andaman Sea and are best experienced as a one-night stop rather than a charter base.

The Phi Phi Islands are in the middle of the beautiful Andaman Sea, and the archipelago is well-known for its out-of-this-world beaches. Maya Beach – made famous by the Leo DiCaprio movie The Beach – is located here, as are plenty of other quieter yet just-as-awe-inspiring beaches. (Monkey Beach, named for its native dwellers, is another favorite!) Whether you’re in the mood for a picnic, or you want to party around the bonfire, the Phi Phi Islands are a must-visit destination.

Located about 30 miles north of Ao Nang Beach, you’ll find the pristine jungles and mangroves of Than Bok Khorani Park. Known for its waterfalls and planked walking paths, the park offers charter guests a natural refuge that’s perfect for hiking, biking and relaxing in the cool waters of the park’s many waterfalls. 

Looking for some excitement? The park’s Tree Top Adventure Park offers canopy tours – which turn your trip to the park into a high-flying adventure.

Phang Nga Bay lies 30 miles northeast of Phuket and is one of the most visually striking cruising grounds in Asia. The bay is studded with limestone karst formations rising steeply from shallow, emerald-green water, many of them hollow and accessible by kayak through low sea caves into hidden interior lagoons called “hongs.” Ko Tapu, better known as “James Bond Island” after its appearance in The Man with the Golden Gun, is the most visited site in the bay. Early morning, before the day-tour boats arrive, it is genuinely spectacular.

Krabi province, east of Phuket across the bay, is one of the most dramatic landscapes on the Andaman coast. Railay Beach, cut off from the mainland by cliffs and accessible only by water, is one of the most photographed beaches in Thailand and a world-renowned rock climbing destination. Ao Nang, the main town, has a good selection of restaurants and is the jumping-off point for day trips to the Four Islands and the Tiger Cave Temple inland. Krabi is a natural second stop after Phuket on most Andaman itineraries.

Throughout the province of Krabi, natural hot springs are tucked away in lush jungle landscapes, and the waters are rich with relaxing minerals. Check out Namtok Ron, a hot springs waterfall, which is a popular spot inland in the Khlong Tom district. The pools, which sit in the middle of a running river, offer the best of the best in relaxation.

Koh Lanta lies south of Krabi and is noticeably quieter than either Phuket or the Phi Phi Islands. The island has a long, flat west coast beach well-suited to swimming and kayaking, a small old town with wooden shophouses dating back to the island’s trading past, and Mu Ko Lanta National Park at its southern tip, where the reef snorkeling is among the best in the world accessible without a liveaboard. Koh Lanta works well as a quieter overnight on the way south toward the Trang Islands.

The Similan Islands lie 60 miles northwest of Phuket in the open Andaman Sea and are consistently ranked among the top diving destinations in Asia. The nine-island national park, which is closed annually from May through October for conservation, has protected its coral reefs effectively, and visibility regularly exceeds 20 meters. Snorkeling directly from the yacht is excellent at several of the islands; dive excursions to deeper sites like Elephant Head Rock and Christmas Point are best arranged through a local dive operator. National park entry fees and permits are required and will be arranged in advance by your charter provider.

Sailing yachts and catamarans are the most popular choice for Thailand charters and suit the Andaman Sea’s conditions well. The northeast monsoon provides steady winds from November through April, and the inter-island distances, typically 15 to 40 nautical miles between stops, are well-matched to day sails. Catamarans in particular are well-suited to the shallow, protected bays around Phang Nga and the Trang Islands.

Motor yachts and superyachts are the right choice for guests who want to cover more ground, able to do things like reach the Similan Islands from Phuket in a few hours, or combine stops on Phang Nga Bay, the Phi Phi Islands, and Krabi in a single week without feeling rushed. They also carry the deck space and crew complement that makes longer charters genuinely comfortable in warm weather.

November through April is the prime charter season on the Andaman coast. The northeast monsoon keeps the sea calm, rainfall low, and visibility excellent for diving and snorkeling. December through February is peak season, when conditions are at their best and the water is at its clearest (and when yachting in northern climates is significantly less pleasant). 

May through October is the southwest monsoon season. Seas can be rough, rainfall heavy, and the Similan Islands National Park closes entirely from May 15 to October 31 each year. Most charter operators base their vessels on the Gulf of Thailand side (Koh Samui, Koh Tao) during these months. Guests planning an Andaman Sea charter should plan for November to April.

Thailand offers one of the more accessible entry points in yacht charter globally:

Sailing yachts and catamarans from around $25,000 per week

Motor yachts from $50,000 per week

Superyachts from $250,000+ per week

An APA of 25-30% covers fuel, provisioning, and national park permits. Thai VAT of 7% may apply depending on the vessel. Worldwide Boat will confirm the full cost breakdown for any specific vessel.

Almost all Thailand yacht charters depart from Phuket, specifically from Ao Chalong Bay on the island’s southeast coast. Ao Chalong has the Andaman coast’s best-equipped marina facilities, straightforward provisioning, and direct connections to Phuket International Airport, which has good flight links from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and direct services from a number of European hubs in winter.

Some charters depart from Krabi Town or Ao Nang for guests who want to start their itinerary further south, though provisioning options are more limited. Koh Lipe in the far south is occasionally used as a turnaround point for longer itineraries extending toward Malaysia.

Yes; the Andaman Sea is one of the better sailing grounds in Southeast Asia. From November through April, the northeast monsoon delivers consistent calm winds, manageable seas, and excellent visibility. The inter-island passages are interesting rather than demanding, and are long enough to make proper sails, but short enough that most days end comfortably at anchor before sunset.

The main limitation is the absence of strong sailing winds in the shoulder months either side of the main season. Guests who want the most reliable sailing conditions should target December through February.

Phang Nga Bay offers limestone karsts, hidden hongs, and ”James Bond Island,” and is best explored by kayak from your yacht

Koh Phi Phi has Maya Beach, Monkey Beach, and vibrant nightlife on Koh Phi Phi Don; it’s best visited early morning to beat the day-tour crowds

Railay Beach in Krabi is accessible only by water, and has world-class rock climbing and a dramatic cliff-backed setting

Similan Islands are the best diving on the Andaman coast; however, national park permits are required, and it’s open November through April only

Koh Lanta offers quieter beaches, good reef snorkeling at the southern tip, and a well-preserved old town

Koh Rok and Trang Islands are the least-visited part of the Andaman coast offering outstanding coral and turquoise water with very few other boats

Yes. Thailand has a growing superyacht charter market, based primarily out of Phuket. The island has the berthing infrastructure, provisioning services, and crew support to accommodate large vessels, and the Andaman Sea’s calm winter conditions make it well-suited to superyacht cruising. All Worldwide Boat superyacht charters in Thailand are fully crewed and operate standard MYBA-basis charters with an APA for running costs.

The base charter fee covers the vessel, full crew, and all standard onboard equipment, like water toys, snorkeling gear, kayaks, and tenders. Meals prepared by the onboard chef, beverages, fuel, and marina fees are covered by the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), paid upfront at 25-30% of the charter fee and reconciled at the end of the charter. National park entry fees for the Similan Islands and other protected areas are drawn from the APA and should be factored into the budget from the outset. Any unspent APA balance is returned at the end of the charter.