Phuket is Thailand’s yacht-charter capital — the base from which almost every Andaman voyage begins. The island has four full-service marinas, an international airport, and a fleet of crewed motor yachts set up for everything from an eight-hour day to a week at sea. Within a morning’s cruise lie Coral Island and the Racha islands to the south, the limestone towers and hidden lagoons of Phang Nga Bay to the north-east, and the cliffs of Phi Phi and Maya Bay beyond. This is the complete guide to a Phuket yacht charter — where to sail from, the day runs and overnight routes, the fleet, and the season that turns the Andaman glassy and clear.
Chartering from Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and the natural base for an Andaman charter. Its four marinas split between the calm north-east — Ao Po Grand Marina and Yacht Haven, sheltered and close to Phang Nga Bay — and the mid-island Royal Phuket Marina and Boat Lagoon. A charter takes the whole vessel: a crewed motor yacht with a captain, chef and tenders, snorkel and water-sports gear, and the run of the sea. Because the best islands sit within a day’s cruise, Phuket runs both ways — an eight-hour day charter back to the marina by evening, or an overnight trip of three to seven nights that reaches the further reefs and sleeps at anchor.
Four marinas, an international airport, and a fleet built for a day or a week at sea.
Day runs — Coral, Racha & Phang Nga
The classic Phuket day points to the close islands. Coral Island (Ko Hae), twenty minutes off the south coast, has powder sand and an easy snorkel reef for a morning swim. Further south, Racha Yai and Racha Noi offer the clearest water near Phuket — quiet bays, good diving and a long lunch at anchor. North-east lies Phang Nga Bay, the sheltered water of limestone towers, sea caves and the hongs — tidal lagoons entered by kayak — with Ko Tapu, the leaning needle that has been “James Bond Island” since 1974. Because Phang Nga is shielded from the open swell, it stays calm and charterable even in the green season.
Phi Phi, Maya Bay & overnight routes
With a full day or a night aboard, Phuket opens to the Phi Phi group, south-east across open water. Ko Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island of twin hourglass bays and viewpoints; uninhabited Ko Phi Phi Leh holds Maya Bay, the cliff-ringed cove from The Beach, reopened with daily visitor limits and best reached early by your own boat. An overnight charter lets you anchor off Phi Phi after the day boats leave and have the bays to yourself at dawn. The wider Andaman — the Similan and Surin reefs and the remote Mergui Archipelago — is reached on longer trips; see our Thailand yacht charter guide for that route.
Anchor off Phi Phi after the day boats leave, and have the bays to yourself at dawn.
The Phuket fleet
Phuket is chartered overwhelmingly on motor yachts — from quick day cruisers to five-cabin overnight vessels and large event yachts that carry fifty guests for a celebration on the water — all crewed, priced per day in US dollars. Sailing yachts and catamarans round out the fleet. A day charter comfortably reaches Coral, Racha or Phang Nga; an overnight of three to seven nights opens Phi Phi and the further Andaman. Rates vary widely by vessel and season, so rather than a single figure, compare each yacht’s price on its page or send an inquiry for a tailored quote.
When to go, and how to get there
The Andaman high season runs November to April — the dry north-east monsoon, when the sea is calm and clear and the islands are at their best; this is also when the Similan and Surin national parks are open. The green season, May to October, is wetter and the open coast rougher, but sheltered Phang Nga Bay stays charterable and prices fall. Getting there is easy: fly into Phuket International Airport (HKT), direct from most Asian hubs, and board your yacht at the marina. To charter, choose a vessel and send an inquiry — our desk confirms availability, the route and the price before anything is paid.
Day charter or overnight?
A Phuket day charter of around eight hours is the most popular shape — Coral and Racha for a swim and snorkel, or Phang Nga Bay for the karst and the hongs, back to the marina by evening. An overnight of two to seven nights is the way to reach Phi Phi at its quietest and to push further into the Andaman, sleeping at anchor under the limestone. Both leave from the same Phuket marinas; the crew shapes the route around your dates, your party and the season.
