Sea
Yacht or catamaran in Phuket: which fits your day at sea
An honest comparison of the two formats — prices, capacity, comfort, and the fine print. From a concierge who matches the boat instead of renting out whatever's free.
K. · updated July 2026 · ~6 min
Short answer
For a relaxed day at sea with a family or a big group, the catamaran usually wins: it's more stable, roomier, and cheaper — the whole boat from ฿27,000, up to 40 guests. A yacht is about privacy and status: cabins, a crew, high service, from ฿95,000 a day. Either way the boat is yours alone. We match the specific one to your group, route, and budget.
What's the difference between a catamaran and a yacht, in plain terms?
A catamaran is two hulls and a wide deck: it's more stable on the water, rolls noticeably less, and has more room for a group. A yacht is a single hull, cabins, a crew, and a different level of privacy — not just a bigger boat, but a "day at sea as an occasion" format.
Neither is better than the other — they're for different days. Here's the honest breakdown of which is for which.
How much does a day at sea cost?
All prices are for the whole boat for the day, for your group only. These are "from" prices: higher in high season, and the final figure depends on the specific boat.
| Format | From | What it's about |
|---|---|---|
| Sailing catamaran | ฿27,000 | Classic sail, open deck, a calm day |
| Air-conditioned sailing catamaran | ฿50,000 | Air-conditioned saloon, all-inclusive: lunch and transfer |
| Party catamaran | ฿65,000 | A spacious deck, lounge, music — up to 40 guests |
| Power catamaran | ฿75,000 | Faster, more range in a day, higher service |
| Classic yacht | ฿95,000 | Motor, flybridge, cabins, privacy |
| Superyacht · from 80ft | on request | Cabins, crew and a chef, all-inclusive |
When should you choose a catamaran?
When the day at sea is about relaxing, not status. A family with kids, a group of friends, swimming by the islands, snorkelling, music on deck. The stability of two hulls keeps the day comfortable even for people wary of seasickness, and the wide deck takes up to 40 guests.
Catamarans differ a lot, though: some sail and suit a calm day, some are powered and fast, others are built for a big group and a celebration. All four formats in detail — on the catamaran charter page.
When should you choose a yacht?
When privacy, cabins, and the level of service matter. A romantic day, a birthday, a meeting with partners, a beautiful island route, or several days at sea. A yacht is faster, more of a statement, and the day doesn't depend on anyone else's timetable.
A classic motor yacht starts at ฿95,000 a day. A superyacht from 80 feet — cabins, crew and a chef, all-inclusive — is quoted individually. More on the yacht charter page.
What's included, and what costs extra?
Catamaran, standard package: the boat, fuel, crew, fruit, drinks, ice, insurance, life jackets, masks and fins for snorkelling. On request: lunch, alcohol, transfer, water slides, entertainment, a jet ski, a Russian-speaking host — included on some boats, extra on others; we confirm when matching the boat.
Yacht: usually the whole yacht, captain and crew, an agreed route, the pier transfer, lunch on board, drinks, insurance, and snorkelling gear. Extra: water toys, a jet ski, a photographer, décor, alcohol, a Russian-speaking host. A superyacht usually includes more.
What about the deposit and the weather?
The rules are the same for both formats. The deposit is 50–100% depending on the specific boat. If the marine department officially closes the water, the deposit is refunded. You can move the date with 72 hours' notice.
What if you don't need the whole boat?
Sometimes there are two of you and a whole boat is too much. For that there's a group outing on a premium catamaran or yacht: all-inclusive, from ฿4,500 per person (a 55-foot yacht from ฿8,500). It's not a private format anymore, but the level is well above the mass-market tours. More on the experiences page.
How does K. match the boat?
K. is a private concierge on Phuket. We don't rent out "whatever boat is free on your date" — we match the right one from a fleet of 30+ to your day: who's going, how many of you, with or without kids, a calm day or a celebration, the route and the budget. We suggest two or three options, explain the difference, and handle the crew and every detail before you step aboard.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a day at sea in Phuket cost?
Catamarans: from ฿27,000 for a sailing one, from ฿50,000 air-conditioned, from ฿65,000 for a party catamaran, from ฿75,000 for a power one. A classic yacht starts at ฿95,000; a superyacht from 80 feet is quoted individually. All for the whole boat for the day; prices are a "from" and rise in high season.
How many people fit on a catamaran?
Up to 40, depending on the catamaran — and it's always the whole boat for your group only, never a per-seat ticket.
Is a catamaran really more stable than a yacht?
Yes, two hulls mean less rolling — so for a day with kids or a big group, a catamaran is usually more comfortable.
Can you go to sea for several days?
Yes. Catamarans can be chartered for several days; yachts too, if the boat suits overnight stays and the route allows it. Multi-day charters are quoted on request.
What happens if the weather turns?
If the marine department officially closes the water, the deposit is refunded. You can move the date with 72 hours' notice. The deposit is 50–100% depending on the boat.
Related services
We'll match the boat to your day
Don't choose between "the free yacht" and "the free catamaran" — choose the shape of your day. Message K. on WhatsApp: how many of you, your dates, with or without kids, a calm day or a celebration. We'll suggest two or three boats for your case and explain the difference honestly.