Should You Book a Half Day or Full Day Yacht Charter
Choosing between a half day and full day yacht trip depends on distance, group needs and budget. Half days last four hours and suit nearby islands, young children or seasickness. Full days last eight hours and reach distant spots like Phi Phi, with lunch and multiple swim stops. Check which durations each boat offers for your date.
Book a half day if the islands are close, you have small children or someone worries about seasickness. Book a full day if the destination is far, like Phi Phi from Phuket, or you want several swim stops and lunch at anchor without rushing.
How long is a half day and a full day?
On YachtDay a half day is four hours on the boat and a full day is eight. The hours usually run from departure to return, so the time spent sailing to the islands and back is part of them, not added on top. Transfer from your hotel to the marina is a separate matter: many listings show it as an extra or leave it to you.
Not every boat offers both durations, and some offer them only on certain dates. When you open a boat, the booking form shows which durations are available on your date and recalculates the price as you switch between them, so you can compare both options for the same boat.
What does each option look like hour by hour?
Every captain plans the day around the tide, the wind and the route you chose, so treat these as the usual shape of a day rather than a fixed schedule.
Half day, four hours
First hour. Boarding, a safety briefing and the run out to the nearest island.
Second and third hours. One or two stops for swimming, snorkeling and time on the beach.
Fourth hour. The run back to the marina, often with fruit and drinks on deck.
Full day, eight hours
First two hours. A longer crossing to islands that are out of reach in a half day.
Middle of the day. Two or three stops, with lunch at anchor or on a beach between them.
Afternoon. A quieter last swim, often at an island closer to home on the way back.
Last hour or two. The return crossing, timed so you are back before dark.
The difference is not only the number of stops. In a half day, transit eats a large share of the four hours. In a full day the transit is longer, but you get unhurried time at each place.
Which islands fit into a half day?
Each boat sets its own list of destinations for each duration, and on YachtDay that list changes when you switch between half day and full day in the booking form. If the island you want only appears under full day, that boat does not offer it in four hours.
As a rule, distant islands across open water need the full day. The Phi Phi Islands are the classic example from Phuket: the crossing is the longest leg of any local route, which is why our Phi Phi guide recommends a full day for most boats. Cruising speed matters too. A fast boat can make a farther island realistic in fewer hours, while a slow one needs the whole day for the same trip, as we explain in our comparison of boat types.
How do you decide in four steps?
Pick the destination first. Choose where you want to swim, then check which durations list it. That alone often settles the question.
Look at who is coming. Small children, older guests and anyone prone to seasickness usually enjoy four hours more than eight. A group celebrating something usually wants the longer day.
Check what the price includes. On a full day, lunch matters more, and so do park fees for the extra islands on the route. Read the included and not included lists before you compare, as described in what a yacht charter price includes.
See if extra hours are an option. Some boats let you add hours to a half day when you book. If you need five or six hours rather than eight, that can be a better fit than a full day.
What mistake makes a half day feel rushed?
The most common one is booking a half day to save money and then asking for a far destination. The boat spends most of the four hours crossing open water, the group gets one short swim, and the day feels like a long transfer.
If the island you have in mind is far, either book the full day or change the destination to one that is listed for a half day on that boat. A half day to a nearby bay with two long swims almost always feels better than a half day spent chasing a famous island. The boats available in Phuket show their routes for each duration on the boats in Phuket page.
FAQ
Is a half day long enough for snorkeling?
Yes, if the snorkeling spot is close to the marina. A half day usually leaves room for one or two stops, and an hour in the water at a good reef is enough for most people. If you want to snorkel at several spots or reach reefs around distant islands, a full day gives you time to do that without rushing back to the boat after each swim.
Is a full day too long with small children?
It can be. Eight hours of sun, wind and movement is a lot for small children, and a tired child can end the day for the whole group. A half day close to shore is usually the safer first trip. If you choose a full day, pick a boat with shade and an indoor space where children can rest, and plan a calm stop in the middle of the day.
Is lunch included on a full day?
It depends on the boat. Some include lunch on board, others leave it to you or offer it as an extra service you can add when you book. Check the What's included and Not included lists in the listing before you choose a full day, because eight hours at sea is a long time without a plan for lunch.
Can I add hours to a half day?
On some boats, yes. When a boat offers it, the booking form lets you add extra hours to a half day, and the price updates before you book. It is useful when four hours feel short but eight feel like too much. If you do not see the option, the boat does not offer it, and a full day is the way to get more time.
Is a full day twice the price of a half day?
Not necessarily. Each boat sets its own price for each duration and season, so the difference between a half day and a full day varies from boat to boat. Open the boat, choose your date and switch between the durations in the booking form to see both prices before you decide.
Do the charter hours include the trip to the marina?
No. The hours are time on the boat, from departure to return. Getting to the marina is separate: some listings include a transfer, others offer it as an extra, and on many you arrange it yourself. Allow time for traffic on the way, and ask the operator in advance what happens if you arrive late.
