What a Yacht Charter Price Includes in Thailand
Private yacht charters in Thailand usually include the captain, crew, fuel, soft drinks and basic gear, while park fees, marina transfers and lunch are often extra. Compare the included and not included lists, enter your real guest count, and match the duration to your route. Those details reveal the true cost of each boat.
A private yacht charter in Thailand usually includes the boat, captain and crew, fuel for the route, soft drinks and basic gear. Park fees, the marina transfer, lunch and extra guests are most often left out, so read both lists before comparing prices.
What is usually included in the price?
This overview is based on the What's included lists of Phuket boats on YachtDay, checked in October 2026. Every boat sets its own list, so treat it as a map of what to look for, not a promise for a specific boat.
Item | How often it is included | What to check |
|---|---|---|
Captain and crew | Almost always | Whether a hostess or extra crew comes with the boat |
Fuel | Usually, for the planned route | Whether a longer route or extra hours change it |
Soft drinks, water, ice and fruit | Usually | Whether alcohol is included or you can bring your own |
Life jackets and passenger insurance | Usually | Children's sizes if you travel with kids |
Snorkeling gear and towels | Often | Enough sets for the whole group |
Water toys | On some boats | Paddle boards, a jet ski or a sea scooter, and whether they cost extra |
7% VAT | Stated on some boats | If the listing does not mention it, ask |
What is often not included?
The Not included list is where two similar prices start to differ. These are the items that appear there most often:
National park fees. Paid per guest when the route enters a national park, such as the Phi Phi Islands.
Island entry fees. Some islands charge their own landing fee on top of the park fee.
Transfer to the marina. Some boats include a minivan from your hotel, many do not.
Lunch. Snacks are common, a full meal is not. Some larger boats include meals as part of the day's program.
None of these is unusual, and none is hidden if you read the listing. They only become a surprise when the comparison stops at the headline price.
How do extra guests change the price?
A charter price covers the boat, not a fixed number of tickets, but many boats include only a set number of guests in it. Above that number, each extra guest adds a charge. The price breakdown on the boat page adds an Extra guests line as soon as your headcount passes that number, so enter the real number of people before you compare boats.
Check the maximum number of guests too. A boat whose limit is exactly your group size will feel full. A boat with room to spare is more comfortable, and the price difference is often smaller than it looks once extra guest charges are counted on the smaller boat.
Why do similar boats have different prices?
Length and type explain part of it, but the list of inclusions explains the rest. A boat that includes the hotel transfer, lunch, a hostess and water toys will cost more than a boat of the same size that includes only drinks and snorkeling gear. The second boat may still be the better deal, or it may end up more expensive once you add the transfer and a meal yourself.
The duration matters as well. Half day and full day are priced separately, and some boats let you add hours to a half day. A long route on a short booking can push you into a full day anyway, so match the duration to where you want to go first.
How do you compare the real cost?
Start from the route and the group, then work out the full cost for each boat you are considering: the boat price for your duration, extra guests above the included number, and every Not included item that applies to your plan. Park fees only matter if the route enters a park. A transfer only matters if you need one.
Add the boats you like to Compare to see price, guests, cabins, length and departure marina side by side, then open each listing for its included and not included lists. You can start with the boats available in Phuket.
FAQ
Is fuel included in a yacht charter in Thailand?
Usually yes, for the planned route of a day charter. Most Phuket listings on YachtDay show Fuel included in their What's included list. A much longer route or extra hours can change that, so if you plan a distant destination, check the listing or ask before booking whether the fuel is still covered.
Are national park fees included in the charter price?
Usually not. Many listings put national park fees under Not included, and they are paid per guest when the route enters a park, such as the Phi Phi Islands. Rates are set by Thailand's Department of National Parks and have changed over the years, so check the current fee close to your trip.
Is food included on a private yacht?
Snacks, fruit and soft drinks are common, but a full lunch often is not. Some larger boats include meals as part of the day's program, and others leave lunch to you. Read the listing, and if lunch is not included, ask whether you can bring food on board or stop at a beach restaurant.
Do I need to tip the crew?
Tips are not part of the charter price and no booking requires them. If the crew made the day, a tip at the end of the trip is a welcome thank you. It is your choice, not a fee, so decide on the day based on how the trip went rather than adding it to your budget as a fixed cost.
Is the hotel transfer included?
On some boats, yes. Several Phuket listings include a minivan transfer to the marina, while many others list the transfer under Not included. If you need a transfer, check this line before comparing prices, because it can make a cheaper boat cost about the same as a more expensive one.
