BLUE ANDAMAN
EXCLUSIVE
Krabi Province · Andaman Sea
Phi Phi Islands Yacht Charter
Two hours east of Phuket, where limestone towers erupt from impossibly clear water, the Phi Phi Islands remain the Andaman's most photographed escape. Chartering your own crewed motor yacht or catamaran turns them from a crowded day-trip checklist into something unhurried and yours: early swims in Pileh Lagoon, quiet reefs, and sundowners on deck long after the tour boats have gone.
Sailing time from Phuket
About 2 hours from Phuket's east-coast marinas by private motor yacht, covering roughly 40 to 45 km across the open Andaman Sea; a catamaran cruises a little slower.
Best time to visit
The Andaman high season runs November to April, when the sea is calm, skies are dry and underwater visibility is at its best, with December to February the peak. The May to October monsoon brings rain, greener islands and far fewer boats, though seas can turn rough and Maya Bay usually closes for reef recovery, often around August and September.
Recommended vessels
Motor Yacht, Catamaran
What makes the Phi Phi Islands special
The Phi Phi archipelago sits in Krabi Province, roughly midway between Phuket and the mainland, a cluster of six islands where jungle-clad limestone rises straight out of jade-green water. Phi Phi Don is the lively hub, its twin bays of Tonsai and Loh Dalum almost meeting across a slender isthmus. Uninhabited Phi Phi Leh, a protected corner of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, holds the scenery most people picture: Maya Bay, the hidden Pileh Lagoon and the swiftlet-nested Viking Cave. Reefs fringe nearly every shore, the water runs clear for much of the year, and from a yacht deck the islands reveal themselves slowly rather than in a rushed day-trip blur.
Best anchorages, bays and beaches
Pileh Lagoon is the showpiece, a narrow inlet on Phi Phi Leh enclosed by towering cliffs, its still water shifting from emerald to deep blue; you can swim and kayak here directly from the boat. Around the headland, Loh Samah Bay offers gentle snorkelling and the regulated pontoon that leads by boardwalk into Maya Bay. To the north, Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Phai) has the finest sand in the group and shallow coral for easy exploring, while tiny Mosquito Island (Koh Yung) rewards stronger swimmers with vivid reef. On Phi Phi Don, Monkey Beach draws macaques, and Long Beach (Hat Yao) is known for resident blacktip reef sharks cruising the shallows.
Snorkelling, diving and life on the water
The reefs here suit every level. Snorkellers drift over hard and soft coral at Bamboo Island, Loh Samah and Nui Bay, often sharing the water with parrotfish, angelfish and the occasional green turtle. Divers head for the Bida Nok and Bida Nai pinnacles just south of Phi Phi Leh, where leopard sharks rest on the sand and blacktip reef sharks patrol the walls, with whale sharks and manta rays passing through in season. Kayaks turn the sheer-sided lagoons into something explorable, and the flat afternoon water is made for paddleboarding. Back aboard, the sundeck is for long swims, cliff views and doing very little at all.
Local food and village life
Tonsai Village on Phi Phi Don is the beating heart of the islands, a car-free warren of lanes packed with seafood grills, curry houses, juice bars and low-key beach bars. A private charter lets you time a stop here for a lunch of fresh-grilled snapper, tom yum and mango sticky rice, or send the crew ashore for supplies while you stay anchored offshore. Many guests prefer to eat aboard, with the crew preparing Thai dishes and fresh seafood between swims, then heading ashore only for an evening wander. Either way you set the pace, rather than joining a tour operator's fixed lunch queue.
Why a private charter beats a group tour
The Phi Phi day-trip fleet arrives in force from mid-morning to early afternoon, and Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon feel very different at ten o'clock than they do at first light. On your own crewed yacht you set the clock: reach the headline spots early or linger into golden hour once the speedboats have gone. You choose which reefs to snorkel, how long to swim, when to eat and whether to add a quiet overnight anchorage off Phi Phi Don. There is space to spread out, shade when you want it, no shared toilets or fixed headcounts, and a crew who know where the water is clearest on the day.
Motor yacht or catamaran: choosing your vessel
For Phi Phi we recommend a motor yacht or a catamaran, and the right choice depends on your group. A motor yacht makes the crossing from Phuket in around two hours and offers pace and range, useful if you want to combine Phi Phi with Koh Bida or a longer voyage. A catamaran trades a little speed for stability and generous deck space, its shallow draft letting it tuck close to beaches and its wide trampolines and saloon suiting families and larger parties. Both come fully crewed, with a skipper who reads the season, wind and tide to keep you on the calm, clear side of each island.
Phi Phi Islands highlights
- Pileh Lagoon, an emerald pool ringed by sheer limestone cliffs, perfect for swimming and kayaking straight off the yacht
- Maya Bay, the film-famous cove now carefully managed by the national park and reached via the Loh Samah boardwalk
- Bamboo Island's powder-white sand and shallow coral gardens for relaxed snorkelling
- Diving the Bida Nok and Bida Nai pinnacles, home to leopard sharks and blacktip reef sharks
- Beating the day-tripper armada by arriving at first light or lingering into golden hour
- Fresh Thai seafood and cold drinks served on deck between swims
- Blacktip reef sharks patrolling the shallows at Long Beach on Phi Phi Don
A sample day on the water
Cast off from a Phuket east-coast marina around 7.30am and cruise the open Andaman for about two hours, dropping anchor at Phi Phi Leh before the day-trip fleet arrives. Start with a swim and kayak in Pileh Lagoon, snorkel Loh Samah, then step through the boardwalk into Maya Bay while it is still quiet. Reposition north to Bamboo Island for lunch aboard and easy reef snorkelling, with an afternoon detour to Monkey Beach or Long Beach for the reef sharks. As the speedboats thin out, enjoy sundowners on deck before the cruise back, or stay out for a peaceful overnight at anchor off Phi Phi Don.
Yachts for Phi Phi Islands
A selection from our fleet well suited to this route. See the full lineup on our charter fleet page.
CatamaranLobster
from THB 125,000/day
78ft · 120 Guests · 0 Cabins
Lobster Yacht Phuket is a 78 ft double-deck sailing catamaran that brings together space, comfort and atmosphere in a way few yachts in Phuket can. As one of the only vessels of its kind in Southeast Asia, it offers a refined yet lively setting for both daytime cruising and evening experiences on the water. Designed to host up to 120 guests, this luxury catamaran is perfectly suited for private charters, corporate events and boat parties in Phuket. The open layout across two decks creates a natural flow between relaxing, socialising and enjoying the surrounding views of the Andaman Sea. What sets Lobster Yacht apart is the overall experience. From the moment you step onboard, everything feels easy and well thought out. Whether you prefer a laid-back day at sea or a more vibrant sunset atmosphere with music and drinks, the yacht adapts effortlessly to your plans. For those looking for a spacious and well-designed yacht charter in Phuket, Lobster Yacht offers a balance of comfort, style and energy, making it a standout choice for groups who want more than just a standard boat trip.
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CatamaranCoco
from THB 29,899/day
40ft · 20 Guests · 2 Cabins
Coco is a beautiful 40ft Fountaine Pajot sailing catamaran operating from Chalong Pier, one of Phuket's most popular departure points. Accommodating up to 20 guests, Coco offers a perfect balance of comfort, stability and performance for day trips to the island paradise of the Andaman Sea. Whether you choose to visit the crystal-clear waters of Racha Yai Island, the vibrant marine life at Coral Island, or the dramatic scenery of Maiton and Khai Nok Islands, Coco delivers an unforgettable experience with a professional crew at your service throughout the day.
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CatamaranTahaa
from THB 29,900/day
42ft · 20 Guests · 3 Cabins
Tahaa is a graceful 42ft Fountaine Pajot sailing catamaran based at Chalong Pier, Phuket. Slightly larger than her sister vessel Coco, Tahaa offers generous deck space and comfortable accommodation for up to 20 guests on memorable full-day island adventures. Sail the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea to stunning destinations including Racha Yai Island, Coral Island, Maiton Island and Khai Nok Island with a professional English-speaking crew dedicated to making your day unforgettable.
View Details →Charter options for Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi Islands charter questions
How long does it take to reach the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket by yacht?
A private motor yacht typically covers the roughly 40 to 45 km from Phuket's east-coast marinas in about two hours, depending on sea state and your departure point. A catamaran cruises a little slower. Because you are not tied to a group schedule, most charters leave early to reach the main bays before the day-trip crowds build.
Can you still visit Maya Bay?
Yes. Maya Bay reopened under national park management with measures to protect its recovering reef. Boats no longer anchor inside the bay; instead they moor at a pontoon in Loh Samah Bay and guests walk in via a boardwalk. Visitor numbers are capped and the bay usually closes for part of the monsoon season, so timing and flexibility matter.
Is a private charter better than a group boat tour to Phi Phi?
For most guests, yes. A private charter lets you set your own timing, reach Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon early or late to avoid the crush, choose your snorkelling spots and eat when you like. You get a fully crewed boat, shade and space to yourself, and the option of a quiet overnight anchorage rather than a fixed day-trip route.
What is there to do at the Phi Phi Islands?
Snorkelling over the coral at Bamboo Island, Loh Samah and Nui Bay, diving the Bida pinnacles for leopard and reef sharks, kayaking the enclosed lagoons, and beach time on white sand. You can watch macaques at Monkey Beach, look for blacktip reef sharks at Long Beach, and eat fresh seafood in Tonsai Village or aboard the yacht.
When is the best time to charter to Phi Phi?
The November to April dry season offers the calmest seas and clearest water, ideal for snorkelling and diving, with December to February the busiest months. The May to October monsoon means fewer boats and lush scenery but rougher crossings and rain, and Maya Bay typically closes for reef recovery around August and September. Your crew will pick the most sheltered anchorages whatever the month.
Ready to charter to Phi Phi Islands?
Tell us your dates and group size and we will craft the perfect private itinerary.