New Power catamaran for Phang Nga and Phi Phi island excursions

The best thing about this Phuket charter is the boat itself. Hot Chili is a new power catamaran with a 15-knot cruising speed, a wide 5.5-meter beam, and room to spread out between the front sun deck and the shaded cockpit. You can reach several island areas in one day without spending the whole trip bouncing between crowded transfer boats.

I like the practical comfort here: a full galley for a fresh Thai lunch, a drinks fridge, snorkeling gear, WiFi, and seating that works for both sun seekers and shade lovers. I also like the private format, with your own group and crew rather than a packed public excursion. The main catch is that the advertised price covers up to eight people, while the boat is described as carrying up to 14, so larger groups should confirm the final rate before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• A fast, stable catamaran: The 15-knot speed and broad 5.5-meter beam make island hopping more practical and the ride more comfortable.
• Several route choices: You can choose a Phi Phi day, a Phang Nga and James Bond Island route, or Racha Yai and Racha Noi.
• Private space for your group: The boat is listed for up to 14 people with three crew, while the quoted price is for a group of up to eight.
• Fresh food is part of the day: A Thai-style buffet lunch, soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee are included.
• Snorkeling is included, alcohol is not: Bring your own expectations, and budget separately for alcoholic drinks, park fees, and the optional SUP.
• Crew service is a strong point: Faraway Yachting crew members named in the supplied feedback include Flo, Steve, Glenn, Sunee, Milk, Em, and chef Nui.

Why Hot Chili works well for Phuket island hopping

Many Phuket boat days are really transport days with a few quick stops added on. This one is designed around the boat as a comfortable base. The wide hull gives you more room to sit, stretch out, eat, or move between the front balcony-style sunbathing area and the shaded cockpit and saloon.

That matters in Phuket. You may want full sun for part of the morning, then a cool seat and a drink after snorkeling. On Hot Chili, you do not have to choose one setting for the entire day. The covered rear area also gives you a place to retreat when the heat becomes too much.

The 15-knot cruising speed is another useful detail. It does not turn the boat into a speedboat, but it gives the captain more flexibility to reach Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, or the Racha islands in a single charter. Your exact route still depends on weather and the chosen itinerary, but the boat is suited to a full island day rather than a short harbor outing.

The private format is especially appealing for families, couples traveling with friends, and small work groups. You control the company on board, and the crew can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and time to relax. The supplied feedback also points to careful route planning and a strong focus on safety, both useful qualities on a private charter.

The Phi Phi route starts early and packs in the scenery

The Phi Phi schedule begins with hotel pickup at 8:00 a.m., boarding at Chalong Marina at 9:00, and a return around 5:30 p.m. That gives you a full day on the water, not a rushed half-day visit.

The first listed stop is Monkey Beach on Ko Phi Phi Don, also called Monkey Bay in the itinerary. The plan is to swim, snorkel, and relax. This is a good opening stop because you can settle into the boat, get used to the water, and start with a classic Phi Phi setting before the day moves on.

The exact timing at each stop is not stated, so you should not expect a fixed minute-by-minute program. The captain may adjust the order or length of visits according to sea conditions and the day’s route. That flexibility is one of the benefits of booking privately, though it also means the final schedule may not match every advertised stop in equal detail.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing a full set of gear. The activity information does not promise specific reef conditions, so visibility and marine life will depend on weather and water conditions. Still, the charter is clearly built around time in the water, and snorkeling receives especially strong praise in the supplied feedback.

Phi Phi is the right choice if you want the famous limestone island scenery paired with swimming and snorkeling. It is less suited to anyone who wants a quiet, empty-island experience at every stop. Phi Phi is one of Phuket’s best-known excursions, so the private boat improves your comfort and control, but it cannot make the destination itself unknown or secluded.

Phang Nga Bay adds caves, kayaking, and James Bond Island

The Phang Nga route follows a different rhythm. After boarding, you receive a welcome drink and safety briefing before heading toward Ko Panak. The itinerary includes a kayak and cave excursion there, followed by a Thai buffet lunch on board and time to relax.

That combination gives the day more variety than a simple swim-and-snorkel charter. You get a boat ride, a cave visit, paddling, lunch, and sightseeing. The cave section is also a useful reason to choose this route if your group wants an active outing but does not want every stop to involve snorkeling.

The itinerary then lists Ko Hong and James Bond Island. These are sightseeing stops rather than interchangeable beach visits. Ko Hong is associated with its enclosed island scenery, while James Bond Island is the recognizable landmark that draws many visitors to Phang Nga Bay. The available information does not give exact stop durations, so allow the crew to set the pace according to tides, weather, and conditions.

One point needs clarification before you pay: kayaking is listed, but the included equipment specifically mentions snorkeling gear, not kayaks. The itinerary says Ko Panak kayak and cave excursion, so ask Faraway Yachting what equipment and transfer arrangements are included for that part of the day. The optional SUP is clearly not included, so do not assume paddleboards will be available without an extra charge.

I would choose Phang Nga if your group wants more than beach time. It offers a better mix of scenery and activity, while the Phi Phi route is the stronger pick for classic island views, swimming, and snorkeling.

Racha Yai and Racha Noi are the snorkeling-focused choice

The Racha itinerary begins at Chalong Bay Marina, where you meet the captain and crew. The first stop is Ko Racha Yai, with the crew selecting a snorkeling location based on the weather.

That weather-based approach is sensible. A good snorkeling site depends on sea conditions, wind, and visibility, so a fixed location is not always the best location. The supplied feedback gives snorkeling a particularly strong mention, including praise for the crew’s route planning and for the quality of the food on board.

The itinerary then continues toward Racha Noi, although the supplied details do not spell out every stop or activity there. You should ask for the intended timing and exact plan if the two Racha islands are your main reason for booking. The route is a natural fit for people who want to spend more of the day in the water rather than concentrating on famous viewpoints.

Racha Yai and Racha Noi may be the most practical choice for a group that values snorkeling above sightseeing. The tradeoff is that you get less detail about the day in advance than with the Phi Phi schedule, and the best swimming areas can change with the weather.

The boat’s layout makes a long day easier

Hot Chili’s 5.5-meter beam is not just a specification for boat enthusiasts. A wider catamaran generally gives you more usable deck space and a steadier feel than a narrow monohull. The boat is described as having a front sunbathing area, a shaded cockpit and saloon, comfortable seating, and a full galley.

I like that the space serves different moods. You can sit forward for the view and sun, move aft for shade, or settle inside when you want a break from the heat. That matters on an eight-hour Phi Phi day, especially when your group includes people with different ideas about how much time to spend in the sun.

The drinks fridge is designated for refreshments, and the galley allows the crew to prepare a proper lunch rather than hand out only packaged snacks. Food quality receives repeated praise in the supplied feedback, with particular mention of chef Nui. The included meal is a fresh Thai-style buffet, with soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. You should also remember that the national park fee is extra, and the SUP is not included. Those costs may be small compared with the charter itself, but they affect the final price and should be part of your planning.

WiFi is included on board. That can be useful if you need to check messages or do a little work during the day. One supplied account specifically describes being able to work because the crew planned the route well, but you should still treat WiFi as a useful extra rather than the main purpose of an island charter.

What the $1,629.44 price means for your group

The listed price is $1,629.44 per group of up to eight people. At a full group of eight, that works out to about $204 per person before national park fees, alcohol, and any SUP charge. For a private catamaran with crew, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a full day on the water, that can be reasonable if your group fills most of the available places.

For two or four people, the cost per person rises quickly. In that case, you are paying for privacy, space, route control, and crew attention, not simply for transport to an island. I would compare it with the total cost of separate public boat tickets, meals, transfers, and add-on activities, but I would not expect a private charter to win on price alone.

There is an important capacity detail. The boat description says Hot Chili is suitable for up to 14 people and three crew, while the quoted price is for up to eight. That may mean a different price applies to nine through 14 people. Ask the operator to confirm the permitted number for your booking and the price for your exact party size.

The booking is popular enough that it is often reserved about 168 days ahead. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it is a good reason to plan early if you need a particular day, especially during a busy Phuket season.

The crew and food add real value

The experience depends heavily on the crew. The supplied feedback names Flo, Steve, Glenn, Sunee, Milk, and Em, with chef Nui mentioned for the food. You may not have every named crew member on your departure, so treat those names as an indication of the team rather than a promise of a particular lineup.

The consistent strengths are clear: professional service, good English, attention to safety, chilled drinks, helpful planning, and fresh food. Those details matter more than decorative extras on a boat day. A calm crew that explains the safety rules and manages the route well can make the difference between a pleasant day and a tiring one.

The experience is private, so only your group participates. The boat is described for up to 14 people, but the price information is based on up to eight. That makes this a good choice for a family gathering or friend group that wants a shared day without strangers on board.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The available details do not describe specific accessibility arrangements, so contact the operator if someone in your party needs help boarding or moving around the boat.

Timing, pickup, and weather need a little checking

The Phi Phi schedule is the clearest: hotel pickup at 8:00 a.m., Chalong Marina boarding at 9:00 a.m., and return around 5:30 p.m. The meeting-point information also lists Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao as the start and end point, which does not perfectly match the hotel pickup description.

Because of that mismatch, confirm the exact pickup point when you book. Do not assume airport pickup is included simply because the airport appears in the meeting-point details. The operator confirms bookings within 48 hours, subject to availability, so use that exchange to check the pickup, route, party size, and extra fees.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Plan for a long day outdoors. Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and any personal items you need between stops. The boat includes drinks and lunch, but alcoholic beverages are extra, and the national park fee is not part of the quoted price.

Who should book Hot Chili

I would recommend this charter most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can fill much of the eight-person rate. It also suits anyone who prefers a private, comfortable boat over a lower-cost shared excursion.

Choose Phi Phi for famous island scenery, Monkey Beach, swimming, and snorkeling. Choose Phang Nga for kayaking, caves, Ko Hong, and James Bond Island. Choose Racha Yai and Racha Noi if snorkeling is the central goal and you want the crew to select a suitable location based on conditions.

This is not the best fit if you want a fixed schedule with every stop and duration guaranteed in advance. It is also less attractive for a small party that will struggle with the private charter price. The extra cost makes sense when you value space, privacy, a fresh lunch, and control over the day.

Should you book this Phuket catamaran?

Book it if you want a private island day with a fast, stable boat, strong crew service, fresh Thai food, and several route options. The best value comes when eight people share the $1,629.44 group price, bringing the base cost to about $204 each before extras.

Before confirming, get the exact route, pickup point, capacity price, national park fee, and kayak arrangements in writing. If those details suit your group, Hot Chili offers a comfortable way to see Phuket’s best-known island areas without giving up room to relax.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The listed price is $1,629.44 per group of up to eight people. National park fees, alcoholic drinks, and the optional SUP are not included.

How many people can join the boat?

Hot Chili is described as suitable for up to 14 people with three crew. The quoted price, however, covers a group of up to eight, so confirm the price and permitted number for larger parties.

Which island routes are available?

The listed options include the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay with Ko Panak, Ko Hong, and James Bond Island, and Racha Yai and Racha Noi.

What is included in the charter?

The charter includes a fresh Thai-style buffet lunch, soft drinks, iced water, tea, coffee, snorkeling equipment, and WiFi on board.

Is the SUP included?

No. The stand-up paddleboard is listed as not included.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the quoted price.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered, and the Phi Phi schedule states pickup from the hotel at 8:00 a.m. The meeting-point information also lists Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, so confirm your exact pickup location with the operator.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation for a full refund is available up to 24 hours before the start time.