How to Choose a Boat Charter in Krabi: A Simple, Honest Guide

Six boats, four routes, prices from a few thousand baht to tens of thousands, and every one of them looks lovely in the photos. Anyone who has typed "how to choose boat charter Krabi" into a phone at a beach bar in Ao Nang knows the feeling. The right boat is less about the boat itself and more about asking the right questions in the right order.

This guide walks through those questions one by one: group size, how far you want to go, shade and comfort, kids and seasickness, budget and the occasion. At the end there is a short checklist, so your booking request gets a clear answer the first time.

How to choose a boat charter in Krabi: start with your group size

Start with the number of people, because it rules out most boats straight away. Every boat has a hard maximum, and the base price covers a set number of guests.

The two teak long-tails are for small groups: the Luxury Long-tail takes up to 6 and the Long-tail Boat up to 8. The Lavezzi 40 sailing catamaran takes 12, the Power Catamaran 40ft takes 25, Blue Atoll takes 30 and the Power Catamaran 72ft takes 70.

Look at how many guests the base price includes, not just the maximum. The Lavezzi 40 price starts from 2 guests and each extra guest adds ฿2,500. Blue Atoll and both power catamarans include 10 guests in the base price, with smaller per-person extras after that. For a couple, the Lavezzi 40 is a very different deal than for a group of ten.

Count children too. On the power catamarans, children aged 3-12 cost ฿300 each beyond the first ten guests, against ฿600 for an adult, so tell the manager the ages when you ask.

A quick rule from experience: do not squeeze a group onto a boat at its maximum. A boat at full capacity feels busy, and shade becomes the thing everyone fights over by midday.

How far do you want to go: 4 Islands, Hong Island or Phi Phi?

The route is the second filter. The 4 Islands are close to Ao Nang, Hong Island is a longer run to the north-west, and Phi Phi is the longest crossing over open sea.

Not every boat runs every route. The fixed routes on each boat page look like this:

Phi Phi is only on the two sailing catamarans, the Lavezzi 40 and Blue Atoll. If Maya Bay is the reason for your trip, that narrows the choice to two boats at once. For Hong Island you have the Lavezzi 40 and both power catamarans.

The 4 Islands (Poda, Chicken Island, the Talay Waek sandbar and Railay) is the easiest day and the best first trip. You can read how the stops work on the 4 Islands by private boat page. For first-timers with kids, I would start there rather than with Phi Phi.

The long-tails list half and full days by time rather than a fixed island loop. They are at their best close to the coast, around Railay and the nearby islands, so ask which islands fit the time you book.

My honest take on Phi Phi: it is the most famous route and also the most demanding. The crossing is over open sea, the day is long, and Maya Bay has a no-swimming rule and can close for restoration. It is worth it for confident sea-goers in calm weather. For a group with small children or anyone nervous on the water, Hong Island or the 4 Islands give more beach time for less time at sea.

How much shade and comfort do you need on board?

More than you think. The Andaman sun is strong, the water reflects it, and by early afternoon shade and a toilet matter more than speed or style.

The catamarans win on space. Two hulls give a wide, flat deck, shaded seating and a saloon inside. Blue Atoll is the owner's version of the Lagoon 400, and each of its cabins has its own bathroom with shower, toilet and sink, which makes a long day much easier for a group. The Lavezzi 40 has 4 double cabins, swim ladders on both sides and an outdoor shower after the swim.

Sailing or motor is a real choice here, not a detail. The two sailing catamarans give you a quieter, slower day, and on a breezy afternoon the sails go up and the engine goes quiet. The power catamarans are quicker between stops and simpler for big groups. The sailing catamaran page puts the Lavezzi 40 and Blue Atoll side by side if you want to compare the two.

The power catamarans have a mesh net at the bow for lying above the water, plenty of deck room, and a stand-up paddle board and kayak on board. The 72ft is big enough that a group of 40 still has space to spread out.

The long-tails are a different experience. They are narrow and closer to the water, which is part of the charm. The Long-tail Boat is fitted for comfort, with a sun deck, a JBL speaker, an outdoor shower and a toilet on board. The Luxury Long-tail is a hand-made teak boat built in the style of 19th century Thai recreational boats, a slow and elegant cruise rather than a party boat.

Honest downside: on a long-tail you feel the waves and the engine more, and there is less room to move. For a half day near the coast that is fine. For eight hours, most groups are happier on a catamaran.

Which boat is best with kids, older guests or seasickness?

A catamaran is the safest bet for children, older guests and anyone who gets seasick. Two hulls keep the boat stable at anchor and steadier on the move than a single-hull boat.

For families, the Power Catamaran 40ft is my usual suggestion. The 4 Islands half day, either 08:00-13:00 or 14:00-19:00, is short enough for small children, and the islands are close to the coast. Children aged 3-12 count as a reduced extra on the power catamarans, which helps larger family groups.

The Lavezzi 40 is lovely with kids too, with the trampoline nets at the bow and food included, but its Hong Island and Phi Phi days run 10-12 hours. That is long for a toddler. Choose the Railay and Poda trip if you want to sail with young children.

For seasickness, a few habits help more than any boat choice:

• Pick a shorter route close to the coast, like the 4 Islands, rather than the open crossing to Phi Phi.
• Go in the morning, when the sea is often calmer.
• Take seasickness tablets before boarding, not once you feel unwell.
• Sit in the middle of the boat, look at the horizon and avoid reading on your phone.

From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings swell to the Andaman Sea, and some routes may change or be cancelled. In those months a catamaran is the more comfortable choice, and it pays to keep a spare day.

What does each budget get you?

All prices are for the whole boat, so the right question is what the day costs for your group, not per person. A small budget points to the long-tails, a mid budget to the Lavezzi 40 or the 40ft power catamaran, a larger one to Blue Atoll or the 72ft.

At the lower end, the Luxury Long-tail costs ฿6,900 for 2 guests for a 4-hour half day, and a group of 6 pays ฿10,900. The Long-tail Boat costs ฿8,900 for a half day and ฿15,000 for a full day, for up to 8 guests. Both include soft drinks, towels and life jackets.

In the middle, the Lavezzi 40 starts at ฿20,000 and the Power Catamaran 40ft at ฿22,000. For a group of around ten, the 40ft power catamaran usually works out better value, because its base price already covers ten guests, while the Lavezzi 40 adds ฿2,500 for each guest after the second.

At the top, Blue Atoll runs from ฿34,500 to ฿70,000 and includes a butler, a beach picnic, fishing equipment and BBQ grills, with a massage therapist and a bartender available for an extra charge. The 72ft power catamaran runs from ฿35,000 to ฿75,000 and makes sense once your group passes 25 or 30.

The park fee for national park areas such as Hong Island and Phi Phi is not included in the boat price. Plan for it on the day, in cash.

One more budget tip: compare the half day and the full day honestly. On the 40ft power catamaran, the full 4 Islands day costs ฿29,000 against ฿22,000 for the half day, and the extra hours mostly buy slower swims and longer lunches. For families with young children, the half day is often the better buy. For a group that wants to switch off for the whole day, the full day is worth it.

Which boat suits a birthday, proposal or company trip?

For a proposal or a couple's day, the Luxury Long-tail is hard to beat. For a birthday with friends, Blue Atoll. For a company outing or a big family celebration, the 72ft power catamaran.

The Luxury Long-tail comes with a butler and is built for a slow, quiet cruise, like a private "gondola of the south". It is the most romantic boat in Krabi for two people, and the half day leaves the evening free for dinner.

Blue Atoll suits a group celebration of 10 to 30. The butler, the beach picnic and the BBQ grills give the day a sense of occasion, and the bartender can be added for an extra charge.

The Power Catamaran 72ft takes up to 70 guests and is the boat for company outings, weddings and big family groups. Its 2-hour Krabi River cruise at ฿35,000 is also a good short option for a group that does not want a full day at sea.

Here is the quick match by traveller type. Couples and small groups who want a classic Thai boat: the two long-tails. Families and friends of 6 to 20: the Lavezzi 40 or the Power Catamaran 40ft.

Long-tail Max 6 persons Luxury Long-tail Boat From฿6,900 Long-tail Max 8 persons Long-tail Boat From฿8,900 Sailing catamaran Max 12 persons Lavezzi 40 From฿20,000 Power catamaran Max 25 persons Power Catamaran 40ft From฿22,000

Celebrations of 10 to 30 who want the most polished day: Blue Atoll. Groups of 30 and more: the 72ft power catamaran.

Sailing catamaran Max 30 persons Blue Atoll From฿34,500 Power catamaran Max 70 persons Power Catamaran 72ft From฿35,000

To compare the bigger boats in one place, see the catamaran charter page, or the long-tail boat page for the two smaller ones.

Checklist before you send a booking request

A good request gets a quick, exact answer. Have these ready before you write:

1. Your date, and a backup date if you travel between May and October.
2. The number of guests, with the ages of any children.
3. The route you want: 4 Islands, Hong Island, Phi Phi or the Krabi River.
4. Half day or full day, and whether morning or afternoon suits you.
5. The boat you like, or the type: long-tail, sailing catamaran or power catamaran.
6. The occasion and any special wishes: a cake, decorations, vegetarian food, a guest who gets seasick.
7. Where you are staying, so the pickup point can be confirmed.

The request is free and non-binding, and a manager confirms that the boat is free on your date and gives the final price. Send it through the booking request form or on WhatsApp, and if you are still torn between two boats, just say so: that is the easiest question to answer.

Ready to choose your boat?

Every boat page shows the routes, prices and what is included. The booking request is free: a manager checks the boat is free on your date and confirms the price.

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Updated 30 October 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.