Updated: May 24, 2024
I tell you all the details to rent a boat in Thailand, the best places, prices and what to keep in mind to avoid problems.
The Thai islands are one of the favorite destinations of travelers and it is no wonder, they are dreamlike, with its turquoise waters and white sand beaches.
To visit the islands you will need to do so by boat, which in many cases is the only way to get there and visit each other.
Because of that there are many boat options in Thailand, such as ferries, speed boats and traditional Thai long-tail boats (long tail boat).
However, there is one more option, renting a boat that It will give you all the flexibility to visit the islands on your own.
The best of all is that if you travel as a family or group the price of the boat per person can be very economical.
When I have gone out on a boat on my own, we have paid less than 50 euros (55 USD) per person per day.
That is, less than what many excursions cost and this is one unforgetable experience.
If you don't have time to read the entire article, I recommend this link search engine to find boats for rent in Thailand at a good price, from serious people and in good condition.
Where to rent a boat in Thailand? 3 best places
Thailand has more than 3,200 km of coastline washed, on one side, by the Andaman Sea and on the other by the Gulf of Thailand, with more than 1,400 islands.
Therefore, you will have no problems finding where to rent a boat in the Land of Smiles.
In this article I will tell you about the 3 best places where you can rent sailboats or catamarans, with serious companies and at a good price.
In addition, on most boats you can additionally rent fishing equipment or kayaks.
You will only need your swimsuit and sunglasses for this exclusive experience.
⭐ You may also be interested in this article about 9 Best Beaches in Thailand.
1. Phuket
Phuket is the destination par excellence for all nautical sports and especially if you want to go sailing on your own.
There you will find 4 large marinas along the east coast, each has between 100 and 300 moorings, plus many other smaller marinas.
For that reason, if you are going on a trip to Thailand with the idea of going sailing, I would tell you not to even think about it and go to Phuket, because there you will have the largest offer of rental boats.
In addition, the Andaman area is very beautiful where you can visit the small islands next to Phuket, the paradisiacal islands of the province of Krabi or Phang Nga Bay.
– Where to rent a boat in Phuket?
To rent a boat in Thailand I recommend this search engine that only works with Serious companies, prices are reasonable and the boats are in perfect condition.
Another advantage of Phuket is that it also you can rent the boats with skipper, something that will come in handy if you don't have the license or prefer someone else to do it, so you can just enjoy yourself.
These are some of the best boats you can rent in Phuket:
- Catamaran Lagoon 380 12 m long for 8 people, with 4 cabins and 2 toilets, its price depending on the season starts at less than 400 euros (438 USD) per day.
- Sailboat Sun Odyssey 479 14 m in length for 10 people, with 4 cabins and 4 toilets with shower, the price is also less than 400 euros (438 USD) per day.
⭐ Here you can read about What to do in Phuket: 22 best plans
2. Ko Samui
Ko Samui is the most important island in the Gulf of Thailand and one of the main tourist destinations in the country.
It is a large island with a great diversity of landscapes, with beautiful beaches, hills, jungles and waterfalls.
This is a popular destination among the wealthiest tourists, where they will find luxurious resorts right on the beach, which depending on the season can have very competitive prices if you compare them with European hotels.
On the other hand, one of the great advantages of Thailand having coasts in two very different areas (Andaman and Gulf of Thailand) is that the rainy season does not coincide exactly.
So, if you are a sea lover and are traveling just when it is the monsoon season in the Andaman, you can choose to go to the Gulf and have some fantastic days of sailing.
In Koh Samui I recommend renting the following boats:
- Catamaran Island Spirit IS 380 12 m long for 8 people, with 4 cabins, with prices starting below 500 euros (548 USD) per day.
- Sailboat Sun Odyssey 409 12 m long for 6 people, with 3 cabins and 2 toilets with shower, its price per day starts at 300 euros (329 USD).
⭐ In this article you can read about What to see in Koh Samui: 11 best plans
3. Ko Chang
Ko Chang is the second largest island in Thailand and one of the cheapest islands in the country.
This island receives little tourism compared to some areas of the Andaman that can become overcrowded depending on the season, such as Phuket or the coasts and islands of Krabi.
Therefore, Koh Chang is the perfect destination if you want to escape mass tourism.
The island is known for its beautiful beaches with abundant marine life, natural parks with tropical jungles and waterfalls.
Another advantage is its location, near Bangkok, which can be reached by bus and ferry or by plane to Trat airport.
In addition, it is a short distance from Cambodia, so you can take advantage of visiting the neighboring country.
There you can rent catamarans, like this one Island Spirit IS 380 12 m in length with 4 cabins and capacity for 8 people, with daily prices of less than 500 euros (548 USD) per day.
It's also one of the cheapest places to rent a sailboat in Thailand, like this one Catalina Yachts catalina 375 Its price starts at 164 euros (180 USD) per day.
Recommendations on boat rental
- Find out who you rent to, to make sure it is a trustworthy company and avoid scams.
- Before making the reservation, ask about the requirements.
- Prepare your navigation route in advance.
- Check weather conditions, one of the most reliable websites and applications in Southeast Asia is AccuWeather. You can also consult the official Thai website of the Meteorological Department, which has its own app.
Frequently asked questions for renting a boat in Thailand
No, In Thailand to rent a boat you will need a license.
But if you don't have a license, you can always rent the boat with skipper who will be in charge of steering the ship.
If you rent a boat with a skipper you won't need to worry about anything, just to enjoy.
At the same time, you will be assured that you comply with all local boating and safety regulations.
Yes, much of the year the weather in Thailand has gentle breezes and calm seas to enjoy beautiful sunny days, sailing through its crystalline waters.
For something, Thailand is one of the favorite destinations for regattas with competitions that attract sailors from all over the globe. Such as Phuket Raceweek and the Pattaya Bay Regatta.
The best time to sail in the sea Andaman are from November to March, which coincides with the dry months.
These months are perfect, even if you have little sailing experience.
On the other hand, during the monsoon months, the currents are strong and you can find waves in some areas of the Andaman, such as Phuket, Khao Lak or the Similan Islands.
In the case of the Similan Islands, they remain closed during the rainy season.
On the other coast, in the Gulf of Thailand area, the monsoon is mainly concentrated during the months of October and November.
That's why, The rest of the year usually has calm breezes and are the best months for sailing in the Gulf of Thailand.
The prices for Boat rentals start at 164 euros per day, for a 12 m long sailboat.
However, prices can vary greatly depending on where you rent it and the dates.
Therefore, I recommend that you look for a boat in this search engine which I recommended before to find offers.
🔝 If you want tour the most beautiful of the Andaman by boat without worrying about anything, book this all-inclusive sailing trip around the Thai islands, which depending on the season costs less than 180 euros per day. 😎🍹
Final Thoughts
Going sailing in Thailand will give you the opportunity to explore the paradisiacal Thai islands with crystal clear water and white sand, at your own pace.
Also, as you have seen, you can rent a boat in Thailand for more than reasonable prices for a unique experience to share with friends or family.
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I will help you in any way I can.
More about Thailand
- 6 Best Hotels in Koh Samui
- What to see in Bangkok: 21 must-sees
- 5 Hotels in Phuket: resorts with the best value for money
- 7 Best Tours from Phuket
- Bangkok Airport to the City: cheap, fast and convenient
Hello, my name is Andrea, I am the creator and writer of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I am a nomad, so I consider myself a full-time traveler, I am passionate about good food, and I am always looking for new adventures.