New Power catamaran for Phang Nga and Phi Phi island excursions

Phuket’s Hot Chili catamaran is built for private island hopping, not for squeezing into a crowded speedboat. Its 5.5-meter beam gives you a broad, steady platform, while a cruising speed of 15 knots makes the distant Phi Phi Islands or Racha islands practical in a single day. You can stretch out on the front sun deck, sit in the shaded cockpit, or retreat into the saloon.

I like two things right away: the space and the food setup. The boat has a full galley, a drinks fridge, comfortable seating, snorkeling gear, and a freshly prepared Thai buffet. The crew also takes safety seriously, and past service has included people such as Flo, Steve, Glenn, Sunee, Milk, Em, and chef Nui, though the exact team can change.

The main catch is price. At $1,629.44 for up to eight people, this is a private charter rather than a cheap island tour. It can be good value for a family or friend group, but much less so if only two or three people share the bill. Also, the advertised yacht capacity is up to 14 guests, while this price is for a group of eight, so confirm the exact passenger limit and boat assignment before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• A true private charter: Your group has the boat to itself, with up to three crew members helping with the day.
• Three useful route choices: Choose Phi Phi, Phang Nga with James Bond Island, or Racha Yai and Racha Noi, subject to weather and planning.
• Fast enough for a full island day: Hot Chili cruises at about 15 knots, helping you reach farther islands without spending the whole day underway.
• Plenty of room to spread out: The front sunbathing area, shaded rear cockpit, saloon, and wide beam suit mixed groups.
• Food and basic drinks are included: You get a Thai buffet, soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee, but alcohol and national park fees cost extra.
• Strong service record: The most praised details are the professional crew, careful safety routine, generous food, chilled drinks, and well-run snorkeling stops.

Why Hot Chili feels different from a standard Phuket boat trip

Many Phuket island outings are built around moving a large number of people quickly. Hot Chili takes a different approach. You book the boat for your own party, then use the crew to shape a day around swimming, snorkeling, meals, and scenery.

The catamaran’s width matters more than it sounds. A 5.5-meter beam gives the boat a stable feel and creates usable space rather than just extra numbers on a brochure. You can sit in the shade when the sun gets strong, then move forward for a clearer view of the sea and cliffs.

The front balcony is the best place for sunbathing and open-water views. The rear cockpit and saloon are more practical at lunchtime or during the hottest part of the afternoon. A designated fridge keeps drinks cold, and the galley means lunch is prepared on board rather than handed to you in a plastic box.

The boat can carry up to 14 guests with three crew, but the listed rate covers up to eight people. That distinction is important. If you have a larger party, ask how the price changes and whether the same catamaran is assigned. For eight people, the per-person cost is roughly $204 before any extra fees, which is easier to justify than the full charter price for a small party.

The Phi Phi route, from Monkey Beach to a full day on the water

The Phi Phi option begins with hotel pickup at 8:00 a.m., boarding at Chalong Marina, and departure at 9:00 a.m. The planned return is around 5:30 p.m. That makes this a full day, not a short morning cruise.

Your first stop is Monkey Beach on Ko Phi Phi Don. The plan calls for swimming, snorkeling, and time to relax. It is a good opening stop because you can settle into the water before lunch and get your first close view of the limestone coast.

You should expect the exact stop order to respond to sea conditions and local traffic. Phi Phi is one of Phuket’s best-known island areas, so a private boat does not mean every beach will feel private. The value here is having your own base between stops, with room to sit, eat, and store your gear.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and this is one of the strongest parts of the package. You do not need to arrange a separate rental for a basic mask and snorkel. The crew can help with the practical side of getting into the water, while you decide how long to swim.

The Phi Phi day suits people who want a famous island setting but dislike the idea of being packed into a group boat. It is also useful for families and mixed-age groups because not everyone has to swim at every stop. One person can relax in the shade while another uses the snorkeling gear.

The tradeoff is the early start and long day. Pickup, marina boarding, and the return journey take up much of your schedule. If you are staying in Phuket for only a night or two, consider the time commitment carefully.

Phang Nga, Ko Panak, Ko Hong, and James Bond Island

The Phang Nga route opens with a welcome drink and safety briefing before the boat heads to Ko Panak. The first activity is a kayak and cave excursion, giving the day a more active start than a simple beach stop.

Ko Panak is especially appealing if you like seeing the islands from water level. Kayaking lets you approach cave areas and rock formations at a slower pace. The supplied details do not specify how long the kayak section lasts, so ask the operator if you need a firm activity schedule.

After Ko Panak, a Thai-style buffet lunch is served on board. I like this arrangement because you do not have to waste time looking for a restaurant between islands. You can eat in the cockpit or saloon, then rest while the crew handles the boat.

The route continues to Ko Hong, followed by James Bond Island. James Bond Island is the famous photo stop, known for its distinctive limestone formation and appearance in The Man with the Golden Gun. It is the most recognizable stop on this route, but also the one most likely to feel busy.

That is where the private boat helps, though it cannot control the number of other boats in the area. You get a comfortable place to return to after seeing the island, along with a crew that can help keep the day moving.

The Phang Nga option is the best fit if you want scenery, kayaking, caves, and a landmark stop rather than a day focused mainly on beaches. It also has a good rhythm: active water time, lunch, island scenery, then the major photo stop.

Racha Yai and Racha Noi for snorkeling

The Racha route starts at Chalong Bay Marina, where you meet the captain and crew. The first stop is Ko Racha Yai, with the crew choosing a snorkeling location according to weather conditions.

That flexibility is useful. A fixed promise of one exact reef matters less than finding a safe and worthwhile place to enter the water on the day. Past service feedback has placed strong emphasis on snorkeling, and this route is the clearest choice if underwater time is your top priority.

The itinerary then continues toward Racha Noi. The supplied details do not give a full stop-by-stop schedule for this route, so you should ask how much time is planned at each island and whether swimming conditions may change the order.

Racha Yai and Racha Noi are a better match for you if you want fewer headline attractions and more time around the water. The route is also a sensible alternative when you have already seen Phi Phi or want to avoid building the day around James Bond Island.

As with every sea trip from Phuket, the captain can adjust the plan for weather. That is not a flaw. A good private charter should favor safe water and a pleasant snorkeling stop over sticking rigidly to a printed route.

Lunch, drinks, WiFi, and the small comforts that matter

Lunch is a fresh Thai-style buffet prepared aboard. The meal is part of the experience, not just a practical refill. A proper spread means you can take your time and eat when the schedule allows instead of rushing to a restaurant during the island visits.

Included drinks are soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee. Alcohol is not included, so you will need to arrange that separately if it is permitted and appropriate for your group. The national park fee is also extra, and that can apply to some island routes.

The drinks fridge is a useful detail on a hot Phuket day. Cold water and soft drinks close at hand make the long hours outside easier, especially after snorkeling or kayaking.

WiFi is included on board. I would treat it as a useful extra rather than the reason to book. One service account describes being able to handle some work during a multiday trip because the crew planned the route well, but connection quality can vary at sea. It is a bonus, not a guarantee of office-level service.

Stand-up paddleboards are not included. That matters if you expected a full set of water toys. Snorkeling equipment is provided, but SUP use costs extra or may need to be arranged separately.

The crew and the feel of the day

The strongest pattern in the service feedback is professional, attentive crew work. Safety is treated as a priority, drinks are kept cold, and the crew helps with route planning and water activities.

You may meet different crew members depending on the boat and date. Names associated with Faraway Yachting service include Flo, Steve, Glenn, Sunee, Milk, Em, and chef Nui. Do not assume all of them will be aboard your charter, but the company’s service style appears to rely on a small, hands-on team rather than a distant guide directing the day from shore.

That matters on a private boat. You are not simply buying transport. You are paying for help with boarding, safety, food, snorkeling equipment, and the timing of island stops.

English is used by the crew. The feedback also points to clear communication from booking through the trip, which is useful when you are arranging a private charter with several moving parts.

The private format gives your group more control, but it does not mean unlimited flexibility. The captain still has to work around weather, sea conditions, marina timing, and national park rules. You should see the crew as partners in making the best safe day, not as staff required to follow every request.

Is $1,629.44 good value for your group?

The listed price is $1,629.44 per group of up to eight. That works out to about $204 per person if you fill the eight-person booking. For a group of four, it is about $407 per person, and for two people, about $815 each.

At eight people, the price includes the catamaran, crew, lunch, soft drinks, iced water, tea, coffee, snorkeling equipment, and WiFi. You also get privacy and a much roomier boat than a standard shared excursion.

I would call it reasonable for a full private day with a well-equipped catamaran, especially if your group values comfort and time together. I would not call it a bargain for a couple. If your main goal is simply reaching one beach and swimming for an hour, a shared excursion will cost less.

The value improves for families and friend groups with different interests. One person can kayak, another can snorkel, another can sit in the shade, and everyone can regroup for lunch without splitting up.

Remember to budget for national park charges, alcohol, and any SUP use. Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting information also refers to Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, while the Phi Phi plan specifies hotel pickup and Chalong Marina boarding. Confirm your exact pickup point, transfer arrangement, and marina before the day.

Timing, weather, and who should book

The excursion can last about four to 10 hours, depending on the route and plan. The Phi Phi schedule is especially clear: 8:00 a.m. pickup, 9:00 a.m. departure, and about 5:30 p.m. return.

You need good weather for this activity. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The supplied information does not give detailed mobility access for the catamaran, marina, or water activities, so ask Faraway directly if anyone in your group has specific access needs.

I think this suits:

• Families wanting a private base and flexible rest time
• Friend groups splitting the cost of a full charter
• Snorkelers who want equipment and crew support
• Couples celebrating something special, if the higher per-person cost is acceptable
• People who prefer a steady catamaran to a crowded speedboat

It is less suitable if you want a low-cost outing, dislike an early start, or need a fixed schedule with no weather-related changes.

Should you book the Hot Chili catamaran?

Book it if you have enough people to share the charter and want the day to feel spacious, private, and well fed. The strongest reasons are the wide, stable catamaran, attentive crew, included Thai lunch, and choice of three very different island routes.

For a group of eight, the price makes much more sense. Choose Phi Phi for famous island scenery and swimming, Phang Nga for kayaking, caves, and James Bond Island, or Racha for a snorkeling-first day.

Before booking, confirm four details: the exact boat, the final passenger capacity, your pickup point, and which extras or park fees apply to your route. If you do that and accept the weather limits, Hot Chili offers a polished private day on the water rather than a basic transfer between islands.

FAQ

How many people can join the catamaran?

The yacht can accommodate up to 14 guests with three crew members. The listed price of $1,629.44 applies to a group of up to eight, so confirm the price and boat arrangement for larger parties.

What routes are available?

The available plans include the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga with Ko Panak, Ko Hong, and James Bond Island, or Racha Yai and Racha Noi.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The Phi Phi schedule lists hotel pickup at 8:00 a.m., followed by boarding at Chalong Marina. The meeting information also refers to Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, so confirm the exact pickup location when booking.

What food and drinks are included?

The charter includes a freshly prepared Thai-style buffet lunch, soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Stand-up paddleboards are not included.

Are national park fees included?

No. National park fees are not included in the listed price.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.