Services · Private boat charters
Private Boat Charters & Yacht Rentals in Koh Samui
Crewed, fully private charters from Koh Samui to Ang Thong Marine Park, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the quiet southern islands, planned around your group through our dedicated private boat charter partner, Samui Boat Rentals.
Koh Samui from the water
Koh Samui is an island, and much of what makes it special lies offshore: the limestone archipelago of Ang Thong to the west, Koh Phangan’s quiet bays to the north, the reefs of Koh Tao further out, and small islands such as Koh Tan and Koh Madsum just off the south coast. Ferries and shared tours reach some of them on a fixed timetable. A private charter reaches them on yours.
On a private charter the boat, captain and crew are reserved for your group alone. You decide when to leave, where to stop and how long to stay, within what the boat, the captain and the sea conditions allow. There are no other passengers and no set route, which is why a day on the water has become one of the defining Koh Samui experiences.
It suits residents celebrating a birthday or entertaining visiting family, holidaymakers and villa guests who want one exceptional day, and people looking for a home on the island. If you are considering beachfront or sea-view property, seeing the coastline from offshore gives you a different feel for the bays, headlands and neighbouring islands, and makes a good complement to viewings on land.
Choose the right boat
Samui Boat Rentals groups its fleet by boat type. These four cover most private charters from Koh Samui; fishing boats and traditional long-tail boats are also available for more specific days.
Celebrations · Couples · Comfort
Luxury Yachts
Motor yachts with air-conditioned interiors, shaded decks and en-suite cabins: the most comfortable way to spend a full day out or host a special occasion. The yachts currently listed range from a Princess V39 for eight guests to a Princess 64 for fifteen.
View luxury yachts →
Families · Larger groups
Catamarans
Two hulls give a steadier, more spacious deck, with room to spread out, swim from the stern and take lunch at anchor. Choose a sailing catamaran for a gentler pace, or a large power catamaran built for celebrations of up to 70 guests.
View catamarans →
Island hopping · Koh Tao
Speedboats
The quickest way to cover distance, so more of the day is spent at each stop rather than getting there. The natural choice for combining several islands, or for longer runs such as Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan.
View speedboats →
Sunsets · A slower pace
Sailboats
Time under sail, with only the wind and the water for company. Sailing yachts and sailing catamarans suit sunset cruises, quiet anchorages and smaller groups who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
View sailboats →Private charter destinations around Koh Samui
How far you can go depends on the boat, your departure point and the time you have. Charters leave from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, so you are not limited to starting on Samui.
Full day · West of Samui
Ang Thong National Marine Park
A protected archipelago of limestone islands with sheltered lagoons, viewpoints and quiet beaches, usually planned as a full-day charter. Access to individual islands and viewpoints follows park rules, and park fees are not always included, so check your quotation.
Ang Thong charters →Samui’s northern neighbour
Koh Phangan
Known for its nightlife, but from the water it shows a quieter side: secluded bays and beaches that can feel almost private during the day. If you are staying on Phangan, a charter can start there too.
Koh Phangan charters →Longer run · Clear water
Koh Tao
Further north, Koh Tao is known for clear water and reefs close to the surface, which makes it a favourite for snorkelling and diving. It is a longer crossing from Samui, best made in a fast boat with an early start.
Koh Tao charters →Off Koh Tao
Koh Nang Yuan
Three small islands joined by sandbars off Koh Tao’s north-west coast. Visitors pay a landing fee, keep to set visiting hours and follow local rules, including restrictions on single-use plastic bottles. It is quietest early in the day.
Koh Nang Yuan charters →Southern islands · Shorter trips
Koh Tan
A quiet island off Samui’s south coast, good for swimming and snorkelling, and an easy pairing with neighbouring Koh Madsum on a shorter charter.
Charters from Koh Samui →Southern islands · Shorter trips
Koh Madsum (Pig Island)
A small beach island just south of Samui, best known for the pigs that roam its sand. Combined with Koh Tan, it makes a relaxed few hours with plenty of time in the water.
Pig Island charters →Charter experiences
Most charters combine a format (how long you are out) with an experience (what you do with the time). Samui Boat Rentals publishes sample itineraries for each, so the outlines below are a starting point rather than a fixed programme.
Around 4 to 5 hours
Half-day charters
Enough for one or two nearby stops, such as the southern islands or Samui’s own coastline, while keeping the rest of the day free.
Half-day itineraries →Longer crossings
Full-day charters
Time for several stops and an unhurried lunch at anchor. The natural choice for Ang Thong or for combining islands; the exact length varies by operator.
Full-day itineraries →A few hours
Sunset cruises
A shorter charter timed so you are at anchor as the light goes, with a swim beforehand if you like. A favourite for couples and celebrations.
Sunset charters →Built into most days
Snorkelling
Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan are the best-known spots. Visibility changes with location, season and recent weather, so no route can promise it.
Snorkelling charters →Two or three stops
Island hopping
Combining two or three nearby islands is common on a full-day charter, and a speedboat lets you reach more of them.
Island hopping →For two
Romantic private charters
A sunset sail, a quiet anchorage or a proposal, with flowers, champagne or a photographer arranged in advance where the boat allows.
Romantic charters →One night on board
Overnight yacht charters
Stay on board after the day boats have gone and wake at anchor. Offered by a small number of boats with cabins and planned individually with the operator.
Overnight charters →Two days or more
Multi-day yacht charters
Several days across Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, planned day by day, for example Phangan’s bays, Koh Tao’s reefs and Koh Nang Yuan with nights on board.
Multi-day charters →How to choose a private boat charter
A few decisions shape every charter. Working through them before you enquire makes it much easier to get the right boat at the right price.
Boat type
Start with the kind of day you want rather than the boat. Speed and range point to a speedboat; space and stability to a catamaran; comfort and indoor space to a motor yacht; a slower, quieter day to a sailboat.
Group size
Every boat has a maximum guest capacity set by its certification. Treat it as a ceiling, not a comfortable number: for a full day, choose a boat with room to spare, particularly with children or older guests on board.
Destination
Distance shapes everything else. Samui’s coastline and the southern islands suit a half day, Ang Thong is typically a full day, and Koh Tao is a longer run that suits a fast boat. If you are staying on Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, your charter can start there.
Charter duration
Half day (around four to five hours on most boats), full day, sunset, overnight or multi-day. If you are unsure, choose more time: trying to fit too much into a short charter is the easiest way to spoil one.
Weather and sea conditions
In the Gulf of Thailand, January to April is often the calmest and driest period. May to August brings warm water with some showers and breezier days, September and October are a transition, and November and December are typically the wettest months. The captain always has the final say on safety: a route can be changed, or a charter postponed or cancelled, and what happens next (another date, a credit or a refund) depends on your booking terms.
Departure arrangements
Each boat operates from its own pier or marina on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, so where you board depends on the boat you choose. The departure point and time are confirmed in advance, and private transfers from your villa or hotel can be arranged.
What is typically included
Every charter includes the boat and its crew for the agreed time. Fuel, food and drinks, snorkelling equipment, towels, national park fees and transfers vary from boat to boat, and your quotation sets out exactly what is covered. Where food is not included, catering can usually be arranged, from snacks to a private chef on suitable boats.
Before you enquire, have ready
- Your preferred dates, and how flexible they are
- The number of guests, and the ages of any children
- Where you are staying, or the island you would like to leave from
- The destinations or experiences you are interested in
- Any occasion to celebrate, and food or dietary requirements
About Samui Boat Rentals
Samui Boat Rentals is our dedicated private boat charter partner for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. It does not own or operate the boats. Instead it works with independent owners and operators chosen for presentation, professional operation and guest experience, helps you find the right boat and route, and coordinates the details around your day.
On the charter website you can browse boats by type, each with its capacity, layout and photographs, explore destinations and sample itineraries, and add concierge services such as catering, transfers, photography and celebrations. When you are ready, tell the team your plans and they will come back with suitable boats and a personalised quotation.
- Tell them about your day. Dates, group size, where you are staying and the kind of charter you have in mind.
- Receive options and a quotation. Suitable boats, a suggested route and a clear list of what is included.
- Confirm and enjoy the day. Once you accept the quotation and terms, the details are arranged before you step aboard.
Frequently asked questions
There is no single price: it depends on the boat, the length of the charter, the route and the season. Some boats on Samui Boat Rentals show a guide “from” price and others are priced on enquiry. Your quotation confirms the price for your date and plans, normally in Thai baht.
As a rough guide, speedboats cover distance quickly, catamarans offer space and stability for families and larger groups, motor yachts add comfort and indoor space, and sailboats suit a slower day or a sunset. Share your group size and plans and Samui Boat Rentals will suggest boats that fit.
Yes. The charters offered through Samui Boat Rentals are professionally crewed: each boat’s operator provides the captain and crew, who run the boat and look after your group on the day.
A half day, around four to five hours on most boats, suits one or two nearby stops such as the southern islands. Choose a full day for Ang Thong Marine Park or to combine several islands. Koh Tao is a longer run and works best with a fast boat and an early start.
Yes. Koh Phangan is close to Samui’s north coast, while Koh Tao is further and usually paired with Koh Nang Yuan on a full day. Charters can also depart from Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, and private boat transfers between the three islands can be arranged.
Yes. Give the children’s ages when you enquire so that a suitable boat and calmer, shorter routes can be suggested; catamarans are a popular choice for their stable deck. Safety equipment varies by boat and is confirmed before you book.
A shorter charter of a few hours, timed around sunset: some cruising along the coast, perhaps a swim, then sunset at anchor. Sailboats and yachts suit it well, and drinks or food can be arranged in advance.
Send your dates, group size and ideas through the Plan Your Charter form on Samui Boat Rentals or by WhatsApp. An enquiry does not commit you to anything. The booking is confirmed once availability is checked, you have accepted the quotation and booking terms, and any deposit has been paid. Deposit and cancellation terms vary by boat and are set out in the quotation, so book early for peak periods and celebrations.
Plan your day on the water
Browse the boats, destinations and sample itineraries on Samui Boat Rentals, then share your dates and group size for a personalised quotation.
Fleet details, departure points and inclusions are set by each boat operator and confirmed in your quotation. Last reviewed November 2026. For life on the island beyond the water, see our guide to living in Koh Samui.