New Power catamaran for Phang Nga and Phi Phi island excursions

Island days are better with room to breathe. The brand-new Hot Chili catamaran gives you a fast, stable base for Phuket island hopping, with a wide 5.5-meter beam, a front sun deck, and a shaded rear cockpit. I like the freshly prepared Thai buffet lunch and the fact that you can choose among Phi Phi, Phang Nga, James Bond Island, or Racha Yai and Racha Noi. The main drawback is that the route, pickup details, and final timing need careful confirmation before you book.

This is a private charter, not a shared speedboat run. That means you can settle into the day with your own group, use the onboard galley and drinks fridge, and spend more time swimming or resting instead of following a large crowd. I also like the crew’s strong record for safety, helpful service, snorkeling, food, and route planning. Just note that the advertised price covers up to eight people, while the yacht is described as suitable for up to 14, so larger groups should ask for a precise quote.

Five things worth knowing before you book

• The catamaran cruises at 15 knots, fast enough to reach Phuket’s main island areas during a day charter.
• The 5.5-meter beam gives the boat a broad, steady feel, useful when you want comfort between swims.
• You choose the route, with options covering Phi Phi, Phang Nga and James Bond Island, or Racha Yai and Racha Noi.
• Lunch, soft drinks, iced water, tea, coffee, snorkeling equipment, and WiFi are included.
• The private price is $1,629.44 for up to eight people, which becomes better value as your group gets larger.
• SUP use, alcohol, and national park fees cost extra, and poor weather can change the date or cancel the trip.

A private catamaran built for a full day outside

Hot Chili is designed less like a simple transport boat and more like a floating day room. The wide hull gives you space to spread out, while the forward balcony area is made for sunbathing and the rear cockpit and saloon provide shade. That split matters in Phuket, where one person may want strong sun and another may be ready for a cool, quiet seat.

The boat carries up to 14 people with three crew, though the advertised group price is for up to eight. Ask the operator how the rate changes if your party is larger. For a family group or a few couples, the private setup can make more sense than buying several seats on a crowded shared excursion.

The 15-knot cruising speed is another practical strength. Phuket’s popular islands are scattered across open water, so a faster yacht gives you more useful time at the stops. It does not turn every route into a short trip, but it helps the captain cover Phi Phi, Phang Nga, or the Racha islands within a normal day charter.

A full galley allows the crew to prepare lunch onboard. You also have a designated drinks fridge, comfortable seating, soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee. Alcohol is not included, so bring that cost into your planning and confirm the rules for bringing your own drinks.

The Phi Phi plan starts early at Monkey Beach

The Phi Phi option begins with hotel pickup at 8:00 in the stated schedule, followed by boarding at Chalong Marina at 9:00. Return is planned for about 17:30. That makes this a full day, not a quick morning outing, and the early start is important if you want a worthwhile amount of time around Phi Phi.

The first stop is Monkey Beach on Ko Phi Phi Don, also called Monkey Bay in the schedule. The plan allows time for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. The appeal is simple: you get a scenic first stop where the water activities begin quickly, without spending the entire morning sitting on the boat.

Conditions can affect how long you stay and exactly where you anchor. This is a good place to use the supplied snorkeling equipment, but remember that marine conditions and visibility can change. The boat’s speed and private format help the captain adjust the route, though no island charter can control wind, waves, or water clarity.

Phi Phi is a popular destination, so expect the possibility of other boats in the wider area. The value here is having your own catamaran as a comfortable base, rather than expecting an empty beach or a private island. If you want a calmer feel, ask the crew about departure timing and the best available stopping points on your chosen date.

Phang Nga combines caves, lunch, and James Bond Island

The Phang Nga route begins with a welcome drink, a safety briefing, and a run toward Ko Panak. The first planned activity is kayaking and a cave excursion. This gives the day a different rhythm from Phi Phi, where swimming and snorkeling take the lead.

Ko Panak is the active part of the route. You should expect the exact cave experience to depend on tide, weather, and local operating conditions. The supplied information does not specify whether kayaking is included in the base price, so ask directly before assuming it is covered. A SUP board is specifically not included, which may matter if you hoped to paddle independently.

After Ko Panak, lunch is served onboard. The Thai-style buffet is freshly prepared, and the galley lets the crew serve food without sending you back to a marina. I see this as one of the boat’s strongest features: you eat with the water and scenery around you, and the schedule can remain flexible instead of being built around a restaurant stop.

The route then visits Ko Hong before continuing to James Bond Island. Ko Hong gives you another scenic island stop, while James Bond Island is the recognizable finish for people who want the classic Phang Nga Bay view. These stops are excellent for photographs, but they are also among the best-known parts of the bay, so privacy should not be your main reason for choosing this route.

This option suits you if you want more than beach time. Kayaking, caves, a Thai lunch, island scenery, and the famous James Bond Island viewpoint make it the most varied of the listed choices. It may be less suitable if your priority is a long stretch of snorkeling in clear open water.

Racha Yai and Racha Noi focus on 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 boat selecting a snorkeling location based on weather conditions. That flexibility is useful because a fixed reef stop is not always the best choice on a given day.

The plan then continues to Racha Noi. The supplied schedule is abbreviated, so ask for the full sequence, expected time at each island, and lunch location before you confirm. The key point is that this route is built around water time and reef areas rather than the caves and landmark viewpoints of Phang Nga.

Snorkeling equipment is included. I would choose this route if seeing underwater life matters more to you than checking off James Bond Island or Monkey Beach. The strongest praise connected with this boat centers on snorkeling, crew care, safety, food, and practical route planning, so the Racha option appears to match the yacht’s strengths particularly well.

The boat is also suitable for people who want a quieter day between activities. One account describes the crew making it possible to do some work during a multiday trip through good route planning and onboard WiFi. That does not turn Hot Chili into an office, but it shows how the broad deck and stable design can help if someone in your group needs to stay connected.

What the crew and food add to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. The feedback supplied repeatedly points to professional service, clear English, careful attention, and safety as a priority. One large group specifically praised the staff from booking through the excursion, while another described the crew as considerate and competent.

Several crew names appear in the praise for Faraway Yachting, including Flo, Steve, Glenn, Sunee, Milk, and Em. The supplied information does not confirm which of them will work your Hot Chili charter, so do not book based on a particular person being onboard. Still, the repeated focus on service suggests that crew standards are one of the company’s better assets.

Food gets unusually strong attention for a boat trip. The onboard chef Nui is praised in connection with a great Thai meal, and other comments describe generous portions and good drinks service. The official inclusions are more precise: freshly prepared Thai-style buffet lunch, soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee.

That means you should not picture a restaurant menu with unlimited choices. You are getting a prepared buffet designed for a day on the water. For most groups, that is a worthwhile inclusion because it saves time and keeps everyone onboard. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, contact the operator before departure rather than relying on the standard meal.

What the $1,629.44 price really means

At $1,629.44 per group of up to eight, this is a premium purchase. For two people, it works out to about $815 each. For eight, it is about $204 per person before any national park fee, alcohol, or other extras. That price difference is the main value lesson.

The charter makes the most financial sense for a full group that wants privacy. You are paying for the boat, crew, food, equipment, and control over the day, not just transport to one island. A couple may prefer a shared tour unless personal space and a private schedule are more important than keeping costs low.

The price also includes useful basics that can add up elsewhere: lunch, drinks, coffee, WiFi, and snorkeling gear. SUP use is not included, and the national park fee is extra. Alcoholic drinks are also outside the stated price, so ask for a current total that includes every compulsory charge.

The yacht’s capacity creates another value question. It is described as suitable for up to 14 people, but the advertised group rate is capped at eight. If you have nine to 14 people, request a written price and confirm how much space remains comfortable at full capacity. A boat can legally carry a certain number while still feeling best with fewer people.

Timing, pickup, and weather need attention

The Phi Phi schedule says hotel pickup at 8:00, boarding at Chalong Marina at 9:00, and return around 17:30. Elsewhere, the meeting point is shown as Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, with the activity ending back at the meeting point. Those details do not fully match, so confirm your actual pickup location before paying.

This may simply reflect different arrangements for different bookings, but it is too important to leave vague. Tell the operator your hotel or starting point and ask for the exact pickup time, marina meeting instructions, transfer cost if any, and return plan.

The activity lasts approximately four to 10 hours, depending on the selected route. The Phi Phi schedule is the clearest full-day example, while the other route descriptions do not give the same complete timing. Do not assume every option has identical hours.

Good weather is required. If conditions are poor, the operator may offer another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cutoff time in mind.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The private format also means only your own group participates, which is helpful if you want to set the pace within the captain’s safety limits.

Who should choose Hot Chili

I would recommend this charter for a family group, a group of friends, or several couples who can share the cost. It suits people who want a proper day on the water with room to sit, shade when needed, a prepared lunch, and a crew focused on service rather than a bare-bones transfer.

Choose Phi Phi if Monkey Beach, swimming, and snorkeling are your main goals. Choose Phang Nga if you want caves, kayaking, Ko Hong, lunch, and James Bond Island. Choose Racha Yai and Racha Noi if snorkeling and reef time matter most.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The private rate is hard to justify for a very small party unless privacy, comfort, and a flexible boat day are worth the premium. I would also ask extra questions if your plans depend on a particular activity, since SUP use is excluded and parts of the route timing are not fully detailed.

Should you book this Phuket catamaran?

Book Hot Chili if you can fill most of the available places and want a private, comfortable alternative to a crowded island boat. The best reasons are the stable wide catamaran, fast cruising speed, caring crew, fresh Thai lunch, included snorkeling gear, and choice of several strong Phuket routes.

Before booking, confirm four points: your pickup location, the exact route and hours, the price for your group size, and every extra fee. If the answer fits your plans, this is a strong choice for a relaxed full-day charter. If not, a shared excursion may give you better value, especially for one or two people.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The listed price is $1,629.44 per group of up to eight people.

How many people can Hot Chili carry?

The yacht is described as suitable for up to 14 people with three crew members. The stated group price applies to up to eight people.

Which islands can the charter visit?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

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

What time does the Phi Phi route return?

The stated Phi Phi schedule has departure from Chalong Marina at 9:00 and return at about 17:30.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Thai-style buffet lunch is included.

Are drinks included?

Soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee are included. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is a stand-up paddleboard included?

No. SUP use is listed as an extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a different date or a full refund.