New Power catamaran for Phang Nga and Phi Phi island excursions

Phuket’s Hot Chili power catamaran is built for a relaxed island day rather than a cramped speedboat dash. Its wide 5.5-meter beam gives you room to spread out, while the 15-knot cruising speed lets you reach Phi Phi, Phang Nga, or the Racha islands in one charter.

I like the choice of a sunny front balcony and shaded rear cockpit, and I like having a proper galley for a fresh Thai buffet instead of relying on packaged snacks. The main thing to check before paying is the capacity and meeting point: the price is listed for up to eight people, while the boat description says up to 14, and the pickup details mention both Phuket airport and hotel pickup.

Key points to know

• Hot Chili is a new power catamaran: Its 15-knot cruising speed suits a full day of island hopping around Phuket.
• The boat has useful space: A front sunbathing area, shaded cockpit and saloon, drinks fridge, comfortable seating, and full galley make long hours at sea easier.
• You choose the route: Options include Phi Phi, Phang Nga with Ko Panak and James Bond Island, or Racha Yai and Racha Noi.
• Food and basic gear are included: You get a freshly prepared Thai buffet, soft drinks, iced water, tea, coffee, and snorkeling equipment.
• This is a private charter: The published price is $1,629.44 per group, but confirm whether your booking covers eight or the full stated capacity of 14.
• The service record is unusually strong: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 59 ratings and a 98 percent recommendation rate, with special praise for crew care, food, safety, and snorkeling.

Why the wide Hot Chili catamaran matters

A private boat can sound luxurious on paper, but the shape of the boat is what decides how pleasant the day feels. Hot Chili has a 5.5-meter beam, which means a broad hull and more usable deck space than you usually get on a narrow excursion boat.

That width should appeal to you if your group includes people who want different things. One person can sit in the shade, another can stretch out in the front sun area, and someone else can settle into the cockpit with a drink. The layout also gives you room to move around during a long day at sea.

The catamaran carries up to 14 people with three crew according to the boat description. Yet the displayed rate is for a group of up to eight. That is an important pricing point, not a minor detail. If you are a larger party, ask exactly how the rate changes and what the permitted group size is for your chosen departure.

Hot Chili cruises at about 15 knots. That is quick enough to make a day trip to the major island groups practical, while the twin-hull design is intended to provide good stability. No catamaran can remove every effect of wind and waves, so the weather still controls the comfort and the final route.

Choosing between Phi Phi, Phang Nga, and the Racha islands

The strongest feature of this charter is the route choice. You are not locked into one standard boat ride. The available programs offer three very different days, and choosing well matters more than squeezing in every possible stop.

Phi Phi gives you beaches, limestone scenery, swimming, and snorkeling. Phang Nga is the better fit if you want caves, kayaking, and the famous James Bond Island. Racha Yai and Racha Noi suit you if snorkeling is the main event and you prefer a route built around reef time.

The published duration ranges from roughly four to 10 hours. That wide range suggests the charter can be arranged around a shorter outing or a full day, but you should confirm the exact schedule before booking. The Phi Phi plan, for example, begins with an 8:00 a.m. hotel pickup, boards at Chalong Marina, departs at 9:00 a.m., and returns around 5:30 p.m.

Phi Phi: Monkey Beach and a full day around the famous islands

The Phi Phi route starts with a welcome drink and safety briefing before the boat heads out from Chalong Marina. The first named stop is Monkey Beach on Ko Phi Phi Don, also called Monkey Bay in the schedule.

Here you can swim, snorkel, and relax. The beach is the sort of stop that works well early in the day, when you are still fresh and ready to get into the water. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing your own mask and fins.

The appeal of Phi Phi is easy to understand. The islands combine steep limestone cliffs, clear water, and small coves in a compact area. On a private boat, you have more control over how long you spend in the water and how much time you devote to simply sitting on deck.

The tradeoff is that Phi Phi is one of Phuket’s best-known island destinations. It can feel busy, especially at popular beaches and swimming spots. A private charter gives you more flexibility than a large shared excursion, but it cannot guarantee an empty beach or calm water.

A day that includes swimming, snorkeling, and several scenic stops can also feel full. If your group would rather linger at one quiet place than collect famous names, tell the crew that before departure. The value of a private charter comes from shaping the day, not just following a longer checklist.

Phang Nga: caves, kayaking, and James Bond Island

The Phang Nga program begins with boarding, a welcome drink, and a safety briefing, then heads toward Ko Panak. The main activity there is a kayak and cave excursion.

This route has a different character from Phi Phi. Instead of focusing mainly on beaches and snorkeling, you get a chance to explore dramatic rock formations and enclosed cave areas by kayak. The cave segment is likely to be the most distinctive part of the day, though the exact conditions depend on weather and access.

After Ko Panak, a Thai-style buffet lunch is served on board. You can eat and rest without losing time moving to another restaurant. That is a practical benefit on an island day, since returning to the catamaran means your group keeps its private base for the rest of the trip.

The next named stop is Ko Hong, followed by James Bond Island. James Bond Island is the famous photo stop in Phang Nga Bay, known for its tall limestone pinnacle rising from the water. It is visually striking, but it is also a well-known stop, so do not expect solitude.

I would choose this option for a group with mixed interests. Kayaking gives you an active part of the day, the boat provides a comfortable place to eat, and the bay’s rock formations supply the big scenery. If your priority is extended snorkeling, the Racha route is a more direct match.

Racha Yai and Racha Noi for a snorkeling-first day

The Racha program begins at Chalong Bay Marina with the captain and crew. The first stop is Ko Racha Yai, where the crew chooses a snorkeling location based on weather conditions.

That wording matters. The exact site is not fixed, so your water time depends on the day’s wind, waves, and sea conditions. This is a sensible approach because the best snorkeling spot can change with the weather. It also means you should think of the route as flexible rather than guaranteed down to every beach.

Racha Yai and Racha Noi are a good fit if you want more time around the water and less emphasis on sightseeing landmarks. The included snorkeling equipment makes the plan easy for a group that does not want to rent gear separately.

The catamaran’s layout helps here. After snorkeling, you can dry off in the sun at the front or sit in the shade at the back. Having a drinks fridge, soft drinks, iced water, and a proper galley is especially useful on a water-focused day.

The available information gives fewer exact stop details for the Racha program than for the Phi Phi and Phang Nga routes. Ask how many snorkeling stops are planned, how much time is allowed in the water, and whether Racha Noi is included in the final route on your date.

A fresh Thai lunch and the small comforts on board

Lunch is a fresh Thai-style buffet prepared in the boat’s full galley. That is one of the better inclusions here. You are not merely handed a box and sent back into the sun. You can eat on board, rest, and make use of the comfortable seating while the crew handles the meal.

Soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee are included. Alcohol is not, so bring your expectations down to a sensible level or ask about the rules for bringing your own. The boat also has a designated drinks fridge, which should keep nonalcoholic drinks cold and easy to reach.

WiFi is included as well. One rating specifically noted that the crew made it possible to do some work through good route planning. That does not turn the catamaran into an office, and a day at sea is best enjoyed away from your screen, but the connection can be useful for checking messages or handling a small task.

Stand-up paddleboards are not included. That is easy to miss if you picture a fully equipped water-sports boat. Snorkeling equipment is provided, but SUP use costs extra if available for your charter.

The crew, food, and service style

The strongest praise attached to this experience concerns the crew. The service has been described as professional, attentive, helpful, and safety-minded. Several crew names appear in the service record, including Flo, Steve, Glenn, Sunee, Milk, Em, and a chef named Nui.

Because crew assignments can change, you should not assume every person will be on your boat. Still, the repeated pattern is useful: the service is not just about transporting you between islands. The crew helps with route planning, food, drinks, safety, and water activities.

Safety receives particular emphasis. That matters on a private charter because the day is more flexible, but the sea is still unpredictable. The weather policy says that poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund, which is preferable to forcing a route in bad weather.

One detail I appreciate is the balance between attentive help and a relaxed mood. The service is described as chilled out as well as professional. That is the right combination for a boat day. You want the crew to stay alert around the water without making every moment feel formal.

Is $1,629.44 a fair price for your group?

The listed price is $1,629.44 per group of up to eight people. At a full group of eight, that works out to about $204 per person. That is not a cheap Phuket excursion, but it buys a private boat, a crew of three, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, WiFi, and control over the route.

The value improves if your group would otherwise book several separate activities or needs space and privacy. A family, wedding party, or group of friends can spread the cost across the whole charter and avoid sharing the boat with strangers.

The price is harder to justify for only two or three people unless the private setting is the main reason for booking. You are paying for the boat and crew, not simply for seats on a scheduled ferry.

The capacity information needs clarification. The boat description says up to 14 people, while the rate is shown for up to eight. Ask about the price for nine to 14 people, whether the full boat is available to larger parties, and whether any extra fees apply.

Also ask what is covered in the national park fee. That charge is excluded, as is alcohol. The national park fee may matter on routes visiting protected island areas, so include it in your group budget rather than treating the displayed price as the final total.

Timing, pickup, and what to confirm

The stated meeting information points to Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, while the tour details also offer pickup and describe hotel pickup for the Phi Phi schedule. Boarding takes place at Chalong Marina for that route.

Those details do not line up neatly enough to ignore. Before booking, confirm your hotel pickup time, the exact marina, and where the boat returns. If you are staying near the airport, Chalong can involve a significant transfer across Phuket, though the supplied information does not state the transfer duration or whether transport is included for every booking.

The Phi Phi day begins early and returns around 5:30 p.m. Other options are listed as approximately four to 10 hours. Ask for the exact departure and return times for your selected route, especially if you have an evening flight or another reservation.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. That does not answer every question about mobility, swimming ability, or medical needs, so raise any special concern with the operator before you commit.

Who should book this private catamaran?

I would recommend Hot Chili to a group that values space, a private setting, and a choice of island route. It is particularly well suited to families and groups of friends who want to combine sightseeing, swimming, food, and time to relax without following a crowded shared-boat schedule.

The boat also suits groups with mixed energy levels. Strong swimmers can use the snorkeling stops, while others can stay on the catamaran and enjoy the sun or shade. The front balcony and shaded cockpit make this more flexible than a simple open speedboat.

Choose the Phi Phi route if you want famous island scenery and beach time. Choose Phang Nga if caves, kayaking, and James Bond Island sound more appealing. Choose Racha Yai and Racha Noi if snorkeling is the main goal.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the lowest possible price. I would also hesitate if you need a fixed, tightly timed schedule, since weather and the flexible route can affect the day.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 59 ratings and a 98 percent recommendation rate. The most highly praised parts are the crew’s professionalism, the attention to safety, the Thai food, the generous drinks service, and the snorkeling. Those are the areas where this charter earns its higher price.

Should you book Hot Chili?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want a comfortable private base for Phuket’s islands. The catamaran’s wide layout, fresh lunch, included snorkeling gear, and flexible route make it a better choice than a bare-bones boat transfer.

Before you pay, confirm three things: the real passenger limit and price for your group, the exact pickup point, and which route and stops are included on your date. If those details fit your plans, Hot Chili offers a polished island day with enough room to suit both active swimmers and people who prefer to sit back with a cold drink.

FAQ

How many people can join the Hot Chili catamaran?

The boat description says it can carry up to 14 people and three crew. The displayed price is for a group of up to eight, so you should confirm the applicable rate and capacity if your party has more than eight people.

What routes are available?

The stated options include Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga with Ko Panak, Ko Hong, and James Bond Island, and Racha Yai and Racha Noi. The final route can depend on weather conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Thai-style buffet lunch is included, along with soft drinks, iced water, tea, and coffee.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Stand-up paddleboard use is not included.

Are national park fees and alcohol included?

No. National park fees and alcoholic beverages are excluded from the price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.