New Power catamaran for Phang Nga and Phi Phi island excursions

Hot Chili is built for a private day on the water, not a quick transfer between crowded piers. Its broad 5.5-meter beam gives the catamaran room to spread out, while a forward sunbathing area and shaded rear seating let you choose sun or shade as the coast slips by. The boat can cruise at 15 knots, making several island routes possible in a day.

I like two things in particular: the space to settle in and the choice of very different island outings, from Phi Phi snorkeling to Phang Nga’s caves and limestone scenery. A fresh Thai buffet, cold soft drinks, Wi-Fi and snorkeling gear are included, so you are not starting the day with a list of small add-on costs.

The main catch is that the route details describe several different trips, not one itinerary that visits every island group. The listed price is $1,629.44 for a group of up to eight, while the boat can carry up to 14, so confirm the route, pickup point and price for your party before paying.

At a glance

• A wide catamaran with room to move: Hot Chili has a 5.5-meter beam, a front sunbathing area and a shaded cockpit and saloon.
• Three distinct route ideas: Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and the Racha Islands are presented as separate outings. Do not assume they are combined.
• A private trip for your group: The activity is private, and the boat is described as suitable for up to 14 people with three crew.
• Lunch and basics are covered: A Thai-style buffet, soft drinks, iced water, tea, coffee, snorkeling equipment and onboard Wi-Fi are included.
• Budget for extras: National Park fees, alcoholic drinks and a stand-up paddleboard are not included.
• Plan around a full day: The duration is given as about four to ten hours. The Phi Phi schedule runs from an 08:00 hotel pickup to a 17:30 return.

A roomy boat makes a difference

Hot Chili is a power catamaran designed for island hopping. Its 15-knot cruising speed is useful when you want to reach an island and still have time to swim, eat and relax. Speed alone does not guarantee calm seas or an unrushed day, of course, but it gives the crew more flexibility in planning a route.

The 5.5-meter beam is one of the boat’s practical strengths. A wider catamaran has space for both a sunny spot at the bow and covered seating at the back, rather than making everyone compete for one patch of shade. The boat also has a drinks fridge and a full galley, useful comforts on a private charter where the boat itself is your base between stops.

The published capacity is up to 14 people with three crew. That is not the same as saying the quoted price covers 14. The listed rate is $1,629.44 per group of up to eight, so ask how the cost changes if you bring a larger party. For a group of friends or a family splitting the bill, the per-person cost can make more sense than it first appears. For two people, it is a substantial private-boat expense.

Choose your island route carefully

The route information covers three different outings: Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay and the Racha Islands. These are not three stops on one mega-tour. Before booking, ask Faraway Yachting which route applies to your date, how long it takes and what stops are planned. That small check matters because the scenery and activities differ considerably.

The clearest schedule is the Phi Phi trip. It calls for an 08:00 hotel pickup, boarding at Chalong Marina, departure at 09:00 and a return at 17:30. The activity duration is also shown as approximately four to ten hours, and the Phi Phi stop is described as five hours. Those figures do not line up neatly, so confirm the expected total time for your chosen itinerary.

The Phang Nga outline starts with boarding, a welcome drink and safety briefing, then heads toward Ko Panak for a kayak and cave excursion. A Thai buffet lunch is served on board, followed by a visit to Ko Hong and James Bond Island. The itinerary text is incomplete, so ask which stops are included and how much time you will have at each.

The Racha route begins at Chalong Bay Marina and includes Ko Racha Yai, with a snorkeling location chosen according to weather conditions. The information also names Racha Noi, but does not provide a full stop-by-stop schedule. If this is your preferred route, ask whether both islands are planned for the day and what the sea conditions might mean for the final route.

Phi Phi: a day built around Monkey Beach

For the Phi Phi option, the first named stop is Monkey Beach on Ko Phi Phi Don, also called Monkey Bay in the route description. The plan is to swim, snorkel and relax. This is a straightforward island-day rhythm: leave Phuket in the morning, spend time in the water and return in the late afternoon.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own if you do not have it. Still, the experience depends on conditions at the time. The provided details do not specify visibility, the exact snorkeling locations or how long you stay at Monkey Beach, so ask the crew what is realistic for your departure date.

The schedule’s 08:00 pickup and 17:30 return makes this the most clearly described full-day option. Pickup is offered, but the meeting-point details also name Phuket International Airport, while the itinerary says boarding is at Chalong Marina. Confirm whether your hotel is included in the pickup area and where the boat actually departs. Phuket distances can make that distinction important.

Phang Nga Bay: caves, kayaking and a buffet lunch

The Phang Nga route offers a different sort of day from Phi Phi. Its listed activities include kayaking and a cave excursion at Ko Panak, a visit to Ko Hong, and a stop at James Bond Island. Rather than centering the day on snorkeling alone, this plan mixes time on the water with limestone scenery and a guided paddle through cave areas.

Lunch is planned on board after the Ko Panak excursion. That is a practical pause: you can eat without having to arrange a separate restaurant stop, then continue the outing. The meal is described as a Thai-style buffet, freshly prepared, with soft drinks, iced water, tea and coffee included.

The itinerary is only partly specified, so treat these as route highlights rather than a guaranteed sequence or timetable. Ask whether kayaking is included in the trip price, since the inclusions list does not explicitly identify a kayak. It does explicitly exclude a stand-up paddleboard, which is a different activity. Also ask how the crew handles the cave excursion if weather or sea conditions change the plan.

Racha Islands: snorkeling with a weather-dependent stop

The Racha route is aimed at time in the water. The first planned stop is Ko Racha Yai, where the captain chooses a snorkeling location depending on the weather. That flexibility is sensible: the best spot can change with conditions, and a fixed location is not always the safest or most comfortable choice.

The description also names Racha Noi, but gives no full timing or details for that stop. Do not assume that both islands are guaranteed. Ask the operator whether Racha Noi is part of your selected itinerary, how long the boat spends at each location, and whether snorkeling remains the main activity throughout the day.

Snorkeling gear is included, as it is on the other routes. The national park fee is not, so include that possible extra in your budget and confirm the amount before departure. The information does not give a fee figure.

Lunch, drinks and crew service

The included meal is a freshly prepared Thai-style buffet, along with soft drinks, iced water, tea and coffee. A full galley gives the crew the ability to prepare food on board, and the boat has a designated drinks fridge. For a day trip, those details matter: lunch and cold nonalcoholic drinks are already part of the plan rather than an afterthought.

Alcoholic beverages are excluded, as is the stand-up paddleboard. If either matters to your group, ask what you may bring or arrange before the day. Wi-Fi is included too, though the information does not promise a particular connection speed or coverage around the islands. Think of it as a useful extra, not a reason to plan an online workday.

The company has several crew members named in accounts of its wider yacht trips, including Flo, Steve, Glenn, Sunee, Milk and Em. Nui is also praised for preparing food on board. These names are not confirmed as the crew assigned to Hot Chili on your date, so ask who will be working your charter. The most consistent practical strengths described are attentive service, clear English, careful safety attention, good food and helpful route planning. Those are worthwhile qualities on a private boat, where the crew shapes much of the day.

What the price buys, and what it does not

At $1,629.44 for a group of up to eight, this is a premium outing. The value is not simply transport to an island. You are paying for a private boat, a crew of three, space to relax between stops, a meal, drinks, snorkeling gear and Wi-Fi. If eight people share the cost, the rate works out to about $204 per person before any excluded fees or extras. A smaller group pays a much higher amount per person.

The boat’s stated maximum is 14, but the listed group rate only covers up to eight. Get the total price in writing for your party size. Also clarify whether hotel pickup is included for your location, since pickup is offered but the meeting-point information names both the airport and Chalong Marina in different places.

National Park fees and alcohol are extra, and the stand-up paddleboard is not included. Those are manageable costs if you know about them in advance. The cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start; poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. Because the routes rely on sea conditions, it is worth asking how the operator makes weather decisions and when you will hear about a change.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 59 ratings, with 98 percent recommended. That is a strong record, but your own day still depends on the route, weather, crew assignment and expectations you bring. Book it for a private, comfortable island day, not for a guaranteed checklist of every named bay.

Who should book Hot Chili?

I would look closely at this charter if you are a family or group of friends who values privacy, room to spread out and a meal included in the day. It also suits people who want to choose between different island experiences rather than follow a large group excursion. The boat’s shaded seating is useful if not everyone wants hours in direct sun, while the front area gives sun-seekers a place to stretch out.

It may be poor value for a couple or a very small group unless privacy is a major priority. It is also not the best choice if you need a precise itinerary before booking and cannot get clear answers about which stops are included. In that case, ask the operator to confirm the route and timing in writing.

My advice is simple: book once you have confirmed the island route, group price, pickup details and any park fees. If those answers fit your plans, Hot Chili offers a comfortable way to make a full island day your own. If you expect Phi Phi, Phang Nga and Racha all in one outing, or assume every extra is included, pause and clarify first.

FAQ

How many people can join the charter?

Hot Chili is described as suitable for up to 14 people with three crew. The listed price of $1,629.44 is for a group of up to eight, so confirm the price for a larger party.

How long does the tour take?

The stated duration is approximately four to ten hours. The Phi Phi schedule runs from an 08:00 hotel pickup to a 17:30 return, but confirm the timing for your chosen route.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route options described are Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and the Racha Islands. They are separate itinerary options, so ask which one you are booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered. The details also name Phuket International Airport as the meeting point and Chalong Marina as the boarding location, so confirm your exact pickup and departure arrangements.

Is lunch included?

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

Are snorkeling equipment and Wi-Fi included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and onboard Wi-Fi are included.

Are national park fees and alcoholic drinks included?

No. National Park fees and alcoholic beverages are excluded. A stand-up paddleboard is also not included.