This is the biggest decision you’ll make when planning your island adventures: should you book a private vs join-in boat tour in Phuket?
One option is easy on the wallet, while the other offers ultimate freedom. Both are great, but they deliver vastly different experiences. The “best” choice simply comes down to your budget, your group, and what you really want from your day.
As Phuket tour experts, we’re not here to just sell you the most expensive option. We’re here to be honest. This guide will fairly compare both, so you can confidently decide: is a private boat tour worth it for you?
1. What is a Join-In (Group) Tour?
A join-in tour is the most common way to see the islands. You purchase a single “seat” on a boat (usually a speedboat or large catamaran) and share the day’s adventure with a group of other travelers.
The Pros:
- Cost-Effective: This is the main benefit. By sharing the cost of the boat, fuel, and crew, you get to see world-famous sights for a fraction of the price. This is the core of all cheap Phuket boat tours.
- Social & Easy: It’s a great way to meet other travelers, especially if you’re a solo traveler or a couple. Furthermore, there’s zero planning involved; you just book, get picked up, and enjoy the ride.
- Efficient: The itinerary is a “greatest hits” package. You are guaranteed to see all the main spots (e.g., Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach) in a single, well-organized day.
The Cons:
- The Fixed Schedule: This is the biggest drawback. The tour leaves at a set time (along with every other tour boat) and you spend a fixed amount of time at each stop. There is no flexibility.
- The Crowds: You will be sharing the boat with 25-40+ other people. Consequently, you will also arrive at every stop at the exact same time as every other join-in tour, meaning the beaches and lagoons will be very crowded.
- One-Size-Fits-All: The lunch is basic, the pace is fast, and you have to wait for other passengers at every stop.
Who Is It For?
Solo travelers, backpackers, budget-conscious couples, and anyone who wants a simple, affordable, and social way to see the main sights without any hassle.
2. What is a Private Boat Charter?
A private boat charter Phuket means you rent the entire boat—and its crew—exclusively for you and your group. This could be a powerful speedboat, a spacious catamaran, or one of our luxury private longtail boat experiences.
The Pros:
- Total Flexibility: This is what you are paying for. You decide the schedule. Want to leave at 7 AM to beat the crowds? You can. Want to skip Monkey Beach and spend an extra hour at Pileh Lagoon? No problem. It’s your day.
- Privacy & Comfort: It’s just you, your family, or your friends. You can play your own music, eat your own food (or have a premium lunch provided), and have the entire boat to yourselves. This is a game-changer for families with young kids who need shade, quiet, and a flexible nap schedule.
- A Custom Experience: You can choose your vessel. Opt for a private speedboat to see the distant Phi Phi Islands on your own terms, or choose a stunning luxury longtail boat with cushions, a dining table, and an onboard toilet for the ultimate romantic cruise around Phang Nga Bay.
The Cons:
- The Cost: The upfront price is significantly higher. You are covering 100% of the boat, fuel, captain, crew, and insurance costs yourself.
Who Is It For?
Honeymooners, families (especially with young children or elderly parents), groups, and anyone celebrating a special occasion who values privacy and flexibility over cost.
3. Cost Breakdown: Is a Private Tour Worth It?
This is where it gets interesting. The “con” of high cost often disappears when you travel in a group.
Let’s do some simple math:
- A Join-In Tour to Phi Phi might cost 2,500 THB per person.
- A Private Speedboat for the same trip might cost 20,000 THB.
If you are a couple (2 people), the choice is clear:
- Join-In: 2,500 x 2 = 5,000 THB
- Private: 20,000 THB (4x more expensive)
But what if you are a group of 8 people?
- Join-In: 2,500 x 8 = 20,000 THB
- Private: 20,000 THB
For a group of 8 or more, the price is exactly the same. You can have a fully private, flexible, and infinitely better experience for the same price as a crowded join-in tour. When you look at the per-person cost, Phuket group boat tours are almost always better when done privately.
4. The Real “Private” Advantage: Beating the Crowds
Even if you’re a couple, there is one benefit that makes a private charter worth every penny: you can beat the crowds.
Every join-in tour in Phuket follows the same schedule. They leave the pier between 9:00-9:30 AM and arrive at Maya Bay or Pileh Lagoon at 11:00 AM. This is the “tourist rush hour,” and it is absolute chaos.
With a private boat charter, you tell the captain to leave at 7:00 AM.
You will arrive at Pileh Lagoon at 8:00 AM. You will be the only boat there. You will have that emerald-green paradise, silent and pristine, all to yourself for a full hour. That one experience—a memory that is impossible to get on a group tour—is the true value of going private.
Conclusion: The Best Choice for Your Holiday
So, private vs join-in boat tour in Phuket? There is no wrong answer, only the right answer for you.
- Choose a JOIN-IN TOUR if: Your main priority is saving money, you are traveling solo, or you just want an easy, pre-planned day to see the highlights.
- Choose a PRIVATE CHARTER if: You are in a group of 6+, you have young children, you are on a romantic trip, or you value privacy and the priceless experience of seeing the islands before the crowds arrive.
We offer the best of both worlds. Whichever you choose, we are here to make it a safe and unforgettable day.