Frequently asked questions

FAQs

Can we book a half day tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park?

This is not possible. A full day 8 hour charter booking is required, due to the journey time of approximately 70-90 minutes (depending on whether reaching Koh Wao for snorkeling or Koh Wao Tulap for the Emerald Lagoon and panoramic viewpoint)

We can reduce the tour time to between 5-6 hours if no snorkeling is required.

How does Samui Luxury Boats handle payments?

To confirm booking we will request a deposit to be paid through our range of global payment options. The deposit will be held in this account until 7 days prior to the start of the booking.

The balance is due ………

We provide payment options through:

PayPal, Stripe, Wise and SWIFT

How does the free transfer work?

We provide complimentary round trip transfers by private air conditioned car or minivan.

How long do transfers between Islands take?

Speedboat or Motor Yacht

Koh Phangan (snorkeling spot – north west)
Approx 45 minutes

Koh Tan (snorkeling spot – south Koh Samui) Approx 45 minutes

Ang Thong National Marine Park (snorkeling spot – north)
Approx 1 hour 15 minutes

Koh Tao (snorkeling spot – north west)
Approx 1 hour 35 minutes

Please note:

Sailing Yacht or Catamaran

Cruising at 4-8 knots takes 2 or 3 times longer so better to stay closer to Koh Phangan and around Samui unless considering overnight tours.

How can I prevent or manage sea-sickness?

We carry anti-sea sickness tablets on our boats. If you are at all susceptible to sea-sickness we encourage you to bring anti-motion sickness medication.

Here is our dedicated page on sea-sickness.

What is the weather like around Koh Samui?

We encourage our guests to not reply on accurate information from Mobile Phone weather apps. They are not always accurate or sufficently detailed. Rain showers can be very localised and shortlived most of the year round.

Please check with us directly for detailed advice and to confirm your understanding of conditions.

We also rely on reports from captains, live webcams and official weather station reports at various different locations.

Check out our Koh Samui Weather page for more information

Which restaurants do you recommend and can you help with reservations?

Samui is such a dynamic environment for restaurant options. If you let us know what you are looking for, we can happily recommend options and secure reservations for you during your stay on Samui.

We would love to see some traditional Thai dancing, how can you help?

This is such a wonderful cultural experience that can be seen across Thailand. We can recommend shows on Samui and can make arrangements for your group to see these when you book with Samui Luxury Boats.

We would like to relax and enjoy our day, can you arrange professional photography?

We are lucky enough to work with excellent photographers on a regular basis. Many can even post to social media for you, tagging your group in the process. Inquire with your booking and we will make all the necessary arrangements.

Our group would love to be massaged on our boat tour, can this be arranged?

Certainly. We can provide professional, spa, masseuses for your group’s needs. They would be available all day, offering a range of treatments to be enjoyed on the boat or on the beach. Let us know your needs when you book with Samui Luxury Boats

We see you have English speaking tour guides, can we book them for our needs on Samui?

Absolutely. We have a strong network of T.A.T. (Tourism Authority of Thailand) guides and translators that we work with on a day to day basis. We can always find a suitable person for your group to work with during your stay on Samui.

We have seen spectacular footage on fire shows on the beaches in Thailand, is this a service you provide?

We can make arrangements for this vent during your boat tour. Just request this on your booking form and we will organise it for you.

What is an Advanced Provisioning Allowance?

What is APA in relation to yacht charter?
We’ve got the answers… Everything you need to know about Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA)
The world of yachting can be full of strange words and abbreviations, and here at Samui Luxury Boat we know it can be a little confusing.. So here is a little guide to one of the main ones when it comes to chartering a yacht.

What is APA in yacht charter?
APA stands for Advanced Provisioning Allowance. How exactly it works and why it exists may seem confusing. With this in mind, the Samui Luxury Boat team thought it would be a good idea to break things down and start from the beginning, so here goes!

What is APA for?
When chartering a yacht, the charter fee generally only covers the rental cost of the yacht, and any crew that come with it. So how do you pay for fuel or provisions for your trip? This is where APA comes in. It is an additional fee which will cover all these extras, such as food, drink, fuel, berthing costs, customs, communications… APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is the standard system to pay your expenses on a luxury yacht charter. The APA essentially creates a bank account for the Captain (and chef) on the yacht to provision on your behalf.

How does APA work?
APA is generally calculated as a percentage of the charter fee, which you then pay in addition, before the charter commences. The broker or the captain will use this allowance to stock the boat, and fuel up. Any left over money will be returned to the client, at the end of the charter. Whilst on board, the captain will be in charge of the APA and has to keep any receipts necessary, as record for you, the client. He/she should also keep you updated as the charter progresses, of how much is being spent, and anything else you need to be aware of.

APA will apply, as standard on pretty much most professional yacht charters, and is close to obligatory for all luxury yacht charters.

When does APA apply?
APA will apply, as standard on pretty much most professional yacht charters, and is close to obligatory for all luxury yacht charters. There are a few sailing yachts and motor yachts, more commonly in regions such as South East Asia which offer all inclusive packages. The difference with a luxury yacht charter and an all inclusive trip, is that on a luxury yacht charter you personally choose, in advance, whatever you would like to have on the yacht. Therefore if you want the best Champagne and the rarest selection of cigars, wine and the finest of meats, caviar etc.. you must pay for it, from the APA. The broker and the yacht crew will happily source and select all provisions on your behalf, they need the funds in order to do so, hence the APA.

How much is APA?
The amount varies from yacht to yacht, but is generally between 30% and 40% of the yacht charter fee. For example, it will be higher if the yacht has a higher fuel consumption, if you plan on doing lots of travelling, if you order the finest and most expensive brands of champagne, wines etc…

How do I pay the APA?
APA is payable in advance of your yacht charter, and normally at the same time as paying your initial charter fee. This is usually by bank transfer.

What happens if my APA does not cover the expenses on the yacht charter?
In the event that you ‘overspend’ your APA, you will need to pay up, before disembarking. You may be obliged to top up the APA during the yacht charter.

What if the APA yacht charter is more than I would like to spend?
If for example, you have budgeted €xxxxx to spend on expenses, but the APA is double that figure, you will still need to pay the APA in advance. However, you should communicate carefully your expenses budget with the broker and the Captain. If you put realistic constraints on the budget for food and drinks, then the Captain will do his/her best to stay within this budget. If the Captain and yacht broker know the figure you want to work with, then they will be able to assess how feasible it is in advance, and for example; adapt the planned itinerary to meet your budget, in terms of fuel spend. With clear communication, realistic budgets, and advanced provisioning, it may indeed (depending on your requests and the yacht) be possible to spend a lot less than the APA and have the difference returned to you at the end of the yacht charter.

Any other questions? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Samui Luxury Boat, and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be waiting to help!

We would like to experience a longtail boat taxi, can this be arranged?

Certainly, as part of your boat tour, we can arrange for your group to travel in a longtail boat. It is one of the more iconic images of Thailand and we know some of the best operators.

Naturally, we can’t describe them as “luxury” so they do not appear on our website. Maybe we should launch “samuifunboats.com”?

Samui Luxury Boats

Consistently high standards for your charter

Hand Picked Boats

At Samui Luxury Boats we partner with the very best boats and crews in Koh Samui to ensure your perfect dream Koh Samui boat charter

Chris and the Samui Luxury Boat Team

Samui Luxury Boats was launched with a vision of excellence throughout their tours. Chris and the team are always standing by to support your Koh Samui boat charter needs

Continual Quality Assessments

Through our constant evaluation of boat condition, insurance, equipment and crews combined with feedback from our customers we ensure that every boat charter is of the highest standard

I hired the 71foot catamaran for a 6 hour sunset cruise for my 40th birthday. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to celebrate! Chris was extremely helpful and guided me through the options to make it one of the best experiences for me and all 35 of my guests. The boat itself was beautiful, exquisitely maintained and really had the wow factor as we were transported to the pier and invited on board. I would like to say very big thank you to the captain and his crew, who were so helpful and went out of their way to make sure everyone had an amazing time. I trusted the captain to take us to the best areas with calm water for swimming, and as sheltered as possible from the wind or rain should it make an appearance. He did just that and we were not disappointed, despite my concerns about the weather the previous day! The crew ensured the highest safety at all times while we danced, bounced away on the deck and jumped and swam until after sunset! I thoroughly recommend Chris and the crew to make your experience unforgettable !
, Frequently Asked Questions
Zoe Edmunds
12/16/2021

Information

Tour Features

Free Transfers

Luxury AC MiniVan from your resort or accommodation to our pier

Unlimited Soft Drinks

Ice cold bottled water and soft drinks available throughout your charter

Fruits

Fresh tropical fruits available throughout your Samui Luxury Boats experience

Insurance

All our tours are fully insured for your safety and peace of mind

Marine Bathroom

Each of our vessels have a fully functional marine bathroom for your use

TAT Licenced Guide
All our guides are TAT Licenced to ensure knowledge and excellent language skills
Send your inquiry today and let's

Build your dream

, Frequently Asked QuestionsCatamaran 72 Chris was great, he did an excellent coordination and handled a last minute situation and made the client really happy on a full day catamaran
, Frequently Asked Questions
277zameerm
8/04/2022
Had an AMAZING experience on our guided jet ski tour. Our guide took us around parts of the island and took pictures for us. I'm glad we had a guide instead of going by ourself because our guide was... read more
, Frequently Asked Questions
Party Food Hero
12/16/2019
Hey Chris We really had a fabulous time Everyone was very warm and kind on the yatch It will be a great memory back home Thanks a lot for the lovely gift made our trip even more crazy !! Will... read more
, Frequently Asked Questions
Ashish Jindal
12/16/2016

Visit Koh Samui in Style

We have your tour!

Whatever your dream, now is the time to start that conversation. At Samui Luxury Boats we believe that dreams can come true.