Frequently asked questions

A crewed charter with Center of the seas includes the yacht and its running costs, a professional captain and chef/hostess, all onboard meals with water and soft drinks, linens and towels, snorkelling gear and the tender; fuel within the agreed cruising area is included. National-park fees, premium alcohol, gratuities and berthing at outside marinas are billed separately or through the APA. [[Confirm exact inclusions per vessel.]]

Most private yachts carry a maximum of 12 guests, because international SOLAS safety rules reclassify anything larger as a passenger ship. Day charters can host bigger groups on some vessels (up to roughly 20), while overnight capacity is set by cabins. Center of the seas can arrange larger groups on certified vessels or a two-yacht flotilla. [[Verify per-vessel day/overnight capacities.]]

You can charter for a single day. Unlike the Mediterranean's Saturday-to-Saturday weeks, Phuket is flexible: we offer full-day (about 8 hours) and overnight trips as well as multi-day crewed charters, so you can take one day on the water or a full week across the Andaman Sea.

Yes. Overnight and multi-day liveaboard charters are available, with cabins, all meals and crew included. You can anchor at sheltered spots in Phang Nga Bay or near Phi Phi after the day-trip crowds leave, for private sunset swims and stargazing.

Yes, the route is fully bespoke and reviewed with your captain each morning around weather and your plans. Typical Andaman destinations include Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island, the Phi Phi Islands, Krabi, Racha and Coral islands, and the Similan Islands in the dry season (November–April).

Yes. Crewed charters include a captain and a chef/hostess who prepare all onboard meals to a pre-trip preference sheet. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low-sodium, halal and allergy-specific menus are all accommodated when noted in advance.

Yachts carry snorkelling gear, kayaks or paddleboards and a tender as standard, with jet skis, Seabobs and other toys on selected vessels or as add-ons. Scuba diving is arranged with certified local operators, and any toy not carried as standard can be pre-arranged before departure. [[Confirm standard-toy list per vessel.]]

A private day charter in Phuket is priced from a published "from" rate that scales with the yacht — smaller catamarans and speedboats are the most affordable, luxury motor yachts and superyachts the most. Price also depends on the season (high November–April vs green May–October), guest numbers and trip length. Most rates include captain, crew, fuel and snorkelling gear; national-park fees and gratuities are extra. [[Insert the fleet's day-charter "from" price in THB and USD.]]

APA is a prepaid fund — typically 20–35% of the base charter fee — that the captain uses for fuel, food, drinks, berthing and park fees on multi-day charters. Every expense is receipted, you can check the balance at any time, and any unused amount is refunded at the end of the trip. [[Confirm the company's own APA %.]]

A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before embarkation. Cancellation terms follow your charter contract and forfeit more of the deposit closer to departure, so travel insurance is recommended. [[State the deposit %, the balance-due timing and the cancellation schedule.]]

If Center of the seas cancels a departure for unsafe weather, you are offered a free reschedule or a refund under our weather policy; guest-initiated cancellations follow the standard cancellation schedule instead. Weather cancellations are rare in the calm November–April season and more likely during the May–October monsoon, when itineraries also shift to sheltered waters. [[Confirm the weather-cancellation refund/reschedule terms.]]

The quoted charter fee is itemised so you can see exactly what it covers; national-park fees, premium alcohol and crew gratuities are always additional. Thailand's 7% VAT and any service charge are shown as separate line items where they apply, so there is no surprise on the invoice. [[Confirm whether the headline price is quoted inclusive or exclusive of 7% VAT and service charge.]]

Crew gratuity is discretionary and separate from the charter fee. The international norm (MYBA guidance) is roughly 5–15% of the base charter cost, about 10% typical, handed to the captain to share among the crew at the end of the trip. On a day charter, a smaller cash tip in Thai baht for good service is customary but not obligatory.

The charter fee is usually paid in advance by bank transfer or card. On the water you still want Thai baht in cash for national-park entry fees, ranger platforms, tips and small purchases, since cards are not accepted at marine-park collection points. [[Confirm the currencies you quote and accept — e.g. USD, EUR, THB.]]

For the high season (November–April) book one to three months ahead, and earlier still for Christmas and New Year, when the best yachts sell out. In the green season (May–October) last-minute bookings are usually available.

Departure depends on your itinerary and yacht. Phuket's main bases are Ao Po Grand Marina and Yacht Haven in the northeast (closest to Phang Nga Bay), Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina on the east coast, and Chalong Bay in the south; Ao Po is about 25 minutes from Phuket International Airport. [[State the company's home marina.]]

Yes, we can arrange private airport or hotel transfers to the marina. Phuket's main yacht bases sit roughly 25–45 minutes from the airport depending on the marina, and transfer cost depends on your pick-up point.

November to April — the northeast-monsoon dry season — is the best time to charter in Phuket: calm seas, sunny skies, steady 5–20 knot winds and around 30 °C, peaking December–March. This is also the only window the Similan and Surin Islands are open (roughly mid-November to mid-May).

Yes, but conditions change. The southwest monsoon brings choppier open seas, gusty winds and afternoon rain, so itineraries move to sheltered east-coast waters like Phang Nga Bay. Prices are lower and the water is quieter, but the exposed Similan and Surin parks close mid-May to mid-October and some offshore days can be cancelled for weather.

Popular routes include Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island, the Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay, Krabi's Railay cliffs and Chicken Island, Racha and Coral islands, and the Similan Islands (dry season only). Trips run as day charters or multi-day itineraries, all customisable.

Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island lie on Phuket's sheltered east side, about 1–1.5 hours away by cruising yacht. Phi Phi is roughly 45–60 minutes by speedboat or about 90 minutes by cruising catamaran or motor yacht. Both work as comfortable full-day trips. [[Adjust to the actual fleet's speed.]]

Krabi's islands are about 1–2 hours across by yacht. A full-day private charter typically strings together Koh Hong, Pak Bia, Lao Lading, the Railay and Phra Nang beaches, Phra Nang Cave and Chicken Island (Koh Poda) — five to seven seaside stops.

No — the Similan and Surin national parks are open only in the dry season, roughly mid-November to mid-May, and close entirely the rest of the year for monsoon recovery. They sit about 65 km northwest of Phuket and are usually done as a liveaboard or a long day trip. [[Confirm the current season's exact dates.]]

No, swimming is no longer allowed at Maya Bay; visitors wade only knee-deep, and boats cannot anchor on the beach (entry is via the Loh Samah Bay boardwalk). Entry is around 400 THB adult / 200 THB child, hours are 7am–6pm, a visitor cap applies, and the bay closes annually around August–September. [[Reconfirm figures each season.]]

Calm, shallow, kid-friendly options include Coral Island's Banana Beach, Naka Island (a short hop from Ao Po Grand Marina) and sheltered Phang Nga Bay. Protected east-coast routes suit young children better than open-sea crossings, especially in the November–April dry season.

Yes. Private yachts are a popular venue for weddings, marriage proposals, honeymoons and milestone birthdays in Phuket, with sunset cruises among the most requested. We tailor the vessel, route and timing to the occasion. [[Confirm which celebration packages you offer.]]

Yes. We arrange corporate day charters, incentive trips, team-building days and group celebrations, on a single larger yacht or a coordinated multi-yacht flotilla for bigger headcounts. [[Confirm corporate capacity and packages.]]

Yes. Beyond the standard chef-prepared meals we can arrange event styling and flowers, a photographer or videographer, celebration cakes, special menus and the "floating breakfast" setup, all organised before departure. [[Confirm add-on list and lead time.]]

The Andaman Sea off Phuket produces sailfish, black and blue marlin, yellowfin and dogtooth tuna, giant trevally (GT), wahoo, barracuda, king mackerel and mahi-mahi offshore, plus snapper, grouper and coral trout on the reefs. November to April is peak season, with billfish strongest around February–April and GT biting well March–November.

No personal licence is needed for recreational rod-and-line saltwater fishing off Phuket; the captain keeps the trip within regulations. Billfish (marlin and sailfish) are catch-and-release for conservation, but most other species can be kept, and the crew can prepare fresh sashimi aboard or a restaurant will cook your catch. Fishing is banned inside all Thai national parks and spearfishing is prohibited.

Yes to both. All rods, reels, terminal tackle and bait for trolling, jigging, spinning and bottom fishing are provided and included, so you do not need to fly in your own gear. No experience is required — the crew rig everything and teach technique — and trips are family-friendly and welcome children and teens.

Beyond fishing you can add jet skis, Seabob underwater scooters, sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling gear, wakeboarding, parasailing and flyboarding — standalone or bolted onto a private yacht day. Scuba diving is arranged with certified local dive operators. [[Confirm which toys the company operates directly.]]

It depends on the activity. Jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking and life-jacketed snorkelling do not require strong swimming; wakeboarding, flyboarding and scuba diving do. Jet-ski riders are typically 16+ (younger ride with a guardian), and life jackets are provided for most activities.

The minimum age is about 10 for ocean scuba (some pool programmes take children from 8). You can dive without certification through a supervised Discover Scuba / Try Dive experience down to about 12 m, while a full Open Water course takes 2–3 days and issues a globally recognised licence.

Yes. Life jackets are provided for most water activities and a safety briefing precedes every session. Center of the seas operates as a licensed and insured operator with proper marine insurance, so guests avoid the deposit-scam and uninsured risk of unlicensed beach touts.

The standard path is: define your usage and budget, view listings, make a written offer with a deposit (around 10%) into escrow, sign a Purchase & Sale Agreement, run a sea trial and independent marine survey, renegotiate on the findings, then close and transfer title and registration. Center of the seas coordinates every stage, and most purchases close about 2–6 weeks after an accepted offer.

For a buyer a broker is effectively free, because the seller pays the commission (split between the listing and buyer's brokers under co-brokerage). The industry standard is around 8–10% of the sale price, paid by the seller only on a completed sale, with no upfront listing fees. A broker screens boats, negotiates, and manages surveys, escrow and paperwork.

A sea trial is the on-water test of handling, engines and systems; a marine survey is an independent certified surveyor's inspection of hull, mechanics and safety. The buyer hires and pays the surveyor (plus haul-out), which keeps the report independent, and the findings can reopen price negotiation.

Value is driven by make, model, year, engine hours, condition, maintenance history and upgrades, benchmarked against recent comparable sales and current competing listings. Center of the seas provides a complimentary market valuation, since correct pricing from day one is the single biggest factor in selling faster.

New yachts carry warranty and the latest technology but cost more with limited customisation; pre-owned brokerage yachts are the most cost-effective but carry more maintenance risk; a full custom build offers total control but takes far longer. The right choice depends on how you intend to use the boat, and our consultancy runs the comparison objectively.

Escrow means the deposit and purchase funds are held by an independent third party, not paid directly to the seller, and released only once every condition of the Purchase & Sale Agreement (survey, sea trial, financing, title and lien checks) is met. It protects both sides against fraud on deals of any size.

Yes. Marine lenders finance both new and pre-owned yachts; expect roughly a 20–40% down payment with terms commonly 10–20 years, subject to credit, income and the vessel's age and survey. Center of the seas can connect buyers with marine-lending specialists.

Full management covers technical maintenance, crew (recruitment, payroll, visas, contracts), berthing and logistics, insurance placement and claims, regulatory compliance and certification, and financial accounting with monthly reporting. Fees are typically a monthly retainer scaled to yacht size plus pass-through of actual running costs, with Phuket operating costs materially lower than European bands. [[Insert the company's real fee basis.]]

Yes. Under charter management your yacht is marketed, booked, crewed and accounted for so it earns revenue that offsets running costs, while you keep priority use; charter management is usually billed as a commission on gross charter revenue (industry norm ~15–20%). Phuket's October–May season sustains high occupancy, but returns are boat-specific and should be modelled per vessel rather than promised as a headline figure.

That is guardianage: scheduled check-ins, bilge, battery, mooring and systems monitoring, wash-downs, ventilation against tropical humidity, security and storm-prep, with photo reports, so an overseas owner has eyes on the boat year-round. Thailand's heat, UV, salt and humidity also mean a front-loaded maintenance plan (antifouling, corrosion care, mould control, more frequent servicing).

Both. Management scales down to sport boats, day cruisers and charter catamarans, not just superyachts, and is tailored to the vessel — which suits Phuket's mixed fleet of catamarans and mid-size motor yachts.

Consultancy is independent, owner-side advice with no sales agenda: purchase advisory (finding, surveying and negotiating the right boat), new-build and refit supervision as your owner's representative, ownership and flag structuring, and insurance and budget planning. It is distinct from brokerage in that you pay for impartial expertise on your side of the table. [[State the consultancy fee basis — hourly, per project, or an owner's-rep %.]]

No licence is needed for a crewed or skippered charter — what most visitors book — because the professional captain handles everything. A bareboat (self-skippered) charter in Thailand does require a valid boating licence or an accepted sailing résumé, and you can always add a skipper if you do not qualify.

Most nationalities enter Thailand visa-free as tourists and some can get a Visa on Arrival, but rules are changing through 2026, so check official Thai immigration for your nationality rather than a fixed day-count. All air arrivals must also file the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before landing and show the QR code. [[Reconfirm visa/TDAC rules at publish time.]]

Thai marine parks charge roughly 200–500 THB per person per day plus about 100 THB for the boat, payable in cash on-site; the Similan and Surin parks are open only mid-November to mid-May. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor or butylparaben are banned in all national parks, with fines up to 100,000 THB, so bring reef-safe mineral sunscreen. [[Reconfirm fees/fines each season.]]

Reputable operators run Marine Department-licensed vessels with valid passenger insurance, current safety surveys, life jackets and fire equipment, professional crew and the required permits. Ask to see the charter licence and insurance certificate; unlicensed cheap "paid trips" are illegal and uninsured. Center of the seas operates fully licensed and insured vessels.

Yes. A foreign national can own 100% of a private yacht and register it in their own name once they can show a valid Thai address, with the appropriate boat licence for the vessel's size. Commercial charter operation is more restrictive and usually needs a Thai company or a charter licence. Center of the seas handles the registration and licensing paperwork. [[Verify current thresholds with a Thai maritime lawyer.]]

Thailand abolished its old luxury-yacht import duty (the widely-quoted 35% figure is outdated); today the main charge is 7% VAT on the vessel value if you formally import and Thai-flag it. A foreign-flagged yacht can instead enter under temporary import for up to 12 months with no duty or VAT, provided it stays private or charters only under the Superyacht Charter Licence scheme. [[Confirm current Thai Customs rules per vessel with a lawyer.]]

Not automatically. A foreign-flagged yacht may cruise privately, but to take paying guests it needs Thai Marine Department authorisation; for larger yachts (typically 30m+) the Superyacht Charter Licence (introduced 2015) lets qualifying vessels charter in Thai waters, max 12 guests, through a Thai fiscal representative. Without the right licence, paid charters are illegal.

Thai-flag registration triggers 7% VAT but simplifies cruising and chartering in Thai waters; many owners instead use an offshore or international registry to defer local VAT and ease resale abroad. The right choice depends on where you will cruise, charter and eventually sell. [[Verify tax-deferral specifics with a Thai marine lawyer.]]

Bring lightweight tropical clothing, swimwear, a sun hat and polarised sunglasses, a light layer for breezy evenings, soft-soled non-marking deck shoes (most yachts are shoes-off), reef-safe mineral sunscreen (chemical sunscreens are banned in Thai marine parks), any seasickness remedies, a dry bag or waterproof phone case, and Thai baht in cash for park fees and tips.

Most guests are fine in the calm November–April season inside sheltered bays like Phang Nga, and catamarans stay especially stable. If you are prone to motion sickness, take remedies (tablets, wristbands or a scopolamine patch) before you feel unwell rather than after, sit midship in fresh air, and watch the horizon; the crew are used to helping first-timers.

Yes. Children are welcome, with life jackets, kayaking, snorkelling and beach stops, and sheltered east-coast routes suit young kids, elderly guests, pregnant travellers and non-swimmers better than open-sea crossings. Life jackets are provided for non-swimmers, and the crew assist with tender boarding; children stay under parental supervision as the crew are not nannies. [[Note any mobility/wheelchair-access limits per vessel.]]

Mobile signal is good near Phuket and the main islands and drops offshore. You may bring your own drinks, though premium alcohol supplied by the yacht is billed through the APA; smoking is limited to open-deck areas, and pets are accommodated only by prior arrangement. [[Confirm onboard WiFi/Starlink availability and the pet policy per vessel.]]

Center of the seas is a Phuket-based luxury yacht company offering crewed charter, brokerage, management, consultancy, sportfishing and water activities, operating fully licensed and insured vessels with professional crew. [[Add: years operating, fleet size, notable credentials, and a link to reviews.]] One team handles the boat, the paperwork and the local knowledge end to end.