Private Power Catamaran – The Coral Reef Cabana

The Coral Reef Cabana private power catamaran is a charter boat for up to 20 guests departing from Phuket, with programs covering Banana Beach, Promthep Cape, Racha Island, Maiton Island, the Khai Islands, Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay — from quick round trips to full-day charters. We arrange it directly from our family-run, TAT-licensed agency at Chalong Circle.

What is a private power catamaran charter, exactly?

Instead of joining a shared speedboat with forty strangers, you get the whole boat. The Coral Reef Cabana power catamaran takes up to 20 guests, so it works for one family just as well as for a birthday group or a small company outing. You choose the program, the boat leaves when your group is ready, and nobody else’s schedule matters.

Power catamarans sit between a speedboat and a sailing catamaran. You get real speed — enough to reach the further islands — but with the wide, stable twin-hull deck that makes the ride far gentler than a narrow speedboat slamming through chop. Guests who felt seasick on a previous speedboat trip tell us the difference is night and day. If you would rather cruise slowly under sail, look at our private sailing catamaran charter instead.

Which route should you choose?

The charter menu runs from a simple Banana Beach round trip up to full-day programs. The main options:

• Banana Beach (Koh Hey) — round trip, half day morning, half day afternoon, or full day. The closest and calmest choice, ideal with small children.
• Banana Beach + Promthep Cape — adds a cruise past Phuket’s famous southern viewpoint from the water side.
• Banana Beach + Racha Island or + Maiton Island — clearer, deeper water and better snorkeling; both can be extended with a sunset run.
• Phi Phi + Maiton or Phi Phi + Khai Islands — the big full-day combinations.
• Phang Nga Bay — limestone karsts and calm emerald water, a completely different landscape from the beach islands.

Can you really combine Khai and Phi Phi in one day?

Yes — and on a private charter it is one of our most requested programs. But we always explain the trade-off honestly across the counter. Phi Phi is roughly two hours of cruising each way, so a Phi Phi + Khai day is a long day on the water: you get the drama of Maya Bay’s cliffs plus a late-afternoon swim stop at the Khai Islands on the way home, when the day-trip crowds there have already left. What you trade away is lingering time — you will not have lazy hours on any single beach.

If your priority is relaxed swimming and snorkeling rather than ticking off famous names, we usually steer guests to Racha + Maiton instead: less travel time, more water time. And if you are comparing a private Phi Phi charter against the shared boats, our guide to what a Phi Phi tour includes explains what the group tours do and don’t cover.

Is a private charter right for your group?

We send guests to this boat when at least one of these is true: the group has small children or elderly members who need their own pace; somebody gets seasick easily and wants the stable catamaran ride; it’s a celebration — proposal, anniversary, birthday; or there are simply enough of you that a private boat costs little more per person than good seats on a shared tour. With 20 seats, a group of ten to twenty often finds the private option surprisingly reasonable — message us and we’ll do the math with you for today’s rate, because boat prices in Phuket genuinely change day to day.

Who is it not for? Solo travellers and couples on a tight budget — a shared trip like the Khai Islands half day tour delivers the same water for far less.

What should you bring, and when should you go?

Swimwear under your clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a dry bag for phones. The boat side of things — crew, safety gear, snorkeling equipment — is arranged for you. November to April is the calm-sea season and the best time for the longer routes like Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay; in the green season (May–October) we simply recommend the sheltered east-side routes on rougher days rather than cancelling your plans. Because it’s your boat, the itinerary can flex with the weather on the day — that flexibility is half of what you’re paying for.

FAQ

How many people fit on the Coral Reef Cabana power catamaran?

The power catamaran takes up to 20 guests. For bigger groups, we can arrange larger sailing catamarans — ask us on WhatsApp and we’ll match a boat to your group size.

Is a power catamaran better than a speedboat for seasickness?

Generally yes. The twin-hull design is wider and more stable than a speedboat, so it rolls less in chop. If anyone in your group is sensitive, we also suggest morning departures, when the sea is usually calmest.

Can we choose our own itinerary?

Within the listed programs, yes — departure time, how long you stay at each stop, and swim spots can all flex. Route changes on the day are possible when weather and park rules allow; the captain has the final say on safety.

How much does the private power catamaran charter cost?

Charter prices change with the season, fuel and demand, so we don’t publish fixed numbers. Message us on WhatsApp with your date, group size and preferred route and we’ll quote today’s price in minutes.

Where do we book?

Chat with us on WhatsApp at +66 93 687 1999, or drop into our shop near Chalong Circle — we’re a family-run, TAT-licensed agency and happy to talk through options with a map on the counter.