Motor Yacht Charter Phuket: The 2026 Buyer's Guide (Real Boats, Real Fuel Math, Real Builder Comparison)

This is the guide I wanted last January when we were pricing a motor yacht for eight people in Phuket and nobody broker, Google, top-ten blog would just answer the question. The other three pieces in this series covered the broad planning view ([INTERNAL: "crewed yacht charter Phuket"]), the ultra-luxury end ([INTERNAL: "luxury yacht charter Phuket"]), and the sail-vs-power catamaran debate ([INTERNAL: "catamaran charter Phuket"]). None of them answered my real question: if I want an engine under me, a flybridge above, and 20 knots on the clock, which boat do I pick and what does it actually cost once fuel lands in the APA?

Motor yacht charter Phuket is its own category. Different buyer, different math, different marina. Speed changes your itinerary. Fuel changes your budget. The builder Sunseeker, Princess, Azimut, Ferretti changes your interior in ways photos never show. This piece is for the buyer who's already decided.

Why a motor yacht (and when not to)

A sailing cat gets you to Phi Phi in about three hours. A 60 ft Sunseeker does it in ninety minutes. That one fact reshapes everything downstream.

On a sailing cat your day is usually one stop, maybe two if the wind cooperates. On a motor yacht you can realistically run Racha Yai for a morning snorkel, push north to James Bond Island for lunch, and be tucked into Koh Hong before sunset. Three anchorages, one day, no racing. I've done that run twice. On a cat you don't even try.

Weather's the second reason. Green-season swell (May-October) rolls into Phang Nga Bay. A semi-displacement motor yacht punches through it; a 40-foot sailing cat takes it beam-on. Outside the Dec-Feb prime window, a motor yacht buys schedule reliability a sail boat can't.

What a motor yacht isn't: cheap, stable at anchor, or romantic. You'll pay for fuel (math in a minute). You'll roll more than a cat when a swell wraps the point. And if you booked the Andaman because you wanted canvas on a mast and halyards tapping the rig at anchor, a motor yacht will feel wrong no matter how nice the flybridge is.

This guide's for the buyer who's made peace with the tradeoff and wants to pick the right boat and price the real total.

2026 pricing five motor yacht tiers

Motor yacht charter Phuket pricing splits cleanly into five tiers. Rates below are 2026 Phuket-landed numbers from Boat in the Bay, Thai-charters, Royal Phuket Marina, and Yacht-rent.com. Confirm every figure against a broker-fresh quote at booking — Phuket charter pricing moves with fuel, season, and yacht availability.

Two decisions collapse out of this table. For a single long day birthday, corporate offsite the mid-tier day rate on a Sunseeker or Princess 60 is the sweet spot. Sixteen hours, three crew, toys on the swim platform, back at the marina before midnight. For seven nights at sea, the luxury week rate on an Azimut 55 or Ferretti 80 beats the same boat at day rates — and you get overnight anchorages day boats can't reach.

The trap's the middle. A three-day split charges day rates, not weekly, and the APA doesn't scale down. If the dates feel like "a long weekend," compare the full-week rate before committing.

The total cost math (and the fuel surprise)

Charter brokers quote a base rate. They do not quote the number you will actually pay. Here is the worked example I run for every motor yacht client before we book:

Base charter Sunseeker 60, 3 days peak season: THB 140,000 × 3 = THB 420,000

Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) at 25%: THB 105,000

• Of which fuel: ~60% on a planing motor yacht = ~THB 63,000
• Dockage, food, drinks, ice, laundry, port taxes: ~THB 42,000

Thai VAT at 7% on the base: THB 29,400

Crew gratuity at 10-15% of base: THB 42,000-63,000

All-in: THB 596,400-617,400 ,42% to 47% over the headline rate.

The fuel line is what surprises buyers, every single time. A Sunseeker 60 at 20 knots burns 250-300 liters/hour, which at current Thai marine diesel is THB 10,000-12,000 per running hour. Three days at four hours a day is THB 120,000-144,000 in diesel alone more than the 25% APA floor in most cases. A good broker lands the APA at 30% on motor yachts specifically so fuel doesn't eat the entire kitty and leave nothing for the lobster on night three.

The same contract mechanic on a sailing cat lands differently. A Lagoon 52 running engines three hours a day between anchorages burns maybe 20 L/hr. Fuel's a rounding error and the APA goes back into food and water toys. This is why motor yacht weeks cost more than cat weeks not the hull, the fuel.

Fuel burn varies by hull type. Plan accordingly:

Ask the broker exactly this: "At three hours running per day at 18 knots, what's the fuel bill, and what's left in the APA for provisions?" If they can't answer in ten seconds, find another broker.

Sunseeker vs Princess vs Azimut vs Ferretti

Four builders dominate the 55-90 ft motor yacht charter market in Phuket. Each has a personality. Each appeals to a different buyer. I've been aboard all four at Yacht Haven and Royal Phuket in the last 18 months.

Sunseeker is the English racing boat. Aggressive open flybridges, the Predator sport-cruiser range is the closest thing to a 30-knot cannonball you can charter here, and owners buy Sunseeker for the look as much as the performance — which is a compliment, actually. If your group wants a toys-out, cockpit-music, flybridge-sunset party and the fastest ride to Phi Phi, this is your builder. The Sunseeker 60 at THB 136,000-146,000/day is the sweet spot big enough for eight, fast enough to matter, and I genuinely think the hardtop flybridge is the best place to watch a Phang Nga sunset from the water anywhere in the Andaman.

Princess is the quieter English cousin. Same 60 ft class, same three crew, same price band, but the saloon's calmer, the cabinetry more traditional, and the ride in a beam sea is genuinely more refined. The Princess 60 at THB 170,000/day costs more per day and the premium is interior comfort, not performance. For executives entertaining clients, or a family with grandparents aboard, Princess wins almost every time I've watched it happen three bookings in a row.

Azimut is the Italian design story. The Grande series pushes beach-club aft layouts with a swim platform the size of a small studio, and the Magellano semi-displacement range makes Similan or Mergui possible without burning a Sunseeker's fuel bill. The Azimut 55 'Pillars' at Yacht Haven (EUR 24,500-29,750/wk seasonal, 12 guests, 6 berths) is the reference in the 50-foot weekly class. The Azimut 68 from THB 175,000/day is the step up when you want the flybridge plus the Italian interior.

Ferretti is the cabinetry boat. Italian, classic flybridge heritage, interior volume that honestly feels like a floor larger than its Sunseeker or Princess sistership. The Ferretti 80 at THB 130,000/day is the value play in the 80-foot class — cheaper per day than a Sunseeker 60 and considerably more boat. The Navetta semi-displacement range is what you charter for "seven nights, slow, good dinners, no rush." It burns a fraction of a planing hull's fuel and the volume's higher. For food-and-wine groups, Ferretti is the underrated pick, and I say that as someone who chartered one twice before I figured out why it felt so easy.

Which to pick? Sunseeker if you want speed and statement. Princess if you want quiet refinement. Azimut if you want Italian styling and a proper beach club. Ferretti if you want interior volume and semi-displacement fuel economy.

Real named motor yachts in Phuket (2026)

Every boat below is currently or recently marketed for Phuket charter. Rates are 2026 season figures — confirm with the broker at booking.

How to read this table: day-rate boats (Stealth 38, Azimut 50, Ferretti 80, Sunseeker 60, Princess 60, Azimut 68) are booked by the day or half-day at Royal Phuket, Yacht Haven, or Boat Lagoon, with a captain and one-to-two crew included. Weekly boats (Azimut 55 Pillars) book on MYBA terms with 25-30% APA, a full crew of three, and full provisioning. The superyacht (Azul V) books on full MYBA with 30% APA, 7% Thai VAT, and 5% income tax layered in — the only one where the tax column genuinely moves the total.

Azul V specifically: 48.3 m, 12 guests, 6 cabins, 11 crew, $180,000/wk — the largest crewed charter operating from Phuket. It's a 1996 CRN with a 2016 refit, and it's the boat for a 10-12 group running the full Andaman loop including Mergui. For reference, a Sunseeker 88 in the same class books globally at ~$95,000/wk and a Ferretti 90+ lands in the $75,000-104,000/wk band — Azul V is priced as a full superyacht, not a jumbo motor yacht.

Marinas Yacht Haven vs the rest

Phuket has five marinas that matter. Motor yachts concentrate at two of them for real reasons.

Yacht Haven Marina is the primary motor yacht hub for the 50-100+ ft class. Depth, protected basin, superyacht facilities, and tax-free bunkering for charter fuel make it the natural home for the weekly and superyacht tiers. Azimut 55 Pillars bases here. Most of the large charter motor yachts I've walked past at high season are here too. Phang Nga access is the other reason — you're into the limestone karsts inside two hours, which matters when the broker is quoting you fuel.

Royal Phuket Marina is the motor yacht focus on the west side. Full-service, onsite operators, the Royal Phuket Marina 39ft entry-point day charter bases here. Right pick for day charters and short overnight runs south to Racha.

Ao Po Grand Marina is the primary catamaran hub but hosts some motor yachts — especially ones doing Phang Nga loops where east-side access saves an hour each way.

Boat Lagoon Marina is the maintenance and service hub. Hartt Voyages crewed motor yacht charter bases here, and the service yards handle most yacht survey and repair. Smaller motor yacht day charters also work from here.

Ao Chalong is pure south-coast day-charter convenience. Smaller motor boats and fishing charters. Rarely the base for a 60+ ft booking.

Booking a 60-90 ft motor yacht for a week? Yacht Haven, unless your itinerary is south-coast heavy. Day charter? Royal Phuket or Ao Chalong. Superyacht week? Yacht Haven is basically the only real option.

Season, speed, and the multi-stop advantage

High season runs November through April. The prime calm window flat seas, minimal swell, reliable anchorages on both coasts — is December through February. That's the window I'd target for a first charter. Book eight to twelve weeks out; the best boats at Yacht Haven go early.

Green season (May-October) isn't a write-off for motor yachts the way it is for sailing cats. A 60-foot semi-displacement hull handles swell that parks a 42-foot cat at the marina. If you're flexible, May and early October often have decent windows with 30-40% rate discounts.

The speed advantage is the reason to charter a motor yacht at all. Phi Phi from Yacht Haven is roughly 40 nautical miles. Run the delta across common Phuket runs:

Those saved hours are what unlock multi-stop days. A cat that reaches Phi Phi at lunchtime has used up the morning; a Sunseeker 60 at Phi Phi by 1000 still has eight daylight hours on the clock.

The practical payoff is the multi-stop day. A real itinerary I ran in February 2026 on a Princess 60: Yacht Haven 0830, Racha Yai snorkel 1000, James Bond Island lunch 1300, Koh Hong northern cove swim and sunset 1630, home 2030. Ninety nautical miles, impossible on any sailing cat in a sensible day. On the Princess it's a normal 12-hour charter.

The other unlock is the Similan day trip. Similan lies about 55 nm northwest of Phuket. A motor yacht at 22 knots makes it in under three hours, gives you four hours on the water, and runs home in three a 10-hour day no sailing cat can round-trip. If Similan is on your list and you have one day, a motor yacht is the only way. (Similan Islands National Park closes mid-May to mid-October each year check current closure dates before booking.)

When speed doesn't matter: relaxed weeks where the boat drops anchor at Koh Hong, Koh Phanak, or Koh Yao Noi and stays put for 36 hours. On those weeks the Sunseeker's 22 knots is worth nothing and a Ferretti Navetta's half-rate fuel burn is worth real money. Match the boat to how you'll actually use the time.

Who should not charter a motor yacht in Phuket

Let me be direct about this there are groups for whom a motor yacht is the wrong call in the Andaman, and the broker won't always tell you.

Pure sail romantics. If the reason you want a yacht is the sound of canvas and the feel of a heeled hull, a motor yacht will disappoint you no matter how nice the interior is. Charter a [INTERNAL: "sailing catamaran or monohull"] instead.

Budget-sensitive groups. The fuel burn blows the envelope. A Lagoon 52F cat week runs EUR 25,000-30,000 all-in; a Princess 60 motor yacht week with realistic fuel usage runs closer to EUR 45,000-55,000 all-in. Per-cabin, the cat is almost always cheaper.

Groups prioritizing on-deck entertaining space. Cats have more flat square footage than monohull motor yachts of the same length. Six people lounging on a Lagoon 50 foredeck trampoline outspaces six people on a Sunseeker 60 bow seating. If the day is "anchor, swim, eat on deck, repeat," a cat wins.

Families wanting stable-as-a-platform cruising. A 60-foot monohull motor yacht at anchor rolls in beam seas. A 50-foot catamaran barely moves. Toddlers and grandparents do better on cats.

Long relaxed passage planners. If your itinerary is seven nights of slow cruising with long legs between anchorages, a planing motor yacht (Sunseeker, Princess) is the wrong hull. You want a semi-displacement Navetta, a Magellano, or a cat. Planing hulls fight the water at cruise speeds and burn fuel you didn't budget.

If two or more of those describe your group, stop and reread the [INTERNAL: "catamaran charter Phuket"] piece first. If none of them do, you're in the right guide.

Motor yacht charter Phuket FAQ

How much does it cost to charter a motor yacht in Phuket? Day charters run THB 36,000-175,000 depending on size (35-70 ft). Luxury weekly rates run EUR 24,500-40,000 for 55-80 ft boats. Superyacht weeks start around $75,000 and top out at $180,000 for a 158 ft flagship like Azul V. Add 25-30% APA, 7% Thai VAT, and 10-15% crew gratuity to every quote.

What's the fuel cost on a motor yacht in Phuket? On a Sunseeker 60 cruising at 20 knots, roughly 250-300 liters per hour, or THB 10,000-12,000 per running hour at current Thai marine diesel rates. On a Ferretti Navetta at 10 knots, closer to 60-80 liters per hour about a third of that. Fuel is the single biggest variable in the APA on a motor yacht charter.

Sunseeker vs Princess which is better for charter? Sunseeker for speed, statement looks, and open flybridge parties. Princess for quieter refinement, more traditional interior, and a calmer ride in a beam sea. Same price band, same class, very different vibe. Sunseeker if it's friends in their 30s; Princess if it's family across three generations.

Azimut vs Ferretti which is better for charter? Azimut for Italian styling and a beach-club aft layout (Grande series). Ferretti for interior volume and semi-displacement fuel economy (Navetta range). Azimut if the aesthetic matters most; Ferretti if the cabinets and the fuel bill matter most.

Yacht Haven or Royal Phuket Marina for motor yacht charter? Yacht Haven for 60+ ft weekly and superyacht charters — depth, superyacht facilities, tax-free bunkering, east-side Phang Nga access. Royal Phuket for day charters and short-turn bookings full-service marina with onsite operators on the west side. If you're booking a week, it's Yacht Haven almost every time.

Is a motor yacht faster than a sailing cat to Phi Phi? Yes, substantially. Sailing cat: 3-5 hours from Phuket. Motor yacht at 18-22 knots: 90 minutes to 2 hours. The difference is a full morning you don't have on a cat — enough for a multi-stop day that's impossible under sail.

Can I charter a motor yacht to the Similan Islands for a day? Yes, on a fast motor yacht (18+ knots cruise). Similan is roughly 55 nm northwest of Phuket — about 3 hours each way on a Sunseeker 60 or Princess 60. That leaves 4 hours on the water for a realistic 10-hour day. Impossible as a round trip on a sailing cat. Similan is closed mid-May to mid-October each year — check current dates.

What licenses do I need to bareboat a motor yacht in Phuket? Bareboat motor yacht charter in Phuket is rare — most charters are crewed, and honestly that's for the best. If you do find a bareboat, expect an ICC, IYT, or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore minimum, a checkout session with the operator, and usually a mandatory local skipper on the first run. Realistically, budget for crewed.

When is the best month for motor yacht charter in Phuket? December through February. Prime calm window, reliable anchorages on both coasts, peak season rates. November and March are the shoulders with slightly lower rates and 80% of the weather. May and October are green-season value windows for motor yachts specifically — the sea-keeping is good enough to run.

How many people sleep on a 60 ft motor yacht in Phuket? Six guests typically, across three cabins, with three crew. Day capacity runs to 16-20 for a Sunseeker 60 or Princess 60. An 80 ft Ferretti sleeps 8 in 4 cabins with day capacity around 25. An 87 ft+ yacht generally sleeps 8 guests in 4 cabins with a larger crew complement.

Do I need to tip the crew on a Phuket motor yacht charter? Yes — 10-15% of the base charter rate is standard on MYBA contracts. Cash (THB, USD, or EUR) handed to the captain on disembarkation day. Budget it as a separate line from the APA.

Planning checklist

• Pick tier day, mid-tier day, luxury week, superyacht week
• Pick builder Sunseeker (speed), Princess (refinement), Azimut (styling), Ferretti (volume)
• Confirm marina Yacht Haven for 60+ ft weekly, Royal Phuket for day
• Sight the boat current photos, recent video, walk-through if possible
• Lock dates target Dec-Feb prime window, book 8-12 weeks out
• Read the MYBA contract base rate, APA, VAT, cancellation, force majeure
• Land the APA at 30% on motor yachts, not 25% fuel line visibility
• Draft the itinerary stops, anchorages, Similan closure check
• Send provisioning list to broker 10 days out
• Brief crew on dietary and allergy needs
• Travel insurance with charter coverage
• Gratuity envelope prepared 10-15% cash

Final word

Motor yacht charter Phuket is a specialist booking, not a generalist one. The speed lets you run a three-anchorage day the catamarans can't. The fuel bill costs you real money the catamarans don't. The builder choice — Sunseeker, Princess, Azimut, Ferretti shapes the interior more than photos will ever tell you. Match the boat to the week you actually plan to run: Sunseeker for speed days, Princess for refined weeks, Azimut for beach-club afternoons, Ferretti for slow food-and-wine passages. Land the APA at 30% with the fuel line visible, base at Yacht Haven if the boat is 60+ ft, and aim for the December-February window. Do those four things and motor yacht charter Phuket earns every Thai baht you put into it.

Sources

• Boat in the Bay (Stealth 38, Ferretti 80, Sunseeker 60, Princess 60, Azul V)
• Thai-charters (Azimut 50, Azimut 68)
• Royal Phuket Marina (39ft day charter)
• Yacht-rent.com (Azimut 55 Pillars)
• YachtCharterFleet (Sunseeker 88, Ferretti 90+ references)
• MYBA Charter Agreement ([OUTLINK: https://www.myba-association.com/ - "MYBA Charter Agreement"])
• Thai Revenue Department VAT ([OUTLINK: https://www.rd.go.th/english/ - "Thai Revenue Department VAT guidance"])
• Similan Islands National Park ([OUTLINK: https://portal.dnp.go.th/ - "Similan Islands National Park"])