Speedboat or catamaran: which vessel to choose for a sea excursion in Phuket

Choosing a sea excursion is not just about the route, program, and price. Equally important is the vessel on which you will spend several hours.

In Phuket, various types of transport are used for sea excursions: from small speedboats to spacious motor and sailing catamarans. However, it cannot be said that one option is always better than another. Much depends on the size of the vessel, the number of passengers, the seating arrangement, the route, and personal tolerance for seasickness.

Let's find out the differences between catamarans and speedboats and what to consider when choosing an excursion.

Catamaran: more space and a smoother ride

The main advantage of a catamaran is its design. Two hulls provide the vessel with greater stability on the water, so a catamaran usually cuts through waves more smoothly and rocks less than a speedboat.

Another important plus is space. Catamarans generally have more room for passengers: you can move more freely on deck, choose a spot to relax, sit in the shade, or go out to the open part of the vessel.

However, there's a nuance here: catamarans can also have quite a large capacity. Therefore, the mere fact that an excursion is on a catamaran does not necessarily mean that there will be few people on board.

When choosing, it's worth looking not only at the type of vessel but also at the specific catamaran, its capacity, and the organization of the excursion.

Speedboats: it all depends on the specific vessel

The situation with speedboats is even more interesting. Speedboats vary greatly – large and small, with different hull widths, passenger capacities, and seating arrangements.

Therefore, the statement "speedboats are always cramped and rocky" is not entirely accurate.

The seating arrangement plays a big role.

Forward-facing or side seating

In some speedboats, passengers sit facing the direction of travel. This forward-facing seating is usually perceived as more comfortable: it's easier to follow the direction of travel, and the impact from waves is distributed more familiarly.

With side seating, passengers are positioned perpendicular to the direction of travel. On a large boat and with significant occupancy, this arrangement can be less comfortable, especially in choppy waters.

But here too, everything depends on the specific situation.

If the speedboat is small, there are few passengers, and the group is small, side seating does not necessarily become a problem. Such a vessel may have enough space, and a small number of tourists significantly affects the overall feeling of comfort.

Therefore, when choosing an excursion, we recommend evaluating not just the label "speedboat," but photos of the specific vessel and the passenger seating arrangement.

What happens during the rainy season?

The rainy season in Phuket should indeed be considered when choosing a sea excursion, but it doesn't mean that all sea programs during this period are the same or that the sea is rough every day.

From May to October, the island more often experiences periods of rough seas and a higher probability of rain. This can be especially noticeable in open sea areas and during long transfers between islands.

On such days, the advantages of a catamaran become more apparent: thanks to its design, it usually handles waves more smoothly and rocks less.

However, even a catamaran cannot completely eliminate seasickness. Much depends on weather conditions, the route, and the specific vessel.

Therefore, during the rainy season, it is especially important to pay attention not only to the name and cost of the excursion, but also to the type of transport.

Safety and condition of transport

For us, the type of vessel is only one part of the equation. Equally important is who operates the transport and in what condition the transport is.

We only work with carriers who regularly carry out technical maintenance of their boats and provide comfortable transport for tourists.

The training of the crew is also very important. Captains and sailors undergo timely training and medical examinations. This includes testing for the use of prohibited medicinal and other substances incompatible with safe transport operation.

We fundamentally do not choose carriers simply because they offer the lowest price.

Too low a transport cost can be achieved at the expense of the quality of the vessel itself, its maintenance, conditions for passengers, or other components of the excursion. For us, this is an unacceptable compromise.

Our task is to select a program that is not only interesting in terms of the route but also comfortable and safe in terms of organization.

We show you what you'll be riding on

We strive to be as transparent as possible in our work.

Therefore, photos of the transport are included in the description of each excursion. Before booking, you can independently see what a specific boat or catamaran looks like, evaluate the seating, the number of places, and the overall layout of the vessel.

If you don't want to delve into the characteristics of the vessels yourself, you can contact our manager. We will clarify the tourists' preferences—the number of people, the presence of children, seasickness tolerance, comfort level, and route preferences—and offer suitable options.