Frequently Asked Questions
Which trip is the best for children?
All of our trips are suitable for children and we have had many happy reviews from families saying what a fantastic day out it is. All of our boats have plenty of shaded area, and we have various food options. We have life jackets for children and infants.
However, there are special considerations for each tour:
If you are considering the Phi Phi Snorkel and Sightsee tour by speedboat we advise that if parents have good fitting goggles for their children they should bring them with them. While we have an assortment of children’s goggles on the boat, for small children their own set is usually the best fit.
We also recommend that parents bring long sleeve t-shirts or rash shirt or sun shirts for children to swim in. This can help protect children’s delicate skin from sun burn while snorkeling as well as any jellyfish or other stingers in the water (very rare but it pays to be cautious in all tropical waters.)
We do not recommend the Phi Phi trip for children between the months of May to November (the monsoon season). We generally do not recommend the Phi Phi speedboat trip for children under the age of 2 years. For some of the time during the day we go snorkeling off the back of the speedboat - as such there is no beach and the boat will be on anchor/mooring line. If your child does not want to go on the water it will mean sitting on the boat for up to 45 minutes while others are in the water. Many kids love this experience, and feed the fish off the boat and go for quick swims, but please consider this when deciding which trip is the most suitable for your family.
The Koh Phanak Sail Cave & Hong tour is great for very small children, as the deck has lots of shaded areas and there is even a cabin for sleeping on both of our sailboats. Sail boats are also the safest and most gentle way of traveling around the islands. If you are considering a trip in the monsoon season, or if you have very small infants then this is our recommended tour.
Please note - we do not provide car seats or booster seats for the minivan ride. If you are concerned about your child's safety driving around in vans in Phuket, there is an agency who can arrange this equipment for you. www.phuketbabyrentals.com You can also order online when you are here and they will deliver.
Pipe smoking by children under 5 years of age is not encouraged. (Captain Mark wrote that… he smokes a pipe… Elise)
Can we use a sailboat to go to Phi Phi Island?
Phi Phi Island is too far to sail there and back in one day. We only do sailing tours to Phi Phi island by overnight private charter. For one day tours, we go to Phi Phi Island by speedboat only.
How do I pay?
We now take deposit via PayPal in advance. Guests also have the option of paying in full by credit card using PayPal. We DO NOT accept credit cards on the day of the tour, it must be cash only for the balance.
What do I need to bring with me?
On the day, please come as if prepared for a day at the beach. Hats, towels, bathers, sunscreen, insect repellent and etc. Don’t forget your camera!
For snorkeling a rash vest or long sleeve t-shirt is also good to have.
If you are planning on entering the caves and hongs on any of our trips to Phang Nga Bay it is better to wear strap on sandals or similar. These are going to get wet, and possibly muddy, but good grip is important in the caves. Thongs/flip flops/jandals really aren’t up to the job.
If you are planning on visiting the Koh Panyi Muslim village on stilts a minimum of t-shirt and shorts is also considered polite.
How many people do you take?
The sailboat join-in tours have a maximum of 10 adult passengers aboard, often less. The speed boat tours may on occasion have up to 20 people aboard, although most of the time there are many less than that.
Our speedboats are licensed to take 25 people and 30 people respectively - there is plenty of space to move around on all of our trips. We do not overcrowd our boats, so that you get the most out of your day.
Is sea-sickness a problem?
We have seasickness tablets on board for those that need them, and also stop regularly in the day. Sea sickness is very rare on our trips because we cruise carefully, and reschedule if we think the weather is unsuitable.
Is the price of the equipment included in the trip?
We provide lifejackets on all our tours, including infant and children sizes.
For snorkeling tours we provide goggles and a snorkel. If you would like fins, please let me know your shoe size (and let me know which country it is for, as sizes do vary).
Unless you are advised otherwise beforehand, there are no hidden extras on any of our trips.
How long is the day?
We pick you up from your hotel at 8am and usually get you back to your hotel between 5.30-6.30pm, depending on the tour.
Can non-swimmers come too?
We get non-swimmers on our boats all the time. We provide a life jacket and give you a quick snorkeling lesson on the beach and you will be off in no time! One of the main reasons we keep our group sizes small is so we can give our guests one-on-one time and make sure you feel confident and happy to explore the great islands and waters that Phuket has to offer.
On our Explore Phang Nga bay tours and Koh Phanak Sail Cave & Hong tour non-swimmers can enjoy the beautiful scenery, hongs, lagoons and caves.
Do you cater for special diets?
We cater for vegetarians or people with food allergies all the time. Please just let us know when you make a booking.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We watch the forecast every day, and if the weather is unsuitable we will cancel or reschedule. If we cancel, or if a rescheduled trip is unsuitable for you, there is no cost to you. I must stress that the decision to cancel or otherwise is the Captain's to make. If you make a booking we expect you to honour that commitment, and we will cancel if we think the weather is very unsuitable.
Do you run tours in the South West Monsoon season (May-October)?
In the monsoon season the weather can be very lovely and it is a popular time for people to come and visit Phuket. If it does rain, it tends to only rain for short periods at a time and people continue with their days without much fuss. We sail all year round.
If you look at a map you will see that Phang Nga bay is on the East coast and is sheltered by land all around it. Even when there are big waves and wind on the west coast (where the most popular resort areas and the beaches of Patong, Kata etc are) the Bay is very calm. This is why we run more Phang Nga bay trips in the south west monsoon season.
Trips to Phi Phi can be canceled often during the wet season, because the trip to Phi Phi is much further out to sea, whereas trips in Phang Nga Bay go ahead because it is very sheltered and protected.
We also recommend booking a tour as early as possible in your holiday. Then, if we do have to reschedule because of weather we have more dates to choose from.
Can I help with sailing?
Often sailing with us is the first sailing experience our guests have had. If our guests are interested we are happy to explain sailing, and ‘show you the ropes’. We like our guests to join in, and if you want to help that is fine by us.
Does Phuket Sail Tours have insurance?
Phuket Sail Tours has comprehensive insurance with AIG and the Tourist Authority of Thailand.
Does Captain Mark know that he looks like Captain Birdseye?
No, not yet.
What treats should I bring Mark on the tour when I visit?
Mark has a weakness for extra strong mints and Licorice Allsorts. Although since he is perpetually on a diet, they mostly get eaten by his daughter Elise when he is not looking.
Where can I get Ya’s recipe for her fantastic Tom Yum Soup / fried chicken?
Ya will not even let us know how she cooks it after 6 years of working with her!
Tipping?
Often our guests ask about tipping the staff. This is a decision we leave entirely to you. If you feel that our staff have worked hard to make your day a special one, and you want to show your appreciation, then tipping is a tangible way of showing your appreciation. Tam jai (up to you).
I wear glasses, can I still see the fish while snorkeling?
It is not possible to use normal glasses under our goggles.
If you would like, prescription goggles can be ordered at least 48 hours before the tour. They are free for use on the day, however, if they are damaged or lost you will be required to cover the replacement value of 1,600 baht. We will only provide from -3 to -6 prescription goggles and while we will try our best we do not guarantee that we will have enough prescription goggles for everyone on the boat who wants them, it is a "first come-first served" basis.
