Charter a 78ft teak wood yacht from Koh Samui to the Five Islands for snorkeling at Koh Tan reef, beach time on Pig Island, and pink dolphin spotting off the Khanom coast.

Look, most yacht charters on Koh Samui are either cramped speedboats with fifteen strangers or overpriced catamarans that anchor everyone at the same tired reef. The Red Dragon is different. It’s a 78-foot teak wood sailing yacht — actual teak, hand-built, with a traditional sail — and when you book it, the whole boat is yours. No other tour group. No strangers. Just your people and a crew that genuinely knows these waters.

I’ve watched this boat leave Bophut pier more times than I can count. It’s the kind of vessel that makes you stop and look twice, and the itinerary it runs is one of the better full-day routes out of Samui. Here’s what you’re actually getting.

What the Day Looks Like

You depart at 9:30 AM, with hotel pickup included. The boat heads south past the Five Islands — a cluster of limestone formations off Samui’s southwest tip that most people drive past without ever visiting. There are caves in there, bamboo dwellings clinging to cliff faces, and a beach you’d never find on your own. It’s the kind of stop that actually earns the “hidden gem” label, even if I’m not allowed to call it that.

From there, you head to Koh Tan for the snorkeling. The reef here is legitimately good — healthy coral, decent visibility, and a guide who gets in the water with you rather than watching from the boat. Non-swimmers can float on the netted raft. Snorkel gear and life vests are included.

After Koh Tan, the boat swings by Koh Madsum — also known as Pig Island — where a small colony of pigs has been living on the beach for years. It’s exactly as absurd as it sounds, and kids absolutely love it. Then you head toward Khanom on the mainland coast to look for pink dolphins. They’re usually around. Sightings aren’t guaranteed — they’re wild animals — but the guide knows where to look, and the route takes you through scenery that’s worth the trip regardless.

The Yacht Itself

The Red Dragon is 78 feet of teak wood with a sun deck, a fully furnished lounge and dining area, a splash pool, kayaks, and a dinghy for getting people ashore where there’s no jetty. That’s not a marketing list — it’s stuff you’ll actually use over the course of a six-and-a-half-hour day on the water.

Onboard dining is the other thing worth mentioning. The chef cooks everything from scratch using local ingredients. This isn’t a packed-lunch situation. Freshly cooked meals, fresh fruit, soft drinks — all included. If you want alcohol, you’ll need to bring it.

Who This Suits

The boat fits up to ten people, and it’s priced per boat rather than per person. That makes the math interesting. Split ten ways, you’re looking at around $256 per person for a full-day private charter with a chef, guides, all gear, hotel transfers, and lunch. As group day trips go, that’s solid value for what you’re getting.

It works well for families — there’s space to move around, the crew is patient with kids, and non-swimmers have options. It’s also genuinely good for couples or small groups who want a nicer day out than the standard shared snorkel tour offers.

Honest Caveats

The sea kayaking costs extra — 200 baht per person if you want to take them out. There are also admission fees at some stops that aren’t included in the price. And if your group is larger than ten, there’s an extra charge of 2,000 THB per adult and 1,500 THB per child — so plan accordingly.

Weather affects the itinerary. If conditions aren’t right for the dolphin section, the crew will add more snorkeling or beach time instead. The Gulf of Thailand is generally calm from November through April and rougher during the monsoon months, particularly August and September.

Practical Details

Hotel pickup included. Departs 9:30 AM. Duration around six and a half hours. Snorkel gear, life vests, meals, soft drinks, and guides all covered. The boat accommodates up to ten people. It’s suitable for all fitness levels, and the netted raft means non-swimmers aren’t left out of the water sections.

One thing to know: this is a teak sailing yacht, not a speedboat. It moves at a comfortable pace. If you need to be back at the pier by noon, this isn’t your tour. If you want a proper day out on the water with good food and a crew that takes care of the details — this is exactly that.

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