- Only a handful of boats take large groups: Red Baron up to 70 guests, Serenity up to 60, Coco Paradise up to 45 and Neverland up to 37.
- Each boat has a base price that covers a set number of guests, such as 20 on Red Baron and 25 on Serenity, and every extra guest adds a fixed fee.
- Red Baron includes transfer and lunch, while Serenity and Neverland do not include transfer, so check this before comparing prices.
- For 20 to 25 guests there are more choices, including Blue Coco for up to 25 and Ofcourse, Sapphire and Ti Ti for up to 24.
- Ang Thong National Marine Park is usually closed from 1 November to 15 December, so big group trips there need dates outside that window.
The group chat has forty people in it, half of them flying in for the wedding, and someone has volunteered you to "sort out the boat day". That is when you find out that most boats around the island take ten or twelve people, and a group boat charter on Koh Samui for a crowd is a different job altogether. The right boat exists, but there are only a few of them, and they book up.
This guide covers the boats that really work for 20 to 70 guests, how their pricing grows with every extra person, and the logistics that make or break a big day on the water: transfers, boarding, food, music and timing.
Which boats take big groups on Koh Samui?
Four boats are built for large groups: the Red Baron sailing junk for up to 70 guests, the Serenity catamaran for up to 60, the Coco Paradise catamaran for up to 45 and the Neverland speedboat for up to 37. Below them, a few boats take groups of 20 to 25.
That short list matters. Putting everyone on one boat is usually the whole point of a group charter, and with a big group the choice narrows quickly. Splitting a wedding party across two small speedboats is possible, but the day becomes a convoy instead of a party.
Each of the four has a clear character. Red Baron is a traditional Thai sailing junk, 30 m (98 ft) long, built from a very hard wood called Takien Tong at a shipyard in Surat Thani, with twin masts and Thai-style sails. It has a large sun deck and a main deck with lounge seating, a dining area and a sound system.
Serenity is a Serenity 71 catamaran, 71 ft long and 34 ft wide, with 4 double cabins, a fully equipped kitchen and a living room where up to 25 guests can sit down to eat at the same time. Coco Paradise is a sailing catamaran with 3 cabins, 3 bathrooms, air-conditioned interiors and a foredeck lounge. Neverland is a 15 m (50 ft) speedboat with three 250 hp Honda engines, the fast option for a big crowd.
All four are private charters. Nobody else joins your group, and the route and timing are planned around you.
Group boat charter on Koh Samui: which boat for which group size?
For 20 to 25 guests you have several choices, from catamarans to large speedboats. From about 25 to 45 the choice is Neverland or Coco Paradise, from 45 to 60 it is Serenity, and above 60 only Red Baron takes everyone on one boat.
| Group size | Boats that fit | Guests in base price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 | Pearl | 6 | Smaller groups that want speed |
| Up to 20 | Scarlet, Hilux | 8 (Scarlet), 10 (Hilux) | Families, small company teams |
| Up to 24 | Ofcourse, Sapphire, Ti Ti | 6 | Fast island hopping |
| Up to 25 | Blue Coco | 10 | A relaxed catamaran day |
| Up to 37 | Neverland | 10 | Long routes: Ang Thong, Koh Tao |
| Up to 45 | Coco Paradise | 10 | Comfort, service, water toys |
| Up to 60 | Serenity | 25 | Big parties, sit-down meals |
| Up to 70 | Red Baron | 20 | Weddings, sunset dinners, corporate events |
The recommendation by size is simple. For 20 to 25 people who want a calm day with lots of deck space, Blue Coco is the easy choice. For a lively group of up to 37 that wants to cover distance, Neverland makes sense. For up to 45 people who care about service and comfort, Coco Paradise is the pick.
For 45 to 60, Serenity is the only catamaran in that range, and for a full 70 Red Baron is the only boat that keeps everyone together. If your group is larger than 70, the honest answer is two boats, and it is worth deciding early how you split people.
And if the headcount shrinks to 15 or fewer once the flights are booked, the picture changes. The Pearl speedboat is the boat guests book most often, and she takes up to 15: the price covers 6 guests, each extra guest is ฿2,000, and hotel transfer is included. Her 8-hour days run from ฿38,000 for Koh Phangan or Koh Tan and Koh Madsum to ฿41,000 for Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. For 20 and more she is simply too small, so stay with the boats above.
The full catalogue of catamarans is on the page for catamaran charters on Koh Samui, and the fast boats are on the speedboat charter page.
How does pricing work when you add guests?
Every boat has a base price for the whole boat that covers a set number of guests, and each guest above that number adds a fixed fee. The base number differs from boat to boat, so the cheapest headline price is not always the cheapest boat for a big group.
Here is how the four big-group boats work:
- Red Baron: prices cover up to 20 guests. The Sunset Dinner Cruise (3 hours) costs ฿42,000 plus ฿1,800 per extra guest, the Half-day Cruise (6 hours) ฿53,000 plus ฿2,100, a 9-hour day around Koh Samui or Koh Phangan ฿71,000 plus ฿2,400, and the 10-hour Ang Thong day ฿81,000 plus ฿2,700.
- Serenity: prices cover up to 25 guests. A 4-hour half day costs ฿60,000, 8 hours to Koh Phangan or to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum ฿100,000, and 8 hours in Ang Thong ฿130,000. Extra guests cost ฿1,300 on a full day and ฿800 on a half day or sunset trip.
- Coco Paradise: prices cover up to 10 guests, with ฿1,500 per extra guest. A half day to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum costs ฿45,000 in the morning or ฿50,000 in the afternoon, a full day there ฿65,000, Koh Phangan ฿75,000 and Ang Thong ฿85,000.
- Neverland: prices cover up to 10 guests, with ฿1,000 per extra guest. All routes last 8 hours: Koh Phangan or Koh Tan, Koh Madsum and Koh Rap for ฿47,000, Ang Thong for ฿51,000 and Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan for ฿53,000.
Compare boats at your real headcount, not at the headline price. A boat that looks cheaper may include only 10 guests, while another already covers 20 or 25. Ask the manager for the final price for your exact number, as it is confirmed with the booking.
Fees on the islands come on top. Ang Thong charges ฿300 per adult and ฿150 per child, with children aged 12 and older paying as adults, and Koh Madsum and Koh Rap charge ฿50 per person for each island. With a big group these add up, so tell your guests in advance and collect cash before the day. The price guide by boat has the wider picture for smaller boats.
Hotel transfer and boarding: the logistics of a big group
Transfer is the first thing to check, because it differs between boats. Red Baron includes transfer, while Serenity and Neverland do not include it, so you arrange your own way to the boat.
Red Baron and Neverland are moored on the north side of Koh Samui, which is a short run to Koh Phangan and Ang Thong. For a group staying in several hotels, a meeting point and a fixed time are better than hoping everyone finds the pier alone. One late taxi can hold up forty people.
Boarding a big group takes time, so build in a buffer at the start. Get everyone to the pier early, count heads before the boat leaves, and appoint one person who has the guest list and a phone. That person should also be the one the crew talks to during the day.
For corporate groups, it helps to send the guest list in advance with any dietary needs, swimmers and non-swimmers, and children. The crew then knows how many life jackets and snorkel sets to prepare. Serenity includes life jackets and snorkelling equipment, and Neverland carries snorkelling masks and life jackets.
Think about luggage too. Guests bring bags, cameras, drones and wedding outfits. A big boat has space, but not unlimited dry space, so ask people to travel light and bring a waterproof bag for phones.
Food, drinks, music and celebrations on board
Food is handled differently on each boat: Red Baron includes lunch and appetizers, Serenity offers a buffet with BBQ as an extra, Coco Paradise serves pastries from a local pastry chef, and on Neverland lunch is available at an extra charge.
On Serenity, soft drinks and fruit can be added for ฿150 per guest, and a buffet with BBQ for ฿600 per guest. The living room seats 25 for a meal at the same time, which matters for a sit-down lunch with speeches. On a big group day, a meal everyone shares is often the moment people remember.
Red Baron's Sunset Dinner Cruise is the classic choice for a wedding party or a company dinner. Lunch, soft drinks, appetizers, towels and snorkelling equipment are included, and the sound system is on board. For a celebration, the sunset slot is usually the one to book, since the light and the cooler air do half the work.
Coco Paradise has a dedicated personal butler and offers a welcome drink, water, soft drinks with ice and seasonal fruit. An ocean swimming pool and water slide can be added for ฿3,000, though they are not permitted inside Ang Thong Marine Park. Serenity and Scarlet carry a Bluetooth speaker, so bring your playlist.
A few tips for celebrations on the water:
- Tell the team the occasion when you book: a birthday, a wedding, a team event.
- Agree who brings the cake, decorations or flowers, and when they go on board.
- Keep speeches short and plan them at anchor, not while the boat is moving.
- Ask what you may bring on board: Blue Coco and Scarlet allow your own food and drinks free of charge.
- Have a plan for guests who do not drink or do not swim, so nobody feels left out.
Which route works best for a big group?
For most big groups, a half day or a sunset cruise is easier than a long full day. Long routes like Ang Thong suit groups that want a real adventure and are happy to spend more time on the move.
The islands south of Samui, Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, the island known as Pig Island, are a short run and give a big group time at anchor to swim and relax. Serenity, Coco Paradise and Neverland all go there. Koh Phangan is the other easy choice, with quiet bays along its coast.
Ang Thong is the big adventure: Red Baron spends 10 hours on it, and Serenity, Coco Paradise and Neverland all offer a full day there. It is a long day for a mixed group, and not every guest will enjoy the time on the move. Ang Thong National Marine Park is usually closed every year from 1 November to 15 December, so if your event falls in that window, choose another route. More on the park is on the page for private charters to Ang Thong.
Weather matters more with a big group, because postponing forty people is harder than postponing four. From about November to January the sea can be rough, and the captain may change the route for safety. For a wedding or a fixed event, plan a sheltered route and have a backup.
How to book a big group charter
Book as early as you can, since the big boats are few and popular for weddings and events. Send the date, the number of guests, the occasion and the preferred route, and a manager confirms the boat and the final price for your group.
For groups of 25 to 45, Neverland and Coco Paradise are the two to compare: Neverland for speed and long routes, Coco Paradise for comfort and service.
For 45 to 70 guests, compare Serenity and Red Baron: Serenity for a sit-down meal and a big catamaran deck, Red Baron for a traditional junk, an included lunch and a sunset dinner cruise.
The request through the booking form is free and non-binding, and you can also write on WhatsApp with your group details.
Questions and answers
Can we hold a wedding ceremony on a boat in Koh Samui?
Many couples hold a celebration or a small ceremony on board, especially on a sunset cruise. The legal registration of a marriage is a separate process, so treat the boat as the place for the celebration. Tell the team the occasion when you book, so the boat and timing fit your plan.
How far in advance should a large group book a boat?
As early as possible, ideally as soon as your dates are fixed. There are only a few boats for 37 to 70 guests, and they are popular for weddings and company events. The request is free and non-binding.
Can we bring drinks and a cake for a party?
It depends on the boat. Blue Coco and Scarlet allow you to bring your own food and drinks free of charge, with champagne glasses and dishes on board. For the big-group boats, ask the manager what you may bring when you send the request.
Do children count as full guests on a group charter?
Each boat counts guests in its own way, and the base price covers a set number of people. On Hilux, for example, children aged 0-10 are free and children aged 11-14 cost ฿800. Entrance fees for Ang Thong and Koh Nang Yuan treat children aged 12 and older as adults.
Is there a toilet on the big group boats?
The big catamarans have bathrooms: Coco Paradise has 3, and Serenity's 4 double cabins each have a shower. For other boats, ask before booking, especially if your group includes older guests or children. With forty people, more bathrooms make a real difference.
Can we extend the trip if the party is going well?
On Serenity an extra hour costs ฿16,000, subject to availability. Other boats handle this case by case, so ask in advance if you think you may want more time. The boat may have another booking later in the day.
What happens to a big group trip if the weather is bad?
The captain decides on safety on the day and may change the route or move the trip. Rough seas are more likely from about November to January. For a fixed event, choose a sheltered route and agree a backup plan when you book.
Ready to choose your boat?
Every boat page shows the routes, prices and what is included. The booking request is free: a manager checks the boat is free on your date and confirms the price.
Updated 1 November 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.
