Tipping on Boat Tours in Thailand: Who, When and How Much

Tipping in Thailand is more relaxed than in some Western countries. It is not expected in the way it is in the United States, nobody should demand it, and a genuine thank you is always welcome. At the same time, tips are a real and appreciated part of income for guides, boat crews and drivers who work long, physical days in the sun. If you enjoyed your day, a tip is a simple way to say so.

This guide covers who usually gets a tip on a boat tour, what amounts are common, how private charters differ, and a few practical points about cash.

The Short Version

• Tips are optional. They are a thank you for good service, not a fee.
• Tip in Thai baht cash, at the end of the day.
• For a shared day tour, many visitors give something like 100 to 200 THB per person, often handed to the guide for the whole team or put in a tip box if there is one.
• On a private charter, the group usually gives one tip for the captain and crew.
• If the service was poor or unsafe, you do not have to tip.

Who Works on Your Tour Day

The tour guide

On a shared speedboat tour, the guide runs the day: the briefing, the stops, the timing, help with snorkel gear and keeping the group together. If you want to tip one person, this is usually the one. On the Raya and Coral Island tour, for example, your guide is a licensed English or Chinese speaking guide who looks after the group from Chalong Pier to Racha and back.

The captain and crew

The captain drives the boat and the crew handle ropes, ladders, gear and safety. Tips for them are often pooled. Some boats have a tip box near the exit. If there is none, you can hand a tip to the guide and say it is for the whole crew, or give it to the captain directly.

Canoe paddlers in Phang Nga Bay

On the James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay tour, a local guide paddles your sea canoe into the lagoon at Hong Island (or Talu Island, depending on the tide). Giving your paddler a small tip is a common custom, and many visitors give around 50 to 100 THB per canoe. Keep a few small notes in a waterproof pouch for this stop.

The driver

A tip for the minibus driver who takes you to the pier is not expected. A smile and "khop khun khrap" (said by men) or "khop khun kha" (said by women) is enough. If the driver helped with a lot of bags or waited for you, a small tip is a kind gesture.

Rafting and jet ski guides

On the white water rafting trip, a rafting guide steers your raft through the rapids. On the jet ski tour, a guide on the water leads your group between the islands. The same rule applies: a tip at the end if you felt well looked after.

How Much Is Normal?

There is no official rate. These are common guidelines, not rules:

• Shared day tour: around 100 to 200 THB per person in total, more if the guide went out of their way for you, for example by staying with a nervous snorkeler or helping with young children.
• Families on a shared tour: many families give one tip together rather than per person, for example 300 to 500 THB for a family of four.
• Private charter: one tip from the group for the captain and crew. Groups often give somewhere around 500 to 2,000 THB, depending on the group size, the length of the day and how much the crew did for you.

Decide what feels right for the service you received. A 100 THB note handed over with a sincere thank you is appreciated.

Private Speedboat Charters

On a private speedboat charter, the crew work only for your group for up to 6 hours on the water, so it is common to tip a little more than on a shared tour. Put the tip in an envelope or hand it to the captain at the end of the day, and mention that it is for the whole crew. Our guide on whether a private speedboat is worth it explains what the charter includes.

When Not to Tip

• If the service was unsafe, for example if the crew ignored life jacket rules or pushed on in dangerous conditions.
• If you were pressured into paid extras.
• If someone asks for a tip in a pushy way. Tipping is always your choice.

If something went wrong on a tour booked with us, please tell us through our contact page rather than only skipping the tip, so we know about it.

Tipping Elsewhere in Phuket

• Restaurants: check the bill first. Many restaurants, especially in hotels, add a 10% service charge. Where they do not, rounding up or leaving 20 to 100 THB is common in casual places.
• Massage and spa: tipping your therapist is common, often around 50 to 100 THB for a standard massage and more for longer treatments.
• Hotels: a small tip for porters and housekeeping is appreciated but not expected.
• Taxis and ride-hailing: not expected. Rounding up is a nice gesture.

Practical Tips for Cash

• Carry small notes. 20, 50 and 100 THB notes make tipping easy. Break larger notes at a convenience store before your tour.
• Tip in baht, not foreign currency. Coins and foreign notes are hard for staff to exchange.
• Keep cash dry. A waterproof pouch or dry bag protects notes on a speedboat. See our list of what to bring on an island tour.
• Budget for other cash costs. On the James Bond Island tour, the national park fee is not included and is paid on the day. Our national park fees guide explains how these fees work.
• Keep it simple. Hand the money over with your right hand, or both hands, and a smile. There is no need for a big show.

Browse all tours to see what each one includes.

Frequently asked questions

Is tipping expected on Phuket boat tours?

No. It is appreciated but always optional. Tip if you enjoyed the day and felt looked after.

How much should I tip a tour guide in Phuket?

Many visitors give around 100 to 200 THB per person for a shared day tour, for the guide and crew together. More is welcome for exceptional service, and less is fine too.

Should I tip on a private speedboat?

It is common to give one tip from the group for the captain and crew at the end of the day. The amount is up to you.

Is a tip included in the tour price?

Tips are not part of what is listed as included on our tour pages, so any tip is your own choice on the day.