Our Story
The People
Behind the Voyage
A small team with deep knowledge of the Gulf of Thailand — and a straightforward aim: to put you somewhere beautiful with nothing to worry about.
Who We Are
Aquinox was built on local knowledge
The name Aquinox — a quiet blend of water and equinox — came from the sense of balance the founders were chasing: time at sea that feels unhurried, well-organised, and attuned to the rhythms of the Gulf. It started with two people, a single sailing yacht, and a short list of repeat guests who kept coming back.
Over time the fleet grew carefully, never quickly. Each vessel that joined was chosen for its condition and suitability for the waters around Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and the Ang Thong archipelago. Each crew member hired was selected as much for character as for seamanship.
Today Aquinox operates from Fisherman's Village in Bophut — a quieter corner of Samui with good access to the northern passage — and serves guests who want a charter that feels personal rather than packaged.
Our Mission
Fewer guests. More attention.
We have never tried to operate at high volume. The work we do is only worth doing if the people on board are genuinely well looked after — and that requires focus, preparation, and a crew that isn't stretched thin across a dozen boats at once.
Our values are practical ones: keep the vessels in excellent condition, know the waters well, communicate clearly before and during each charter, and read the situation on the day rather than following a script. The Thai sea rewards attentiveness, and so do guests.
12+
Years Operating
800+
Charters Completed
4.9
Average Guest Rating
3
Vessels in Fleet
The Crew
The People You Will Meet on Board
Prayut Thammasat
Captain & Co-Founder
A licensed Thai Marine Department skipper with sixteen years on Gulf waters. Prayut's knowledge of seasonal patterns and local anchorages shapes every route Aquinox offers.
Narin Wiratchai
Operations & Guest Services
Narin handles enquiries, booking logistics, and the details that make a charter run smoothly. Fluent in Thai and English, she is the first voice most guests hear and the one they remember.
Somchai Khanarak
Chef & Deck Crew
Somchai sources ingredients from Bophut market and prepares meals that reflect both Thai and international preferences. A capable deck hand who also happens to make excellent papaya salad at sea.
Standards & Protocols
How We Maintain Safe, Comfortable Charters
Thai Marine Department Compliance
All vessels hold current certificates of seaworthiness issued by the Thai Marine Department. Annual inspections are scheduled proactively, not reactively.
Safety Equipment Checks
Life vests, flares, fire extinguishers, and first aid supplies are checked before every departure. Equipment is replaced on schedule, not only when it fails.
Engine & Hull Maintenance
Each vessel follows a scheduled maintenance plan with documented service records. Hull checks and anti-fouling treatments are completed during the low season each year.
Weather Monitoring
Skippers review forecasts from multiple sources on the evening before and morning of each charter. Departure decisions are made conservatively, prioritising passenger comfort and safety.
Guest Data Privacy
Contact and payment details shared during booking are held securely and used only for charter coordination. No data is passed to third parties for marketing purposes.
Environmental Consideration
We follow responsible anchoring practices in marine park areas, carry no single-use plastic onboard, and avoid anchoring on coral. The Gulf is our workplace — we treat it accordingly.
Charter Services Built Around the Gulf of Thailand
The waters around Koh Samui sit within the Gulf of Thailand — a relatively sheltered basin that rewards private yacht travel for most of the year. From Bophut's Fisherman's Village, the northern tip of the island gives direct access to the Koh Phangan channel and the scattered islands of the Ang Thong National Marine Park.
Aquinox was established to serve travellers who want more from their time on the water than a boat tour provides. A private charter means the route reflects the group's interests, the pace is set by the people on board, and the crew's attention is entirely focused on one group of guests at a time.
The Gulf's weather patterns mean that charters run comfortably from late October through to mid-May. The northeast monsoon season (roughly June through October) brings stronger winds and swells, and during these months we offer fewer departures and are more selective about conditions. This calendar is not a limitation — it is part of operating responsibly in a marine environment.
Whether the aim is a few restful hours at sea, a full day of snorkelling and swimming, or an overnight anchorage in a quiet bay, Aquinox arranges each voyage with the same attention to detail and the same crew commitment to making it worth remembering.
Ready to Plan?
Speak to the Team Directly
Send a message through our enquiry form and a member of the Aquinox crew will come back to you personally — usually within a few hours during business days.
Contact Aquinox