The dry season
November to April: dry, sunny days and the main season for charters and speedboat tours to Phang Nga Bay and the islands; the marina is at its busiest, and January can bring the boat festival.
Boat Lagoon
Marina · Ko Kaeo
A lived-in marina on the east coast: yachts in a basin dug from a tidal flat, a boatyard, homes and cafés along the boardwalk, and charters out to Phang Nga Bay.
Boat Lagoon in photographs
Boat Lagoon. Boat Lagoon.
- Facilities
- A full boatyard and 180 wet berths
- Food
- Cafés and restaurants by the water
- Access
- Charters to Phang Nga Bay
- Walking
- Boardwalks around the basin
- Parking
- Free parking
About Boat Lagoon
Boat Lagoon lies in Ko Kaeo on Phuket's east coast, about 10 km north of Phuket Town, between Thepkasattri Road and the mangroves. Opened in 1994, it was the island's first marina, and it is still one of its largest: a round basin of moored yachts, motorboats and sailing boats, with homes, shops, cafés and a resort around it.
The basin was made from a tidal flat at the head of Khlong Tha Rua, a creek that was once the island's main port: the stream was dammed, the basin dug to about five metres and the entrance reopened. Boats reach it along a marked channel about two miles long, so bigger yachts time their passage to the tide.
Ashore it feels more like a small town than a showpiece. Shophouse homes line the water on one side and casual restaurants and bars on the other; a boatyard hauls out and repairs yachts; and a small mall by the main road holds Villa Market, coffee shops, a spa and a wedding chapel. Speedboat tours and charters leave from here for Phang Nga Bay and the islands.
What is good about Boat Lagoon
A working boatyard
The marina has 180 wet berths, a large hardstand, dry-stack bays for speedboats and travel lifts of up to 120 tonnes, with repair, chandlery and brokerage businesses on site.
A tidal channel
Yachts come in along a marked channel about two miles long; boats of up to 35 m and 2.5 m draft can enter around high tide, and deep keels are advised to use the last hour of the rising tide.
Eating by the boats
Cafés and restaurants with terraces over the water serve coffee, seafood and Thai and Western dishes; one pool club opens for breakfast at 08:00.
Walks along the piers
Wide wooden boardwalks run along the basin past the moored boats, and a blue-and-white lighthouse stands among the palms by the water.
Shops for residents
Villa Market's imported groceries and wine, a spa, coffee shops and a wedding chapel are in the small mall by the main road.
A school next door
Finnway International School is about 300 m away, and the marina's mall has children's learning centres and play areas.
Things to do at Boat Lagoon
Boat Lagoon. Boat Lagoon. Boat Lagoon.
Boat trips · dry season
Speedboat tours and charters
Speedboat tours and private charters leave the marina for Phang Nga Bay, the Phi Phi Islands and the Similans, and yachts can be chartered for several days.
Nature
Walk the boardwalks
Stroll the piers among the yachts and sailing boats, past the lighthouse, ideally in the cooler late afternoon.
Food and drink
Lunch by the water
Waterfront cafés and restaurants serve everything from coffee and breakfast to seafood, Thai, Italian and Indian dishes, with free parking.
Food and drink
A pool club at the marina
SOHO Pool Club opens daily 08:00 to 22:00, with a pool, Thai and Western food (khao soi about 290 THB) and a Friday happy hour from 17:00 to 19:00 (2026).
Shopping
Villa Market
Imported groceries, organic produce and a wide wine selection at the supermarket in the marina's mall, open daily 09:00 to 21:00.
Wellness
A massage after the boat
A branch of the Let's Relax spa chain is in the marina's mall, at prices a little below the island's resort spas.
Shopping
Furniture for a new home
Chic Republic's furniture store stands on Thepkasattri Road at the marina's edge.
Culture
Sam Pai Kong shrine
A village shrine to the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth and Water, about a kilometre south; the grounds open 08:00 to 17:00, the hall often stays shut on ordinary days.
Shopping
Brand outlets nearby
Premium Outlet Phuket, about 2 km south on the main road, has an Adidas factory outlet and smaller brand stores, daily 10:00 to 21:00.
A day at Boat Lagoon
Coffee or a full breakfast on a terrace over the boats before the heat builds.
Speedboats and yachts leave for Phang Nga Bay and the islands; trips start from the marina's piers. Phuket Boat Lagoon
Villa Market's imported food and wine, and a massage at the spa in the same mall. Villa Market Boat Lagoon
Brand outlets at Premium Outlet Phuket, or the quiet Sam Pai Kong shrine, both a short drive south. Premium Outlet Phuket
The boardwalks and the lighthouse in the softer evening light, as the charter boats come back.
One of the waterfront restaurants or the pool club, which serves until 22:00.
Places in Boat Lagoon
Our picks
Phuket Boat Lagoon
Marina · Boat LagoonPhuket's first marina, in Koh Kaew on the east coast about 10 km north of Phuket Town, next to Royal Phuket Marina: a residential marina with shophouses, waterfront restaurants and a boatyard.
Villa Market Boat Lagoon
GrocerA Villa Market supermarket of imported and local goods at Boat Lagoon on Thep Krasattri Road, on the east coast.
Chic Republic Phuket
Furniture storeA Chic Republic furniture store on Thep Krasattri Road.
Royal Phuket Marina
Marina · Royal Phuket MarinaA yacht marina in Koh Kaew on the east coast, about 10 minutes north of Phuket Town, opened around 2006–2007, with a boardwalk of restaurants around the harbour.
Finnway International School Phuket
A Finnish-style international school on Thepkrasattri Road in Ko Kaeo, for children from about two to Grade 7.
Sam Pai Kong Shrine
Chinese shrineA village shrine in Koh Kaew to the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth and Water, in three joined halls.
Premium Outlet Phuket
Shopping mallAn outlet mall of brand stores along a covered walkway, on the bypass road north of Phuket Town.
Padel and tennis
Coconut Pickleball Center
Pickleball courts · Boat LagoonA pickleball centre in the Boat Lagoon marina with four courts built for the game, coaching for beginners and matches and tournaments for experienced players.
- The zone
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes and places on the map
Chinese shrine
Grocer
Furniture store
Shopping mall
Pickleball courts
Marina
Marina
Homes in Boat Lagoon
Shophouse homes along the water, serviced apartments and condos around the basin, and villa estates on the roads nearby. In October 2026 a studio at Boat Lagoon Resort was listed at about 27,500 THB a month; Ko Kaeo's cheaper studios asked 10,000 to 15,000 THB.
Boat Lagoon through the year
The monsoon months
May to October: the east coast is sheltered from the south-west monsoon, so boats keep using the basin, but heavy showers are frequent and trips to the open sea depend on the weather.
Boat Lagoon with children
Boat Lagoon suits families who live nearby more than visitors on holiday: there is no beach, but there are play areas and learning centres in the mall, a pool club, and Finnway International School about 300 m away.
- There is no beach: the nearest swimming is at a pool or a drive away on the west coast.
- The marina's mall has children's learning centres, play areas and taekwondo classes.
- Finnway International School is about 300 m from the marina.
- The indoor snow park next to Villa Market was listed as temporarily closed in October 2026.
- Keep small children close on the boardwalks: the basin's edges are open water.
Getting to Boat Lagoon and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 25–40 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 25–40 min
- From Phuket Town
- 10–20 min
The marina sits off Thepkasattri Road, the main road between Phuket Town and the airport, about 10 km north of town and 25 km from the airport. Most people come by car or scooter; the orange airport bus stops at Ko Kaeo.
- By car. Turn off Thepkasattri Road at the marina's signposted entrance; Phuket Town is about 10 km south and the airport about 25 km north.
- The local bus. The orange airport bus stops at Ko Kaeo between the airport and Phuket Town, about hourly; fares are 30 to 100 THB by distance (2026).
- Grab and taxis. Taxis and ride apps reach the marina; the west-coast beaches are about 20 km away.
- By scooter. Handy around the marina and Ko Kaeo, but the main road carries heavy, fast traffic.
- By boat. Yachts enter along the marked Tha Rua channel, timed to the tide; check the channel's depth with the harbour master first.
Parking. Parking at the marina and its restaurants is free.
Who will love Boat Lagoon, and who will not
Will love it
- Boat owners and long-stayers who want a berth, a boatyard and a home in one place.
- Charter guests heading for Phang Nga Bay and the islands.
- Couples who like a slow lunch or dinner by the yachts.
- Families at Finnway, with the school about 300 m away.
Will not
- Beach lovers: there is no beach, and the sea is reached by a tidal creek.
- Night owls: evenings end early, with dinner by the water.
- First-time visitors who want the west coast's beaches on the doorstep.
Tips for Boat Lagoon
Parking is free
Drive in and park at the marina and its restaurants without charge.
Time the channel
Deep-keeled yachts are advised to come in during the last hour of the rising tide; ask the harbour master about the latest dredging.
Add VAT to the berth
Berth rates for November 2025 to October 2026 are quoted before 7% VAT, with 50% more for catamarans.
Groceries from home
Villa Market in the mall stocks imported food and wine that ordinary supermarkets do not.
Friday happy hour
SOHO Pool Club pours cheaper beer and some cocktails on Fridays from 17:00 to 19:00 (2026).
Walk in the late afternoon
The boardwalks have little shade at midday; the light and the heat are kinder towards evening.
Check the snow park first
The indoor snow park by Villa Market was listed as temporarily closed in October 2026; ring before promising it to children.
Recently changed
- January 2026
The Thailand Boat Festival returned to Boat Lagoon on 15 to 18 January 2026, with yachts on the water and more than 200 stands ashore.
Questions about Boat Lagoon
Is there a beach at Boat Lagoon?
No. Boat Lagoon is a marina basin at the head of a mangrove creek; the nearest beaches are on the west coast, about 20 km away, or a boat ride to the islands.
When did Boat Lagoon open?
In 1994. It was Phuket's first marina, built on a tidal flat at the head of Khlong Tha Rua by damming the creek and digging the basin to about five metres.
Can a big yacht get into Boat Lagoon?
Boats of up to about 35 m and 2.5 m draft can enter around high tide along a marked channel about two miles long. Deep keels are advised to use the last hour of the rising tide and to check the latest depths with the harbour master.
How much is a berth at Boat Lagoon?
For November 2025 to October 2026 the marina quotes 55 THB per foot per day and 920 THB per foot per month for monohulls under 70 ft, plus 7% VAT; catamarans pay 50% more.
Is Boat Lagoon the same as Royal Phuket Marina?
No. Royal Phuket Marina is next door, opened in 2005 and shares the same approach channel; it has its own page.
Can I visit Boat Lagoon without a boat?
Yes. The marina is open to everyone: you can drive in, park for free, walk the boardwalks and eat at the waterfront cafés and restaurants.
How do I get to Boat Lagoon from the airport?
It is about 25 km south of the airport on Thepkasattri Road: by taxi or ride app, or on the orange airport bus, which stops at Ko Kaeo, for 30 to 100 THB by distance (2026).
How much is a condo at Boat Lagoon?
Listings in Ko Kaeo in October 2026 asked about 27,500 THB a month for a studio at Boat Lagoon Resort and from about 105,000 THB for a penthouse; studios a little further away asked 10,000 to 15,000 THB.