Speedboat hire to Koh Larn.

[Barrief 250]

Some of my kids are coming out to join me on this trip. One of the places I want to take them is for a day out on Koh Larn. I have been there many times, but have always used the ferries. I want to make this trip to the Island a little special for them and want to hire a speedboat. Can anyone recommend a place to hire a boat for the day?

 

I know I can get a boat from the Beach, but having read about the scams on Speed Boats, and Jet skis, on Pattaya Beach, I would prefer to avoid hiring a boat from the beach without a recommendation.

 

Also, I usually go to Samai Beach, but it is very stony at the water line and I would like to try another Beach. Which one do you recommend and do you have any pics?

 

Thanks.

Edited April 2, 2011 by Barrief

[lovedog100 1,372]

Some of my kids are coming out to join me on this trip. One of the places I want to take them is for a day out on Koh Larn. I have been there many times, but have always used the ferries. I want to make this trip to the Island a little special for them and want to hire a speedboat. Can anyone recommend a place to hire a boat for the day?

 

I know I can get a boat from the Beach, but having read about the scams on Speed Boats, and Jet skis, on Pattaya Beach, I would prefer to avoid hiring a boat from the beach without a recommendation.

 

Also, I usually go to Samai Beach, but it is very stony at the water line and I would like to try another Beach. Which one do you recommend and do you have any pics?

 

Thanks.

You want to rent a boat for the whole day? Sounds expensive, Ken may make you a better deal with Pattaya Party boat, I understand that it comes with a jet ski. If your heart is set on a speed boat, one of the dive shops may be the best place to ask. In fact, a day out on a dive boat, and a beginner dive lesson is affordable, and a nice day outing. Some of them go to the island and have a seafood BBQ for lunch. At least that's what a dive instructor I met one night told me. I can't find his card for a number, but I would think that most places offer they same type of outing.

 

PM DJ Miami, he knows of a very nice sounding beach there. I've gone to several different beaches, and the one that he goes to sounds much better. I can't remember the name.

[2 slices short 10]

Barrief,

 

you can hire speedboats from the Bali Hai Pier for trips to and from the islands. I'm not certain about costs but will check tomorrow for you when I'm down at the pier.

 

Alternatively you could hire a boat for the day to cruise around at your leisure.

We do day trips to the near islands with swimming, fishing and snorkelling from 12000 Baht for the entire day.

We also have a jetski for hire (no crazy shit from us) and an inflatable with outboard.

 

The islands and areas we visit are MUCH cleaner than anything on Koh Larn and are a much more private experience. If you insist on Koh Larn we can take you your chosen beach and deliver you by jetski or boat (FREE) if required.

 

We have full bar facilities (much cheaper than any Walking St establishment) and all gear and equipment is supplied. We also have a fully equipped galley and 2 portable BBQs that are for youir use.

 

Contact me if you need any details. I'll get back to you on speedboat prices tomorrow

 

Cheers : Admiral Ken

 

See pictire on links in signature

 

Edit: Thanks Randy , I must have been typing my response around the same time as you.

Edited April 2, 2011 by 2 slices short

[nus01 305]

Cant think of any Ski Boat sacams.

 

Although when they take you out it might just be your own posse of 2-3 but coming back they cram up to 12 people on the ski boat.

 

So if its a cost factor you can approach the guys on the beach and say when you have a group wanting to go out well jump on board for an extra 500-1000baht

[2 slices short 10]

OK, I dropped into the booking offices at Bali Hai Pier today and got some information for you.

 

Speedboat hire to Koh Larn is 300B per person (return, ie go and come back included) . Maximum 15 pax and you dont get to go until they either have a full boat or they are convinced there are no more customers coming.

The outward journey is variable but the return is between 4pm and 5pm - up to them.

For this you get dropped at ONE beach on Koh Larn and left there until they pick you up for the return. You can not stay on the boat and ther are no real facilities.

 

Alternatively you can hire the speedboat for the day (8am - 5pm) for 8000B, up to 15 pax. Again ther are no facilities on the speedboats but they will shuttle you from beach to beach on Koh Larn. Beware of using jetskis or other entertainments with this arrangement as you will be paying the falang price PLUS a commission for the speedboat captain who brings the business to the operators.

 

To be fair MOST of the Koh Larn jetski/hire groups DO NOT behave as their Pattaya beach "cousins" do and most of the time you wont have problems. The main concerns with many of the operators are:

• No license
  
• Inadequate Insurance
  
• Little or no safety equipment on board
  
• Lunatic drivers who seem to have no regard for the safety of their vessel or any other vessel
  

 

Whichever you choose, drop in and say HI when you're here - we always have a cold beer for forum members who are looking for some assistance or just a yak. Some of your TRs are certainly worth a free beer or two from me.

 

Cheers : Admiral Ken

[lovedog100 1,372]

8000 is less than I would have expected for a day. Would that be just to the island and back?, or would it include some sight seeing, pleasure boating?

[2 slices short 10]

8000 is less than I would have expected for a day. Would that be just to the island and back?, or would it include some sight seeing, pleasure boating?

 

The quote I got was to take you from beach to beach. I asked about them waiting for the "group" but it was more of a "you tell us how long stay and someone come back take you next beach" answer.

 

Remember that these "boats" have no fishing gear, snorkelling, reasonable toilet facilities etc so I wasn't shocked at the 8000B figure. If that's your thing and you spread it over 15 people it's under 550B per person.

 

My boat on the other hand has multiple decks, all equipment supplied, cooking facilities and even a hot water shower, not to mention the falang toilet. For 15 people the cost is 800B per person (for the Koh Larn area) and that includes all equipment for fishing and snorkelling , including bait. We even cook your catch for free.

 

We're licensed for 40 including staff (but only take 35 passengers) so that's under 350B per person for a large group. There are also 2 private bedrooms and 3 decks, 2 undercover with individual sound systems on 2 decks.

 

It depends entirely on the experience you want .... did I mention the LICENSED bar (only one in Pattaya area on a moving boat ) and we have our own jet-ski (don't know of anyone else that has that) . There's even a karaoke unit for the brave (or very drunk)

 

Cheers, : Admiral Ken

[bigstuy 8]

might i suggest doing the trip with ken but doing a treasure hunt on one of the islands for the kids

they might like it

 

would also be a great excuse to get miss Tak back into her pirates outfit

Edited April 3, 2011 by bigstuy

[lovedog100 1,372]

You don't have to try and sell me Ken, go back and look. I recommended the OP contact you as an option.

[MM 6,562]

Barrief, I've approached the speed boat operators on the Pattaya Beach and rented a speedboat for my group for around 2500b/day.

 

This was about 3 or 4 years ago, so it might be more now...I'd be surprised at over 3.5k from the same style operators.

 

That includes drop off the Ko Larn beach of your choosing, and a return trip in the afternoon, at your discretion. I did have one guy who wanted 600b more to go to the beach on the farther side of the island than the one he planned to take us to...something about more gas and time.

 

The speed boat driver usually hangs out all day in one the restaurants near the beach. You wave at him or go find him, and off you go.

[Kev 173]

last year we hired one and it was 3,000 bahts from memory and he hanged around all day and took us back in the arvo. There was about 10 or 11 in our group.

 

Kev

[lovedog100 1,372]

last year we hired one and it was 3,000 bahts from memory and he hanged around all day and took us back in the arvo. There was about 10 or 11 in our group.

 

Kev

Kev, do you have any more information than that? Who, and where to find them? When I have asked, I got answers like 2SS got, to and from, wait for a full boat. For 3k I would go when ever friends show up from home, or other country's. I may even take trips with just me and the GF. That's a very affordable price. Almost to good to be true. Not that I'm doubting you.

[2 slices short 10]

You don't have to try and sell me Ken, go back and look. I recommended the OP contact you as an option.

 

LOL, I know Randy and thanks for the recommendation. The information was for those that hadn't been on my boat, unlike you.

 

The 4500B price was sound inlogic too : think about it. They take 15 on this particular boat at 300B each. A full boat would be 4500B so that's what they asked for. For Thais it's amazingly sound logic - albeit lacking in any discount.

 

There are different sized speedboats around as well, some of them would only hold 10 people at max and using the same logic a fee of 3000B could be achieved I'm sure.

 

Cheers : Admiral Ken

 

PS Stop lusting after my woman Stuy - you've got enough of your own LOL

 

Two of our Pirate girls (from left Pim and Tak)

[Kev 173]

Kev, do you have any more information than that? Who, and where to find them? When I have asked, I got answers like 2SS got, to and from, wait for a full boat. For 3k I would go when ever friends show up from home, or other country's. I may even take trips with just me and the GF. That's a very affordable price. Almost to good to be true. Not that I'm doubting you.

sorry Lovedog my mate did the negotiating with one of the boats just down from Mikes on the beach, but that was defo the price becuase there were 3 farangs and we chipped in 1,000 each for our share.

[MM 6,562]

sorry Lovedog my mate did the negotiating with one of the boats just down from Mikes on the beach, but that was defo the price becuase there were 3 farangs and we chipped in 1,000 each for our share.

That's about where I encountered the tout renting speed boats. You strike a deal for the daily rental for your private party. The price has nothing to do with the number of passengers...one person or eight people is the same price.

[frostfire 1,279]

I hired one about 3 years ago on the beach for 2500 all day. 8000 is crazy... no way I would pay that for a speedboat.

[MM 6,562]

I know I can get a boat from the Beach, but having read about the scams on Speed Boats, and Jet skis, on Pattaya Beach, I would prefer to avoid hiring a boat from the beach without a recommendation.

 

Renting at the beach would be my recommendation.

 

I, like nus01, haven't heard of any speedboat scams.

 

You should pay at the end of the day, and make sure the renter knows that it is your party alone that will be traveling in the boat...no extra people on the outbound or inbound trip.

 

As others have said, you should be able to get a day's rental for between 2500-3500b, depending on your negotiating skills and the prevailing supply and demand.

 

I think these outrageous prices quoted by others might be based on going to a kiosk at Bali Hai and renting. That just adds more middlemen to the mix.

 

Also, the high prices quoted make other alternatives look more attractive.

[2 slices short 10]

Also, the high prices quoted make other alternatives look more attractive.

 

I agree with you 100%.

 

It's very much like bars, particularly some on Walking Street.

 

Some have facilities that haven't been upgraded for years and the same old run down attitude. When others have newly appointed interiors and state of the art facilities.

 

Some charge 100 Baht for a 7 baht Coke or a 5 Baht soda, whereas others give you value for money with their drinks and lady-drinks.

 

Some rip you off by adding drinks to your bin and have management who dont care , yet others do their utmost to look after their customers.

 

I know my Baht now goes to the ones who provide a better service, if in some cases it costs me a bit more in the long run the experience is far better .

 

Usually "you get what you pay for": though admittedly it applies a lot more to boat rental than some Walking Street establishments.

 

Cheers : Admiral Ken

[MM 6,562]

Sorry, Barrief, that this got a bit contentious. It was a good question.

 

I think you should have enough information to have a good day at Koh Larn without paying too much.

[DjMiami 18]

I had the GF talk to operator of the Speed Boat 2500 for the day. Took us to Tien Beach on the far side of the island. They bring you to the edge of the Water and drop you off they then anchor the boat and stay until you tell them you want to go back. But Koh Larn isnt much of a kids island. Kens boat trip would be nice for them.

[lovedog100 1,372]

I had the GF talk to operator of the Speed Boat 2500 for the day. Took us to Tien Beach on the far side of the island. They bring you to the edge of the Water and drop you off they then anchor the boat and stay until you tell them you want to go back. But Koh Larn isnt much of a kids island. Kens boat trip would be nice for them.

He didn't give the age of his kids. Mine are 30 and 31, while my kids, they are not really kids

 

EDIT: By the way, is Tien Beach the one you told me about that has the topless Russian women on it?

Edited April 5, 2011 by lovedog100

[2 slices short 10]

Sorry, Barrief, that this got a bit contentious. It was a good question.

 

Yes it was a good question.

 

Contentious , you obviously haven't looked in "Purgatory" for a while.

 

Cheers : Admiral Ken

[MM 6,562]

Yes it was a good question.

 

Contentious , you obviously haven't looked in "Purgatory" for a while.

 

Cheers : Admiral Ken

 

Of course I have looked in Purgatory... I do it regularly as a mod on the board.

 

But, what I try to do is keep threads with decent questions from going that way, so they don't have to be sent there.

 

I'd be happy to have a "chat" with you in Purgatory...maybe we could explore some of your "issues" there.

[2 slices short 10]

...maybe we could explore some of your "issues" there.

 

You know what my "issues" are, or did you forget?

 

Barrief asked a legitimate question that was within the realm of my business and now you have chosen to suggest that I go to purgatory.

 

You have told me that you don't like me but after spending a "shit load" of money in your bar I would at least expect some cross support. Instead you have NEVER even walked into my establishment and there has been no lack of invitations.

 

We'll leave your "Ed never worked for me but he just sat in the corner" comments to another day.

.. and the abosolute kicker when I complained about your staff padding my bin- --- "It's your fault"

 

You have got to be kidding!

 

Cheers Admiral Ken

 

PS - First time I've seen an Admin threadfuck LMFAO - now we wait for the disapearing act.

Barrief asked a simple question and I researched it for him. Is any of the advice here as recent as when I replied to his question?

[UgotMyStD 1]

"Barrief asked a simple question and I researched it for him. Is any of the advice here as recent as when I replied to his question?

"

 

I think you have done an admiral job,Ken.