Andaman Wave Master

The Andaman WaveMaster is a boat service that runs trips in the Andaman Sea in Thailand and has been in operation since 1999. The boats operated by Andaman Wave Master include several kinds of high speed jet cruiser from the Jet Cruise 3 all the way to the Royal Jet Cruiser 9. Ticket types include Premium Class Seats, First Class Seats, Standard Class Seats, and a public sundeck area.

The company has offices in Phuket and Krabi and offers a range of high speed ferry services around Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, Koh Lanta and Krabi.

These include day trips to Koh Phi Phi on the Royal Jet Cruiser 9 as well as ferry transfers to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket and to Koh Phi Phi from Krabi and longer overnight packages. You can also select an add-on of bus transfers from several locations such as Phuket Airport to Phuket Rassada Pier where the ferry departs.

Some of the most popular routes are as follows:

Rassada Pier (Phuket) to Koh Phi Phi boats leave at 8.30 am, 12.19 pm, 1.30 pm and the journey takes between 2 and 3 hours depending on the pier. Tickets start from THB750.

For Krabi to Koh Phi Phi you have a couple of options: with or without hotel pick up. The former option includes a van taxi service from any hotel in Krabi to the ferry pier. Pick up is at 8am and 12pm and the journey takes 2 hours 30 minutes. Tickets are THB500.

There If you need just a boat ticket which does not include hotel pick up, then the company’s boats leave directly from Klong Jilard Pier in Krabi. Departure times are 9 am and 1.30 pm and the journey takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. Tickets are THB450.

One of the big pros with Andaman Wave Master is that they provide hotel or airport pick up so if you are newly arrived in Thailand then you don’t need to find your own way to the departure point at the pier.

All boats have air conditioning.

This operator has been in service for 18 years and has an experienced fleet of boats and staff.

Andaman Wave Master provides one of the fastest ways to get to the islands as the company operates a fleet of fast ferries.

You can select other add-ons with this service such as hotels and tours of the islands.
All bookings can be made online.

Even though you can purchase tickets online you will also need to provide a printed ticket upon arrival. Failure to do this can result in having to buy a new ticket.

Boat schedules may be subject to change during stormy weather.

Boats have a high capacity (usually between 300 and 500 passengers) and as such may feel cramped.

Due to a high number of passengers it can take time to get on and off the boats causing delays.

Compared to other companies the tickets for the Andaman Wave Master are slightly higher although many of their competitors do not include taxi transfer to your hotel or the airport.

Ferries do not operate in the evening and as such if you are arriving in Krabi or Phuket late at night you will not be able to travel to Koh Phi Phi until the next morning. As such make sure to plan accordingly and select hotel accommodation in Krabi or Phuket.

Boats are also available for private charter if you are travelling in a large group.

Many travellers forewarn that disembarkation process on Koh Phi Phi is painfully slow as
people have to be matched with their bags – you are not allowed just to pick up the bags by yourself.

Printing out a ticket is an issue about which many passengers complain. Do get prepared! In Thailand you can always print out what you need in photography shops – look for yellow and red signs. Post offices can help, too – there is always one in the centre of the city.

Otherwise for many travellers sea journeys with Andaman Wave Master are always an enjoyable experience.