YONA Beach Club is a floating venue set in the clear waters of Chalong Bay, near the southeast coast of Phuket, Thailand. It opened in 2023 and is built as a large three-deck catamaran, covering around 1,200 square metres. The structure stays anchored about 500 metres from the shore, and from the decks you can see the Andaman Sea in all directions, with small islands and Phuket’s green hills in the distance.
The upper level has an infinity-style pool, while the middle part is arranged with resting areas, and the lower deck includes dining spaces and spots where music is played during certain hours. The place operates through the day and into the evening, and many visitors come simply for the sea views or to relax on the open decks. It is reached by a short transfer from Chalong Pier, usually around fifteen minutes.
The team that manages it has worked on other well-known beach venues abroad and in Phuket. YONA receives a mix of guests, travelers, families in the daytime, and groups who come mainly for the atmosphere on the water. As it is the only long-term floating club of its kind in Phuket, many people describe the experience as somewhat like being on a stationary yacht, with open sea all around.
Fun Fact about YONA Beach Club
A small curiosity about YONA Beach Club is that its structure was once an old supply vessel used for offshore rigs, later emptied out completely and rebuilt into the three-level platform it is now. The name “YONA,” which can be translated as “dove” in Hebrew, was selected because from certain viewpoints on the Cape Panwa hills, the pale outline of the vessel seems a bit like a bird resting on the surface of the water. During some full-moon evenings, the staff sometimes send up eco-friendly lanterns, and these rise slowly above the bay, giving an impression almost like lighted birds drifting in the night sky.
History of YONA Beach Club
The idea for YONA Beach Club started forming around 2020, at the time when tourism in Phuket had almost stopped because of the pandemic. A mixed group of Thai and European partners began looking for a project that could offer something unusual and help bring travelers back once the island opened again. They eventually purchased a large offshore supply catamaran, about 45 metres in length, and kept only the main hull. Over the next couple of years, it was slowly redesigned into a floating leisure space, taking some inspiration from seaside clubs in places like Mykonos and Ibiza, though the intention was to keep a sense of Thai service and a certain focus on environmental care.
When it finally opened in April 2023, the place drew attention very quickly. In its first weeks, visitor numbers rose past ten thousand, and by the next year weekends and sunset periods were often fully booked. Several well-known DJs, including a few international names, have performed on the upper deck, while daytime hours were kept quieter so that families and casual guests could still enjoy it. At present, YONA has become one of the most photographed spots in Phuket, with many thousands of posts gathered under the tag associated with the venue.
Things to Do at YONA Beach Club
YONA Beach Club is arranged in a way that visitors can spend many hours on board, either during the day or after sunset.
Daytime (around 11 am – 6 pm)
During the day, most guests spend their time in the large pool, which opens toward the sea, so the view feels almost continuous with the water around the boat. Sunbeds and day beds are available, though they follow different minimum-spend amounts, starting from roughly ฿2,000 and going upwards for the larger seating areas.
Some people also go down to the lower level to try snorkeling, and the staff usually lends the equipment without extra cost. Paddleboards and the clear-bottom kayaks are mainly kept for the VIP bookings, but sometimes regular guests can access them if they are free. Several small corners of the deck are also used by visitors to take photographs, including drone shots or short videos.
Sunset Hours (about 5 pm – 7 pm)
When the light begins to turn softer, the atmosphere changes slowly. A DJ plays more gentle house music, and the sun sets behind Cape Panwa. The boat becomes brighter because the small decorative lights are switched on, creating a calm setting for drinks.
Dinner and Evening (7 pm – midnight)
After sunset, the dining service starts. The menu combines Mediterranean items with Thai flavours, such as pasta with seafood, smaller meat dishes, or cocktails prepared in different styles. On certain evenings, a saxophone player performs, and some nights include a short fire program. Guests who prefer a livelier mood usually move to the upper area of the vessel, where people dance until closing time.
Special Activities
From time to time, the club arranges full-moon evenings featuring well-known DJs from abroad. Private yacht groups can also join or depart from YONA depending on their routes. On selected Sundays, the staff organises a calmer schedule, sometimes including yoga sessions followed by a late breakfast or brunch.
How to Reach YONA Beach Club
YONA Beach Club remains anchored in the waters of Chalong Bay, at a distance of roughly half a kilometre from the shore.
By Shuttle Boat (Complimentary)
Guests can use the free speedboat service that runs from Chalong Pier, close to the Ao Chalong Yacht Club. The boats usually leave in intervals of around 30 minutes, beginning at about 10:30 in the morning and continuing until around 11:30 at night. The final return trip is scheduled for 00:30 am, though on some event evenings it may depart slightly later.
By Private Transport
Travellers coming from Patong, Kata, or Karon areas often take a local taxi. The fare is generally between ฿800 and ฿1,200, and after arriving at the pier they may join the shuttle boat without extra charge.
From Phuket International Airport, taxis are commonly around ฿1,200 and the drive usually takes close to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Those staying in Phuket Town have a shorter route, and the cost is normally between ฿500 and ฿700, with an approximate travel time of about 20 minutes.
By Yacht
Several high-end hotels and private villa operators include arrangements for direct drop-off by yacht, and these can be booked in advance through their concierge teams.
