I Went To YONA, The Floating Beach Club in Phuket — Here’s What It’s Actually Like#

So, um, I finally did it. I booked the thing I kept sending to my friends on Instagram with “we need to go here” like twenty times. YONA — the world’s first floating beach club — in Phuket. I was low-key worried it’d be one of those glossy, over-filtered hype spots where you basically spend a fortune for a nice selfie and a mediocre margarita. But no. I mean, yes, you’ll take like 400 photos, don’t lie, but also…it’s genuinely awesome. Real sun-on-your-skin, music-in-your-ribs, salt-on-your-lips awesome. And weirdly chill, even if it looks like a full-on party yacht in photos. It’s both? Which I didn’t expect.

I went in late 2024, right before the holiday rush. If you haven’t been to Phuket since COVID-times, the vibe has definitely shifted. Travel in 2024 and now into 2025 is very much back (and then some), shoulder season is kinda the new high season because people are trying to dodge crowds and crazy heat. Thailand’s entry rules are super relaxed again — no testing or vaccine paperwork for ages now — and the whole visa thing is friendlier than it used to be. As of 2024, Thailand expanded visa-free stays for more countries and bumped some to 60 days, plus rolled out new options for longer-stay folks and digital nomads. Just double-check for your passport because it keeps getting updated, but point is, getting in was easy. Which is maybe why Patong feels wild-busy again. But in a fun way. Most days.

Getting There: The Morning I Almost Missed The Boat (Literally)#

I booked YONA online a week in advance — weekdays were cheaper and less packed. They’ve got a few types of tickets: general entry, daybeds, cabanas, and those VIP-looking front-row thingys. Pricing is dynamic-ish and changes by season and day, but to give you an idea, we paid roughly 3,500 THB per person for a shared daybed credit on a Wednesday, which was mostly a minimum spend situation. Cocktails are in the 350–450 THB range, mains mostly 350–650 THB, and if you’re doing bottles, yeah, brace yourself. Also note: you often get hit with service charge and VAT on top. Not a big deal, just don’t be confused when the bill comes out a bit higher than your mental math. We learned. The spicy way.

Transfers: YONA runs a little shuttle boat to the big floating club. On my day, we checked in near Patong (they also sometimes use marinas on the east side depending on the weather/sea state). It was a super quick ride, like 10–15 mins, very breezy. I get motion sick sometimes and I was fine — the sea was calm-ish, and the big platform is way more stable than I imagined. If you’re prone to nausea though, just take a non-drowsy pill or slap on a patch in the morning. Also don’t skip breakfast. Learned that the hard way once, different boat trip, whole messy story I’ll spare you.

First Look: The Moment It Clicked#

You pull up and the thing is just… larger than you expect. The lines are super clean, all white and wood and glass, sun bouncing off gentle waves, DJ warming up with beachy house that gets deeper later. Staff greet you with big smiles and those neon wristbands that unlock your bar tab. Towels, lockers, showers — it’s all there. The pool is the star, an infinity-style rectangle that stretches along one side. I didn’t measure it like a weirdo, but it’s long enough to actually swim, not just dip. Three decks, lots of sun-loungers, shaded cabanas, two bars, and a restaurant space that somehow doesn’t feel too formal. I half expected influencer chaos, but the crowd was a nice mix: Thai locals celebrating, Aussies, a couple of honeymooners from Germany, a big group from the Middle East with immaculate outfits, some Russians taking absolutely no prisoners in the pose department. Vibes felt international and happy and a lil bit boujee, but in a good way.

Food & Cocktails: Not An Afterthought (Bless)#

I don’t wanna be dramatic but the food was better than it had to be. We did pomelo salad with prawns (fresh, tangy, crushed peanuts), tuna tataki that I still think about, and some grilled chicken skewers that came with a spicy dipping sauce — the kind that warms you up and then suddenly hello, I need more ice water. For mains I had a crispy fish tacos situation and my friend ordered a pad krapao that was a proper level of spicy (not the toned-down tourist version). Cocktails: the lychee martini was clean and floral, passionfruit spritz tasted like vacation, and there was a pandan mojito that surprised me. Everything came fast even though it got busy by mid-afternoon. I’m not above poolside fries either. Very important carb.

  • Pro tip: order early for the golden hour rush — everyone gets hungry/thirsty at sunset and the bar queue spikes a bit
  • If you’re doing a daybed, show up on time. The good shaded spots go fast and the floor does heat up — bring sandals or you’ll moonwalk on accident
  • Ask about their non-alcoholic list — mocktails were actually solid and not just juice with ice

What I Did All Day (Besides Take Too Many Photos)#

We swam, we danced, we people-watched shamelessly. The pool is big enough that it never felt claustrophobic. Music built slowly through the afternoon; nothing too aggro before 3 pm. By evening it’s more of a proper beach-club set. No, you can’t do wild cannonballs from the upper deck, the crew will shut that down quick, and honestly thank god because people plus alcohol plus heights is a terrible math problem. There was a short open-ocean dip window while we were anchored and the sea was glassy, with lifejackets for anyone who wanted. Not always guaranteed, depends on conditions, so don’t bank on it. I was happy sticking to the pool because I had fresh braids and ocean tangles are not for me.

The weird thing about YONA is how it slowed time down for a day. You’re not checking maps or queuing for temples. It’s a whole different Phuket headspace — salty, sun-drunk, smiley. Like, this is the vacation part of your vacation.

My Honest Takes: The Good, The Meh, The Unexpected#

Good first: staff. Genuinely sweet and helpful, no fuss. The whole place felt well-run and safe without being killjoy. The pool water was clean, bathrooms stayed tidy even at peak hours, and they had plenty of towels. Music was great but not blaring to the point where conversation is a scream-fest. The design is very photogenic — there’s a little curved staircase on the upper deck that everyone accidentally forms a line to shoot. Sunset was the moment though. Patong’s coastline gets soft and honey-gold in a way that made even my busted phone camera look dreamy.

The meh: Shade. You will fight for it if you’re not strategic. The sun in Phuket is no joke, especially late Dec through April. We went through sunscreen like it owed us money. Also, prices are resort-y. Not criminal, just know what you’re signing up for. And like any floating thing, if the wind kicks up, you’ll feel a bit of bobbing. Not enough to spill your drink, but someone in our group got a lil woozy around 5 pm and needed ginger ale and a seat facing the horizon. Oh, and Wi‑Fi dropped for me twice when everyone started uploading stories at sunset. Totally survivable.

Useful 2024–2025 Info Nobody Told Me (But I’m Telling You)#

  • Thailand entry stuff is easy again. As of 2024, many nationalities get longer visa-exempt stays (often up to 60 days now) and the country pushed new long-stay options for digital nomads and students. But these things do get tweaked — check Thai embassy sites for your passport before you go.
  • No COVID paperwork. Airports run like pre-2020 again. Phuket is busy, busy. Book early for prime things like YONA, Phi Phi speedboats, and the nicer hotels, especially Nov–Mar.
  • Grab and Bolt both work in Phuket in 2024/25 and, honestly, they saved us from the taxi-haggle circus. Expect surge pricing at sunset though, especially Patong area.
  • E‑cigs are not legal in Thailand. I know, everyone vapes. Don’t. Fines and awkward police chats are not a vibe. Same with cannabis — rules have shifted a lot since 2022 and the gov has talked about tightening again. Don’t smoke in public, and just be sensible.
  • Money: cards widely accepted at YONA and around Phuket. I still carry some cash for markets and tips. QR PromptPay is everywhere too.
  • Weather: Phuket’s dry season is roughly Nov–April. The rest of the year is monsoon with rain bursts and choppier seas. YONA will reschedule/cancel if conditions are off — happens more in low season. Have a plan B. We saw two rainy afternoons in a row and then bam, the prettiest sunset of my trip.
  • Insurance. I don’t wanna sound like a mom but get it. Boats, scooters, random mango allergies — Phuket is fun until it’s not.

What It Costs (Real Talk)#

Our total for two people: roughly 7,800 THB including the daybed credit, 4 cocktails, 2 mocktails, 3 shared starters, 2 mains, and a dessert we totally didn’t need but devoured anyway — hello, mango sticky rice with coconut ice cream. Honestly felt fair for a full-day floating club with sunset music and perfect service. If you want it cheaper, go weekday and just do general entry, share plates, and stick to beers or mocktails. If you wanna splurge, the cabanas on the upper deck looked ridiculous in the best way. Also if it's a special occassion, tell them — we watched the crew deliver a birthday cake with sparklers and the whole deck cheered. Cheesy? Yes. Did I get teary? Maybe.

Packing & Little Hacks I Wish I Knew#

  • Reef-safe sunscreen and more than you think. Phuket sun is brutal, the water reflection doubles it. Reapply. You can’t out-cool UV rays.
  • A light shirt or sarong — even shade gets warm, and you’ll want to cover up sometimes.
  • Portable phone charger. Sunset equals content stampede and your battery will tap out.
  • Motion sickness meds if you’re sensitive. Even if most people are fine, your inner ear might not be.
  • Waterproof pouch. You’ll be near water all day and the DJ drop will absolutely tempt you to dance too close to the pool edge.
  • Don’t bring outside food/drinks. And leave the drone — Thailand has strict drone rules and launching from a boat is… not gonna fly.

Crowd, Music, Energy — What’s The Scene Really Like?#

Midweek, it felt like daytime luxury with a pulse. By 3 pm, the music had this cool, beachy deep-house thing going. By sunset, people were dancing, not wild, just happy. The DJ was reading the room well — lots of global tracks, no cheesy “YMCA” moments. Dress code is basically “resort cool.” Swimsuits, linen shirts, sundresses, some glam. Sneakers or sandals both fine, just something with grip because boat decks and mojito spills are best friends. We made friends with a couple from Seoul who were celebrating an engagement, and later a solo traveler from the UK joined our table because we were laughing too loud at my failed attempt to pronouce Thai properly. People were open and warm that day — the shared-daybed layout kinda forces you to be social in a sweet way.

Is It Kid-Friendly? Solo-Friendly? Group-Friendly?#

I saw one family earlier in the day and the crew was super kind to them. But honestly, YONA reads adult — not rowdy Vegas style, more like a grown-up pool day that turns vibey at night. For solo travelers, yes, totally fine, because of how the seating works and the shared energy. I wouldn’t bring little kids unless you’re going super early and you’re well-prepped. For groups, 4–6 is the sweet spot. More than that and I’d book in advance for side-by-side beds or a cabana because moving 10 friends as a unit is like herding flamingos.

Beyond YONA: What Else We Did In Phuket That Week#

Because yeah, as iconic as a floating beach club is, Phuket is a whole big island with plenty to love. We stayed near Kata one night — calmer than Patong — and did a sunset at Karon Viewpoint that wasn’t crowded somehow. We hit Chillva Night Market for snacks (the giant squid sticks are better than they look) and splurged on a late lunch at a noodle shop in Phuket Town that had a line of locals out the door. For transport, we Grab’d pretty much everywhere — cheaper than negotiating tuk-tuk rides each time, and in 2024 the apps are just smoother and safer. Scooter rentals are still common, but the roads are steep and sandy in parts, so be honest about your riding skills.

When YONA Makes The Most Sense#

If you’ve only got 2–3 days in Phuket, I’d put YONA on a day with a clear forecast and aim to recover the next morning with a slow brunch. It’s also perfect for a pre-wedding hang, birthday, or that “we wrapped a crazy work quarter and can finally relax” moment. If you’re in rainy season, it’s still worth a shot, but have backup plans because sea conditions rule everything around us. The crew told me they do weather calls with safety first, and I respect that — Phuket’s had enough wake-up calls to take boat safety seriously these past few years.

Things I’d Do Differently Next Time#

I’d book the sunset-focused slot because watching the coast glow was, like, the highlight. I’d also wear a hat from the second I woke up, not just at noon when I was already pink. And I’d try the sushi — I saw a platter go by that had people turning their heads like a cartoon. I’d also maybe save YONA for the end of my trip instead of the start because it set a bar that was tough to follow. Oh and bring a second swimsuit. No one likes putting on a cold, damp suit for the sunset session, trust me.

Quick Safety, Etiquette, And Random Notes#

  • Hydrate. Alternate drinks with water. It’s basic but it works — the sun is sneaky and that ocean breeze hides sweat.
  • Watch your steps. Wet decks get slippery. The crew has eyes everywhere but help them help you.
  • Respect the staff and other guests. It’s a shared space. No need to blast your own speaker or claim chair territories like you’re invading Normandy.
  • If you have any mobility concerns, message them first. They were super responsive on WhatsApp and email. Transfers and stairs are involved.
  • Tipping: not mandatory but appreciated. We left a bit extra for our server who kept somehow finding us right when we were thinking of another round. Wizard.

Would I Go Back? Short Answer: Yup#

Long answer: 100%. YONA hit that sweet spot of extra and effortless. It’s an experience that actually feels different from anything else I’ve done in Phuket — not just a boat party, not just a club, not just a pool. A floating day where time goes soft and you remember why you booked the flight in the first place. I’m not saying it’s cheap, and I’m not saying it’s for everyone every day. But for a single, sparkly day on your trip? Do it. Bring sunscreen, bring your good mood, leave your cynicism on the pier. You won’t regret it.

If you want more deep-dive travel stories and messy, honest tips like this — the good, the awkward, the “I accidentally ordered four desserts because I can’t read the menu properly” moments — I’ve been bookmarking a bunch over on AllBlogs.in lately. Kinda obsessed, actually. It’s been super handy for planning my next round of island hopping. See you out there.