Hong Islands Longtail or Speedboat: Which Boat Is Better?

Published 27 October 2026 · 9 min read

You are standing at the tour desk in Ao Nang with two leaflets for Ko Hong, one with a wooden longtail and one with a white speedboat, and only a small price difference between them. Choosing between the Hong Islands longtail or speedboat sounds like a small decision, but it changes how your whole day feels: the noise, the spray, how tired you are by lunch and how much you see.

I have done this trip both ways more than once, in calm March water and in grey August swell. Here is how the two boats really compare, without the brochure gloss.

Hong Islands longtail or speedboat: what is the real difference?

The short answer: the speedboat gets you there faster and its published itinerary includes more stops, while the longtail is cheaper, slower and more atmospheric. Both go to the same small group of islands north of Ao Nang, and both include the same basics: hotel pickup, lunch, fruit and soft drinks, snorkel mask, life jacket, an English speaking guide and accident insurance.

The Ko Hong longtail tour starts from ฿1490 per adult. It covers the Hong lagoon and the beach on Ko Hong, then moves on to Pak Bia and the small, wild Daeng Island for snorkelling. It is listed as an 8 hour day, with hotel pickup between 08:00 and 08:30 and departure at 09:00.

The Ko Hong speedboat tour starts from ฿1690 per adult. Its programme lists the Hong lagoon, Pelay Beach on Ko Hong, the 360 degree viewpoint, Pak Bia and Lao Lading, where lunch is served. The boat leaves the pier at 09.00 and heads back at 14.30.

So the price gap is small. What you are really choosing is the character of the day: a slow wooden boat that putters between the cliffs, or a fast fibreglass hull that hops from stop to stop.

Is a longtail boat comfortable for the Hong Islands trip?

A longtail is comfortable enough for most healthy adults, but it is not a soft ride. You sit on low wooden benches, the engine is loud and unmuffled, and on the way out you will almost certainly catch some spray. On a calm morning that spray is refreshing. On a windy afternoon it is a steady shower.

The noise is the part people underestimate. The engine sits at the back on a long shaft, and it roars. Conversation becomes shouting, and small children sometimes cover their ears for the first ten minutes. After a while you stop noticing it, and many people end up loving it because it feels like real Thailand, not a theme park.

The upside of a longtail is that it sits low on the water. You feel close to the sea, the cliffs rise above you, and getting in and out at the beaches is simple: the boat noses onto the sand and you climb down a small ladder into knee deep water. There is a canopy for shade, which matters a lot by late morning.

Who will not enjoy it: anyone who gets seasick easily on a slow, rolling boat, people who hate noise, and anyone hoping to stay dry and tidy. If your idea of a boat trip involves a cushioned seat and clean clothes at lunch, choose the speedboat.

Is the speedboat ride bumpy on choppy days?

Yes, on a choppy day a speedboat can be properly bumpy. The faster the boat goes, the harder it slams down after each wave, and the front seats feel it most. On flat water the ride is smooth and quick, and you arrive at the first stop fresh.

The speedboat has padded seating, a roof and more room to stand up and move around between stops. It is drier than a longtail, though spray still comes over the side in a crosswind. The engine noise is a steady hum rather than a roar.

The bigger issue is the slamming. If you have a bad back, a recent injury or you are travelling with an elderly parent, sit as far back as you can and hold the rail. Tell the crew if a passenger needs them to slow down. Most crews are used to this, and a quiet word at the start helps.

One more thing to know: the tour pages for Krabi island trips say that people with heart or other serious medical conditions, and pregnant women, are not allowed to join. That rule exists for a reason, and it applies most clearly to fast boats. Check the conditions on the tour page before booking if anyone in your group is unsure.

Which boat gives you more time at the lagoon and beaches?

On paper the speedboat gives you more stops, because it spends less of the day in transit. The speedboat itinerary includes the 360 degree viewpoint, a 239 meter climb of 419 steps, which the longtail itinerary does not list. If that panorama is important to you, the speedboat is the clear choice.

The longtail spends more time chugging between islands, so each stop can feel a little more relaxed but there are fewer of them. Its route swaps the viewpoint and Lao Lading for Daeng Island, a tiny undeveloped island where the snorkelling and the quiet are the main draw.

The Hong lagoon itself is the highlight on both tours. It is a sheltered pool of green water ringed by cliffs, and how you enter it depends on the tide. At higher water boats can slip in through the gap, at lower tide you may see it from the entrance or swim and wade. The crew decides on the day, so do not be upset if your experience differs from a friend's photos.

On Ko Hong itself, the beach is enclosed by cliffs on three sides, and fish come right up to the shallows. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel here. Keep an eye out for the large monitor lizards in the jungle edge, they are calm but give them space.

For a full stop by stop look at the islands themselves, read the Hong Islands tour guide with lagoon and beach details. This article sticks to the boat question.

Longtail vs speedboat to Ko Hong: side by side

Here is everything that matters in one place, using only what the two tour pages list.

The table makes one thing obvious: for a modest extra cost, the speedboat adds the viewpoint and an extra island, and its schedule has you leaving the islands at 14.30. For many travellers that is worth it. For others, the slow longtail day is exactly the point.

How does the season change the ride?

The season matters more than the boat. From roughly November to April the Andaman Sea around Krabi is usually calm, and both boats give a pleasant ride. From about May to October the southwest monsoon brings more wind and swell, and that is when the difference between the two boats becomes real.

In the calm months, I lean towards the longtail for people who are not in a hurry. The sea is flat, the spray is light, and the slow pace lets you actually look at the cliffs. The extra stop on the speedboat is still nice, but the longtail does not feel like a compromise.

In the wetter months, it depends on the day. A longtail in moderate swell rolls and soaks you. A speedboat in the same swell slams. Neither is fun if the sea is rough, and on genuinely bad days the operators may change the route or cancel, which the tour pages say they can do because of weather. That is a good thing: you do not want to be out there in a storm.

A few practical rules I give friends for the low season:

• Book for the first calm-looking day of your stay, not the last, so you have room to move the date.
• Take a seasickness tablet before breakfast, not on the boat.
• Sit in the middle or the rear on a speedboat, and in the middle on a longtail.
• Pack everything in a dry bag: phone, money, a spare T-shirt.
• Expect cloudier water and plan to enjoy the scenery more than the snorkelling.

Weather on the Andaman coast changes quickly, so check the forecast the evening before and keep your plans flexible.

Which boat should you choose for your type of trip?

My honest pick: families with children, people short on time and anyone who wants the viewpoint should take the speedboat; couples, budget travellers and people who like a slow day should take the longtail. Here is how I break it down for friends who ask.

Families with kids under ten. Go by speedboat. The shorter transfers between islands mean less whining and less engine noise, and getting back in mid afternoon leaves time for a nap before dinner. Children under three join free on many Krabi island tours, but check the Hong tour page for the exact child prices before you book.

Couples and honeymooners. The longtail has more romance, especially in the calm season. The slow ride between limestone towers is half the experience. If one of you gets seasick easily, though, pick the speedboat, because spending a long day feeling green is not romantic.

Active travellers and photographers. The speedboat, mainly for the viewpoint. The climb is steep and hot, but the view over the islands is one of the best in the area. Photographers who care more about low angles and boats against cliffs may still prefer the longtail.

Older travellers or anyone with back problems. Neither boat is perfect. On calm days the longtail is gentler on the spine, but harder to climb in and out of. On choppy days, skip both and choose a land tour instead.

Budget travellers. The longtail is the cheaper of the two, and the saving covers a simple meal in Ao Nang. If you do not care about the viewpoint, the longtail gives you the lagoon, the beach and good snorkelling for less.

If you are ready to choose, the longtail suits slow, scenic days and tighter budgets, while the speedboat suits families, short stays and anyone set on the viewpoint.

If you are also weighing the boats for the other popular trip south of Ao Nang, the same logic applies with a few twists, covered in the 4 Islands longtail or speedboat comparison.

What to pack and how to book

Whichever boat you choose, pack for sun, salt and spray. The park fee is not included in the tour price, so carry cash for it on the day. The amount is shown on the tour page, and the guide will tell you when it is collected.

The tour pages list a short packing list: swimsuit, sunglasses, sunblock and a beach hat. I would add these:

1. A dry bag or a zip bag for your phone and cash.
2. Reef-safe sunscreen and a long sleeve rash top, because snorkelling backs burn fast.
3. Water shoes for rocky entries and the viewpoint steps.
4. A light towel and a spare top for the ride home.
5. A seasickness tablet, even if you think you will not need it.

Booking is simple. Choose your boat on the tour page, send the booking request or a WhatsApp message, and the exact pickup time is sent after confirmation. The tour runs every day, weather allowing. If you are still deciding between this and other trips, browse all Krabi tours on the home page and compare the itineraries side by side.

My last tip: book Hong for a morning when the forecast looks calm, and keep a spare day in your plans. The lagoon on a still, sunny morning is worth the patience, whichever boat takes you there.

Frequently asked questions

Do longtail boats go inside the Hong lagoon?

Boats can usually enter the lagoon when the tide is high enough. At lower tide the crew may stop at the entrance or let you swim or wade in. The decision is made on the day for safety.

Is the Hong Islands trip good for people who get seasick?

The islands are fairly sheltered, so the ride is often calm in the dry season. On windy days both boats move a lot, so take a tablet before breakfast and sit in the middle of the boat. The speedboat spends less time on the water overall.

Can I bring a drone to the Hong Islands?

Drone rules in Thai national parks are strict and change from time to time. Check the current regulations before you travel and ask the guide on the day. If in doubt, leave it at the hotel.

Is lunch good on the Hong Islands tours?

Lunch is included on both tours and is a simple Thai meal served on one of the islands. On the speedboat it is served on Lao Lading. Tell the team about allergies or vegetarian needs when you book.

Do I need to be a good swimmer to snorkel at Ko Hong?

No. Life jackets and masks are provided, and the beach on Ko Hong has shallow water where fish come close to shore. Weak swimmers should keep the life jacket on and stay near the boat.

What happens if the weather is bad on my tour day?

The operators can change the programme or cancel because of the weather, as the tour pages say. Contact the team on WhatsApp to move the date if that happens. This is why booking early in your stay is a good idea.

Which is better for photos, longtail or speedboat?

The speedboat includes the 360 degree viewpoint, which gives the classic panorama over the islands. The longtail gives better low angle shots of boats and cliffs. Both visit the lagoon, the main photo spot.

Updated 27 October 2026.