Krabi Island Hopping: A Complete Guide to Day Trips by Boat

Published 31 October 2026 · 9 min read

Stand on Ao Nang beach at eight in the morning and you will see it: rows of longtails with coloured ribbons on the bow, speedboats idling a little further out, and limestone islands sitting on the horizon like they were placed there for a postcard. Everyone around you is about to go somewhere, and the hard part is choosing where. This is my complete guide to krabi island hopping, written for people who want a good day on the water, not a sales pitch.

I will go through the island groups one by one, how a typical tour day runs, which boat to choose, when public boats make sense, and what the season does to the sea. At the end there is a packing list that I give to every friend who visits.

What is Krabi island hopping and where do the boats go?

Krabi island hopping means a day trip by boat to several islands, with swimming, snorkelling, beach time and lunch along the way. From Ao Nang and Railay there are four main directions: the 4 Islands right off the coast, the Hong Islands to the north, Phi Phi to the south-west, and Phang Nga Bay further north. Each has a different character, travel time and price.

The 4 Islands are the closest and the easiest. The Hong Islands feel wilder and quieter, with a lagoon hidden inside the rock. Phi Phi is the famous one, with Maya Bay and the big postcard views, but also the longest crossing and the biggest crowds. Phang Nga Bay, home of James Bond Island, is about cliffs and kayaking rather than beaches.

There are also two special options. The 7 Islands Sunset Tour runs in the afternoon and ends with a BBQ dinner and swimming with bioluminescent plankton. The Similan Islands trip is a long day, listed at 11 hours, for people who want some of the clearest water in Thailand and do not mind an early start.

The 4 Islands: the classic first trip

For a first island day in Krabi, the 4 Islands tour is the safest bet. It is the shortest and cheapest trip, running 08:30 to 15:30, with Phra Nang Beach, Tub Island, Chicken Island and Poda Island all close to Ao Nang. You spend more time on sand and in the water and less time crossing the sea.

Phra Nang Beach sits on the Railay peninsula, which is reached only by boat, and has the famous Princess Cave at one end. Tub Island is known for the sandbar that appears at low tide and links it to Chicken Island, so you can walk across. Chicken Island, Koh Gai in Thai, is named after its rock shape and has good snorkelling. Poda has white sand and calm water.

The longtail version starts from ฿1290 and the speedboat from ฿1490, with children aged 3 to 11 at ฿990 and ฿1190. Children under 3 go free. The park fee is not included: ฿400 per adult and ฿200 per child, paid on the day.

My opinion: this is the trip for families with young kids, nervous swimmers and anyone on a short stay. It is busy at the popular spots in high season, but the distances are short, so no one gets worn out. I wrote a separate piece on the 4 Islands tour by longtail or speedboat for people stuck on that choice.

Hong Islands: lagoon, viewpoint and quieter beaches

The Hong Islands are the best choice for people who want something a little wilder than the 4 Islands without a long open-sea crossing. The group sits about an hour north of Krabi, and the highlight is Hong Lagoon, an emerald pool enclosed by cliffs that you enter by boat. The water around the islands is usually clear and full of fish.

Ko Hong has one main beach framed by limestone on three sides, perfect for an easy snorkel straight off the sand. The island is covered in jungle and is home to large monitor lizards that are not shy of visitors. The speedboat tour adds the 360 viewpoint, 239 metres high with 419 steps, which is a real workout in the heat but gives the best view of the day.

The longtail tour starts from ฿1490 and also visits Pak Bia and Daeng Island. The speedboat tour starts from ฿1690 and adds Pak Bia and Lao Lading, where lunch is served on the beach. Both include hotel transfer and lunch.

Who it suits: couples, friends and active families who have done a beach day already and want more snorkelling and fewer crowds than Phi Phi. Skip the viewpoint climb if anyone has knee or heart trouble. More detail is in the Hong Islands tour guide.

Phi Phi from Krabi: the famous one, with a catch

Phi Phi is worth it if you want the famous views and do not mind a long, busy day. The speedboat tour runs 08:30 to 16:30 and crosses more open sea than any other trip here, so the ride can be bumpy outside the calm months. It is also the most crowded group of islands on this coast.

The route covers Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay for snorkelling, Monkey Bay, Maya Bay from the film The Beach, Viking Cave, lunch on Phi Phi Don and beach time on Bamboo Island. That is a lot of stops, and some are photo stops from the boat rather than long swims.

The price starts from ฿1890 for adults and ฿1590 for children aged 3 to 11, with children under 3 free. Lunch is a buffet on Phi Phi Don, the only inhabited island of the group.

My honest take: go if Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon are on your list, and sit at the back of the speedboat. Skip it if you have a toddler, get seasick easily or want quiet beaches. For a deeper look, read whether the Phi Phi day trip from Krabi is worth it.

Pick a 4 Islands tour for an easy first day, a Hong Islands tour for lagoons and snorkelling, and Phi Phi for the famous sights.

Longtail or speedboat: which boat is better for island hopping?

Choose a longtail for short, calm, cheaper trips and a speedboat for longer distances or when you have kids who hate sitting still. On the 4 Islands and Hong Islands both boats exist, and the speedboat costs a little more on each. On Phi Phi, the speedboat is the standard choice from Krabi.

A longtail is a long wooden boat with an engine on a pole at the back. It is loud, slow and open, sits low in the water, and feels like the real Thailand. Expect some spray and sun, and bring a dry bag. On short hops near Ao Nang it is charming, and many people prefer it.

A speedboat is faster, usually has a roof for shade, and gets you between stops quickly. The catch is the bounce: in the front rows, a fast ride over small waves can be hard on backs. Ask for seats at the back, near the engines, where the ride is much softer.

There is also the private route. A private longtail boat charter starts from ฿6900 for 4 hours and up to 8 guests, and a VIP longtail starts from ฿8900. It makes sense for groups who want their own timing, an early start before the crowds or extra time at one favourite beach.

• Longtail: cheaper, classic look, best on calm days and short distances.
• Speedboat: faster, shaded, better for long days and families.
• Private longtail: your own schedule, good value split across a group.

Public boats or a tour: which is better?

Public boats are great for getting from A to B, tours are better for seeing several islands in a day. The longtail shuttles from Ao Nang to Railay are the easiest public option, because Railay has no road access at all. You buy a ticket at the beach and the boat leaves when it fills up.

For Phi Phi, public ferries run from Krabi to Phi Phi Don, which works well if you plan to stay a night or two on the island. Timetables change with the season, so check them close to the date. A ferry will not take you to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon or Bamboo Island, though; for those you need a tour or a separate boat on Phi Phi.

For day trips to several islands, a tour usually wins on hassle. Snorkel gear, life jackets, lunch, water, fruit, hotel transfer and a guide are all sorted, and you do not have to negotiate at every beach. Doing it yourself is cheaper only if you are a confident traveller with time and patience.

My rule: use public boats for Railay and for moving to Phi Phi with luggage, and use tours for island hopping days.

When is the sea calm enough for island hopping in Krabi?

The calmest months are roughly November to April, the dry season on the Andaman coast. From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings more wind and swell, and tours can change their route or be moved because of the weather. Trips still run on many days, but the open-sea crossings, especially to Phi Phi, get bumpier.

In the low season, closer islands are the better gamble. The 4 Islands sit near the coast and the Hong Islands are more sheltered than the open water to Phi Phi. Keep one spare day in your plans so a cancelled trip can be moved instead of lost.

Crowds follow the calendar too. Around Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year the popular beaches are packed by late morning. Early pickups and less famous stops help a lot, and a private longtail lets you dodge the peak hours completely.

Tides matter more than people think. The sandbar at Tub Island appears only at low tide, and lagoons like Hong are easier to enter at higher water. The guide plans the order of stops around this, so if the route changes on the day, there is usually a good reason.

What is included on a typical tour, and what should you bring?

Group island tours from Krabi include almost everything you need for the day. The standard package is hotel transfer, snorkel mask, life jacket, an English speaking guide, accident insurance, fresh fruit, soft drinks and lunch. The national park fee is usually extra, so check the tour page before you go.

The tour pages list the basics to bring: swimsuit, sunglasses, sunblock and a beach hat. From experience, I would add a few things:

1. A dry bag or zip bag for phones and money.
2. Cash for the park fee, drinks and small things on the islands.
3. Reef-friendly sunblock and a long-sleeved rash top for snorkelling.
4. Water shoes or sandals that can get wet, as some landings are on rocks or coral sand.
5. A light towel and a dry shirt for the ride home.
6. Seasickness tablets for Phi Phi or any trip in the windy season.

Health rules matter too. The island tour pages state that they do not accept pregnant women or people with heart or other serious medical conditions. Ask before booking if you are unsure, and book through the tour page or on WhatsApp so the pickup time reaches you the day before.

Frequently asked questions

How many islands can you visit in one day from Krabi?

A typical group tour visits four to seven stops in a day, depending on the route. The 4 Islands tour covers four, while the Phi Phi tour fits in more stops, some of them short photo stops from the boat. More stops is not always better, because it means less time in the water at each one.

Which Krabi island tour is best for snorkelling?

Near Ao Nang, the Hong Islands and the reefs around Chicken and Poda give good, easy snorkelling. For truly clear water, the Similan Islands trip is the top choice, but it is a long day. Phi Phi has good spots too, though they are busier.

Can I do island hopping from Krabi Town or only from Ao Nang?

Tours include hotel transfer, so you can join from Krabi Town as well as Ao Nang. The pickup will simply be earlier because of the drive to the pier. The exact time is sent after booking.

Is island hopping in Krabi safe for children?

Yes, as long as you choose the right trip. Life jackets are included, and the 4 Islands tour is short and calm enough for most families. Children under 3 go free on the main island tours, and children aged 3 to 11 pay a child price.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. Life jackets are provided, and many people snorkel in them. Non-swimmers should stay close to the boat or the beach and tell the guide at the start. The beaches at Poda and Tub are shallow and easy.

What happens if my tour is cancelled because of the weather?

The program can change or the trip can be moved when the sea is not safe. This happens more often in the windy months. Keep one spare day in your plans so you can rebook without stress.

Is it better to book island tours in advance?

In the high season it is worth booking a day or two ahead, especially for Phi Phi and private boats. In quieter months there is more choice at short notice. Booking ahead also means your pickup time is set before you go to bed.

Updated 31 October 2026.