4 island tour ao nang

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Krabi: 4 Island Tour from Ao Nang

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Day trip in Krabi – the 4 Island Tour

How to get to ao nang, accommodation in ao nang – our hotel tip, tickets for the krabi 4 island tour, the krabi 4 island tour procedure, 1. phra nang cave beach, 2. tub island, 3. chicken island, 4. koh poda, conclusion on the krabi 4 island tour, ao nang: tours and tickets.

You can read in our report today about where the 4 Island Tour is headed, what picturesque destinations it contains in Krabi, what it costs and how everything works.

To reach Ao Nang it’s best to travel via Krabi. With this option you can fly to the Krabi International Airport which is connected to locations in Thailand as well as e.g. Kuala Lumpur or Qatar. More information about flights, departure times and prices can be found on Skyscanner .

You can also travel by bus or boat (from Koh Lanta etc.) to Krabi Town. From there you can continue your trip to Ao Nang. From the airport or the bus station you will have to take another means of transport to get to Ao Nang.

A Songthaew (shared taxi) from the bus station costs about 80 Baht to Ao Nang. A taxi costs about 400 Baht from Krabi Town or the airport. The cheapest option would be the shuttle bus, which runs regularly from the airport through Krabi Town to Ao Nang, for a price of 100 Baht per person.

Furthermore, you can take the ferry from Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi directly to Ao Nang. These boats will arrive at Nopparat Thara Pier and not at Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi Town. To see connections, times, prices and tickets for buses and boats, visit 12go.asia .

The selection of accommodation in Ao Nang and the surrounding area is huge. We have stayed several times in Ao Nang and tried some different hotels. Since we are always traveling there by scooter, it doesn’t bother us personally if the accommodation is a bit further from the beach. This way you have peace and seclusion and can totally relax. Very suitable for this is the Deevana Krabi Resort , which is located in the middle of a beautiful green area. Both beaches, the Ao Nang Beach and the Noppharat Thara Beach , are just minutes away by taxi or scooter.

You can discover more beautiful accommodations in Ao Nang here .

There are many ways to buy tickets for the Krabi 4 Island Tour. You can buy a ticket for a private tour by longtail boat at the ticket booths on the beach or simply book it at your hotel, any travel agency or at a tour seller in Ao Nang.

You can also book the Krabi 4 Island Tour online in advance and secure your ticket when planning your trip. Here you will find the tickets for the tour by speedboat or longtail boat .

The prices are roughly the same for all options. The tickets cost around 500-800 baht per person for a tour with a longtail boat or 1000-1500 baht per person for a Krabi 4 Island Tour with a speedboat.

Note : The national park fee is not included in the ticket prices. That means there are additional costs of 400 baht (adults) or 200 baht (children) per person. These are collected by the tour provider at the start of the tour and later handed over to the park rangers on the islands.

If you book a Krabi 4 Island Tour, you will be picked up at your hotel in the morning between 8.00 A.M. and 9.00 A.M. – depending on where you stay, e.g. in Ao Nang, Krabi Town or Klong Muang. After that you will go to the pier at Noppharat Thara Beach , where most tours start.

Now you have an approximately 20-minute boat ride ahead of you to get to Railay Beach West . More guests could be collected there and then it will take another few minutes to Phra Nang Cave Beach , the first stop of the tour.

The next stop is Tub Island , before heading to either Chicken Island or Koh Poda , where lunch is on the schedule. Accordingly, the last stop before returning to Ao Nang is also Chicken Island or Koh Poda, where you can relax and swim.

You can read and see what awaits you at the various stops, as well as some pictures of the islands in the following points:

Phra Nang Cave Beach is usually the first stop on the Krabi 4 Island Tour and is located on the east coast of the Railay Peninsula. You can also walk to it from Railay East in a few minutes. It is one of the most popular beaches and at lunchtime it can get very crowded, at least in the main season.

The scenery of Phra Nang Cave Beach is gorgeous with limestone cliffs, fine sand, turquoise water and is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches on the mainland of Krabi. But visitors don’t just come for a swim, they also go climbing on the rocks or visiting the Phra Nang Cave (also known as Princess Cave ) with the famous Penis Shrine.

Legend has it that the Phra Nang Cave is a stone-turned virgin who lived in Krabi centuries ago. At her wedding there were disputes between many admirers and the future husband. When a hermit from a nearby cave tried to settle the dispute and it didn’t work, he used his magical powers to turn everyone involved into stone. Allegedly, these then became Phra Nang Cave, Chicken Island, Koh Poda and other islands.

Nowadays, many of the phallic symbols are deposited there when Thai couples want to have children because it is believed to increase fertility.

Furthermore, there is a small island in the middle of the beach, which you can reach via a sandbar at low tide. You will also find many boats in the middle, which are actually small restaurants.

The second destination on the tour is Tub Island, sometimes written as Tup Island . The small island lies between Chicken Island and Koh Poda. Tub Island actually consists of two small islands, Koh Mor and Koh Tub , which are connected by a sandbar.

Another sandbar, which is a spectacular highlight, is accessible only at low tide. So you can’t completely influence it and have to be lucky on your Krabi 4 Island Tour. But if your visit is at low tide, you can walk over the sandbar to the next island, which is Chicken Island .

Tub Island is also a popular place for snorkeling. Especially on the side that points towards Koh Poda you can see some colorful fish near the beach and go snorkeling directly from the beach.

The third stop is Koh Gai , better known as Chicken Island or Koh Poda Nok. The name comes from a rock at the southern end, which with some imagination resembles the head of a chicken.

Note : Depending on the tour, the program is sometimes changed and Koh Poda is approached in third place and Chicken Island comes last. But that doesn’t make a big difference for you.

It is usually very quiet on Chicken Island and of all the destinations mentioned it has the fewest visitors. There you can relax on the beach and walk over the sandbar at low tide, just like on Koh Tub, or go to the Chicken Island Viewpoint . It is located directly in front of the sandbar, where you only have to climb a short distance near the hut. Ropes will help you to ascend, but it’s actually not too difficult.

The last stop is now Koh Poda . White sandy beach and turquoise water are waiting for you here, but on the other hand, so are most visitors and boats. However, there are zoned off areas where the boats are not allowed to go in and which are therefore still great for swimming.

The north of Koh Poda with the island Koh Ma Tang Ming in front of it, where you look towards the mainland of Krabi, is the most popular place on the island. With little bit of luck you can also see fish while snorkeling here. If you walk a little further along the beach towards the south, that means towards Koh Tub and Chicken Island, you will quickly see that there are fewer visitors and therefore more peace.

Koh Poda is part of the Had Noppharatthara – Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park and offers the most amenities for visitors with a small shop, restrooms and smoking areas. However, garbage cans are not provided and all visitors are instructed to take their garbage back to the mainland with them. The lunch break of the day tours is usually made on Koh Poda and a buffet is set up there or you get a lunch box, depending on the provider.

The Krabi 4 Island Tour covers some of the most beautiful destinations off the coast of Ao Nang and is therefore absolutely worth it. The tour is especially perfect for visitors who don’t spend too many days in Krabi. This way you can visit four destinations in one day instead of just going to one island with the longtail boats on the beach.

We can recommend this tour to you if you want to explore the island world of Krabi.

Plan your trip to Krabi now

• Routes and tickets

More hotel recommendations for Krabi:

• Highlight: Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas
• Ao Nang: Deevana Krabi Resort
• Railay Beach: Railay Phutawan Resort
• Krabi Town: River Front Hotel

Popular routes to Krabi:

• Bangkok – Krabi
• Phuket – Krabi
• Chiang Mai – Krabi

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Krabi’s islands in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Ao Nang and Krabi.

Did you ever go on the 4 Island Tour in Krabi? How did you like it? Give us feedback in the comments.

Hi, I'm Tobi, author, passionate travel blogger and founder of this blog. I've been traveling the world a lot since 2013, mostly in Southeast Asia, but sometimes also in Europe. The Thai island of Koh Phangan has become my home base when I'm not traveling. Find out more on our About Us page .

This area of Thailand is so beautiful, some of the most stunning beaches I’ve seen. Did you go to Railay beach? I absolutely loved it there.

Hi Laura, Yes, we’ve been to Railay a couple of times – we love it! 🙂 Marcel

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Krabi 4 Island Tour | Full-Day Tour From Ao Nang by Longtail Boat

English, Thai

About this tour

Discover the treasures of Krabi on this full-day excursion of Krabi’s famous four islands by Longtailboat.

Feel the warm waters of the Andaman Sea on this amazing snorkeling & sightseeing adventure to Railay Beach, Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Poda Island.

• Amazing Snorkeling Spots
• Unique Sightseeing
• Coral Reef & Colorful Fish
• Railay Beach & Phra Nang Cave
• Tub Island (Koh Tub), Chicken Island (Koh Gai), Poda Island (Koh Poda)

Included/Excluded

• Hotel Transfer
• Snorkeling and Sightseeing
• English Speaking Tour Guide
• Mask, Snorkel, and Life jacket
• Fresh Fruits and Drinking Water
• Accident Insurance
• National park entrance fee (200 THB)

8:00 - 8:30 AM: Pick-up from your hotel

Meet up at your hotel lobby in the Ao Nang, Klong Mueang, Ao Nam Mao, or Tubkaek area.

9:00 PM: Arrival at the pier

We will have a coffee break, safety instructions, and learn how to use the snorkeling equipment. Then, we will leave by longtail boat to the 4 Islands.

10:00 AM: Tub Island (Koh Tub)

Visit Koh Tub & Koh Mor for some great sightseeing with a beautiful snorkeling spot as well.

11:00 AM: Chicken Island (Koh Gai)

Enjoy the warm waters and beautiful corals by snorkeling in Koh Gai.

12:00 PM: Lunch break at Poda Island (Koh Poda)

Have lunch while enjoying the splendid view Koh Poda has to offer.

01:00 PM: Phra Nang Cave

Arrive at Railay Beach then walk to the world-famous Phra Nang cave.

3:00 PM: Back at the pier

Frequently asked questions, what do i need to bring to the tour.

We recommend you bring the following: - Swimming clothes - Towel - Hat / Cap - Sunglasses - Spare t-shirt - Sunblock / Sun cream - 400 THB in cash for the national park fee

Why this trip?

  The 4 islands are one of the best activities Krabi has to offer! From amazing sightseeing to snorkeling, you will have a unique experience that you will never forget.

How to book?

1 - Select the date and how many people using our form at the top of this page 2 - Click on "Book Now" 3 - Fill in your contact information, pick-up address, and select your payment method. 4 - Click "Submit"

Is there halal option?

Yes, the buffet lunch has halal options for you.

What are the payment methods?

You can pay for your tour using either Paypal (with an account or as a guest to pay by debit/credit card) or Cash On Tour (you book today and pay cash at pick-up).

Tour's Location

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Four Island Tour by Longtail Boat

Price per group

Free Cancellation up until 4:00pm the day before this trip!

The Island hopping trip you have been dreaming of.  Turquiose crystal clear water, palm lined white sand beaches, it really is just like it is on the postcards. 

Just off the coast of Krabi at Ao Nang, the 4 Islands are the closest, easiest and cheapest way to get a true idea of what a tropical Island is. If you only visit one place in Krabi, then these Islands must be right there at the top of the list. The water at the Islands just has to be seen to be believed, on a sunny day, there is a bright turquoise ring of water around the Islands, which suddenly changes to a really deep ocean blue as the seafloor drops away to deeper water.

Longtail boats are a bit noisy, but it really as an unforgettable experience.

Tour Description

The Four Islands that make up the 4 Island tour are:

Koh Gai - Translates to Chicken Island, named because, believe it or not, it is shaped like a chicken, from the right angle, it really does!

Koh Tup - Koh Tup is only a few hundred meters from Koh Gai and, along with Koh Mawr, is linked to Chicken Island by a sand bar that is above the surface at low tide. This sandbar is known in Thai as the Talay Whak.

Koh Mawr - The third in the group, its a small rocky Island with cliffs jutting out of the sea and lush legatation on top..

Koh Poda - This is another large Island with a coconut plantation at the center. The boats all park at one end of a long beach where you can find toilets and some kiosks selling snacks, mostly thai food like bbq'd chicken and SomTam (papaya salad) and fruit and drinks and icecreams. This part of the beach can get quite busy, but you can walk for about 20 minutes down the beach, its really well worth the walk and you will almost certainly find sections of completely empty beach.

The 4 Island tour also visits Pranang Cave, a cave at the headland near Railay beach where there are many stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is also a sacred place to the sea gypsies in the area and you can see many shrines in there.

The postcards you have seen of longtail boats moored off a white sand Krabi beach in the crystal clear turquoise waters teaming with brightly colored tropical fish were probably photographed here and it really does look every bit as beautiful. It's difficult to imagine a more tropical image.

The tour includes rental of a good quality silicone mask and snorkel set per person. Snorkelling is really pretty easy, its just breathing through a tube and even most first timers get the hang of it after a few minutes. Kids really love it, but for younger kids (6-7 and under) it would be adviseable to bring your own mask and snorkel.

Life jackets are also provided and its fine to take them onto the beach to make the snorkelling even more relaxing, just lie face down and float while all these fish swim around you. How much you will see really depends on the day, the tides and the weather.

Of all the tours from Krabi and Ao Nang the Krabi 4 Islands tour is the one that we would put at the top of the list. For sightseeing and taking photos its really unbeatable.

Our most popular Krabi Tour, the Krabi 4 Island boat trips are impossible to beat. No holiday in Krabi would be complete without a spot of Island hopping.

Each time you visit, you will fall more and more in love with this place. This is what makes touring the Islands of Krabi such a pleasure every time you do it.

An adequate lunch is provided in the price of this tour making it great value. Recent comments from our customers have given the lunch a good rating. Its nothing really special, but its filling and not too spicy. All meals are suitable for Muslims and there is a vegetarian option on request, just ask when you book.

Please remember to keep this place as beautiful, you should take any wrappers or rubbish away with you or use the bins provided.

Longtail Boat

This is the local way to travel, noisy and a little bumpy but so atmospheric (and of course a great photo opportunity.) The distance between Aonang and the 4 Islands is only about 15 minutes. Lunch, and snorkelling equipment is included in the price. There are different sized longtail boats (25 to 50 seat) but normally 25 passenger boats are used.

Longtail Boat Rental

There is also the option to rent your own boat for a full or half day . For groups larger than 4 people this is actually a very economical way to get to the Krabi 4 Islands and gives you the freedom to set your own start and end times and also means much less waiting time for people to get on and off the boat. If you are interested in a custom 4 Island tour, then please let us know how many people and lunch preferences, for private boat trips to Krabi 4 Islands, we can organise a packed lunch for you with an option for Vegetarian and Halal available on request. It is a great thing to do in a small group as there is plenty of space in the boat to relax, get great photos, and either sun bath at the front of the boat or relax in the cool wind and spray under the sun shade. When you arrive at the Islands you can literally jump off the side of the boat into the shallow water on the beach.

(ladders are also provided for those who prefer a more dignified arrival :)

Please do be careful getting on and off the boats, make sure that there is someone to steady everyone getting on and off.

Boats will either depart and drop off from Aonang Beach or Nopperathara Beach depending on the sea conditions on the day. The operators do the best they can to get off on time, but there can sometimes be a few delays as they collect from all the different hotels, so please just be patient, as soon as you're on the water, it will be fine, this is all a part of island Hopping !

What's Included

Hotel transfer, insurance, guide, Mask, snorkel and life jacket, Lunch, Fruits and Drinking water

Note: For the Longtail options of this tour, there is a surcharge of 100thb per person for hotels and resorts in Klong Muang and Tubkaek and Krabi town. No surcharge for speedboat options.

Note: ** National Park Fees are not included for Island Tours. Fee for this tour is 400thb per adult, 200thb per child (3 and under free). Please make sure you have the Thai Baht to make the payment. Receipts issued by Park Rangers ** By order of the Government, every passenger must pay the National Park fee, it is not possible to take this tour without paying the fee.

Please take care of masks and snorkels and make sure you have them to give back at the end of the tour. Damaged or lost items will be charged for.

Tour Itinerary

08.00 Pick up from Krabi Town and Klong Muang

08.30 Pick up from Aonang

09:30 Depart from pier at Ao Nang by Longtail Boat

15.00 Return to Ao Nang

Please note that the order the Islands are visited in does depend on the sea conditions on the day. You'll get a roughly equal time at each place.

The Islands do get quite busy, particularly on Thai Holidays and peak season (December to January) but there is normally plenty of beach space to go around. If you just walk away from the dropoff spot, you will quite likely be able to find a piece of completely quiet unoccupied beach.

(Please remember to be responsible and take all your rubbish away with you.)

Transportation from Hotels to the pier is by Songtaew which are trucks in various sizes with covered bench seating in the back. 

See Nic Wander

4 Island Tour Review: How To Go Island Hopping In Krabi Thailand

Published: October 22, 2018

Updated: February 19, 2021

See Nic Wander contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Associates Program. I may earn a commission on purchases made through these links. Read my  disclaimer  to learn more.

When people think of Thailand, they think of exotic islands and perfect beaches. The 4 Island Tour from the town of Ao Nang in Krabi Thailand is a great wa y to explore several of these destinations in one day. This post will cover which tour to take to go island hopping in Krabi.

I decided to stay in Ao Nang, Krabi because it seemed like a good launching off point for all the tropical islands in the Andaman Sea. Ao Nang has a sleepy beach town vibe. It’s the perfect place to hang out while still being close to popular Krabi Province tourist attractions.

The 4 Island Tour goes by longtail boat to (you guessed it) four different islands around Ao Nang. And all of those islands were on my list. “Four birds with one stone!” I say out loud to no one in particular and high-five myself. 

For about $30 USD, the 4 Islands Tour includes snorkel gear, transfer to and from my apartment, a ride on a longtail boat, and a lunch buffet. I immediately break into an excited sweat, as lunch buffets and I have a long and beautiful history.

After reading reviews online, I book a spot on the four islands tour for the next morning. “Four Islands are better than one,” I chuckle while watching the sunset, sipping the wine I got from the 7/11. 

Update: I wasn’t able to find my longtail boat tour online anymore, but this tour goes to the same locations by speed boat. You can book a longtail tour in person at a tourist kiosk in Ao Nang if you’d prefer.

How to Go Island Hopping in Krabi with the 4 Island Tour

Choosing your krabi island hopping tour.

When you start searching for Island tours from Krabi, there are a few things to consider. You can choose to either do a 4 island tour by long tail boat or by speed boat. The speedboats are faster and more comfortable, but the long tail boats offer a more unique and authentic Thai experience.

You can book your tour either online through a website like Get Your Guide or in person at a tourist kiosk in Ao Nang. If you know your schedule in advance, booking online is a good way to ensure you get the exact tour you’re looking for. If your schedule is more flexible, you can wait until a few days before to book your tour in person.

Most Ao Nang Island Hopping tours will include hotel pick up and drop off. Tours typically will specify if you can be picked up in Krabi Town, Ao Nang, Railay, or anywhere else. Make sure your hotel is within the tour company’s transportation range and let them know where you are staying when you book.

While most Four Island Tours start in the morning and end around 4:00 pm, there are a few offerings like this tour that run in the evenings. These allow you to see the sunset from your boat, which sounds absolutely lovely! Remember to check the time of day that your tour runs so you know what to expect.

Typical 4 Island Tour Krabi Price

Ao Nang Island tours typically cost between $30 – $40 USD. At this price, you’ll be traveling with a tour group and you should expect to receive lunch and hotel pick up. This fee does not include any national park fees, which are usually 300-400 baht.

You can also choose to book a private charter Krabi island tour if you’re traveling in a larger group. This option is more expensive, but if you want more flexibility for your party, it’s worth looking into.

6 hours with a private speed boat charter will cost you between $300 USD and $400 USD for up to ten people. The upside of this is that you can choose your own itinerary and stay in each place as long as you like.

What to expect on the Ao Nang 4 Island Tour

In the morning, a white songthaew truck picks me up at the market near my house. After collecting other people at a handful of hotels and hostels, we drive about five minutes out of town to the pier.

At the pier, we are sorted into our groups based on which tour we are taking. There is a restroom and place to buy snacks at the pier but we don’t wait long before we are loaded into our long-tail boat.

The long tail boat sounds something like a lawnmower, a lawnmower you build yourself using only parts from a freight train. I’m sure our sweet guide is telling us fascinating facts about all the historical and geological sites we were passing as we flew across the sea, but all I hear is the roar of the engine and the crashing of waves on the hull.

First stop: Tup Island

We pull up in the shallow waters of Tup Island in our long tail boat. The guide drops two ladders on either side of the boat and I climb down into the knee-deep seawater in what I’m sure is a graceful display of athleticism. 

Tub island is a postcard. Clear blue seas, brilliant white sand, soaring rock formations and lush jungle out in the middle of nowhere. It has a sandbar connecting two nearby islands which you can walk along during low tide. Unfortunately, the tide was too high during our time here so I didn’t get to see if the neighboring island was actually as perfect as it looked.

I walk back and forth up the small strip of beach and look at all the different boats. The time flies by. Forty-five minutes later it’s time to get back in the boat so I wade out to the ladder and heave myself on board, dripping wet. I hang my droopy tower over the side of the boat and decide that I am okay with being a salty drippy mess for the rest of the day.

Heck, maybe the rest of my life. If this is the price of living in paradise, so be it.

Second Stop: Chicken Island

As we continue island hopping from Krabi, the next stop is a funny little rock called Chicken Island.

I wonder where chicken island got its name. Any guesses? We circle chicken island a few times so everyone could get a good picture of the famous chicken head rock formation, then our guide stops the boat a few hundred feet from shore.

He tells us this is the best place to go snorkeling on the tour. After a few quick warnings about not dropping our snorkel gear ( or else we’ll be fined) and not stepping on sea urchins (or else we’ll die), he tosses the ladders into the water and a-snorkeling we go. 

I’ve never snorkeled before.

In the water, I fumble with the mask, realizing I definitely haven’t worn one of these since I was in middle school playing sharks and minnows in my neighbor’s above-ground pool. A nice non-snorkeling couple on the boat snaps several photos of me and I learn that there is absolutely no way to look good with a snorkeling mask on your face.

Then I dip my head under the water.

I don’t   know what I was expecting. I know people love snorkeling, but I never thought it could be this… spectacular. One second, I see the world above water – the boat, the chicken rock, the nice photography couple waving and snapping pictures. I move my head down three inches under the water and the world explodes in color and light.

It reminds me like the aquarium at my childhood doctors office filled with exotic fish, except for these fish are right in front of my face, and this aquarium is endless. A few feet below me is a reef where fish of every color and shape weave in and out between corals. I see sea urchins and little crabs and all the other things I used to teach my students about during the ocean unit of science class.

It’s a combination of everything – the delicate little parrot fish that swim right up to my mask and look me in the eye. The way the light from above dances across the colorful coral. The silence. I knew all this was here, but I never really got it until that moment. 

This earth is so precious. The things in it are so spectacular. And I’m sure we don’t even know the half of it.

Third Stop: Poda Island

Our third stop on the four island tour in Krabi is a spectacular stretch of sand called Poda Island. At Poda Island, it’s time for lunch. As the guide lays out the spread of curries, vegetables, and rice, we all eagerly wait around in a circle, not unlike vultures. Never one to “take it easy” at a lunchtime buffet, I pile my plate high.

Poda Island is the largest of the Islands on the tour. It feels less crowded and I wander around the beach awkwardly taking selfies until some kind girl from Australia takes pity on me and offers to take my picture. Poda Island has restroom facilities but be warned, they are of the squatty potty variety. Too soon, it is time to get back on the boat. 

Final Stop: Phra Nang Cave Beach

After a boat ride around cliffs so spectacular I had to record a ten-minute bouncy video on my phone, we pull up to a quiet cove. There are dozens of long tail boats lined up, but no people. A girl in a pink shirt asks me to take her picture with the boats and she offers to take one of me. When we realize we’re both traveling alone, we immediately become best friends.

A pack of people walk down a paved path through the caves, so we follow them. After a short five-minute walk, we round a corner to Phra Nang cave overlooking the pristine water. The beach is crawling with people but we don’t care. We run out into the water, throwing our bags of valuables to the wind.

[irp posts=”2822″ name=”How to spend the perfect day on Railay Beach, Thailand – Travel Guide”]

4 Island Tour Krabi Review : Final Thoughts

I enjoyed this tour and would definitely do it again. Going island hopping in Krabi is one of the best things to do in Ao Nang. The Four Island Tour Krabi is a convenient and cost-effective way to see some amazing islands of Krabi Thailand without having to worry about coordinating tons of boat rides.

If you’re planning a 4 Islands Tour, these Ao Nang travel and tour tips will help you out:

• You can book your Ao Nang island tour in person or online: I booked online, but you might be able to work out a cheaper deal if you go to one of the tourist kiosks in person. If you’d prefer to book in advance, check out affordable Ao Nang tours on Get Your Guide here.
• Take a separate trip to Railay : You get to spend about an hour on the Phra Nang Cave part of Railay, but Railay is worth its own day trip . Come back on another day and spend more time here.
• Bring a water bottle:  Water is provided but you’ll probably want more than the two or three little cups you’re given.

Heading to Ao Nang, Thailand?

Ao Nang, Krabi Thailand is a great launching off point for tours like the Four Island Tour. If you’re heading to Ao Nang, you can read more about things to do and places to visit in these posts.

• The Ultimate Guide to Ao Nang: What to do on your trip
• Planning a Railay Beach Day Trip : The best things to do in Railay
• Phi Phi Islands Weekend Trip: Everything you need to know before you go
• Krabi Jungle Tour: Visit the Emerald Pool, The Tiger Cave Temple, and the Hot Springs

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About the Author

Hi! I'm Nic. Let's chat about remote work and ways to incorporate more travel into your life. Whether you're here to find an online job or need some tips for planning your next trip, I've got you covered! About me

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Super helpful information! I’ve loved your style of writing.

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Krabi 4 Islands Tour: Everything You Need to Know!

Posted on Last updated: January 14, 2024

Need help planning your four islands tour in Krabi, Thailand? You’ve come to the right place!

The four island tour is one of the most popular activities in Krabi, and it’s easy to see why. You’ll be taken to deserted islands with pristine beaches, crystal clear water and unique rock formations.

On my last trip to Thailand we booked ourselves a private 4 islands long-tail boat tour, and it was one of the highlights of our trip to Krabi.

In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about this epic boat trip. Including information about the islands you will visit, what to do once there, the best tours, what to pack and more!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and start planning your perfect Krabi 4 Islands tour!

• 1 About Krabi and the Four Islands
• 2.1 Koh Poda
• 2.2 Koh Tub & Koh Mor
• 2.3 Chicken Island 
• 2.4 The Other Side of Chicken Island (and Koh Poda)
• 2.5 Phra Nang Cave Beach
• 3 The 7 Island Tour Krabi
• 4 Best 4 Islands Krabi Tours 
• 5 Our experience doing a 4 islands tour in Krabi
• 6 Where to stay for your Krabi Four Islands tour
• 7 What to pack for your 4 Island tour in Krabi

Enjoying our private four islands longtail boat tour in Krabi, Thailand, with Railay Beach behind me

About Krabi and the Four Islands

Island hopping in Krabi is super fun. One of the best ways to get involved in this adventure is to book yourself onto a tour of the four nearby islands just off the coast — arguably one of the popular tours in the area.

Named Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Koh Tub, and Koh Mor, these four little land masses are pieces of paradise, boasting pristine beaches, snorkelling spots galore and all the beautiful scenery you’d expect.  

We were staying in Railay Beach , one of the most famous beaches in Thailand, but personally we found that the beaches of Four Islands were considerably prettier than Railay Beach.

The sand is whiter, the water is clearer and the surrounding nature is wilder, more untouched. They’re gorgeous islands, just waiting to be discovered!

Discover some of the most popular Krabi 4 Island tours below!

Enjoying the beach at Koh Poda, one of the islands you will visit on a 4 Islands Boat Tour from Krabi

Four Islands Tour Overview  

There are lots of companies that offer the chance to embark on the famed Krabi Four Islands tour . Most of these tours offer the same sorts of things, but sometimes in different orders and in slight variations.

All tours usually include pick-up and drop-off from your hotel, lunch, drinks on the boat and snorkelling equipment.

They might visit them in different orders, but on any four islands tour in Krabi, you’ll be guaranteed stops at the following spots in the Krabi Archipelago.

This island, known for its stunning beaches and super clear water, lies just off the coast of Krabi. It’s actually the largest of the four islands and is a super dreamy spot to drop anchor and explore for a while.

The white sand beaches lapped by turquoise seas are the main draw here, but you can’t discount the vibrant coral reef teeming with life just offshore — don’t forget your snorkelling gear!

You won’t get high-end bars or development here, it’s just a rustic place to kick back and enjoy the scenery.

The beautiful beach of Koh Poda in Krabi, Thailand

The crystal clear water of Koh Poda in Krabi, Thailand

Koh Tub & Koh Mor

The twin islands of Koh Tub (also Koh Tup – or Tup Island and Tub Island in English) and Koh Mor are two tiny slivers of land linked by a sandbar.

Called Talay Waek, this cool sandbar only reveals itself properly at low tide and can actually be walked across by visitors on the four islands tour.

Koh Tub itself is surrounded by typically sparkling waters that brim with tropical fish and colourful corals, attracting tourists from around the world; Koh Mor is equally as stunning, but feels even more remote than its neighbour.

Koh Tub and Koh Mor connected by a sandbar in Krabi, Thailand

Chicken Island  

Chicken Island (Koh Kai in Thai) may seem like a weird name, but it’s actually because this island boasts a cool rock formation shaped like a chicken.

Lying just south of Koh Poda, it is also connected by a sandbar to Koh Mor and Koh Tub, making these three islands almost like one connected landmass.

When the tide is low, you can walk the Y-shaped sandbar between all three. It’s a unique stop-off on the tour for this reason, but also it’s a chance to snap pics of the rock formation (obviously).

Koh Kai also has a few facilities, like toilets and a beach bar or two, so you can grab a snack to eat if you’re feeling peckish.

The unique rock formation that gives Chicken Island its name

The Other Side of Chicken Island (and Koh Poda)

On the other side of Chicken Island, opposite to the shore where the sandbar connects, is where you’ll find the eponymous rock formation itself jutting out of the limestone cliffs.

You can also see smaller islets that dot the sea here, like Koh Khom, as well as some colourful marine life offshore.

Likewise, the other side of Koh Poda is a wilder, less crowded portion of the island known for its not-so-hidden but still not very busy Secret Beach.

Some tours will take you to these lesser-visited sides of each island.

The stunning beach and crystal clear water of Koh Kai (Chicken Island) in Krabi, Thailand

Phra Nang Cave Beach

Part of Railay peninsula, right on the southern tip opposite Koh Rang Nok, lies Phra Nang cave beach. This scenic spot is a popular place for the four island tour to end.

It’s not just picturesque: The cave is actually home to a shrine dedicated to the deity Phra Nang, goddess of fertility, which is decorated with stone phalluses of different shapes and sizes.

Since there is now a line of buoys to prevent boats from docking on Phra Nang Cave Beach, I don’t think any of the tours stop at this beach. They just cruise past it to show you the cool rock formations.

Phra Nang Cave Beach as seen from the ocean during our 4 islands boat tour

Walking along Phra Nang Cave Beach in Krabi, Thailand

The 7 Island Tour  Krabi

As I mentioned earlier, every Krabi four island tour package varies from the next one, but they all go to the same places.

If you want to do something different, there’s actually a seven islands tour , which obviously includes stops at three extra islands, plus a BBQ dinner at sunset, which is pretty cool.

Beyond the classic Koh Poda, Koh Kai, Koh Tub and Koh Mor, the Seven Islands tour also includes stops at Koh Yawasam, Koh Tan Ming and Koe Raeng.

Here you’ll find slightly less people, as most travellers stick to the four islands tour, which will give you the opportunity to enjoy beautiful beaches and snorkelling spots all to yourself.

It’s a great option if you want an all-day activity. The four island boat tours usually only take up half a day, but if you’re ready to spend a whole day at sea, this is the tour for you!

Click here to book your Seven Islands tour in Krabi , or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

Enjoying our private four islands longtail boat tour in Krabi, Thailand

Best 4 Islands Krabi Tours  

With so many different tours on offer it can be tricky to know which one to go for. I’ve selected a handful of the best and most popular ones online, so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

Just make sure to read reviews of these four island tours in Krabi, so you know exactly what to expect!

Krabi: 4 Islands Tour by Longtail Boat

This is the classic four island tour takes you to the four main islands by longtail boat. You’ll also stop off at the Phra Nang cave beach at Railay.

It’s a well organised tour that includes a Thai buffet lunch thrown in for the price. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable, plus you get a good amount of time at each location.

Click here to book your classic 4 Islands tour in Krabi by longtail boat ,  or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

Cruising to Koh Poda on our four islands Krabi boat tour (look at those corals below us!)

Krabi: 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner and Snorkeling

Taking in not just four but seven islands in total, with this 7 islands tour you’ll be able to see the beauty of these tiny islets that scatter the coast around Krabi.

Not only will you get to touch down at these picturesque locales, but also be treated to a BBQ dinner on Koh Poda as the sun sets.

The day ends with a spectacular swim among bioluminescent plankton off the coast of Koh Raeng.

Click here to book your 7 Islands sunset tour in Krabi,  or check out prices & availability for your chosen date below!

Some of the fish and corals you can see when snorkelling on your four island Krabi tour (I took this from the boat, look at how good the visibility is!)

Krabi: Phi Phi Sunrise & 4 Islands by Speedboat with Lunch

The Phi Phi Islands may be quite far away, but you can get there thanks to a tour by a zippy speedboat.

This tour may start early (and it’s a long day), but it begins with a trip to Phi Phi for an incredible sunrise, and then whisks you to the famous four islands — via Maya Bay (famous as the location of The Beach ).

It’s pricier than just doing a four islands tour, but that’s because you’re basically getting two trips in the same tour! A day trip to Phi Phi , and your classic 4 Islands tour in Krabi.

It’s a great option for those who have a tight Thailand itinerary , so that you can see more in less time. It also includes lunch in Phi Phi Don, plus pick-up and drop-off from your Krabi hotel.

Click here to book your Krabi 4 Islands + Phi Phi speedboat tour,   or check out prices & availability below!

Discovering the beautiful Maya Bay in Phi Phi Leh, Thailand

Discovering the beautiful and hidden Nui Beach in Koh Phi Phi Don, Thailand

Krabi: 4 Islands Day Trip by Speedboat Including Lunch Box

While many of the tours of Krabi’s four islands take place on longtail boats, this tour one speeds things up by allowing you to jump aboard a speedboat.

I included this tour as I wanted to include a speedboat option, but to be entirely honest, I would suggest a long-tail boat tour over a speedboat one.

The four islands aren’t far from Railay Beach, so even with a long-tail boat, it won’t take long to reach them. Plus, you’ll have a more traditional Thai experience.

But if you have your heart set on a speedboat, then this tour is the best choice. You’ll travel in style to the four islands, and it also includes lunch on the beach.

Click here to book your Krabi 4 Islands speedboat tour,   or check out prices & availability below!

Railay: 4 Islands Sunset & Night Snorkel Boat Tour

This option really adds value to the four island tour.

Beyond the classic four islands, this tour also includes Railay Beach, specifically Ao Nang, with its amazing diving spots to glimpse an array of underwater tropical life.

You’ll get to see a sunset and even do a spot of night snorkelling, to see bioluminescent plankton. An unforgettable experience.

Click here to book your Krabi 4 Islands sunset & night snorkel boat tour, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

Enjoying the sunset at Railay Beach West in Krabi, Thailand

Krabi: Private Long Tail Boat to the 4 Islands

If you want to keep things private, this private long-tail boat is a great option. Since I was travelling to Railay Beach with my family we opted for a private 4 Islands tour, and we couldn’t have made a better choice.

Having a private boat will give you more flexibility, allowing you to change the order of your stops from the classic tour, so as to visit each stop while the crowds are somewhere else.

Plus you’ll be able to spread out on the boat, and not be squished next to strangers. Like all the tours, it includes pick-up and drop-off, lunch and drinks.

Click here to book your private long tail boat tour to four islands!

Cruising towards Railay Beach West in Krabi, Thailand

A beautiful hidden cove on the back side of Koh Poda in Krabi, Thailand

Krabi: Private 4 Islands & Sunset Dinner Luxury Speedboat

If a private tour isn’t enough, and you really want to splurge, this is the tour for you. You’ll do all the usual four islands stops, but on a luxury speedboat all to yourself.

Plus, add to it dinner with sunset over the ocean, and you have a magical travel bucket list experience ready. It’s perfect for special occasions or groups of friends who can split the cost.

Click here to book your private luxury speedboat to 4 islands with sunset & dinner!

Catamaran tours in Railay Beach, Thailand

Our experience doing a 4 islands tour in Krabi

I was in Thailand with my parents and little sister, so we decided to opt for a private tour. It was the best decision we could have made, as it gave us more privacy and flexibility.

We didn’t book it until we arrived in Railay Beach, from one of the many tourist stands located on the main road of Railay Beach.

This was a bit risky, since we were there over New Years, and many of the boats were already booked out. However, since we were there for a week we had quite a lot of flexibility on dates.

If you’re not spending long in Krabi, it might be better if you book your 4 islands tour online beforehand. That way you don’t risk missing out, plus you’ll be able to see reviews from other travellers.

Our four islands tour was super smooth and enjoyable. We were picked up from Railay East Pier, and taken directly to the beautiful four islands.

We started with a long stop in Koh Poda, at a lovely white sandy beach with crystal clear water, before making our way to a snorkelling stop close to the sandbar of Koh Tub and Koh Mor.

In theory there is an entrance fee to the national park of the islands of Krabi, but our skipper was cheeky and told us that if we just snorkelled in the middle of the sea, without going to shore, we wouldn’t have to pay it.

We then sailed past Chicken Island, admiring the rock formations that give it its name. My favourite stop was actually the beach we visited on Koh Kai, as it had crystal clear water and we had it all to ourselves.

Our final stop was once again Koh Poda (or Poda Island), but on the back side in a little cove with only a couple other boats.

Overall it was a very enjoyable day, and one of the highlights of our Thailand itinerary . If you’re planning a Krabi itinerary, I highly suggest adding a four islands tour to it.

Enjoying the beach in Koh Poda in Krabi, Thailand, all to ourselves

Where to stay for your Krabi Four Islands tour

In my opinion, the best place to stay in Krabi is Railay Beach, and more so if you plan to do the four islands tour. Railay Beach is a super chilled town, with one main street, lots of bars, restaurants and a laid-back vibe.

Plus, most of the tours that set off from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao will do a stop in Railay Beach to pick up other travellers, so you get to sleep more and start later if you stay in Railay Beach!

Here are the best places to stay in Railay Beach for every budget.

Budget: Railay Viewpoint Resort   – This budget option is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main road, and it’s a great for those who want spacious rooms and a pool with view for an affordable price. 

Click here to book your stay at Railay Viewpoint Resort!

Mid-range: Railay Princess Resort & Spa   – This is where we stayed for a week and really enjoyed it. The property is clean, the rooms spacious, it offers a lovely breakfast buffet, has a great pool with view and is in an easy position close to East Railay Pier and the main street. 

Click here to book your stay at Railay Princess Resort & Spa!

Luxury: Rayavadee   – If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to do so! Located in Phra Nang Beach (the only hotel there) this luxury property offers gorgeous private villas nestled in nature.

Check out prices & availability at Rayavadee here!

The beautiful pool and view at Railay Princess Resort & Spa in Railay Beach, Krabi

What to pack for your 4 Island tour in Krabi

For a full breakdown of what you should pack for Thailand, check out my Thailand packing list . Here I just included a few essentials that you will need for your four islands boat trip.

Waterproof jacket – If you visit in rainy season, you’ll be glad to have one of these!

Fast drying towel – There’s a lot of swimming and lounging on beaches involved in these boat tours, so make sure to have one of these! I love these because they dry quickly and they don’t take up much space.

Power bank – You don’t want your phone to die on you just as you’re about to snap a gorgeous photo of the crystal clear water of Koh Poda!

Dry bag – To keep your valuables safe and dry from any rogue water splashes during your boat trip.

Final thoughts on doing a 4 Islands tour Krabi

There you have it, the ultimate guide to doing a Krabi four islands tour! Have you been to Krabi before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

I’ve been to Thailand four times, and yet this was my first time visiting Krabi. I can confidently say it was one of my favourite places in Thailand, especially Railay Beach and its surroundings.

We spent a week in Railay Beach, and loved its chilled and laid-back atmosphere. Plus, the fact that from here you can go island hopping to gorgeous beaches is a great addition!

On previous trips to Thailand I visited other pristine beaches like Koh Lipe , the Surin Islands , Phi Phi Islands and Similan Islands , but I find that the four islands in Krabi beat them all.

They might not be as famous for scuba diving , but they’re still pretty beautiful, and the fact that they’re so close to shore (30 minutes by long-tail boat compared to the 2-hour speedboat required to get to the Similan Islands), makes them all the more appealing.

I hope you found this guide on the best four island tours in Krabi useful, and that it helps you choose the perfect tour for you! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below.

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Why You’re Better Off Skipping The 4 Island Tour In Aonang, Krabi

If you find yourself in Krabi/Aonang, it’s likely that you’re en route to a different island and are just taking a break from your tedious journey from point A to point B to explore the small town for a day or two. It’s also likely that you’ll want to get away from the town, which is surprisingly crowded and has a less-than-stellar beach, and go on a tour of the outlying islands. One of the most popular tours on offer is the 4 Island Tour in Aonang . As the name blatantly suggests, you’ll be heading on a full day tour to see -you guessed it- 4 islands that are only a short boat ride away from shore. I’m usually a huge fan of island tours, since they’re a great way to explore a range of nearby islands (like the incredible ones I went on when I was in El Nido, Philippines ), however I really would not recommend this tour to anyone. Here’s why..

Before I get into the tour itself, I want to take a second to talk about Aonang. I had thought prior to arriving that Aonang was going to be a bit of a quiet, semi-secluded part of Thailand. Little did I know that this area was crawling with tourists on a busy main street. Not only were there people everywhere, but there was a Starbucks and a Subway (one of the things I don’t like about travelling is obnoxious western chain restaurants and amenities that ruin the vibe of a small town) on the main street. Not only was there nothing that special or different about the town of Aonang, but the beach barely deserved such a title .   The sand went out only a few meters and there were boats everywhere, which made swimming and enjoying the atmosphere a bit more difficult.

Sturdy craftsmanship on these longtail boats..

Since  we wanted to escape Aonang and explore the nearby islands, we chose to go on the 4 Island Tour , one of the most popular and recommended tours from the tourist stands.

The tour itself was from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm , though depending on where your accommodation was located, it’s likely you’re going to be picked up around 8:00 am and you probably shouldn’t  expect to get back to your hotel until about 4:00 pm.

They were charging adults ฿1,000 (Thai Bhat), but you can easily negotiate the price to around ฿800 or less depending on how many people are going on the tour.

Our Tour Went A Little Something Like This..

The alarm goes off at an unfortunately early hour in the morning, given that we’re on vacation. We took our time getting out of bed and got ready with eyes half shut. A tour guide promptly picked us up from our hotel at 8:00 am and we hopped onto a bus crammed with other tourists . After a 15 or so minute bus ride, we were all herded off the bus and into an open area by the water where not a single tourist knew what was going on.

The tour guide’s seemed unorganized and frantically went around putting us into groups based on the hotels we were staying in. After a solid 30 minutes of confusion, we were in our tour groups and were again herded onto cramped longtail boats that would be our means of transportation from island to island for the next six hours. I told myself that as soon as we got to the first island, everything would be okay and the messy start to our day would fade away. Unfortunately, I was wrong.. 

Where we got on the longtail boat to start our day

Island Stop 1: Phra Nang Cave Beach

After a short longtail boat ride, we made it to our first stop at Phra Nang Cave Beach.  This beach is located on Railay; just a bit further south from the main beach, right at the southern tip of Krabi. We were given 30 minutes to explore the beach where there were beautiful limestone cliffs surrounding us, but there were also hundreds of other people surrounding us.  The beach was crowded with other tourists, which really took away from the scenery that I’m certain would be breathtaking if there were only a handful of us on the beach.

If you walk further down, you’ll pass by some longtail boats selling food and eventually get to the end where the cave is. Here you’ll see people rock climbing up the limestone cliff (though we didn’t have enough time on the beach to try it out) and the cave itself, which is quite interesting to see. This is mainly because it has two shrines within it – one that seems like a normal shrine you would see at many other South East Asian destinations and another that is a bit more unique: a penis shrine . Yup, there was an area with a bunch of penis’s, in various colors and sizes, and people were actually praying to what I can only assume are the fertility Gods.

The far end of the beach where we were dropped off

Instead of food stalls, they have food boats

Rock climbing

Behold the penis shrine!

Chicken Island 

Next up, we set sail towards Chicken Island; instantly recognizable due to the large “chicken head” rock sticking out at the one end of the island. Though it may have been easy to spot this island, it was easier to forget it. 

We were taken to a spot on the island where the boat was anchored down and we were given gear to go snorkeling. Unfortunately, there was really nothing to see in the water, save for a few unimpressive fish. Seems to me like this island is only on the tour for the rock that resembles its name. Though, in my ever-so humble opinion, the rock isn’t that chicken-esque and could be switched to another animal that could easily resemble the rock formation.

Tup Island 

Lunch time – my favourite time of the day , however, the island we stopped at wasn’t an ideal spot to eat. If there had not been 20 other boats surrounding the tiny island and another hundred people on the beach, then it would have been beautiful. But, of course, that wasn’t so.

Tup Island is far too small to have every single longtail boat that is doing the 4 Island Tour in Krabi come and have lunch at. The scene during lunch on the island was chaotic and crowded , with people trying to find a spot to sit and eat without putting their blanket down right beside another person. Not exactly ideal or enjoyable.

If you’re above 6′ tall and can look above all the other people swarming the island at the picturesque surroundings, then you just might enjoy this stop. Otherwise, brace yourself. 

Poda Island

This was our final stop for the day and, thankfully, they saved the best for last . As the beach is much wider on this island, it didn’t feel as busy – finally!

Our tour guide gave us 45 minutes to spend on the island and made sure to warn us about the monkeys that are scattered throughout before we got off the longtail boat. We wandered about the island for a bit where we came across an abandoned building and lots of camouflage tents, but -thankfully- no monkeys (’cause I really don’t like wild monkeys ).

Poda Island was a really relaxed spot to lay down our beach towels and either soak up some last minute sun before we went back to Aonang, or take a short nap under the shade of the swaying trees.

After a long and busy day, we were eager to head back to Aonang. I’ve found while travelling and having been on many island hopping tours, that a large part of your enjoyment of the day is dependent on the other people in your boat . Based on that, if you have enough people, I highly recommend getting a private longtail boat to take you on the 4 Island Tour . It’s advertised as ฿6,000 for 3-5 people, though I’m sure you can negotiate the price down.

If you’re looking for alternative things to do around Krabi, I’d recommend checking out Klook’s Krabi tours page !

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Soaking Up The Sun On Railay Beach: Krabi/Aonang, Thailand

I went on a sunset version of this tour and agree that the snorkeling/islands were immemorable and the tour a bit disorganized…but I’d still recommend it for one reason: the night tour stops to snorkel with bioluminescent plankton. I’ll never forget the water glowing around us!

thisgirlabroad

Ah, yes of course. It was pretty cool seeing all of the glowing plankton (though it was also freezing in that water at night!).

Hi Becky, I’m in Ao Nang right now and was hoping to try and find the bioluminescent plankton on my own, without a tour. Any idea what beach you were at? How far from the shore were you?

Thanks so much, Heather

Ginn Girardi

Hi Heather, Did you ever find the bioluminescent planton on your own without a tour?

Hi, I am planning to be in Krabi from 14-Jan-17 to 18-Jan-17. Was that crowded in jan month

So what would you do instead? I’m going to be traveling the area from 12/29-1/4.

Hi Jim, Hmm, that’s a pretty long time to spend in that area. You should head to Railay Beach ( https://thisgirlabroad.com/railay-beach-krabi-thailand/ ) for a day – there is some rock climbing you can do besides just being a beach bum. Perhaps there are other tours you could take – there are plenty of little tour shops around the strip, so just ask them what they recommend! Hope you have a great time!!

Ronnie Pilkington

After spending so long in places in Thailand that are extremely busy, crowded beaches, jet skis, power boats, heavy traffic, I had similar fears about the Krabi/ Aonon location, given that all internet sites talk about the huge crowds of people there. So I got there are what did I find? The quietest place I have been to in the country. A few times I have walked along Aonone beach, supposedly the busiest in the area, and there have been less than eight other people on the beach. Went to TUP island on the seven island tour, and is was so lacking in people that it could have been a beach on the outer Hebrides of Scotland. Let me guess, you went there in December or January, the “best time to go to Thailand” ( read as WORST time to go )

I’m glad you had such a great experience in Krabi. I went there at the end of February. I’ve been to Thailand before in December and absolutely loved it. I guess it can go both ways.

The view from Aonone and the islands around are the most beautiful and quiet place I have ever been in Thailand. Aonone however, unfortunately is devoid of the Thai cultural experience. Tourist resteraunt after tourist resteraunt, after tourist resteraunt. No bar parties with singing of Thai music and people dancing to it. No motorbike carts or pushed carts with horns pamping at you. No bars with welcoming chat and humour. Bored looking bar staff who take your order, then go back looking at the street. Aonone and the islands are a truly beautiful place and a must see. What a breath of fresh air after busy crowded places, what a spectacular place, but where is Thailand? You go to a bar and there are no bar girls who talk to you. You request Thai music from the band, and they don’t play it, and continue with western music. Nearly all resteraunt said have menus with things called ” Appetisers” and ” Starters” . Eh? E- Ang Appetiser ( What is ” Appetiser” Mai Kow Chia Appetiser ( not understand Appetiser) J- owe ma die Sie ( where you come from ? – Isaan language ) , France Mai ( France, yes?). Ang kaya man can Appetiser, menu, meacrewa Mai Thai. ( If you read rubbish on a menu like “Appetisers” the cook cannot be Thai. Lan knee baa Manchester mai, Mai Thai ( this place is a Manchester bar yes Its not Thai).

Bob Johnston

why would you speak Issan to people in south of Thailand?.. ehm and Thai restaurants do have appetisers/starters on menus

Im going on this tour today to check to which island to go for full day. This tour costs 400 baht this time of year. Btw ao nang beach sux bigtime

Thanks for the heads up. Hope you’re able to enjoy yourself on the tour! 🙂 Ha, yeah – certainly nothing nice about it.

can you recommend quite beaches/ towns in thailand?

Hi Nikki, I honestly don’t think I went to a single “quiet” beach in Thailand. If you’re looking for a quiet town, your best bet is to head north!

Thanks for this advice. Based on your recommendation, I hired a private longtail to take me round these places for B1700 in the low season (end June) and was able to go at my own pace and avoid the tours. Consequently I had these places to myself. The sandbar at Tup Island was virtually empty when I was there. I’d say this trip was a highlight of my travels in SW Thailand, but I can see how it could have been a low point without prior knowledge.

Glad you were able to sort a private tour out and enjoy it – sounds much better than what I experienced!!

Hi Mark, do you have the tour operator’s name? I’m going to Krabi next week and your private longtail tour sounds attractive. Thanks!

Any tour agency to recommend? Im heading there this friday. How much would it roughly cost to hire private boat since its low season

I did the exact same trip in March and loved it. Perhaps you went when things were really busy? The snorkeling was great, but the giude did feed the fish with rice from lunch (which is really bad for wild fish!). Poda was the best part! I was the first to be picked up and last to be dropped, spent a lot of time in tuk-tuk, but started chatting with fellow travelers and bought a beer for breakfast!! I would highly recommend based on my experience.

Hi Ganesh, Hmm.. Could have been the time of year – I’m honestly not sure, but I’m so glad you had a great time! Happy travels! 🙂

We are headed to this area starting Nov 23 & hoping we will ‘beat’ the crowds at this time of year-anyone out there with travel feed back for this time of year? Thanks for the valuable post.

In Ao nang now and it is quite crowded, wish we had gone a little later as the weather has been very wet. I agree with ‘this Girlabroad’ comments. Hope you’re not staying at Golden Beach Resort, two days with no hot water.

Hi.. i need your advice.. which is the best location i need stay if i want to go to snokling.. is it stay in krabi town, klong muang or ao nang beach.. we go for 4 people in a family.. we really need your opinion.. tqvm

Hi there, I honestly wouldn’t be able to give advice on this, as I never went snorkelling there. Perhaps someone else reading this article might be able to help you. Hope you have a great vacation!

Hi! Anyone have advice on where to go kayaking- ao thalane or hong island? Are they far from each other? Any way to do both in a day? Where is the “secret lagoon” I keep reading about? Thanks 🙂

Agen Sabung Ayam

I love traveling specially to thailand, thank you for sharing

Kevin Taylor

Sounds like you don’t like people much . The mythical “real thailand” exists only in people’s heads. Scruffy resorts, Starbucks, shambolic tours and Chang / Singh! oh and lots of people. That’s the real Thailand

I totally agree with you. specially the early morning part is really touch. infact I would also recommend private boat for this tour. However i dint knew about bio luminescent part and missed it ! Checkout my blog at http://www.madhuonthego.com

Well its a a few years ago this post but i have to disagree with your story. Glad that every one has his own mind about somethings. We also went on this tour but it was amazing. Beautifull beaches and yeh there where a lot of people but hey qeuss what, youre in thailand. Even if you take a longtail boot or a speedboot for only you and your family, there are still other people on the beaches. Weve been in Thailand know for many times, weve crossed the whole country from chiang mai to even langkawi and if you want to see beautiful things know that youre probaly not the only one.

Hi We are looking to travel to thailand march 2018, was thinking ao nang and koh lanta as we were recommended to these places. Where else is there to stay in Krabi that has a nice beach and some restaurants and bars? Thanks

Seokbulsa Temple - Things To Do In Busan

4 Island Tour | Island Hopping in Ao Nang

What to expect | 4 island tour thailand.

If you’re in or around Krabi and Ao Nang, we’re sure you’re going to hear about the 4 Island Tour. Indeed, it could be through friends, your accommodation staff or people hassling you on the street whenever you walk by. However, it is for good reason, as doing this tour you will experience breath-taking limestone cliff views, crystal clear waters and silky white sand. With this in mind, we are going to provide you with the breakdown of the 4 Island Tour, explaining the route, the individual Islands, costs and what to expect to see and do. Be sure to read on until the end as we provide some tips to ensure you fully enjoy the 4 Island Tour.

What is the 4 Island tour?

Departing from Ao Nang Beach, the 4 Island Tour is a public or private long tail boat tour, hopping from 1 Island to the next. In general, the order of the tour is as follows:

Phra Nang Cave Beach

Chicken island, poda island, how long does the 4 island tour last.

Approximately, the whole day will last 7-8 hours. Firstly, It will start off by you getting picked up from your accommodation early in the morning around 7-8am. Secondly, you will be dropped off at a pier where you will get on a long tail boat to start the 4 Island Tour. Lastly, you will be returning to Ao Nang around 3-4pm.

Where can I purchase the 4 Island tour?

You won’t be short of options for purchasing a 4 Island Tour if you are in or around Ao Nang Beach. There are tourist stalls set up where you can book this tour, scattered on every street and the main strip, as well as your accommodation probably able to book your 4 Island Tour. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets from Krabi. As a matter of fact, it wouldn’t surprise us if you asked about the 4 Island Tour and could purchase tickets from Phi Phi Island or Phuket as well.

We purchased our 4 Island Tour from our accommodation, Baan Kure Ngern Ao Nang , near Ao Nang Beach. This was after the event of haggling with other vendors and getting the price down. We were a group of 4 people and paid 2700 TBH total for a private long tail boat. All this included fruit, water and fried rice for each of us. That’s 675 TBH each. Feel free to check with other accommodations around Ao Nang Beach .

First stop is Phra Nang Cave Beach. What separates this Island from the others is that you can rock climb on the cliffs! Oh and there is a penis shrine located here too. Yes, no typo, a penis shrine. The shrine is decorated with penises from all shapes and sizes, as well as colourful ribbons and offerings. Jokes aside, this is serious to the locals as this shrine is used to pray for fertility and to conceive a child, so please respect those who are there for worship.

Second is Chicken Island. As you get closer to Chicken Island you will understand why it is called that. The Island has a head and neck shape which some say looks like a chicken. You decide for yourself. Here you will be dropped in the open water with snorkel gear to see some colourful fish in crystal clear waters. The snorkel gear is included in the price.

Thirdly, is Tup Island. The uniqueness of Tub Island is that, at low tide, you can see a separation between Tub Island and another Island called Mor Island. You can even walk between them. More bang for your buck. The water here is very clear and there are fish that swim close by. We stayed here the longest because the weather was perfect for sunbathing and there weren’t as many other tourists around. All things considered, if we had to pick, we would say this was our favourite of the 4 Islands.

Lastly, is Poda Island. Another beautiful beach with white sands, clear ,warm, crystal blue waters. If you haven’t had enough sun bathing done for the day then finish it off here. It is truly peaceful and a great place to relax. There are even bamboo shacks and vendors on long tail boats selling food and drinks. In addition, there are tree logs turned into seating areas and benches to sit down on, just in case you have done too much laying down and you want to spice things up a bit by sitting down. It’s a hard life.

• You will have to pay a National Park fee for Tup Island, which was around 400 TBH. This is separate from the 4 Island Tour price
• Book a private boat instead of a public boat – As a result, you can choose the order of the Islands to go in and also spend any amount of time on them, thus no one rushing you off an Island and no other tourists interrupting your day
• Bring a towel, sun lotion and extra water
• Bring a waterproof bag to keep your items dry just in case it rains!
• Stack enough cash if you wish to buy food and water. There are no ATMs on any of the Islands

We would definitely recommend doing the 4 Island Tour. Undoubtedly, the best place to book it from would be in or around Ao Nang Beach. Booking around there will be cheaper due to you being close to where you will set off. With this in mind, you have more people to haggle with, so don’t settle on the first person you come across. Depending on the time of year, the tour could be busy or quiet, due to this, in our tips we recommend a private tour so you have more freedom. We rarely do tours/guides on our journeys as we often do things ourselves for a bit more of an adventure and to save money, yet, we took the plunge on the 4 Island Tour and did not regret it.

In addition to this, there is also a tour which includes Hong Island which is also very popular.

Want a more secluded Island to relax on? Check out our blog on Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi .

Let us know if you did the 4 Island Tour or if you are thinking of doing it and need anymore information. Have fun!

JustGoTravelling

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4 ISLANDS TOUR / 4 ISLANDS ECO TOUR

Semi Private Boat Tours

Welcome on board! We introduce you to the only Tour Operator in Krabi running this tour by Speedboat!

Why by speedboat and not by long tail boat?

For you to know from Ao Nang to Railay by long tail boat takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour, while by speedboat you will do it in 10 -15 minutes. This means more time for you on the islands, which at the end is the reason why you are here.

Furthermore, the speedboat is much safer and more comfortable than a long tail boat, including the seats and the stability of the boat, as well as the access and exit to the boat In addition, sailing by speedboat will permit us to snorkel in islands that are further from the coast and that in a long tail boat would take forever to reach, however by speedboat we will get there in the blink of an eye. The snorkeling that you can do in these islands, which are located in the open sea, usually is much better than the one you would do near Ao Nang if you had to make the tour by long tail.

Ultimately, we offer you an exclusive tour, where we want you to enjoy as much time as possible on the islands or snorkeling, and all in the most comfortable way for you!

Probably, if you are planning your trip to Krabi, you have heard about the famous tour to the 4 Islands of Krabi. If so, keep reading...

Krabi has more than 200 islands, many of them are white sand beaches with crystal clear water, while others are large inhabited islands, or simple rock formations in the middle of the sea.

During our 4 Islands tour in Krabi you will visit these 4 wonders, they are completely different between each other, each of them hides something special: sandbanks with crystal water, princess caves, incredible viewpoints... Yes, you have heard it correctly!

Still more eager to know the 4 Islands of Krabi?

Our 4 Islands Tour in Krabi

Poda island.

13:00 to 19:30

• Night Snorkel

• Visit 4 Islands

And did you know that millions of years ago you could walk from Phuket to Krabi? Now, as you may see by yourself it is divided by the sea.

These and other curiosities will be explained in our 4 Islands tour from Krabi!

All this at a fair and affordable price.

What does the 4 Islands Krabi Tour include?

In this wonderful 4 Islands tour from Krabi by “Speedboat”, we will visit the famous Railay Beach, as well as the jewels of the 4 Islands area: Poda, Tup and Chicken islands!

We will also enjoy a Thai lunch picnic style on the beach, with a great variety of typical local dishes.

We will culminate this outstanding 4 Islands tour with the spectacular Phranang Beach, or another amazing beach around the 4 Islands area, to enjoy an amazing Sunset, and of course the night snorkel, a nature phenomenon, that will shock you in a beautiful way...

RAILAY BEACH

Normally and depending on the weather, the tides and the level of occupancy on the beaches, the first spot we visit on our tour to the 4 Islands of Krabi, will be Railay Beach, one of the most popular beaches in all Thailand.

Railay West Beach is surrounded by lush jungle and massive limestone formations; known worldwide as the "paradise" for climbers, and one of the essential beaches to visit in the area of the 4 Islands of Krabi.

In Railay Bay, we will find 3 beaches: Railay West, Railay East, and the spectacular Phranang Beach!!!

With our Speedboat we will sail the Andaman Sea, heading to Poda Island! By speedboat we will reach the islands in just 10 or 15 minutes, enjoy the scenery comfortably from the boat and take advantage of spending more time in the beautiful 4 Islands of Krabi, because in the end you come here from so far to admire these views without worrying about timing and away from super tight schedules.

Poda Island is a white sand beach surrounded by amazing limestone rock formations, and it is here where we will enjoy a delicious traditional Thai food, buffet style, served on the beach and away from the crowds as much as possible!

Tup Island and Chicken Island

During our tour to the 4 Islands from Krabi, we will be able to glimpse Tup Island, a beautiful island with crystal clear water, and connected to Chicken Island when the tide is low, through gorgeous white sandbanks made out of corals.

Only on a full moon day, you can even walk from one to the other, something magical that only happens once a month!

After the Thai buffet lunch on the beach, we will continue our excursion to Koh Sii in the Krabi sea, considered one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the 4 Islands area of Krabi!

The waters here have great visibility and are full of corals, both: hard and soft. Your safety is our priority, therefore in our 4 Islands tour we will snorkel in small groups together with our guides, to be able to enjoy the rich underwater life of the Krabi sea, with countless tropical fish such as Nemo and Dori, butterfly fish, barracuda, puffer fish, sergeant major...

One of the main advantages of operating this tour by speedboat is that we can reach any island in the 4-Islands area in a very short time, this means that we can snorkel in better diving spots compared to the ones we would do by long tail boat, because some of these amazing snorkeling spots are located in the open sea and far from the coast and in a long tail boat it would take too long to arrive. So, in the end would mean a poor snorkeling session and less time for you on the beach.

This is why we will be able to snorkel for example in Koh Sii, considered one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the 4 Islands area of Krabi and that is located further from the coast!

PHRANANG BEACH

Phranang cave.

We will keep sailing around the 4 Islands Krabi and we will head to Phranang Beach located in Railay Bay, or to another beautiful beach in this area, where we will stop to enjoy a small snack while we admire one of the best Sunsets in all Thailand, we want you to enjoy it!

Also on this beach is located the famous "Phranang Cave" or "Princess Cave", which hides an emotional legend within its walls, some people say that you still can hear the princess crying for love... It is also known for the large number of phallic symbols in honor of the fertility goddess! In our 4 Islands trip in Krabi we will explain you everything you need to know about the Phranang Cave.

And finally, the most awaited moment by many will come! Its night snorkel time!! On the way to Ao Nang, Krabi, we will stop to snorkel at night and bathe among fluorescent plankton!!! The feeling is wonderful and unforgettable, definitely a once in a lifetime experience! Certain types of plankton can produce their own light through chemical reactions that take place inside their bodies when they move, this unique phenomenon of nature is known as Bioluminescence.

This activity lasts approximately 10 minutes.

Around 7 - 7.30 pm, we will be back to Ao Nang.

A dream tour

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The 4 Islands Tour includes

Always thinking about your comfort and enjoyment!

12.45 am:   Free Meeting point in Ao Nang: Hotel Krabi Resort

12.55 am:   Free Meeting point for Centara Grand Resort Guests: Port of Nopparatara

1.30 pm: Railay Guests: meeting point at Railay Village Resort Hotel.   Round Trip: 600 Thb

12.20 am:  Guests at Krabi Town. Round Trip: 1.100 Thb

12.40 am:  Guests at Klong Muang.  Round Trip: 1.100 Thb

12.30 am:  Guests at Tup Kaek.  Round Trip: 1.300 Thb

NOTE:  Maximum wait of 15 minutes Transportation Prices include 1 to 3 People (100 Thb/Additional Person)

Snorkel Equipment

-Mask -Snorkel -Lifejacket -Fish Id

MEALS Fried rice with vegetables Pad See Ew with seafood Vegetable spring rolls Fried chicken with basil Squid with pepper and garlic

SNACK: Club Sandwich and Fresh Fruit 

DRINKS: Beverages, Water and Coffee

NOTE: Vegetarian menu must be ordered in advance

National Park

-National Park ticket: 400 Thb /Person (included in the price)

Certified guides

-Certified local guides

Insurance accident

-Insurance of Civil Liability with AIG Insurance

Tour 4 Islands ECO

What will we see, we think global, we act local, 09:00 to 17:00, 50% reduction, beach clean up, what does the 4 islands eco tour in krabi include.

• Phranang Beach (Railay Bay): on this beach is located the famous Phranang Cave, known for the large number of phallic symbols in honor of the fertility goddess. This is one of the most famous beaches in all Thailand!
• Poda Island: white sand beach surrounded by limestone formations. We will go to this beach in the traditional “long tail boat”, an authentic and original wooden Thai boat!
• Tup Island and Chicken Island: Tup Island is a beautiful island formed by white sand that connects with Chicken Island at low tide, through sandbanks and impressive crystal clear waters.

Enjoy while preserving the paradise

What is included in the Eco Tour

Half price tour!

8.45 am:   Free Meeting point in Ao Nang: Hotel Krabi Resort

8.55 am:   Free Meeting point for Centara Grand Resort Guests: Port of Nopparatara 

9.45 am: Railay Guests:   meeting point at Railay Village Resort Hotel. Round Trip: 600 Thb

8.20 am:  Guests at Krabi Town. Round Trip: 1.100 Thb

8.40 am:  Guests at Klong Muang.  Round Trip: 1.100 Thb

8.30 am:  Guests at Tup Kaek.  Round Trip: 1.300 Thb

NOTE: Maximum wait of 15 minutes Transportation Prices include 1 to 3 People (100 Thb/Additional Person)

SNACK: Fresh fruits

Catamaran Sightseeing Cruise

Enjoy a unique Cruise around Krabi islands aboard of our exclusive 2 Decks Power Catamaran

Bioluminescent Plankton Tour

$ 87 /3,100 Thb

• 6.5 Hours Krabi Tour
• Local Guides

KOH PHI PHI TOUR

Crystal Water Tour

$ 96 /3,250 Thb

• 7.5 hours Tour
• Visit Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don
• Best Snorkel Spots

JAMES BOND ISLAND

Off the beaten track Tour

$      104 /3,500 Thb

• 8 hours Tour
• Visit non tourist Islands
• Picture of James Bond Island
• Visit Krabi and Phang Nga

Your Thailand Tour Agency

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Lifestyle Blog, Adventures all around the world and at home with a family of six. We will share our stories, travel tips, travel destinations, lifestyle choices and sustainable living to help you build a better life.

Ao Nang Thailand (GetYourGuide 4 Island Tour Krabi Review)

Updated June 6, 2019 By //  by  Kris . This post contains affiliate links. This means we may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

There are many things to do in Ao Nang Thailand. Check out our full list of the top things to do in Ao Nang Here.  One of our favourite activities to do in Ao Nang Thailand with kids was to go on a 4 Island Tour Krabi.

This tour was booked with GetYourGuide . We compared prices across the board. There are booking agents on every street corner as you wander around Ao Nang Beach village. As we gathered the brochures and compared the prices across the agencies, we noticed one major thing in common. The price from these agents were double the price of the tour on GetYourGuide.

Heading to Thailand soon? Find out if you need visas , or vaccinations for your visit!

Why Use GetYourGuide ?

International reputation.

GetYourGuide are an international booking agency. So, you are booking with local tour guides , just all with the convenience of being able to search and pay for your tour online. This gives you the added advantage of paying by credit card which then adds your credit card insurance as well.

GetYourGuide only use reputable tour agencies on the ground so you know that your tour is always going to be a good one. There are reviews to read from people who have done the tour previously, which I absolutely love. There is nothing so good as reading reviews from someone who has just done the tour you want to book. We have ruled out things thanks to the reviews, as well as jumped right in and booked based on reviews too.

Easy to Use

The ease of searching, booking and paying for your tour on GetYourGuide is just so simple . They have really streamlined the process. I love not having to get out massive wads of cash to pay some guy on the street too.

The 4 Islands Tour Krabi from Ao Nang, Thailand

This was one of our favourite tours to do from Ao Nang, Thailand . We got picked up from our hotel (all included) at 8.30 am after a nice breakfast at our homestay in Ao Nang. The van took us down to near the pier at Noppharat Thana Beach which is next to Ao Nang Beach. This is where all the boat trips leave from, including the ferry rides.

Try Ziplining in Ao Nang Thailand!

Our guide lined us up under the tree, and we had to show our mobile voucher which was available offline on the GetYourGuide App. They gave us stickers which said “4 Island” and told us we were on boat number 007.

National Park Entry Fee

Then we had to pay separately for the National Park entry fee. This fee is always a separate entity, no matter where you book the tour. It is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child over 4 years. Make sure you have this cash with you. The tour guides then pay this cash directly to the National Park officers on the islands.

Eventually, we were taken to our boat. We chose a longtail boat tour because it was cheaper, however, there is also the option of a speedboat tour. You can also hire your own private speedboat for the day if you wish.

We walked over 100 meters to the creek and loaded onto our longtail boat, climbing over the side on a metal ladder. We had to wade through knee-deep water to enter the boat.

There were our family of 6, plus around 10 other persons on the longtail boat. They had life jackets for our bigger kids, but we took our own for our smaller children. You can buy kid’s life jackets from the shops at Ao Nang.

We brought along our reef walker shoes but didn’t end up using these as we only waded on sandy bottoms. You can buy these in Ao Nang also, kids and adult sizes are available.

The First Stop – Phra Nang Beach and Princess Cave

This beautiful beach was a perfect first stop for a swim after only about 20 minutes on the boat. We were there at high tide which meant that to get to the cave from here, you had to wade through thigh deep water. Luckily we had already visited the cave on our trip to Railay Beach previously, so we didn’t mind not going.

We hung out at the beach and swam under the beautiful limestone cliff islands. The water was clear and perfect for swimming. It was very calm and perfect for the kids. There was a shady area at the top of the beach to relax.

You can buy food and drinks here from little longtail boat food vendors. The prices are surprisingly good compared to the mainland.

Down at the cave, you will find a temple full of wooden penises where people go to worship and invoke virility.

Please remember this is a proper sacred temple and as such you have to dress modestly and behave accordingly.

Read This Now: Best Beaches in Khao Lak

Stop 2 – Chicken Island

After about an hour on Phra Nang Beach it was time to head out to our next stop – the first of the 4 islands. I recommend that you bring a few snacks for the journey as this is where the kids started to get hungry. Cold water was included but it was a long wait until our included lunch.

There was a lovely Thai lady on board with her 2 kids who ended up feeding mine too!

Chicken Island (Ko Kai) is a towering rock that looks a bit like a chicken head. It is a good photo opportunity. Then you can jump into the water here for snorkelling. Masks and snorkels were included. There was amazing fish life here, and the kids even got to see little Nemo clownfish which was a definite highlight. Our kids are good swimmers and enjoyed snorkelling around and looking under water. We bought our own goggles for the kids.

The Next Stop – 3 Islands

At the next stop, it would be wonderful to visit it at low tide so you get the full effect of the 3 islands which join together via a causeway. You land on Tup Island, which was quite busy for a small island.

There is a National Parks office here, which is where the tour guides pay your National Park Fee.

From Tup Island we could walk across the causeway in knee deep water to the next island Ko Mor, but the causeway across to Chicken Island was too deep to attempt. If you want to time it better, for low tide, then you get the full effect of the 3 islands joined together.

Check the tide times for Ao Nang here.

The water is so clear and blue, and the sand is so white, this is a magical place. Unfortunately, drones are not allowed to fly here so we couldn’t get any amazing aerial footage.

You could swim in a small area on the opposite side to where the tour boats land but just watch out for strong currents here. There are boats coming and going constantly here. If you get a private tour, you can dictate what time you arrive, and so avoid the crowds, and get the tide right too. Visiting at sunrise or sunset would ensure you had it all to yourself. We were there around 12 midday.

There is no alcohol allowed in the National Park. However, there is a small kiosk on Tup Island where you can buy some grilled corn or some crisps. (They are overpriced compared to what you would find on the mainland for example $4 for a packet of crisps)

The 4th Island – Poda Island

Finally, it was time to head to the 4th island for some lunch which was all included. This island is called Poda Island. It was quite busy again with all the tour boats using this as the stop for lunch. But it was a big area and easy enough to find your own place under the shady trees.

What is in Phuket for kids? Find out here.

Lunch at Poda Island

The buffet style Thai lunch was excellent. We enjoyed rice, chicken massaman curry, mixed vegetables, vegetarian massaman, and fresh fruit. With more ice cold water. Even the kids loved the food!

Snorkelling at Poda Island

We then had plenty of free time to explore Poda Island at our leisure. There is a secret and very special snorkelling spot at the southernmost corner of the main west-facing beach. If you swim out to the border of the roped off area, you will be rewarded with heaps of fish life and impressive hard and soft corals. We saw lots of sea urchins, and there was a deep drop off which was teeming with sea life. Watch out for low tide, as it is too shallow to swim over the coral.

After a delicious lunch and a super fun day in the sun seeing some spectacular islands, it was time to return to Ao Nang. The ride back took around 20 minutes, and then we had an included taxi ride back to our hotel.

Ao Nang Thailand 4 Island Tour Krabi with GetYourGuide

The verdict.

Our 4 Island tour Krabi was seamless. From getting picked up, looked after all day and then dropped back at our hotel, we couldn’t fault the tour. It was so easy to book , and we had so much fun snorkelling and cruising on our photogenic longtail boat.

It was a great trip for the kids who are aged between 2 and 9 too. They especially loved seeing so much fish life while snorkelling. If you are staying in Ao Nang, Railay Beach or Krabi, I definitely recommend the 4 islands tour.

Read This: Things to do in Khao Lak

How Much does it Cost?

This is the bottom line: The 4 island tour Krabi from Ao Nang cost $28(AUD) per adult and $20 per child over 4 on a longtail boat. To do the same tour on a speedboat it costs $46 per adult and $37 per child. I prefer the longtail boat because it feels more authentic, and it was so much cheaper. The speedboat is faster between your islands, however. Book your tour with GetYourGuide by clicking on the link.

The inclusions were hotel pick up and drop off, life jackets, cold water, and lunch.

Any Bad Bits?

I would love to see a morning tea provided too. That would really add to the experience. We were forever grateful to the Thai lady who threw our kids a few crumbs of Pringles. But some fruit or a muesli bar at Chicken Island would have helped immensely.

Other than that, it was a perfect day.

Check out GetYourGuide for some other great tours when in Ao Nang Krabi:

We loved the Ziplining Adventure in Krabi , and we have also booked an amazing White Water Rafting Experience in Bali through GetYourGuide too!

After Ao Nang, we headed down to the stunning Koh Lanta on a ferry and stayed for a couple of weeks!

More info: Best Beaches to Stay on Koh Lanta

Reader Interactions

May 19, 2019 at 10:51 am

The  four islands tour Krabi sounds like an amazing adventure,hats off to the family taking young children along.

Why do the organisers not provide tea and snacks,on the way,especially with youngsters along?The lunch seems quite good and substantial,

Do the Thai people not drink Tea or coffee or hot drinks,it seems that only water is in good supply?

The waters and the sandy beaches are really terrific,and the snorkeling and marine life must be amazing?

It is good that they have life jackets available,you hear of so many drownings from boating accidents,but why don’t they have equipment for children as well if they are professional people,running public transport?

May 27, 2019 at 2:06 am

Hi Fredrik,  Thanks for your comment.  We booked this tour through GetYourGuide because it was way cheaper than booking directly with the agency.

It can be hard to book things in advance if you have never been there, sometimes it works out but sometimes it can be a disaster.  

That sucks when you pay for something and it isn’t real!

May 19, 2019 at 10:58 am

Hi. I have been to Thailand a few times going around there. Aonang, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket Ko Lanta, and I have only used pay as you go. First and last night before travel I usually book a Hotel room, but the rest is pay as you go. Of cause some times you then wish that you had used a proper tour booking, when you have payed money but get nothing for it. Happened one time that I paid for some tour and then I never saw them again. 

June 9, 2019 at 8:17 am

I really hate when you pay good money and you get nothing in return.  We have found it is sometimes cheaper to book the tours through getyourguide because of no haggling needed.

It really depends on where you are and what it is I guess!

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