Krabi 4 Islands Boat Tour: Best Package, Itinerary, Things To See And Do

Are you setting sail to Krabi's four islands for the first time? Here’s a lowdown on what to see along the way, the best boat tour to book, and a sample itinerary.

Nguyen Oanh

Krabi is one of the most visited destinations in the south of Thailand for good reasons. Serving as a beacon for nature enthusiasts and adventurous travelers, Krabi plays host to a good collection of 154 islands north of the Andaman Sea.

Teaming up with world-renowned destinations such as Koh Phi Phi and James Bond Island, the four-island group in Krabi is another great call to enrich your getaway bucket list. The best starting point to set out to those islands is from Ao Nang Beach on a boat excursion.

In this article, I’ll be showing you how to pick the best boat tour for your next adventure to Krabi’s four islands, a sample itinerary, and what to expect.

Krabi Four Islands Tour: How To Choose The Best Package?

The easiest way to cover all four islands is to sign up for a half-day trip. Most organized trips have a lunch box included so you don’t have to arrange your own meal on the island. 

Speaking of transportation, you can choose to travel with a longtail boat, a speedboat, or a cruise. I recommend a speedboat tour so you don’t have to spend too much time basking in the sun. It’s also faster to move between the islands.

Some other options also provide snorkeling equipment, charter boat, or sunset tour. For more details on what’s in store for you, take a look at the one I booked below and choose your favorite.

Dock Arrival and Check-in

Getting ready to set out on the street at 8:00 am when the driver picked me up at the hotel. The transfer only took eight minutes to arrive at the dock for checking in.

This is where you have to sign up at the information counter on your own as there are plenty of other group tours arriving at the same time and they all have different routes. Make sure you let them know you’re leaving on the four-island tour.

Once you’ve completed the paperwork, sit back in the waiting lounge and wait for your boat to come. I was surprised to see a small snack counter set up for passengers next to the waiting lounge with free-flow tea, snacks, and fruits. Those with seasickness can ask for some pills before hopping aboard.

East Railay Bay Beach

Railay is an absolute dream come true for those celebrating the tropical beach getaway. The boat stops by this tiny stretch of peninsular first thing in the day to drop off passengers with reservations at one of the resorts on the island. If you have booked a place here, get off and move to another wharf with speedboats docking and sign up for another ride.

Otherwise, Railay is a stellar hideout to go caving and mountain climbing, a paradise for adventurers and nature worshippers. Walk northwest and you’ll find plenty of shops and cafes along the coast shaded by mangrove trees growing.

The thing is there is no taxi or public transport here on East Railay so make sure you have comfortable shoes to walk around. For more details on what to see and do on Railay Beach, check out my travel guide here.

Koh Kai – Chicken Island

Coming up next is one of the most famous islands out of the four, Koh Kai. Also known as Koh Gai or Chicken Island, the island is named as such based on its impressive little limestone boulder jutting out at one of the islands shaped like a chicken head. Koh Gai is a perfect spot to swim or snorkel. They gave us about half an hour to roam free. If you wish to snorkel here, make sure to bring your own equipment as there is no rental snorkeling gear on the island.

Mor Island And Tup Island

Mor and Tup are two small islands connected to one another by a sandbar called Thale Waek emerging when the tide is out. Thale Waek is a perfect spot to soak your feet in the clear turquoise water teeming with fish that cheekily munch on your toes. The soft sandbar is silky smooth for a nice long walk.

Poda Island

Capping off my getaway to Krabi Four Islands is a leisure stroll around Koh Poda. The island is a tad smaller than Koh Kai. There is a secret beach on the southwest tip of the island where the water is perfectly clear and never overcrowded. You can even walk as far as the rough boulder of limestone cliffs jutting out to the sea shaded with the primitive forest.

As Poda marks the end of the trip, this is where the guide handed out lunch boxes. The one I got had limited choices but the flavor profile didn’t disappoint. As you can see from the picture below, they don’t set up that much seating so you should expect to find a proper seat for yourself.

Check out more travel ideas in Thailand below:

Travel Guide to Thailand

Explore more of our adventures around Thailand:

Thailand Travel Essentials


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