Krabi has the best island hopping in mainland Thailand, full stop. From Ao Nang's beachfront pier you can reach Phi Phi, the Hong Islands, the legendary 4 Islands tour (Tup, Mor, Chicken and Poda), Bamboo Island, Lanta and a dozen smaller karst-and-beach destinations. The combination of dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise water and good snorkelling makes the area a bucket-list destination for first-time Thailand visitors. This 2026 guide breaks down every island hopping option from Krabi — what to expect, what to pay, when to go, and how to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Quick answer
What's the best island hopping tour from Krabi?
The most popular island-hopping tour from Krabi is the 4 Islands tour (Tup, Mor, Chicken and Poda Islands), a half-day trip from Ao Nang for around 600–900 baht. Phi Phi tours are larger and include snorkelling stops at Bamboo, Maya Bay and Phi Phi Don for around 1,500–2,500 baht. The Hong Islands tour (smaller, less crowded) costs around 1,200–1,800 baht.
What is the 4 Islands tour and is it worth doing?
The 4 Islands tour is Krabi's most popular boat trip — a half-day excursion from Ao Nang that visits Tup Island (the famous sandbar that emerges between three islands at low tide), Mor Island, Chicken Island, and Poda Island. All four islands sit within a 20-minute boat ride of Ao Nang Beach, which makes the tour fast-paced and efficient. It's worth doing — the scenery is genuinely spectacular and the snorkelling at Chicken Island and Poda is good. The downside is that the islands are crowded with tour boats by 11am, so early-morning departures are recommended. Tours typically run from 8am or 1pm. Prices are 600–900 baht for a longtail boat tour or 1,000–1,500 baht for a speedboat tour with lunch included. Browse our Krabi things-to-do listings for verified operators.
How do I get to Phi Phi from Krabi?
Phi Phi is reached from Krabi by ferry (around 1.5 hours, 600–900 baht each way) or speedboat (45 minutes, 1,200–1,800 baht each way). Day tours from Ao Nang to Phi Phi typically include 4–5 stops — Bamboo Island, Maya Bay (the famous beach from The Beach), Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay (snorkelling), and a beach lunch stop on Phi Phi Don. Total tour time is 7–8 hours, with prices 1,500–2,500 baht depending on operator and inclusions. Maya Bay reopened in 2022 after years of closure for environmental restoration, but visitor numbers are now strictly capped — your tour operator handles the entry permit, but expect peak-time crowds despite the limits. If you want a quieter experience, stay overnight on Phi Phi Don and take an early speedboat to Maya Bay before the day-trip operators arrive.
Top Krabi island tours
Should I do Hong Islands instead of Phi Phi?
Yes — for many visitors, the Hong Islands tour is the better choice. The Hong Islands ('Hong' means 'room' in Thai) are a small group of karst islands with a famous interior lagoon accessible only at high tide. Pak Bia Island has one of the most photogenic sandbars in Thailand. Lao Liang offers excellent snorkelling. The whole archipelago is part of a marine national park, which limits the boat traffic and keeps the experience quieter than Phi Phi. Day tours from Ao Nang or Tubkaek run for 1,200–1,800 baht and include 4–5 stops with lunch. Most departures are at 9am, returning by 4pm. The boat ride from Ao Nang takes about 40 minutes; from Tubkaek (the closer pier) it's 20 minutes. If you can only do one boat trip from Krabi, the Hong Islands often beat Phi Phi for quality of experience.
How do I get to Railay Beach?
Railay is technically a peninsula but it's only accessible by boat — limestone cliffs cut it off from the mainland road. Longtail boats run continuously from Ao Nang's main beach pier from 7am to 6pm. The crossing takes 15 minutes and costs 100 baht each way. Boats wait at the pier until they have 8 passengers, then leave. After 6pm, you can charter a boat (around 800–1,200 baht) or stay overnight. Railay has four beaches: Railay West (the famous main beach with the longtails), Railay East (mangrove pier, no swimming), Phra Nang Beach (the most photogenic, accessible by walking through the resort area), and Tonsai (the climber's beach, accessible by trail). Most visitors do Railay as a half-day or full-day trip from Ao Nang. Overnight stays in Railay's bungalows or boutique resorts let you experience the beach without the day-trip crowds.
What about Koh Lanta and the southern islands?
Koh Lanta is reachable by ferry (1.5–2 hours, 350–600 baht) or speedboat (45 minutes, 800–1,200 baht) from Krabi. It's a much larger island than Phi Phi or Railay, with a 27km road running its length and a string of long quiet beaches. Lanta is a great choice for a 3–5 day extension from Krabi if you want to slow down. Smaller islands further south — Koh Jum, Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai, Koh Mook — offer even quieter experiences and are reached by ferry or speedboat from Krabi or Lanta. Koh Mook's Emerald Cave (a sea cave with a hidden inner beach accessible only at low tide) is one of the highlights of the southern Andaman. For details on each island, see our Krabi tour and activity listings.
Boat operators and transfers
When is the best time for island hopping in Krabi?
November to April is the best season for island hopping in Krabi. Seas are calm, visibility is excellent for snorkelling, and tour operators run full schedules. December to February is peak season — expect crowds at Phi Phi and the 4 Islands. March and April have warmer water and slightly fewer crowds. May to October is rainy season. Many tour operators reduce their schedule, especially in September when seas are roughest. The smaller islands (Phi Phi excluded) often close to day-trippers. If you visit in monsoon months, focus on the Hong Islands (which are protected from the worst weather) and overnight stays on Phi Phi Don rather than day trips. Watch the daily marine forecast — local boatmen are usually pragmatic about cancelling unsafe sailings.
How do I avoid the worst island-hopping crowds?
Three key tips: book the early-morning departure (most leave at 8am or 9am), pay extra for a private longtail rather than join a group tour, and consider going off-season or booking overnight stays rather than day trips. Tup Island's famous sandbar is photogenic at low tide — check the tide tables for your visit and aim for that window. Phi Phi's Maya Bay is now permit-controlled, but tour boats time their visits for the same 1–2 hour window. Stay overnight on Phi Phi Don and visit Maya Bay at sunrise (or sunset, when permits allow) for a near-empty experience. Hong Islands are quieter than Phi Phi, but go on weekdays rather than weekends. Private longtail charters cost 1,800–3,500 baht for a half-day and let you set your own schedule — the best value if you have 4+ people.
How much do Krabi island tours cost in 2026?
Prices for Krabi island tours have crept up since 2022 but remain among the best value in Thailand. Sample 2026 prices: 4 Islands by longtail: 600–900 baht; 4 Islands by speedboat with lunch: 1,000–1,500 baht; Hong Islands by speedboat: 1,200–1,800 baht; Phi Phi day trip by ferry+speedboat: 1,500–2,500 baht; private longtail charter for half-day: 1,800–3,500 baht; private speedboat charter for full day: 8,000–15,000 baht. National park entry fees (300–500 baht) are sometimes additional. Lunch and snorkel gear are included on most group tours; pickup from Ao Nang hotels is included on most operators, but Krabi Town pickup may cost extra. For verified operators, see our Krabi transport and tour listings and our things-to-do directory.
Krabi's island hopping is one of the highlights of Thailand — Phi Phi, Hong Islands, Railay and the 4 Islands all sit within a half-day boat ride from Ao Nang. Use ThailandDirectory.org to find verified tour operators, boat rentals and accommodation across the province.
Browse Krabi tours & activities →Frequently asked questions
What's the best island tour from Krabi?
The 4 Islands tour is the most popular and accessible (600–900 baht). The Hong Islands tour is often the better experience for those wanting fewer crowds (1,200–1,800 baht). Phi Phi is the most famous but most crowded (1,500–2,500 baht).
How do I get to Phi Phi from Krabi?
Ferries run from Krabi or Ao Nang to Phi Phi in about 1.5 hours (600–900 baht). Speedboats take 45 minutes (1,200–1,800 baht). Most visitors do Phi Phi as a day tour, with all transfers included.
Can I see Maya Bay from Krabi?
Yes — Maya Bay reopened in 2022 with strict visitor limits. Day tours from Krabi to Phi Phi typically include a Maya Bay stop with the entry permit. For a quieter experience, stay overnight on Phi Phi Don and visit at sunrise.
How long does it take to reach Railay from Ao Nang?
15 minutes by longtail boat from Ao Nang's main beach pier. Boats run from 7am to 6pm, cost 100 baht each way, and leave when they have 8 passengers. After 6pm you can charter a boat for around 800–1,200 baht.
When is the best time for island hopping in Krabi?
November to April is the best season — calm seas, clear water and full tour operator schedules. December to February has the busiest crowds. May to October is rainy season with reduced operations and rougher seas.
Last updated 2026 · Maintained by Thailand Directory editors.
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