Krabi Islands Tour

The Krabi Islands Tour is a full-day 4-Islands trip from Phuket to the Krabi coast, arranged by our licensed family shop in Chalong. You leave Phuket by ferry, transfer to a speedboat at Ao Nang, and spend the day at Talay Waek sandbank, Tub Island, Chicken Island and Poda Island — swimming, snorkelling and photographing the famous limestone cliffs before returning to Phuket the same evening.

Should you day-trip to Krabi from Phuket, or stay over?

This is the first question guests ask us across the counter, so let’s answer it honestly. The Krabi Islands (Grah’-bee, if you want to say it like a local) sit east of Phuket, and the 4-Islands scenery around Ao Nang — Talay Waek, Tub, Chicken and Poda — is genuinely world-class. A day trip works well: you leave Phuket in the morning, get the postcard islands, and sleep in your own bed the same night without changing hotels.

But be realistic about the day. It is a long one. You cross to the Krabi side by big ferry, change to a speedboat, then reverse the whole journey in the afternoon. If your main goal is Railay Beach, Phra Nang Cave and long lazy sunsets over the cliffs, we usually tell guests to consider staying a night or two in Ao Nang or Railay instead — you get the same islands without the travel fatigue. If you have limited days in Phuket and want the highlight reel, the day tour is the smart choice.

What will you actually see on the 4-Islands tour?

The heart of this trip is the stretch of sea between four small islands off Ao Nang. The famous moment is Talay Waek — a white sandbank that appears at lower tide and lets you walk between Tub Island and Chicken Island across the sea. It is the photo everyone comes for.

You also stop at Poda Island for sunbathing and swimming on soft white sand, and snorkel over the coral and reef fish outside Chicken Island, named for the rock formation that really does look like a chicken’s head. Lunch is served on the islands. Around you, the limestone karsts rise straight out of the water — the same dramatic scenery that made Krabi and nearby Railay famous.

Typical day (times are a guide only)

• Around 07:00 — hotel pick-up in Phuket
• Around 08:30 — depart Rassada Harbour to the Ao Nang side by big boat
• Around 10:30 — arrive Ao Nang, change to speedboat
• Sandbank at Tub and Chicken Island, then Poda Island for swimming
• Around 12:30 — snorkelling and lunch near Chicken Island
• Around 15:00 — depart back toward Phuket by big boat
• Around 17:30 — arrive Rassada Harbour and transfer to your hotel

The order and timings shift with weather, tide and how many boats are running that day. Treat it as the shape of the day, not a train timetable.

What is included, and what you pay on the day

The tour normally includes round-trip hotel transfer from the standard pick-up zones, mask and snorkel, life jacket, lunch, injury insurance and an English-speaking guide. Two things are usually paid in cash on the day and are not part of the tour cost: the national park fee for the Krabi islands, and any transfer surcharge if your hotel is outside the free pick-up area. This is normal for every operator in Phuket — the park fee goes to the authorities, not the tour company. Message us and we’ll tell you exactly what applies to your hotel so there are no surprises at the pier.

When is the best time to go?

The calmest, clearest water on the Andaman side is usually the November-to-April high season. That is also when the islands are busiest, so we send early-departure guests to get the sandbank before the midday crowds build. During the May-to-October green season the sea can be choppier and boats occasionally reschedule for safety — if you are visiting then, keep your Krabi day flexible and chat with us the day before so we can read the conditions for you.

Is this tour right for you?

It suits families, couples and first-timers who want the signature Krabi scenery in a single day from Phuket. If you get seasick easily, the double boat transfer is worth thinking about — bring motion-sickness tablets and sit mid-boat. For a shorter, calmer day on the water, guests often prefer our Krabi Islands and Phi Phi options by direct speedboat. Note that on this particular tour, pregnant women, children under one year and travellers over 70 are not permitted, for safety reasons on the fast boats.

What should you bring?

Swimwear under your clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a dry bag or zip-lock for your phone. Cash for the national park fee and any transfer surcharge. Water shoes help on the rockier landings. We’re a real shop on Chalong Circle (TAT licence No. 34/03373), so if you’re unsure what to pack for the day, just drop in and ask us.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Krabi Islands day tour from Phuket?

Plan for a full day, roughly 07:00 pick-up to about 17:30 drop-off, because you cross from Phuket to the Krabi coast and back. Exact times depend on your hotel location and daily boat schedules.

Can I walk the Talay Waek sandbank between Tub and Chicken Island?

Usually yes, when the tide is low enough the sandbank appears and you can walk between the islands. It is tide-dependent, so some departures see it better than others — we time trips to catch it when we can.

Is Railay Beach included in this tour?

This 4-Islands tour focuses on Tub, Chicken, Poda and the sandbank rather than Railay itself. If Railay and Phra Nang Cave are your priority, tell us and we’ll advise whether a day trip or an overnight in Krabi suits you better.

How much does it cost?

Boat prices in Phuket change daily, so we don’t post a fixed figure. Message us on WhatsApp for today’s best price and we’ll confirm exactly what’s included and what you pay in cash on the day.

Do I have to pay a national park fee?

Yes, the Krabi islands have a mandatory national park fee paid in cash on the day. It is set by the authorities and is separate from the tour price.

Related trips and info: Krabi Islands tours · Private speedboat to Phi Phi · Ferry to Phi Phi, Krabi & Lanta · all our tours · what’s included in an island tour.

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