Chicken Island (Koh Kai) Krabi: Getting There and Timing
Plan Chicken Island (Koh Kai) from Ao Nang or Railay: tour vs private longtail, tide and timing, snorkeling tips, and who should skip it.
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Last updated November 2026: Chicken Island (Koh Kai) is a rock-topped stop off Krabi that most visitors reach on a 4 Islands boat day. This guide covers how to get there, when to go and who can skip it. Use it to choose between a shared tour and a private longtail.
Featured image: kallerna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Chicken Island at a glance
Chicken Island, also written Koh Kai or Koh Gai, sits roughly 8 km (about 5 miles) from Ao Nang. Some listings also call it Koh Hua Khwan. A rock formation on the island looks like a chicken's head, which gives the island its name. Neighboring Koh Tup and Koh Mor lie close by. Boats from Railay are reported to need about 30 minutes by longtail. Most visitors arrive on a 4 Islands day trip rather than a dedicated charter. Land area is only about 600 by 1,000 m, so this is a small place. There is a small cafe and boat food vendors near the shore, and no accommodation. Our guide to island hopping around Krabi shows how it fits with other trips.
Is Chicken Island worth it?
On most itineraries it is a short stop. It delivers three things: a photo rock, snorkeling and a sandbar walk. Expect time in the water rather than a full beach day. It suits first-time visitors building a boat day and anyone who wants an easy swim stop. Skip a standalone trip in the cases below.
Its 600 by 1,000 m footprint explains the short stop, since the rock, the sandbar and the snorkeling all fit into one visit.
- You want a full beach day with sunbeds and a long lunch.
- You cannot manage a wet landing from a longtail.
- You have no interest in snorkeling or in photographing a rock.
- You want a fuller day with more lagoons and beaches.
How to get to Chicken Island
Boats leave from Chao Fa pier in Krabi and from the beaches of Ao Nang and Railay. Shared boats usually go once about 8 people have signed up. Speedboats also run from Phuket piers. Railay departures may involve a beach transfer, so ask your operator where boarding happens. Ao Nang is the shorter hop at roughly 8 km. Pick a departure point by hotel location and by how much open-water time you will tolerate.
| Option | Who it suits | Timing control | Time at island | Crowd exposure | Cost level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Islands shared tour | First-timers who want a set route | Low | Short stop | High | Low to mid |
| Shared longtail from Ao Nang or Railay | Small groups happy to wait for a full boat | Medium | Usually short | Medium | Low to mid |
| Private longtail | Families and photographers | High | You decide with the captain | Lower if you go early or late | Mid to high |
| Speedboat from Phuket | Phuket-based travelers on a long day | Low | Short stop | High | High |
Tour or private longtail?
A 4 Islands tour is the default way to see the island, and Chicken Island is its headline stop. A set route is easy to book but leaves you on the operator's clock. A private longtail charter costs more per boat. The fare splits across your group, though. Against a shared boat that fills at about 8 people, a couple pays the most per head. No fares are quoted here because they change by season, so check the current operator listing. Compare these cost drivers before you book:
Waiting for a shared boat is the trade-off, since it departs once about 8 people have signed up. Private boats let you set the timing instead.
- Boat type: longtail, speedboat or large tour boat.
- Group size and how the fare is split.
- Departure point: Ao Nang, Railay, Chao Fa pier or Phuket.
- National park fees and whether the price includes them.
- Meals, snorkel gear and life jackets.
Best time to visit: season, tide and time of day
Tide matters more than most visitors expect. A sandy spit links the island with Koh Tup and Koh Mor. One account says it appears at low tide. Another says it stays walkable at high tide, with only a thin cover of water. Treat both as possible and check a tide table before booking. Ask your operator whether the spit is likely to show on your date. Season is the other variable. One source says the island is unaffected by the May to October monsoon. Sea conditions and boat operations can still change in the wet season. Confirm with your operator or the park office the same morning. Tour groups tend to follow similar schedules, so midday is likely to be the busiest window. A private boat lets you arrive earlier or later.
What to do on and around the island
Start with the rock. The outline reads as a beak with a comb, and it photographs best from the water. Snorkeling is the main activity, over coral and tropical fish, but visibility varies by day. Walk the spit toward Koh Tup and Koh Mor when the sand is exposed. A short jungle walk is possible, and monkeys live there. At only 600 by 1,000 m, the island is easy to cover. Facilities are minimal: a small cafe and boat food vendors near the shore.
Practical tips and mistakes to avoid
Most problems come from timing and from skipping the basics. Fees and rules are set by the park, so check the national park office before you go.
- Check a tide table and the sea forecast before you book.
- Bring your own mask if you care about fit.
- Wear a life jacket in the water.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Do not touch or stand on coral.
- Do not feed the monkeys, and keep food and bags closed.
- Carry your litter back to the boat.
- Wear footwear you can wade in for the wet landing.
Combining Chicken Island with other Krabi trips
If you want more lagoons and beaches, compare it with the Hong Islands Krabi: Tour Costs, Stops & Best Time day. Longer plans may point toward Phi Phi day trips from Krabi. For a wider view, start from our Krabi island hopping hub. A 4 Islands tour already bundles Chicken Island, so a separate trip only makes sense for a private boat on your own schedule.
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