5 Krabi Island Hopping Routes: Costs and How to Choose

Featured image: Wolfgang Holzem, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Quick answer: which trip should you pick?

Match the route to your day, not to the longest island list. A short longtail hop from Ao Nang takes 15 to 20 minutes, while Phi Phi from Krabi Town takes about 1 hour 30 minutes each way. Those crossing times decide how much beach time you actually get.

• First-timers and families
  • Start with the 4 Islands loop. Crossings are short and stops are easy to swim and paddle.
• Snorkelers and kayakers
  • Choose Hong Islands for the lagoon and reef stops.
• Photographers
  • Aim for Phi Phi or Hong with the earliest departure you can book.
• Budget travelers
  • Buy a shared longtail seat to Koh Poda, or take a public ferry to Phi Phi.
• Crowd-averse
  • Use the quieter southern islands, or start every trip at first light.

5 Krabi Island Hopping Routes Compared

Each route below has its own pier habits, crossing time and crowd pattern. Read the linked guide before you pay a deposit.

• 1. 4 Islands: Poda, Chicken, Tub and Phra Nang
  • Boats run from the Ao Nang coast, and a longtail seat to Koh Poda is reported at about ฿300 for a 15 to 20 minute ride. Our 4 Islands tour guide covers stop order and gear.
  • Chicken Island and Tub Island are joined by a sandbank that only shows at low tide. See Chicken Island's sandbank and viewpoint before you count on walking it.
• 2. Hong Islands
  • Hong is the pick for lagoon kayaking and reef snorkelling. A hired longtail is reported at about ฿2,500 for up to 6 people, while shared tours run roughly ฿800 to ฿2,000 per person.
  • Start early because the beach gets crowded in high season. Our Hong Islands guide covers stops and kayaking.
• 3. Phi Phi from Krabi
  • Ferries from Krabi Town or Ao Nang are reported at about 1 hour 30 minutes and ฿400 per person. Day tours add Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island.
  • Check your time on the islands before booking. Our Krabi to Phi Phi guide compares ferry and tour options.
• 4. Railay and the Ao Nang coast
  • Railay is reached by boat only, and it pairs with Phra Nang Cave Beach and views of Tonsai. It suits a half day, so you can add a second stop in the afternoon.
• 5. Lanta, Ngai, Mook and Jum
  • These are long-day or overnight options with snorkelling at Koh Ngai and Emerald Cave near Koh Mook. To reach Koh Jum, a bus from Krabi Town to Laem Kruat Pier is reported at about ฿100, then a boat at about ฿70. Confirm both fares locally.

Krabi island hopping route chooser

Use this table to compare the five routes at a glance. Crowd risk is our editorial assessment, not a measured figure.

Shared tour, longtail or private boat

Shared speedboat tours cost least per head and follow a fixed schedule. A hired longtail gives you control over timing for a flat boat price. Our longtail boat guide explains how hiring works. Private charters are quoted per boat. Operator listings in 2026 start around ฿29,400 for a 4 Islands day, so confirm the current rate before planning around it.

• Shared tour
  • Lowest cost and fixed stops. Expect crowds at the same lagoons and beaches.
• Hired longtail
  • Flexible start time and stops. Settle the price, hours and stops before you board.
• Private charter
  • Most control over timing, at the highest cost per day.

Costs and what's usually extra

Tour price is not total spend. The Hong Islands national park fee is reported at ฿300 per adult, and rates for foreign and Thai visitors may differ. Check current amounts with the national park authority. Budget separately for snorkel gear, kayak rental, lunch if it is not included, and hotel transfers. A longtail seat to Koh Poda at about ฿300 and a Phi Phi ferry at about ฿400 are baseline figures to compare tours against.

Where boats leave from and how to get there

Ao Nang is the main departure point, and most short island trips start there. Nopparat Thara Pier and Klong Muang are also named as departure points for some routes. Krabi Town handles the Phi Phi ferry and Lanta connections. Pick-up from Krabi Town, Ao Nang and Railay areas depends on the operator, so confirm your pier and meeting time when you book.

Best season and weather planning

November to April is generally the calmest period, with the best visibility. May to October is cheaper, and some routes such as 4 Islands and Railay can still run. Hong Islands may close briefly in severe weather. If the sea is rough, expect operators to cancel open-water crossings first, so keep a flexible day and ask about refunds or rebooking. For official forecasts, check the Thai Meteorological Department.

Sample 3-day Krabi island hopping plan

Give each day a single route and keep one buffer day for weather. Skip Phi Phi if you only want a quiet beach.

• Day 1: 4 Islands
  • Take a half-day longtail loop from Ao Nang. Skip it if the tide is wrong for the Chicken to Tub sandbank walk.
• Day 2: Hong Islands
  • Leave early for kayaking and snorkelling. Skip it if you dislike busy lagoons after mid-morning.
• Day 3: Phi Phi or Railay
  • Choose Phi Phi for the famous bays, or Railay for a shorter day. Skip Phi Phi if you have less than a full day.

Mistakes to avoid

Most disappointment comes from timing, not from the islands.

• Not checking island time
  • Ask how long you actually get at each stop on a Phi Phi day.
• Arriving late
  • Reach Hong or Maya Bay early, before tour boats concentrate.
• Assuming the tide
  • The Chicken to Tub sandbank walk needs low tide.
• Skipping sun protection
  • Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest.
• Booking overnight by mistake
  • Do not book Lanta or Ngai if you only have a day.

Krabi vs Phuket for island hopping

Base in Krabi for limestone scenery, kayaking and a shorter crossing to Phi Phi, which is reported at about 1 hour versus 1.5 to 2 hours from Phuket. Phuket offers more boats and more variety. Treat these as planning leads and compare current operator times before you commit.