Krabi Longtail Boat: Charter, Shuttle or Group Tour
How to hire a longtail boat in Krabi: shuttle vs private charter vs group tour, indicative ฿ costs, best routes, timing and common mistakes.
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Last updated November 2026: a Krabi longtail boat works three ways. It can be a cross-bay shuttle, a private charter priced per boat, or a seat on a group tour. Shuttles suit short hops to Railay and Tonsai, charters suit parties of four to six, and solo travellers usually do better on a group tour. Use the table below to choose, then browse the wider island-hopping options for context.
Featured image: smmohsinnaseem, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Quick answer: which Krabi longtail boat option fits you
Choose by party size, not by route. Charter prices are per boat, so one traveller pays the full fare and a full boat splits it. On the 4-island route at ฿2,500, six people pay roughly ฿417 each. Solo travellers should price a group tour first. All baht figures here are indicative Ao Nang beach-booth prices, so confirm them on the day.
| Option | Best for | Who pays what | Flexibility | Typical duration | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle (Ao Nang to Railay or Tonsai) | Beach hops and half days | Per person: about ฿100 one way to Tonsai, about ฿200 return to Railay | Low; boats leave when full | Short crossing plus your own time ashore | Waiting for a full boat, rough return crossing |
| Private charter | Couples, families, groups of 4 to 6 | Per boat, from about ฿2,500 for 4 Islands | High; you agree stops with the driver | About 5 to 6 hours on the main routes | Few boats left by about 2 PM, short stops |
| Group tour | Solo travellers, tighter budgets | Per person, price set by the operator | Low; fixed route and schedule | Usually a full day | Fixed timing, shared stops |
How longtail boats work in Krabi
Longtail boats are open wooden boats with a long-shaft engine at the stern. Around Krabi they do three jobs. Shuttles run between Ao Nang Beachfront and West Railay, and onward to Tonsai. Private charters leave from Ao Nang, Nopparat Thara and Klong Muang. Group tours often use the same style of boat with a guide and a fixed route. Ao Nang has the most booths and departures, and booths sit at both ends of the beach road. Boats look alike, so note your boat and driver number. Matching numbers help you find the right one after each island stop.
Private longtail boat cost: per boat vs per person
Indicative Ao Nang booth prices for a whole boat run from ฿2,500 for the 4-island route to ฿5,500 for the 9-island route. Payment is cash only, and boats can be rented from about 8 AM. Capacity is about 5 to 6 people, and a mask and snorkel are normally provided. Fares came from one booth in one season. Ask what is included before paying, and do not assume the first price is fixed or negotiable. Fixed-price booths exist, and room for bargaining with independent owners is unconfirmed.
- 4 Islands (about 5 hours): ฿2,500 per boat
- 3 Islands snorkelling: ฿3,000 per boat
- Hong Islands (about 6 hours): ฿3,500 per boat
- 7 Islands: ฿4,000 per boat
- Bamboo Island: ฿4,500 per boat
- 9 Islands: ฿5,500 per boat
- Not in the boat price: national park fee, tip, drinks and snacks, a waterproof pouch
Private charter vs group tour: break-even by party size
Divide the boat price by the number of people. Then compare the result with a quoted group-tour price per person for the same route. Charter wins when your per-person share is at or below the tour fare and you value control over stop lengths. Group tours win when the share is higher. At ฿2,500, one traveller pays ฿2,500, two pay ฿1,250, four pay ฿625, and six pay about ฿417. At ฿3,500 for Hong Islands, the shares are ฿3,500, ฿1,750, ฿875 and about ฿583. Park fees are paid separately in cash, so add them to both sides. Get at least one written group-tour quote before deciding.
| Party size | 4 Islands (฿2,500 per boat) | Hong Islands (฿3,500 per boat) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ฿2,500 | ฿3,500 |
| 2 | ฿1,250 | ฿1,750 |
| 4 | ฿625 | ฿875 |
| 6 | About ฿417 | About ฿583 |
Best longtail routes from Ao Nang and Railay
Pick the route by what you want to do in the water and how long you can stay out. Each route below is a starting point, and the linked guides go deeper. Agree stop lengths with your driver before leaving. One traveller reported about 40 minutes at West Railay, about 1 hour at Poda and about 45 minutes snorkelling off Chicken Island. Those stops were short for some visitors.
- 4 Islands, about 5 hours: Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island and West Railay. Best if you want the standard loop at the lowest charter price. See the classic 4 Islands loop.
- Hong Islands, about 6 hours: Best if you want a longer day and a different set of lagoons. Read the Hong Islands day trip guide.
- Bamboo Island, from about ฿4,500 per boat: Best if you want the Phi Phi side and accept a higher boat price and park fee.
- 7 and 9 Islands: Best if you want many stops in one day and can pay ฿4,000 to ฿5,500 per boat.
- Chicken Island: Boats anchor offshore for snorkelling rather than landing. Details are in this guide to snorkelling off Chicken Island.
Shuttle boats to Railay, Tonsai and Phra Nang
Shuttles run from Ao Nang Beachfront and cost about ฿100 one way to Tonsai or about ฿200 return to Railay. Boats leave when full, so mornings are quicker because most visitors queue then. One reported wait was about 2 minutes. Phra Nang Beach is reached on foot from Railay in roughly 15 minutes. Allow extra time for the walk if you plan to swim there. Confirm the return arrangement before you leave, because rough seas can change the crossing. For Phi Phi, shuttles do not apply. Check the ferry and speedboat alternatives to Phi Phi instead.
Railay return at ฿200 per person costs far less than a solo charter at ฿2,500, though shuttles leave only when full.
Where to stay for easy boat access: Ao Nang vs Railay
Ao Nang gives you the most booths and departures. You can walk down in the morning, compare routes and pay on the spot. Railay is reached only by boat, so you depend on shuttles for arrivals and returns. Staying there can mean an earlier start for beach time, but later departures need planning. A missed last boat costs more than a bed saves. If you want charter choice and flexible mornings, base yourself in Ao Nang.
Visitors on Railay should watch the clock, since few boats were left by about 2 PM on one visit.
How to plan the day: departure time, stops, tide and packing
Leave Ao Nang around 8:30 to 9:00 AM. Boats can be rented from about 8 AM, and by about 2 PM few were left on one visit. Treat a half day as one or two stops, such as Railay and Poda, and a full day as the 5 to 6 hour routes. These are planning templates, not promises. Tup Island's sandbar depends on the tide, so check a tide table for your date and ask the driver which stop suits the water level. Pay the national park fee in cash on arrival, and confirm current rates on the national park authority site. Bring a waterproof pouch for phones and cash, plus water, snacks and strong sun protection.
Booking on the beach vs online
Booths on Ao Nang beach let you see prices and routes before you pay. Online and pre-booked options give certainty in busy periods and may add a guide, lunch or fixed timing. Neither is clearly cheaper. Before paying, check these points: route and number of islands, boat capacity, included gear, whether the park fee is extra, and the agreed departure and return time. Get any promised stop length stated aloud in front of your party. A driver may speak little English, so a guided tour suits readers who want commentary.
Mistakes to avoid and when a charter isn't worth it
Skip the private charter if you travel alone, the sea looks unsettled, or you only want a quick beach hop. A shuttle or group tour usually fits those cases better. Weather can change on the way back, and one February return crossing turned rough. Do not rely on a boat later in the afternoon either.
- Leaving after midday, when few boats are left at Ao Nang
- Arriving without enough cash for the boat, park fee, tip and drinks
- Assuming Tup Island's sandbar will be walkable at any time
- Not agreeing stop lengths with the driver before departure
- Carrying phones and cash without a waterproof pouch
- Booking a long route in poor weather
Safety and weather
Check that life jackets are on board before you leave, and ask the driver to confirm sea conditions for your route. Skip the trip if heavy rain or a storm is forecast. Check the Thai Meteorological Department forecast on the morning you travel. Operations and cancellations during the monsoon vary, so ask your booth or operator directly.
Useful notes for your Thailand trip
Optional updates to our guides.
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