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View all Krabi toursLongtail Island Hopping from Ao Nang with Hong Island Stop in Krabi
Ride a traditional longtail from Ao Nang to snorkel at Daeng Island, laze on Hong Island's beaches, cruise the lagoon and climb to a panoramic viewpoint.
Highlights
- Traditional longtail boat rather than a crowded speedboat
- Snorkel the coral gardens at Daeng Island
- Relax on Hong Island's white-sand beach
- Cruise into the sheltered Hong Lagoon
- Climb to the panoramic Hong Island viewpoint
Full description
There is a particular pleasure to island hopping by longtail rather than speedboat. The wooden hull sits low, the engine chugs rather than roars, and the karst towers slide past slowly enough that you actually look at them. This half-day route out of Ao Nang covers the best of the Hong archipelago without the rush.
The first stop is Daeng Island, where the reef comes close to the surface and the snorkelling is reliably good: hard coral heads, sergeant majors, parrotfish and, if the visibility cooperates, small reef sharks in the deeper water. From there the boat runs on to Hong Island, whose beach is one of the whitest in the province and whose interior lagoon is reached through a cliff gap that only opens up as you approach.
A short climb takes you to the Hong viewpoint, where the whole archipelago fans out below and the classic Krabi photograph takes itself. Snorkel gear, guide and refreshments are all part of the trip, and the pace stays firmly on the relaxed side.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Meet at Ao Nang Beach
Check in with your guide at the longtail pier, collect snorkel gear and a life jacket.
Snorkelling at Daeng Island
Cruise out to Daeng Island and snorkel the shallow coral gardens with your guide.
Hong Lagoon
Enter the sheltered inner lagoon through the cliff gap and swim in the calm green water.
Hong Island beach time
Land on Hong Island's white-sand beach to swim, rest and eat fresh fruit.
Viewpoint climb and return
Hike the short trail to the panoramic viewpoint, then cruise back to Ao Nang.
Detailed Itinerary
You meet your guide at the Ao Nang longtail pier around 09:00 for check-in, gear fitting and a short safety briefing. The boat pushes off at roughly 09:30 and takes about half an hour to reach Daeng Island, where the reef sits shallow enough that even hesitant swimmers can float above it in a life jacket.
After around an hour in the water the longtail continues to Hong Island. From about 11:00 you cruise into the inner lagoon, a near-enclosed pool where the cliffs cut the wind entirely, then land on the beach at 11:45 for swimming, shade and cut fruit.
The last stop is the viewpoint trail from about 13:00 — a short but steep climb up steps and rock to a platform overlooking the archipelago. The return cruise gets you back to Ao Nang by mid-afternoon, roughly five and a half hours after you set out.
Includes
- Longtail boat with captain
- English-speaking guide
- Snorkel mask and life jacket
- Fresh fruit and drinking water
- Hotel pickup in the Ao Nang area
- Insurance
Excludes
- National park entrance fee
- Lunch
- Towel
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips for guide and crew
Important information
Meeting point
Ao Nang Beach longtail boat pier, hotel pickup available nearby
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
The longtail is the way to do this rather than a speedboat, you feel the water and the engine noise is part of the experience. Snorkelling at Daeng Island had the best visibility of our trip with big shoals of sergeant majors. The climb to the Hong viewpoint is steep but takes maybe fifteen minutes and the view over the lagoon is worth the sweat.
Five and a half hours felt like the right length, long enough to see everything without exhausting the kids. Hong Island's beach was the highlight and the lagoon cruise at the end was calm and quiet. Life jackets provided for everyone including small sizes.
Great itinerary but longtails are slow and open, so you are exposed to the sun for long stretches. Bring a hat you can tie on because the wind will take it. Daeng Island snorkelling and the viewpoint made up for it.
Our boatman took us to the viewpoint steps himself and waited at the top to point out the sandbars. The lagoon water was that unreal green even in the late afternoon. Small group of eight rather than a packed tourist boat.
Left from Ao Nang beach directly so no long transfer, we were in the water within half an hour. The staff carried the snorkel gear and rinsed it between stops. Good trip if you want islands without giving up a whole day.
Lovely islands and a friendly crew. Only snacks and water rather than a proper lunch, which the listing does say, but eat well beforehand. The Hong lagoon and viewpoint were the two things I would come back for.
Daeng Island had soft coral right under the boat and I saw a small reef octopus in the rocks. Hong Island's sand is properly white and the water shallow enough to stand for ages. Simple, well-run half day.