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View all Krabi toursFour Andaman Islands by Longtail Boat with Thai Lunch in Krabi
Ride a traditional wooden longtail out to four limestone islands, snorkel over bright reef fish, walk a tidal sandbar and eat a hot Thai lunch on the sand.
Highlights
- Snorkel the reef shallows off Chicken Island
- Walk the tidal sandbar between Tup and Mor
- Hot Thai lunch served on the beach
- Swim beneath the cliffs at Phra Nang
- Traditional wooden longtail, not a crowded speedboat
Full description
The four islands scattered off Ao Nang are the reason most travellers come to Krabi in the first place, and the honest way to see them is the way locals always have: aboard a wooden longtail with its engine growling and the spray coming over the bow. Our skipper leaves the beach early enough to reach the reefs before the fleet of speedboats arrives, so your first snorkel of the day is a quiet one.
You will drift over coral gardens off Chicken Island, wade the shallow sandbar that links Tup and Mor when the tide pulls back, and stretch out on Poda's pale crescent of sand. Lunch is a proper Thai spread served in the shade rather than a lukewarm boxed meal, and there is plenty of time afterwards to swim or simply watch the karsts change colour.
The last stop is Phra Nang and Railay, where the cliffs rise straight from the water and the afternoon light is at its softest. Your guide handles the tides, the timing and the photographs while you enjoy the day.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Hotel pickup
Air-conditioned minivan collects you from your hotel and drives to the Ao Nang beachfront.
Chicken Island snorkelling
First swim stop over shallow coral where clownfish and parrotfish gather.
Tup and Mor sandbar
Wade the sand strip that appears between two islands at low tide.
Poda Island and lunch
Thai lunch in the shade followed by free time on the white sand beach.
Phra Nang and Railay
Final swim below the limestone cliffs before the boat turns back.
Return to Ao Nang
Boat lands at Ao Nang and the van returns you to your hotel.
Detailed Itinerary
Pickup begins around 08:00 depending on where you are staying, and the minivan reaches Ao Nang beach in time for a short safety briefing on the sand. By 09:15 the longtail is anchored off Chicken Island, named for the rock spire that really does look like a bird's head, and you have an hour in the water with mask and fins.
Mid-morning the boat repositions to Tup and Mor, where a pale sandbar surfaces as the tide drops and you can walk between two islands with sea on both sides. Around 11:45 you land on Poda for lunch, served under the casuarina trees, with plenty of time afterwards to nap, swim or wander the shoreline.
The last leg runs to Phra Nang Cave Beach and Railay, arriving early afternoon when the crowds thin and the cliffs glow. The longtail returns to Ao Nang by about 14:30 and your driver takes you back to your hotel.
Includes
- Round-trip hotel transfer within Ao Nang and Krabi Town
- Longtail boat with experienced local skipper
- English-speaking guide
- Thai lunch
- Snorkel mask and life jacket
- Drinking water and seasonal fruit
- National park entrance fee
- Insurance
Excludes
- Alcoholic drinks
- Towels
- Underwater camera rental
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
Important information
Meeting point
Ao Nang Beach longtail pier, in front of the Ao Nang Landmark sign
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 wooden longtail is loud and slow and that is exactly the charm of it. We hit the sandbar between Tup and Chicken Island right as the tide dropped, so you could walk from one island to the other with water up to your ankles. Snorkelling off Poda was full of those striped sergeant majors that swarm you the second bread appears.
Four islands in six hours sounds rushed but it never felt that way. Our boatman knew which corner of Poda Island stays empty and parked us there for lunch. The Thai lunch was cooked fresh and served on the sand, not a sad lunchbox like I expected for this price.
Chicken Island really does look like a chicken from the right angle, which our guide made sure everyone got a photo of. Water was glassy the whole morning and the reef fish around Tup Island were everywhere. Good value for a six hour day with food included.
A lovely trip overall and the sandbar walk was the highlight. By midday the sandbar had four or five other boats parked on it, so it is far from a secret spot. Go with that expectation and you will still enjoy it.
We were a bit nervous about a longtail in open water but the crossing was smooth and they handed out life jackets without anyone asking. Phra Nang beach with the cliff shrine was unexpectedly beautiful. Lunch was chicken with cashew, rice and fresh pineapple, plenty for everyone.
Great mix of swimming, snorkelling and just sitting on a beach doing nothing. The crew helped my mother in and out of the boat every single stop without being asked. Bring reef shoes, some of the entry points are sharp.
Good day out and honestly hard to beat for the price. The snorkelling gear was well used and my mask leaked, so bring your own if you have one. The sandbar and Phra Nang more than made up for it.