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View all Krabi toursLongtail Trip to the Separated Sea and Four Islands in Krabi
Krabi's classic longtail day: the Separated Sea sandbar, four island beaches, a cave shrine under the cliffs, snorkelling stops and lunch on the sand.
Highlights
- Walk the Separated Sea sandbar at Thale Waek
- Snorkel over shallow coral at Chicken Island
- See the cave shrine at Phra Nang beach
- Swim and relax on Tup and Poda beaches
- Traditional longtail boat with a local crew
Full description
Thale Waek, the Separated Sea, is the reason this route exists. Twice a day the tide falls far enough to expose a pale spine of sand connecting three islands, and for an hour or two you can walk between them with water on both sides. It is a genuinely odd sight and one of the few things in Krabi that runs on a timetable set by the moon.
The rest of the day fills in around it. The boat calls at Chicken Island for snorkelling over shallow coral, at Tup and Poda for swimming and shade, and at Phra Nang, where a cave shrine sits at the base of the cliffs and fishermen still leave offerings.
Travel is by traditional longtail rather than speedboat, which keeps the pace slow and the noise down between stops. Lunch, snorkelling gear and hotel transfers are all part of the price.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Hotel pickup
Transfer from your hotel to the pier and briefing before boarding the longtail.
Chicken Island snorkelling
First snorkel stop over shallow reef in sheltered water.
Thale Waek sandbar
Walk the exposed sand ridge linking the islands while the tide is low.
Lunch on Poda Island
Lunch on the beach with free time to swim or rest in the shade.
Phra Nang Cave Beach
Visit the cave shrine and spend time on the beach beneath the cliffs.
Return to hotel
Longtail back to the pier and road transfer to your hotel.
Detailed Itinerary
Transfers begin around 08:30 and the longtail leaves the pier once the group has boarded. The first anchorage is beside Chicken Island, where the water is shallow enough that even hesitant swimmers can see fish without going far from the boat.
Late morning is timed for the tide at Thale Waek, when the sandbar between the islands emerges and you can walk from one to the next. The crew watch the tide tables closely, so the exact hour of this stop shifts through the month.
Lunch is served on Poda at about 12:15, followed by a long, easy stretch of beach time. Mid-afternoon the boat moves to Phra Nang for the cave shrine and a final swim before turning back towards the mainland at around 15:15.
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Longtail boat with local captain
- English-speaking guide
- Lunch
- Snorkelling equipment
- Drinking water and fruit
- Life jackets
- Insurance
Excludes
- National park entrance fee
- Towels
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities
- Personal spending
Important information
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in Ao Nang or Krabi Town, departure from Nopparat Thara pier
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 Separated Sea is the sandbar that appears at low tide linking Tup, Mor and Chicken Island, and walking out on it with water on both sides is genuinely strange. Our boatman timed the arrival to the tide so we got the full stretch. Twenty-one dollars for a seven-hour day is remarkable value.
Classic longtail day and none the worse for it. Four beaches, two snorkel stops and lunch served on the sand at Poda. The cave shrine at Phra Nang with all the wooden offerings under the cliff was the odd highlight.
Great price and a good route, but the boat was full at around thirty people so the beaches felt busy. Longtails also do not move quickly, so factor that in. The Separated Sea and the snorkelling were both excellent.
Snorkelling off Chicken Island had good coral close to the surface and the guide showed us where the clownfish were. Lunch was rice, chicken and fruit eaten sitting on the sand. Simple, cheap and a lovely day.
Booked last minute the night before and it was easy. Life jackets and snorkel gear included, national park fee paid separately at the pier. Chicken Island really does have that rock formation shaped like a head and neck.
Good day out for the money. Longtails are open so there is limited shade and we were quite sunburnt despite sunscreen. The sandbar walk at low tide is worth planning your date around.
Seven hours, four islands and never felt herded. The crew were relaxed about letting people stay longer where they liked it. Bring cash for drinks on the islands as the boat only carries water.