Krabi island hopping is the highlight of most trips to the province. From Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara, longtails and speedboats fan out to dozens of limestone islands: the 4 Islands near the coast, the lagoon of Hong Island to the north-west, and Phi Phi further out. Each tour is different in length, crowds and atmosphere.
This guide compares the main Krabi island hopping options side by side so you can pick the right one, then links to a detailed guide for each.
Quick pick: first trip or with kids → 4 Islands; scenery and calm → Hong Island; Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon → Phi Phi (long day); your own pace → a private longtail.
- Departs
- Ao Nang / Nopparat Thara
- Boats
- Longtail or speedboat
- Best season
- November–April
- Most popular
- 4 Islands
- Longest
- Phi Phi
Compare Krabi island tours
Longtail, speedboat and private options with reviews and free cancellation.
Krabi Island Hopping Tours Compared
| Tour | Duration | Crowds | Highlight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Islands | Half or full day | Busy | Tup sandbar, Phra Nang | Families, first-timers |
| Hong Island | Half or full day | Moderate | Hidden lagoon | Scenery, kayakers |
| Phi Phi | Full day | Very busy at Maya Bay | Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon | Big sights in one day |
| Private longtail | Your choice | Low (you pick times) | Flexibility | Couples, groups |
| Sunset & plankton | Afternoon–evening | Low | Sunset, glowing plankton | Couples |
Your choice of Krabi island hopping trip depends on time, budget and patience for crowds. If you can do two, combine the 4 Islands with Hong Island.
The 4 Islands Tour
Phra Nang Cave Beach, Chicken Island, Koh Tup and Koh Poda, all close to Ao Nang. Short crossings, calm water in season and a walkable sandbar at low tide. Full guide: 4 island tour Krabi.
Hong Island
A group of islands north-west of Ao Nang with a lagoon enclosed by cliffs, a white beach and a viewpoint. Quieter than the 4 Islands route. Full guide: Hong Island Krabi.
Phi Phi Day Trip
Speedboats from Ao Nang reach Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don for Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Bamboo Island. It is a long, busy day; staying overnight on Phi Phi is more relaxed. See the Phi Phi day trip guide and Phi Phi island hopping.
Private Longtail Charters
For Krabi island hopping on your own terms, charter a longtail from the booth on Ao Nang beach or book a private tour. You choose the islands, the time at each and when to leave, which means you can reach the sandbar or lagoon before the crowds. Agree the route and whether park fees are included before you go.
Longtail or Speedboat?
| Longtail | Speedboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Slow | Fast |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Range | Nearby islands | Further islands, combined routes |
| Comfort | Open, sun and spray | Seats, canopy, bumpier |
| Atmosphere | Traditional, relaxed | Efficient |
For short Krabi island hopping trips near Ao Nang, the longtail is part of the experience. For Phi Phi or combined routes, a speedboat is the practical choice.
Book a Krabi Island Hopping Tour
GetYourGuide listed around 20 options each for the 4 Islands and Hong Island on 13 November 2026, and more than 30 for Phi Phi day trips from Krabi. Compare group size, inclusions and pickup areas.
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When to Go Island Hopping
The dry season from November to April is the best time for Krabi island hopping: calm seas, clear water and daily departures. From May to October, the monsoon brings wind and waves; tours still run on good days but are often cancelled. Book with free cancellation and keep a spare day.
National park fees
Most islands lie in national parks that charge foreign visitors an entrance fee. Check whether your tour includes it.
Island Hopping Tips
- Leave early to beat crowds at Phra Nang, Tup and the Hong lagoon.
- Bring water shoes, a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen and cash.
- Ask about the tide: some sights depend on it.
- Do not feed fish or touch coral.
- Take motion-sickness tablets for speedboats.
For more ideas, see things to do in Krabi.
Other Islands Worth Knowing
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai
In Phang Nga Bay, between Krabi and Phuket, the Koh Yao islands are rural and quiet, with rubber plantations, fishing villages and views of the karst. Boats run from the Krabi coast. They are better for a stay than a quick hop.
Koh Jum and Koh Siboya
Between the mainland and Koh Lanta, these islands are known for long empty beaches and a slow pace. Ideal for a few days off the grid.
Koh Lanta
Further south, Lanta is a destination in itself, with its own island tours to Koh Rok and Koh Haa. See the Koh Lanta travel guide.
Plan Your Krabi Island Hopping Week
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Ao Nang, evening at the night market |
| 2 | 4 Islands tour |
| 3 | Railay by longtail, sunset there |
| 4 | Hong Island tour or kayak |
| 5 | Ferry to Phi Phi, two nights |
| 7 | Ferry to Koh Lanta |
This route uses Krabi island hopping day trips first, then moves on by ferry to the bigger islands, so you never backtrack.
Island Hopping with Children
Choose the 4 Islands on a calm morning, a longtail rather than a speedboat for younger children, and a tour with shade and lunch on the beach. Bring life jackets that fit if you have very small kids, and plenty of water.
Sustainable Island Hopping
- Choose operators that brief guests on reef etiquette and limit group sizes.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Take all rubbish back to the mainland.
- Stay out of closed or roped-off areas, which protect recovering reefs.
What a Krabi Island Hopping Day Looks Like
Most tours collect you from your hotel between 8 and 9 am and take you to the beach or the Nopparat Thara pier. Boats leave in waves, so the first islands can be busy around 10 am. You will usually spend 30 to 60 minutes at each stop, with snorkelling at one or two, and lunch on a beach. Half-day tours return around lunchtime; full-day tours by mid-afternoon. Sunset tours leave after lunch and return after dark.
What to bring
- Swimwear, towel and a change of clothes
- Hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen
- Water shoes
- Dry bag for phone and cash
- Motion-sickness tablets for speedboats
With these basics, Krabi island hopping is easy even for first-timers. If the weather turns, operators will usually move or refund your trip, so do not risk going out in rough seas.
Photo Tips
Shoot the Tup sandbar from the small viewpoint on the island, the Hong lagoon in the softer morning light, and Phra Nang’s cliffs from the water. Keep your camera in a dry bag between stops.
How to Choose an Operator
- Recent reviews mentioning punctuality and safety briefings
- Small group size or a cap on passengers
- Clear list of inclusions: pickup, lunch, snorkel gear, park fees
- Life jackets in all sizes
- Free cancellation for bad weather
Booking Krabi island hopping online lets you compare these at a glance. Booking at a stall on the beach can be cheaper in quiet months, but ask the same questions. Avoid operators who pressure you to go out when the sea is rough; good crews cancel when it is unsafe.
Finally, think about combining trips: a half-day 4 Islands tour in the morning and a sunset trip on another day give very different views of the same coast.
If Your Trip Is Cancelled
Cancellations happen when the sea is unsafe. Ask to move to another day or get a refund, and use the time for an inland tour, a cooking class or a longtail to Railay, which is sheltered on most days.
Krabi Island Hopping: FAQ
Which Krabi island hopping tour is best?
The 4 Islands for an easy first trip; Hong Island for scenery; Phi Phi for the big-name sights.
How much does Krabi island hopping cost?
Prices depend on the boat and inclusions; compare live listings and check whether park fees are included.
Can you island hop from Krabi on your own?
Yes, by chartering a longtail from Ao Nang beach.
Is Krabi island hopping good for kids?
Yes, especially the 4 Islands on a calm longtail day.
Sources: GetYourGuide listings and Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park (Wikipedia), checked on 13 November 2026.
Photos: kallerna (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Jason Hutchens (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Vladimir Pankratov (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Stefan Fussan (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons).
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and timetables quoted here were checked on 13 November 2026; they change by season and operator, so confirm when you book.