Need help planning your four islands tour in Krabi, Thailand? You’ve come to the right place!
The four island tour is one of the most popular activities in Krabi, and it’s easy to see why. You’ll be taken to deserted islands with pristine beaches, crystal clear water and unique rock formations.
On my last trip to Thailand we booked ourselves a private 4 islands long-tail boat tour, and it was one of the highlights of our trip to Krabi.
In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about this epic boat trip. Including information about the islands you will visit, what to do once there, the best tours, what to pack and more!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and start planning your perfect Krabi 4 Islands tour!
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About Krabi and the Four Islands
Island hopping in Krabi is super fun. One of the best ways to get involved in this adventure is to book yourself onto a tour of the four nearby islands just off the coast — arguably one of the popular tours in the area.
Named Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Koh Tub, and Koh Mor, these four little land masses are pieces of paradise, boasting pristine beaches, snorkelling spots galore and all the beautiful scenery you’d expect.
We were staying in Railay Beach, one of the most famous beaches in Thailand, but personally we found that the beaches of Four Islands were considerably prettier than Railay Beach.
The sand is whiter, the water is clearer and the surrounding nature is wilder, more untouched. They’re gorgeous islands, just waiting to be discovered!
Discover some of the most popular Krabi 4 Island tours below!
Four Islands Tour Overview
There are lots of companies that offer the chance to embark on the famed Krabi Four Islands tour. Most of these tours offer the same sorts of things, but sometimes in different orders and in slight variations.
All tours usually include pick-up and drop-off from your hotel, lunch, drinks on the boat and snorkelling equipment.
They might visit them in different orders, but on any four islands tour in Krabi, you’ll be guaranteed stops at the following spots in the Krabi Archipelago.
Koh Poda
This island, known for its stunning beaches and super clear water, lies just off the coast of Krabi. It’s actually the largest of the four islands and is a super dreamy spot to drop anchor and explore for a while.
The white sand beaches lapped by turquoise seas are the main draw here, but you can’t discount the vibrant coral reef teeming with life just offshore — don’t forget your snorkelling gear!
You won’t get high-end bars or development here, it’s just a rustic place to kick back and enjoy the scenery.
Koh Tub & Koh Mor
The twin islands of Koh Tub (also Koh Tup – or Tup Island and Tub Island in English) and Koh Mor are two tiny slivers of land linked by a sandbar.
Called Talay Waek, this cool sandbar only reveals itself properly at low tide and can actually be walked across by visitors on the four islands tour.
Koh Tub itself is surrounded by typically sparkling waters that brim with tropical fish and colourful corals, attracting tourists from around the world; Koh Mor is equally as stunning, but feels even more remote than its neighbour.
Chicken Island
Chicken Island (Koh Kai in Thai) may seem like a weird name, but it’s actually because this island boasts a cool rock formation shaped like a chicken.
Lying just south of Koh Poda, it is also connected by a sandbar to Koh Mor and Koh Tub, making these three islands almost like one connected landmass.
When the tide is low, you can walk the Y-shaped sandbar between all three. It’s a unique stop-off on the tour for this reason, but also it’s a chance to snap pics of the rock formation (obviously).
Koh Kai also has a few facilities, like toilets and a beach bar or two, so you can grab a snack to eat if you’re feeling peckish.
The Other Side of Chicken Island (and Koh Poda)
On the other side of Chicken Island, opposite to the shore where the sandbar connects, is where you’ll find the eponymous rock formation itself jutting out of the limestone cliffs.
You can also see smaller islets that dot the sea here, like Koh Khom, as well as some colourful marine life offshore.
Likewise, the other side of Koh Poda is a wilder, less crowded portion of the island known for its not-so-hidden but still not very busy Secret Beach.
Some tours will take you to these lesser-visited sides of each island.
Phra Nang Cave Beach
Part of Railay peninsula, right on the southern tip opposite Koh Rang Nok, lies Phra Nang cave beach. This scenic spot is a popular place for the four island tour to end.
It’s not just picturesque: The cave is actually home to a shrine dedicated to the deity Phra Nang, goddess of fertility, which is decorated with stone phalluses of different shapes and sizes.
Since there is now a line of buoys to prevent boats from docking on Phra Nang Cave Beach, I don’t think any of the tours stop at this beach. They just cruise past it to show you the cool rock formations.
The 7 Island Tour Krabi
As I mentioned earlier, every Krabi four island tour package varies from the next one, but they all go to the same places.
If you want to do something different, there’s actually a seven islands tour, which obviously includes stops at three extra islands, plus a BBQ dinner at sunset, which is pretty cool.
Beyond the classic Koh Poda, Koh Kai, Koh Tub and Koh Mor, the Seven Islands tour also includes stops at Koh Yawasam, Koh Tan Ming and Koe Raeng.
Here you’ll find slightly less people, as most travellers stick to the four islands tour, which will give you the opportunity to enjoy beautiful beaches and snorkelling spots all to yourself.
It’s a great option if you want an all-day activity. The four island boat tours usually only take up half a day, but if you’re ready to spend a whole day at sea, this is the tour for you!
Click here to book your Seven Islands tour in Krabi, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!
Best 4 Islands Krabi Tours
With so many different tours on offer it can be tricky to know which one to go for. I’ve selected a handful of the best and most popular ones online, so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
Just make sure to read reviews of these four island tours in Krabi, so you know exactly what to expect!
Krabi: 4 Islands Tour by Longtail Boat
This is the classic four island tour takes you to the four main islands by longtail boat. You’ll also stop off at the Phra Nang cave beach at Railay.
It’s a well organised tour that includes a Thai buffet lunch thrown in for the price. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable, plus you get a good amount of time at each location.
Click here to book your classic 4 Islands tour in Krabi by longtail boat, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!
Krabi: 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner and Snorkeling
Taking in not just four but seven islands in total, with this 7 islands tour you’ll be able to see the beauty of these tiny islets that scatter the coast around Krabi.
Not only will you get to touch down at these picturesque locales, but also be treated to a BBQ dinner on Koh Poda as the sun sets.
The day ends with a spectacular swim among bioluminescent plankton off the coast of Koh Raeng.
Click here to book your 7 Islands sunset tour in Krabi, or check out prices & availability for your chosen date below!
Krabi: Phi Phi Sunrise & 4 Islands by Speedboat with Lunch
The Phi Phi Islands may be quite far away, but you can get there thanks to a tour by a zippy speedboat.
This tour may start early (and it’s a long day), but it begins with a trip to Phi Phi for an incredible sunrise, and then whisks you to the famous four islands — via Maya Bay (famous as the location of The Beach).
It’s pricier than just doing a four islands tour, but that’s because you’re basically getting two trips in the same tour! A day trip to Phi Phi, and your classic 4 Islands tour in Krabi.
It’s a great option for those who have a tight Thailand itinerary, so that you can see more in less time. It also includes lunch in Phi Phi Don, plus pick-up and drop-off from your Krabi hotel.
Click here to book your Krabi 4 Islands + Phi Phi speedboat tour,or check out prices & availability below!
Krabi: 4 Islands Day Trip by Speedboat Including Lunch Box
While many of the tours of Krabi’s four islands take place on longtail boats, this tour one speeds things up by allowing you to jump aboard a speedboat.
I included this tour as I wanted to include a speedboat option, but to be entirely honest, I would suggest a long-tail boat tour over a speedboat one.
The four islands aren’t far from Railay Beach, so even with a long-tail boat, it won’t take long to reach them. Plus, you’ll have a more traditional Thai experience.
But if you have your heart set on a speedboat, then this tour is the best choice. You’ll travel in style to the four islands, and it also includes lunch on the beach.
Click here to book your Krabi 4 Islands speedboat tour,or check out prices & availability below!
Railay: 4 Islands Sunset & Night Snorkel Boat Tour
This option really adds value to the four island tour.
Beyond the classic four islands, this tour also includes Railay Beach, specifically Ao Nang, with its amazing diving spots to glimpse an array of underwater tropical life.
You’ll get to see a sunset and even do a spot of night snorkelling, to see bioluminescent plankton. An unforgettable experience.
Krabi: Private Long Tail Boat to the 4 Islands
If you want to keep things private, this private long-tail boat is a great option. Since I was travelling to Railay Beach with my family we opted for a private 4 Islands tour, and we couldn’t have made a better choice.
Having a private boat will give you more flexibility, allowing you to change the order of your stops from the classic tour, so as to visit each stop while the crowds are somewhere else.
Plus you’ll be able to spread out on the boat, and not be squished next to strangers. Like all the tours, it includes pick-up and drop-off, lunch and drinks.
Click here to book your private long tail boat tour to four islands!
Krabi: Private 4 Islands & Sunset Dinner Luxury Speedboat
If a private tour isn’t enough, and you really want to splurge, this is the tour for you. You’ll do all the usual four islands stops, but on a luxury speedboat all to yourself.
Plus, add to it dinner with sunset over the ocean, and you have a magical travel bucket list experience ready. It’s perfect for special occasions or groups of friends who can split the cost.
Click here to book your private luxury speedboat to 4 islands with sunset & dinner!
Our experience doing a 4 islands tour in Krabi
I was in Thailand with my parents and little sister, so we decided to opt for a private tour. It was the best decision we could have made, as it gave us more privacy and flexibility.
We didn’t book it until we arrived in Railay Beach, from one of the many tourist stands located on the main road of Railay Beach.
This was a bit risky, since we were there over New Years, and many of the boats were already booked out. However, since we were there for a week we had quite a lot of flexibility on dates.
If you’re not spending long in Krabi, it might be better if you book your 4 islands tour online beforehand. That way you don’t risk missing out, plus you’ll be able to see reviews from other travellers.
Our four islands tour was super smooth and enjoyable. We were picked up from Railay East Pier, and taken directly to the beautiful four islands.
We started with a long stop in Koh Poda, at a lovely white sandy beach with crystal clear water, before making our way to a snorkelling stop close to the sandbar of Koh Tub and Koh Mor.
In theory there is an entrance fee to the national park of the islands of Krabi, but our skipper was cheeky and told us that if we just snorkelled in the middle of the sea, without going to shore, we wouldn’t have to pay it.
We then sailed past Chicken Island, admiring the rock formations that give it its name. My favourite stop was actually the beach we visited on Koh Kai, as it had crystal clear water and we had it all to ourselves.
Our final stop was once again Koh Poda (or Poda Island), but on the back side in a little cove with only a couple other boats.
Overall it was a very enjoyable day, and one of the highlights of our Thailand itinerary. If you’re planning a Krabi itinerary, I highly suggest adding a four islands tour to it.
Where to stay for your Krabi Four Islands tour
In my opinion, the best place to stay in Krabi is Railay Beach, and more so if you plan to do the four islands tour. Railay Beach is a super chilled town, with one main street, lots of bars, restaurants and a laid-back vibe.
Plus, most of the tours that set off from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao will do a stop in Railay Beach to pick up other travellers, so you get to sleep more and start later if you stay in Railay Beach!
Here are the best places to stay in Railay Beach for every budget.
Budget: Railay Viewpoint Resort– This budget option is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main road, and it’s a great for those who want spacious rooms and a pool with view for an affordable price.
Click here to book your stay at Railay Viewpoint Resort!
Mid-range: Railay Princess Resort & Spa– This is where we stayed for a week and really enjoyed it. The property is clean, the rooms spacious, it offers a lovely breakfast buffet, has a great pool with view and is in an easy position close to East Railay Pier and the main street.
Click here to book your stay at Railay Princess Resort & Spa!
Luxury: Rayavadee– If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to do so! Located in Phra Nang Beach (the only hotel there) this luxury property offers gorgeous private villas nestled in nature.
Check out prices & availability at Rayavadee here!
What to pack for your 4 Island tour in Krabi
For a full breakdown of what you should pack for Thailand, check out my Thailand packing list. Here I just included a few essentials that you will need for your four islands boat trip.
Waterproof jacket – If you visit in rainy season, you’ll be glad to have one of these!
Fast drying towel – There’s a lot of swimming and lounging on beaches involved in these boat tours, so make sure to have one of these! I love these because they dry quickly and they don’t take up much space.
Power bank – You don’t want your phone to die on you just as you’re about to snap a gorgeous photo of the crystal clear water of Koh Poda!
Dry bag – To keep your valuables safe and dry from any rogue water splashes during your boat trip.
Final thoughts on doing a 4 Islands tour Krabi
There you have it, the ultimate guide to doing a Krabi four islands tour! Have you been to Krabi before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!
I’ve been to Thailand four times, and yet this was my first time visiting Krabi. I can confidently say it was one of my favourite places in Thailand, especially Railay Beach and its surroundings.
We spent a week in Railay Beach, and loved its chilled and laid-back atmosphere. Plus, the fact that from here you can go island hopping to gorgeous beaches is a great addition!
On previous trips to Thailand I visited other pristine beaches like Koh Lipe, the Surin Islands,Phi Phi Islands and Similan Islands, but I find that the four islands in Krabi beat them all.
They might not be as famous for scuba diving, but they’re still pretty beautiful, and the fact that they’re so close to shore (30 minutes by long-tail boat compared to the 2-hour speedboat required to get to the Similan Islands), makes them all the more appealing.
I hope you found this guide on the best four island tours in Krabi useful, and that it helps you choose the perfect tour for you! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below.
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