Longtail
The traditional southern boat, slower, open, and noisy. Cheaper by a few hundred baht, and It's the experience most people imagine when they think of Krabi.
7 Islands at sunset with dinner, Krabi
Seven stops, sunset dinner on Poda Island, and night snorkeling with bioluminescent plankton.
Check availability and pricePrices
From 1,100 THB, when booked in advance.
What varies between the options is the vessel, the travel time and the comfort at sea. Differences in route or departure point, if any, are noted with each option.
Important information:
- The national park entry fees are not included: 200 THB for an adult and 100 for a child, paid on site.
- The transfer is free from Ao Nang. From Klong Muang, Tab Kaek and Krabi Town, an extra 400 THB per direction.
- The bioluminescent plankton is A natural phenomenon, not a promise: It's stronger on nights without a full moon, and it happens on most departures but not all of them.
- Adult from age 11, child 4 to 10. Booking at least 24 hours in advance.
What's not included, and why it's important to know in advance
Two payments made separately
National park entry fees are not included, 200 THB for an adult and 100 for a child, and paid on site. This isn't unusual in Krabi, but it does surprise those who didn't know.
and the transfer is free only from Ao Nang. From Klong Muang, Tab Kaek and Krabi Town there's an extra charge of 400 THB per direction, meaning 800 round trip.
The practical meaning: Those staying outside Ao Nang need to add this to the calculation before comparing between tours. A tour that looks cheaper can end up more expensive because of the transfer alone.
It's also worth bringing cash for the park fee. It's paid on site and there isn't always another option there.
What you see, in order
Departure at 12:00 from Nopparat Thara, return to the hotel by 20:00
Hotel pickup around 12:00 and departure from the Nopparat Thara pier. The first stop is Phra Nang beach, and from there you start moving between the islands.
Koh Yawasam and Koh Tan Ming for snorkeling in the open sea, photos opposite Chicken Island, a walk on the sandbar connecting Koh Tap and Koh Mor, and then a longer stop on Poda Island.
On Poda Island, a buffet dinner is served during sunset. This is the long part of the tour, and it's also why it departs at noon and not in the morning.
The last stop, and it's the reason to go
Bioluminescent plankton at Koh Rang, after dark
After dark, you stop at Koh Rang for night snorkeling with Bioluminescent plankton. When you move your hand in the water, it lights up blue.
The glow depends on darkness and the water conditions, so it is stronger on nights without a full moon. This isn't a promise but a natural phenomenon, it happens on most departures but not all of them.
Return to the pier around 19:30 and to the hotel by 20:00.
Longtail or speedboat
The route, the meal and the stops are identical, the difference is only the boat
Speedboat
Gets between stops faster, meaning More time in the water and less time traveling. Better for those who get seasick or want fewer jolts.
What to bring for a day that ends in the dark
The tour returns at 20:00, and that changes what you pack
Dry clothes to change into
You go into the water twice, daytime snorkeling and night snorkeling. Returning to the hotel wet after dark is less pleasant than it sounds.
Reef-friendly sunscreen
Two snorkeling stops in the open sea, and the sun is strong until sunset.
Cash for the park fee
200 THB for an adult and 100 for a child, on site. There isn't always another payment option.
A layer for the evening
After sunset, wet, on a moving boat, cooler than expected in a tropical destination.
Gallery
Photo gallery
What's important to know in advance
Entry fees, pickup areas and ages
Park entry fee: not included
200 THB for an adult and 100 for a child, paid on site. It's a national park fee.
Free transfer from Ao Nang
Klong Muang, Tab Kaek and Krabi Town have An extra 400 THB per direction.
Ages
Adult from age 11 and up, child 4 to 10.
Booking 24 hours in advance
The tour departs every day, and booking is at least a day ahead.
The same seven stops, the difference is in the way between them
Both options do the same route and the same seven stops, depart at the same time and return at the same time. The difference is in the boat.
Longtail It's the traditional Thai boat, open, slower, and noisy. It sits low in the water and close to it, and that's a completely different experience from a closed boat. Between stops it takes longer, which means more time on the water and less time on the islands.
Speedboat It arrives faster, so more time is left at each stop. It's also more stable in choppy seas, and those prone to seasickness will feel the difference.
The recommendation depends on what you're looking for: Long-tail for those who want the traditional experience and aren't in a hurry, speedboat for those who want maximum time on the islands and minimum jolting.
The bioluminescent plankton, what you need to know in advance
It's a natural phenomenon, so it's not guaranteed
The last stop is the reason this tour departs at noon and not in the morning, and it's also the reason most people choose it. But it A natural phenomenon, not part of the program that can be guaranteed.
The plankton glows when the water is disturbed — a hand movement, a kick, a paddle. The more complete the darkness around, the more the glow stands out.
and that's why the moon matters. On nights close to a full moon, the natural light is strong and the glow is swallowed by it. On moonless nights it's strongest. Those with flexibility in dates can choose accordingly, and those without, should know that this happens on most departures but not all of them.
We're saying this in advance on purpose. It's better to go out with the right expectation than to be disappointed by something no one controls.
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Frequently asked questions
What to know before you book
How much does the tour cost?
By long-tail ฿1,100 and by speedboat ฿1,600. National park entry fees are not included, 200 THB for an adult and 100 for a child, on site.
What is the difference between a longtail and a speedboat?
The route, the meal and the stops are identical. Long-tail is the traditional boat, slower, open and cheaper; speedboat is faster between stops, meaning more time in the water and less travel.
Do you really see bioluminescent plankton?
On most departures, yes, at the last stop, Koh Rang, after dark. The glow depends on darkness and the water conditions and is stronger on nights without a full moon, so it is a natural phenomenon and not a promise.
Is the meal included?
Yes, buffet dinner on Poda Island during sunset, plus water, soft drinks and seasonal fruit.
What time do you depart and return?
Hotel pickup around 12:00, return to the pier at 19:30 and to the hotel by 20:00.
Is the transfer included?
From the Ao Nang area, yes. From Klong Muang, Tab Kaek and Krabi Town there's an extra charge of 400 THB Each way.
From what age?
Adult price from age 11, child price for ages 4 to 10.
Long-tail or speedboat, which is better?
The same seven stops and the same times. Long-tail is the traditional experience, slower and closer to the water. Speedboat arrives faster so more time is left at each stop, and it's more stable in choppy seas.
Is the bioluminescent plankton guaranteed?
No. It's a natural phenomenon that occurs on most departures but not all of them. It's stronger on nights without a full moon, because strong moonlight swallows the glow.
Why does the tour depart at 12:00 and not in the morning?
because its two main stops happen at the end — sunset dinner on Poda Island, and night snorkeling with the plankton after dark.
Are the park entry fees included?
No. 200 THB for an adult and 100 for a child, paid on site. It's worth bringing cash.
Is the transfer included from every hotel?
Free from Ao Nang. From Klong Muang, Tab Kaek and Krabi Town there's an extra charge of 400 THB per direction, meaning 800 round trip, and it's worth including this in price comparisons.
When do you return to the hotel?
until 20:00. The tour ends in the dark, so it's worth packing dry clothes and a layer for the evening.