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In this article, we’re going to recommend the best boat tours in Krabi and show you exactly how to book them. We have included a variety of boat tours so you can pick the perfect style and experience for you, whether you are looking for a dreamy trip on an iconic longtail boat or you are hoping for a luxury cruise on a contemporary yacht. There really is something for everyone. Some tours are adventurous and prioritize stunning snorkeling spots; other tours are better for relaxing on the beach and enjoying amazing food and sunsets.
For each of the tours that we have recommended in this article, we have included direct booking links that take you through to Klook to make your planning as efficient as possible. We have also given you an idea of what is included in the tour and a rough idea of the price to help you compare different options. If you are looking for cheaper options, you can always use this article to give you an idea of tours that interest you and then book them directly with a local tour operator in Krabi. If you are able to barter, you can normally get a slightly lower price than the online price.
FULL GUIDE TO ISLAND HOPPING – Everything you need to know about Island Hopping in Krabi
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO KRABI – What are the best areas to stay in Krabi?
ONLY 3 DAYS TO EXPLORE KRABI? – Adventurous & action packed 3 day Krabi Itinerary
Why take a boat tour in Krabi?
Taking a boat tour in Krabi is one of the must-do activities in the area. Krabi really does have some of the most beautiful, unique, and iconic coastline in the world. You can visit paradise beaches with stunning caves surrounded by steep limestone cliffs and jungle-covered hills. There are lots of small pretty islets in Krabi bay. Many of the islands in Krabi Bay have a very unique structure and profile, such as the bizarre and unique Chicken Island with its chicken neck-shaped rock.
You can find plenty of coral reef with beautiful warm shallow waters for snorkeling. The ocean water around Krabi is generally pretty clear with visibility of 3 – 8m depending on the season. Boat tours in Krabi really do offer something for everyone. Some people take boat tours just to relax and chill out on a beautiful boat immersed in stunning scenery; other people are drawn to this area for the outstanding photography and videography. Some people take boat tours in Krabi for the nature and adventure.
One more thing. When you’re exploring Krabi we strongly recommend a trip to the Railay Beach area. This is a stunning spot. You can get to Railay from Ao Nang for 100baht each way on a shared longboat taxi – so this is a great value way to enjoy a longtail boat ride and see some stunning beaches. Find out more about How to get to Tonsai and Railay Beach (from Ao Nang).
Summary of the best boat tours in Krabi
Here are some of the BEST boat tours in Krabi listed in order of approximately increasing price.
| Boat Tour | Summary | Time | Rough price |
| 4 islands day tour | Iconic islands in the Krabi bay: Koh Poda, Chicken islands, Tub & Mor Island & Phra Nang cave beach. Fun & great for snorkeling. 200baht national park fees (£4 or $5). Book the 4 islands day tour on KLOOK | 8am – 3.30pm | £20 – £30 |
| 7 Islands & Plankton | Visit more islands in the Krabi Bay. Koh Ya Wa Sam, Koh Ma Tang Ming, Chicken Island, Tub & Mor island, Koh Poda & Koh Raeng. Also sunset, beach BBQ and glowing plankton. 200baht national park fees (£4 or $5). Book the 7 islands tour on KLOOK | 12pm – 7.30pm | £25 – £30 |
| Koh Hong Day tour | Day trip to the beautiful Hong Island – more tranquil area. Great snorkelling and longer boat ride. 300baht national park fees (£6 or $8). Book the Koh Hong Day Tour on KLOOK | 8am – 3pm | £25 – £35 |
| Krabi Sunset Yacht tour | Take a luxury yacht sunset tour of the Krabi bay. Chicken Island, Koh PodaThale Waek island, Koh Thap and Phra nang Cave Beach. Cocktails, beer, canapes and a Thai seafood dinner. 200baht national park fees (£4 or $5). Book the Krabi Sunset Yacht Tour on KLOOK | 2pm – 7pm | £35 – £50 |
| Phi Phi SpeedBoat | Explore in style with a speed boat tour. Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Ko Phi Phi Lee, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Ton Sai Beach and Bamboo Island. 400baht national park fees (£8 or $10). Book the Phi Phi Speedboat Tour on KLOOK | 8am – 4pm | £40 – £50 |
What is the best way to book boat tours in Krabi?
1 Book online in advance
There are two ways to book boat tours in Krabi. Firstly, you can book your tour online in advance. There are lots of different tour operators offering different trips and different prices. We have found Klook to be particularly good in this area; they have a great range of tours, and the prices are very competitive. In some cases, Klook tours may be cheaper than booking your trip locally.
Another advantage to booking online in advance is the fixed price. Many people don’t like the idea of negotiating or bartering for a fair price. If you book online, the price is fixed and standard. Booking your tour online also gives you additional customer service and transparency. You can check out the reviews and leave your own review. What’s more, if you only have a few days in Krabi, you may not have time to shop around for your tour locally, so it makes a lot more sense booking online in advance.
2 Book with a local tour operator in Krabi or Ao Nang
However, if you’re traveling on a budget and you are looking to get the cheapest possible boat tours in Krabi, we recommend waiting until you arrive. If you ask around, some of the local tour operators, you should be able to get excellent prices. When you have found a tour that you are happy with, you will need to pay the tour operator directly, and they will write out a receipt for you.
It can feel unnerving handing a lot of money over and only getting a receipt back; however, this is the standard way of booking tours through local travel agents. Make sure that you give the name of your hotel and leave your WhatsApp number with your tour operator, and they will confirm a pickup time. The process is generally very reliable and works well. Booking with a local tour operator is also a great way of supporting local businesses. So go local and everyone’s a winner!
EXAMPLE OF BOOKING LOCALLY: You can book the 4 island tour with a local tour agent for as little as 800baht (£16 or $20) including national park fees if you shop around and barter.
What should be included with a boat tour in Krabi?
It is important to recognize that different tours include different things. It is essential to check what is included before you book your tour. Many of the boat tours in Krabi include the following things as standard:
- Hotel pick up and drop off from Krabi town and Ao Nang Town
- Drinking water
- Lunch and fresh fruit (normally Thai buffet food)
- Snorkels and masks (swimming fins generally not included)
- Tour guide
Most tours will not include national park fees when you book. The national park fees depend on exactly which tour you are doing. They are likely to cost around 200 baht per person (£4 or $5). If you book directly with a local tour operator, you may be able to negotiate a price that includes the national park fees.
How do you prepare for a boat tour in Krabi?
There are a few things that you can do to make sure that you are fully prepared for your boat tour in Krabi:
- Have a good breakfast (plan for this if you have an early pick up time). Many of the boat tours include lunch but this may be late in the day. You don’t want to be heading out to remote islands with an empty tummy – so make sure you plan for a good breaky!
- Make sure you have a copy of your booking confirmation or your receipt to show it when you are picked up.
- Check your pick up time and take the phone number of your tour operator in case you have any problems.
- Check whether the national park fees are included in your booking; if not, bring sufficient cash to cover the national park fees and other snacks during the same. You may want to buy.
- Remember to consider sun protection; we recommend an SPF 50 rash guard and SPF 50 Sun cream. Don’t forget sunglasses.
- Bring swimming kit and a towel. You may also want a small plastic bag for wet clothes.
- Don’t forget to bring a water bottle and stay hydrated.
- If possible, bring a dry sack for valuables. Bags can easily get wet on the boat.
Disadvantages of boat tours in Krabi
Although we strongly recommend taking a boat tour in Krabi, it is important to be aware of some of the negatives and disadvantages of the boat tours in this area. Firstly, Krabi is a very popular and busy tourist destination. If you are researching boat tours in Krabi, you will probably see lots of pictures of tranquil islands and beautiful sunsets. The pictures may lead you to believe that you will have beautiful islands all to yourself.
In reality, the islands in this area are relatively busy, and the beaches can be fairly crowded, so don’t expect to have beaches or islands to yourself. Secondly, the diving and snorkeling in this area is very beautiful, but it is not as good as other destinations around Southeast Asia. Some other areas offer greater biodiversity, more coral reef, and higher water visibility (e.g. the Gili Islands, the Perhentian Islands, Tioman Island, Marbul & Sipadan).
