Day Tour from Phuket to 4 Islands in Krabi by Ferry & Speedboat

Krabi’s famous island scenery is the star here: pale sand, clear water, and limestone cliffs rising from the Andaman Sea. You begin with a large ferry from Phuket, then switch to a speedboat at Ao Nang for the more exciting part of the day. I like the chance to reach Chicken Island and Koh Poda without arranging separate transport, and I like that lunch, fruit, water, gear, and hotel transfers are included.

The main catch is time. A nine-hour tour can include roughly three to three and a half hours on ferries, with the actual island and swimming time making up the rest. The advertised four-island plan may also mean only three islands, since one stop is no longer open to tour groups.

Key points to know before booking

• The route starts with a long ferry ride: You travel from Rassada Pier in Phuket to Ao Nang before the speedboat portion begins.
• The usual island stops are Tup, Chicken, and Koh Poda: The fourth advertised island may not be accessible, so confirm the current route.
• Chicken Island is the main swimming and snorkeling stop: Equipment and life jackets are supplied.
• Lunch is included, but keep expectations modest: Halal and vegetarian meals can be requested, though vegetarian choices may be basic.
• The day can hold up to 45 people: Transfers and ferry boarding may feel less personal than a small private excursion.
• The $71.28 price is good for transport-heavy island hopping: It works best if you accept that reaching Krabi takes a large part of the day.

Why the Phuket to Krabi route takes so long

This is not a quick Phuket boat trip. It is a transport link from Phuket to Krabi with an island-hopping outing attached.

Pickup is offered from Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, and Chalong. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking, and it may be earlier than the stated 8:30 a.m. start. One pickup was reported as 25 minutes early, so I would be ready before the confirmed time rather than planning a last-minute breakfast.

From your hotel, you go to Rassada Pier near Phuket Town. The meeting point is Rassada Pier, 64, 423 Tha Rue Mai Road, in Rassada. At the pier, you meet the Ao Nang Travel & Tour crew and board the ferry to Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang.

The scheduled ferry ride takes about 90 minutes. In practice, the full ferry time can feel longer once boarding, waiting, and the return crossing are added. Some passengers found that ferry rides took close to two-thirds of the day, while others estimated about three and a half hours on ferries altogether.

That detail matters. If you want the shortest route to Krabi’s islands, stay in Ao Nang and book a local island trip there. If you are based in Phuket and have only one day to see Krabi’s coast, this tour saves you the work of arranging buses, ferries, and boats separately. You pay with time instead of extra planning.

Rassada Pier and the ferry crossing

The Rassada Pier portion is mainly a transfer. Expect about 30 minutes at the harbor for meeting the crew and organizing boarding.

The large ferry is practical rather than scenic in a postcard sense. It gives you a more stable ride across the Andaman Sea than a small speedboat, and it is the sensible way to cover the long stretch from Phuket to Ao Nang. Still, you are not spending this part of the day snorkeling or exploring a beach.

Communication at the ferry terminal is important. Directions can feel unclear when several boats, crews, and passengers are moving at once. Once you arrive, find the tour staff and confirm who is handling the next transfer. A little assertiveness here saves confusion.

Water and fruit are included, but carry a small personal supply if you prefer frequent drinks. You will spend much of the day in heat, sun, and wet clothing, and the ferry crossing is not the place to discover that you forgot snacks or dry clothes.

Switching to the speedboat at Ao Nang

At Nopparat Thara Pier, you change from the ferry to a speedboat. The scheduled transfer takes about 15 minutes, followed by the fast boat trip toward Tup Island.

This change is the point where the day starts to feel like a classic Krabi island trip. The speedboat gets close to shallow beaches and rocky shorelines that a large ferry cannot reach. It also brings the rougher, noisier part of the outing, especially when sea conditions are unsettled.

The group may include as many as 45 people. That is not an intimate boat charter. You should expect shared instructions, busy boarding moments, and a fixed schedule. The upside is price: at $71.28 per person, hotel transfers and the long Phuket to Krabi connection are bundled into one booking.

Safety depends heavily on conditions. The operator can change the route, reduce the number of islands, or cancel snorkeling if the weather is poor. That is frustrating if you planned around a particular beach, but it is the correct call on an open-water excursion.

Tup Island and the low-tide sandbar

Tup Island is the first island stop, with about 45 minutes to relax and walk across the sandbar when the tide is low.

The sandbar is the special feature. At the right tide, it links the small islets with a strip of sand, giving you a pleasant place to walk through shallow water and take photographs. At higher tide, that walk may not be possible, so the exact experience depends on sea conditions and timing.

This is a short stop. You will not have endless time to sit under a tree, explore every shoreline, and swim at leisure. Use the first few minutes to get oriented, then decide if you want photographs, a wade, or a quiet break.

Access can involve stepping from the boat near rocks or shallow water. Wear secure sandals or water shoes if you have them, and follow the crew’s instructions when getting on and off the boat. The route is not designed around long, paved paths or polished changing facilities.

Chicken Island for swimming and snorkeling

Chicken Island receives about 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. It is named for a distinctive rock formation that resembles a chicken’s head and neck, one of the memorable shapes along this coast.

This is the most active water stop. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and flotation gear. The water can be clear, and the island’s rocky setting gives the stop more visual interest than a simple beach break.

Do not assume the snorkeling time is guaranteed. In poor weather, the crew may cancel it for safety. Even in good conditions, the stop may feel brief if you want a long session in the water. Some schedules provide only about 30 minutes of actual snorkeling, with the balance spent swimming, boarding, or moving around the island.

The crew is one of the stronger parts of the experience. Tony and his team are specifically praised for helping people and keeping the day friendly. Other positive accounts also highlight a fun, safety-conscious crew. That does not erase the need to listen carefully, but it helps if you are nervous about speedboat boarding or unfamiliar water conditions.

Lunch on Chicken Island

Lunch is served at a beachside restaurant on Chicken Island and is included in the price. A Thai meal is provided, with Halal food available and other diets, including vegetarian meals, available if requested in advance.

The setting is the appealing part: you eat beside one of Krabi’s scenic islands rather than returning to a town restaurant. The meal is generally described as acceptable to good, with some praise for the lunch and some complaints that portions are basic or run short.

I would treat lunch as a convenient included meal, not a reason to book the tour. Vegetarian options may be less satisfying than expected, so make your request clearly when booking and bring a small backup snack if you need substantial food. The long ferry crossings, sun, and swimming can make a simple lunch feel rather small.

Water and fruit are supplied. Other drink choices may be limited, so bring extra money only if you expect to buy something locally, and do not count on a wide beverage menu.

Koh Poda, the day’s best beach break

Koh Poda gets about 90 minutes, the longest island stop. This is where you have the best chance to slow down after the ferry ride and earlier boat movements.

The beach offers white sand, clear water, and room for swimming, sunbathing, and photographs. The scenery is the reason to make this long trip from Phuket. Several positive accounts single out Koh Poda and Chicken Island as the most rewarding parts of the day.

Ninety minutes sounds generous, but it passes quickly once you walk off the boat, find a place to sit, swim, and prepare to leave. Some people would prefer more swimming time here and less time allocated to transport. That is a fair criticism, especially because Koh Poda is the kind of place where you want an unhurried afternoon.

Changing facilities and toilets can be basic. You may find them uncomfortable or inconvenient, particularly after swimming. Pack a lightweight cover-up, a plastic bag for wet clothes, and a towel. Do not expect the islands to provide the privacy or cleanliness of a hotel changing room.

The national park fee is separate. Adults pay THB 200 and children pay THB 100 for Hat Noppharat Thara, Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Keep cash available for this charge.

The missing fourth island and outdated stop information

The name suggests four islands, but the active route may cover only three: Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda.

One of the planned stops has reportedly restricted tour access since the pandemic. Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave have also appeared in outdated descriptions, although they are no longer part of the current program. That can create a real mismatch between what you expect and what you receive.

I would confirm the current route before paying, especially if the fourth island is the main reason you are interested. If you are happy with three beautiful stops and want the wider Phuket to Krabi connection, the tour can still work. If you specifically want Railay or Phra Nang Cave, book an experience that names those places as current stops.

Weather creates a second source of changes. On a rough day, you may visit fewer islands and skip snorkeling. The operator offers a new date or a full refund if bad weather cancels the whole experience, but a weather-related adjustment during the day will not necessarily produce a partial refund.

Is $71.28 good value?

At $71.28, the tour is priced as a budget-friendly way to see Krabi from a Phuket base. The price includes round-trip hotel transfers, ferry transport from Rassada Port, the speedboat island route, Thai lunch, drinking water, fruit, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, an English-speaking guide, and basic accident insurance.

That is a lot of separate logistics in one package. You avoid finding your own way to Rassada Pier, arranging the ferry to Ao Nang, locating a speedboat operator, buying lunch, and organizing the return trip.

The tradeoff is efficiency. You spend much of the day getting to and from the islands. A more expensive tour that starts in Krabi could give you more time on the water and less time sitting on a ferry. The budget price is strongest for someone staying in Phuket who wants a single organized day and accepts the long crossing.

The maximum group size of 45 also helps explain the cost. You receive a shared excursion, not a quiet private charter. If you value personal attention, flexible timing, and better food, paying more for a smaller boat from Krabi may be wiser.

What to pack for a more comfortable day

A few simple items can make this outing much easier:

• A swimsuit worn under your clothes
• A dry change of clothes and a plastic bag for wet items
• Sun protection and a hat
• Secure sandals or water shoes for rocky entries
• Extra snacks, especially if you prefer larger meals
• Some cash for the national park fee and possible purchases
• A phone pouch or other protection for photographs near the water

Toilets and changing areas may be limited, particularly on the islands. Plan around that instead of assuming you can change comfortably after every swim.

Pickup is offered from selected parts of Phuket, including Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, and Chalong. Remote hotels, private villas, and rentals may cost an additional THB 200 per person. Confirm your location and the pickup time before the morning of the tour.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you are staying in Phuket, have one free day, and want to see the classic Krabi islands without handling the transport yourself. It suits people who care most about scenery, swimming, photographs, and a helpful crew rather than long explanations at every stop.

It also works for budget-conscious couples, families, and solo visitors who prefer a structured day. Most people can participate, but the route includes ferry boarding, speedboat transfers, swimming, and getting on and off near beaches or rocks.

I would be cautious if you dislike long boat rides, need excellent changing facilities, want generous vegetarian meals, or expect a true four-island itinerary. The tour is also a weak choice if your only goal is snorkeling, since weather and schedule may leave you with less time in the water than expected.

Should you book the Phuket to Krabi island tour?

Book it if the convenience of a bundled Phuket to Krabi trip matters more than speed. The scenery around Chicken Island and Koh Poda can make the day worthwhile, and the friendly crew, included equipment, lunch, and transfers keep the planning simple.

Skip it if you can stay in Krabi or Ao Nang and take a local boat trip instead. You will likely spend less time commuting and more time enjoying the islands. Before booking, confirm that the current route includes the three stops you want, ask for vegetarian or Halal food in advance, and accept that bad weather can change the plan.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The activity starts at Rassada Pier, also called Rassada Harbour, at 64, 423 Tha Rue Mai Road in Rassada, Phuket. Hotel pickup is offered from selected Phuket areas.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m. Your exact hotel pickup time is confirmed by email after booking and may be earlier than 8:30 a.m.

Which Phuket areas offer hotel pickup?

Pickup is offered from Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, and Chalong. Remote locations, private villas, and rentals may require an additional THB 200 per person.

How do I reach the Krabi islands?

You first take a ferry from Rassada Port to Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang. You then change to a speedboat for the island stops.

Which islands are visited?

The planned stops are Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda Island. The advertised fourth island may not be accessible to tour groups, so confirm the current route before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included. Snorkeling may be canceled or reduced if weather and sea conditions are unsafe.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai lunch is included at a restaurant on Chicken Island. Halal food and other diets, including vegetarian meals, can be requested.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Drinking water and seasonal fruit are included. The meal and supplied refreshments may not be enough for everyone, so you may want to bring extra snacks.

Is the national park fee included?

No. Adults pay THB 200 and children pay THB 100 for the Hat Noppharat Thara, Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park entrance fee.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum capacity of 45 people. It is a shared group excursion rather than a private boat trip.