Krabi Islands by Big Boat and Speedboat from Phuket

The best part of this day is the change of pace. You begin on a large boat from Phuket, switch to a faster boat near Krabi, then spend the afternoon among three small islands with white beaches and clear water. Tub Island’s sand connection is the star when the tide is low, while Chicken Island offers the main swim and snorkel stop.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that lunch, drinking water, fruit, snorkeling gear, a life jacket, insurance, and the national park fee are included. I also like the mix of transport: the big boat makes the long crossing less cramped, and the speedboat gets you around the islands efficiently.

The main catch is that the day is long, and the advertised island experience needs careful reading. This schedule visits Tub, Chicken, and Poda Islands, not Railay Beach or a cave, and Tub’s sandbank may be underwater at high tide. Basic changing and shower facilities are also a concern after swimming.

Key points to know before booking

• Tub Island depends on the tide: At low tide, you can walk across the narrow white sand link toward Koh Mor and Chicken Island. At high tide, this sight may not be available.
• The route visits three islands: The schedule lists Tub, Chicken, and Poda. Railay Beach and a cave are not part of this itinerary.
• Two boats make the journey: You travel from Phuket to Krabi by big boat, then change to a speedboat at Nopparat Thara Pier.
• Lunch is served at Chicken Island: Fruit and drinking water are also included, which helps during a hot day outdoors.
• The water time is short: Each main island stop lasts about one hour, so you will need to choose between swimming, snorkeling, walking, and relaxing.
• The group size is not the same on land and water: Land transport is limited to 15 people, while the watercraft can carry more, depending on the boat.

Leaving Phuket at 7:00 am

Your day begins with hotel pickup at about 7:00 am, followed by a transfer to Rassada Harbor. This is useful if you are staying in Phuket and do not want to arrange a taxi before sunrise, though the early start is part of the price of seeing Krabi in one day.

At 8:30 am, the big boat leaves Rassada Harbor for Nopparat Thara Pier. The crossing takes roughly two hours, with arrival scheduled for 10:30 am. That timing matters. You are not stepping straight from a Phuket hotel onto a speedboat for the islands. The first section is a longer boat transfer, followed by a change of vessel near Ao Nang.

The big boat is a sensible choice for this stretch. A larger boat generally gives you more room than a small speedboat, though the crossing still takes time. Bring sun protection and something light to cover your shoulders. The tour provides drinking water, but you may want extra personal supplies for a full day outside.

At Nopparat Thara Pier, you change to a speedboat. The stated water capacity is up to 35 people in a speedboat, while the land vehicle is limited to 15. So do not assume the whole day operates as a tiny private group. The precise boat used can vary, and the operator also lists larger longtail boats and June Bahtra boats as possible vessel types in its general transport information.

Tub Island and the tide-dependent sandbank

Tub Island is the first proper stop. The appeal is not a monument or museum. It is the pale sand strip that links Tub Island with nearby Koh Mor and Chicken Island when the tide is low.

At the right time, you can walk along this narrow connection with water on both sides. It is one of those simple natural scenes that makes the trip feel special, but it is entirely tide dependent. At high tide, the link is listed as unseen, so you may only experience the island as a beach and swimming stop.

The schedule allows about one hour here. That sounds generous until you account for getting off the boat, hearing instructions, walking the sand, taking photographs, and returning to the boat. If the sandbank is exposed, make that your first priority. You can swim or sit on the sand afterward if time allows.

The water around the islands can look inviting, but conditions change. The day includes a life jacket, and you should use it if you are not a confident swimmer or if the sea is unsettled. One person reported being stung by a jellyfish during a swim, so keep that possibility in mind. It is not a reason to avoid the water, but it is a good reason to follow the guide’s advice and pay attention while swimming.

Chicken Island for snorkeling and lunch

Chicken Island gets its name from the odd, chicken-shaped rock formation on its mountaintop. It is the most distinctive silhouette on this route, so keep an eye out for it as the boat approaches.

This stop combines swimming, snorkeling, and lunch. The tour supplies masks, snorkels, and life jackets, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. The water is described as clear, with coral reefs and fish visible in the swimming area. Conditions can vary, and the snorkeling window is limited, but this is the place to spend your active water time.

I would put your mask on early and listen closely to the guide’s instructions. With only about an hour scheduled, you will not have time to swim for long, eat a full meal, and explore every part of the beach. If snorkeling is your priority, get into the water before settling down for lunch.

Lunch is served at Chicken Island, with seasonal fresh fruit and drinking water included. That is practical rather than fancy, and it keeps you from having to buy a meal on the islands. The supplied information does not specify the menu, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or a restaurant-style meal.

The setting makes lunch worthwhile, but do not expect a quiet private picnic. This is a popular island route, and the water transport may hold more people than the land transfer. You should expect a shared beach stop, not a secluded meal.

Poda Island for beach time

Poda Island is the last island stop and the most straightforward beach break. Its white sand is suited to sunbathing, swimming, and sitting with your feet in the water. After the more active Tub and Chicken stops, Poda gives you room to slow down.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for a swim and a little beach time, but not enough for an unhurried afternoon. If you want photographs, take them soon after arriving. If you want to swim, do that before the final call to return to the boat.

The attraction is the setting itself: white sand, warm water, and a small-island atmosphere. The drawback is that three islands in one day means each stop is brief. You are sampling Krabi’s famous coast rather than spending a full morning or afternoon on any one beach.

The order also means Poda comes after lunch and snorkeling. That may suit you if you want a quiet final stop. If you prefer to spend the last hour in the water, remember that the return journey begins at 3:30 pm from Ao Nang Beach.

The return by big boat to Phuket

At 3:30 pm, you leave Ao Nang Beach by big boat. The return to Phuket is scheduled to take a little over two hours, with arrival at Phuket at about 5:45 pm, followed by the transfer back to your hotel.

This makes the tour closer to a full working day than a relaxed island outing. The advertised duration is about 10 hours, but the early pickup and evening hotel return can make the day feel longer, especially after sun, salt water, and boat travel.

The return on a big boat is a welcome change from spending the whole day on a speedboat. Still, you should plan around the fixed departure. Missing the boat after Poda would be a serious problem, so stay aware of the meeting instructions and allow time to walk back from the beach.

The port transfer deserves a little patience. One person had trouble finding the correct tour stand at the harbor because of a language barrier. You should arrive ready to confirm the operator and boat, and keep your booking confirmation available on your phone. The tour provides mobile tickets and confirmation at booking, which helps, but the port itself may not feel self-explanatory.

What the $154.64 price covers

At $154.64 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Krabi’s islands. The value comes from bundling several costs into one booking: hotel transfers, boat transport, a guide, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, fruit, drinking water, insurance, and the national park fee.

That package can make sense if you are staying in Phuket and want a single organized day. Independent arrangements would require you to sort out transport to the harbor, boat tickets, island access, food, and snorkeling gear. The convenience is especially useful for a first visit or for anyone who does not want to compare several local operators at the pier.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a long beach stay. You get roughly one hour at each island, plus a long return crossing. The tour is paying for access and transport across a wide area, not for a slow day on one beach.

I would also compare this route with the exact Krabi itinerary shown when you book. The schedule here clearly includes three islands. If you expected Railay Beach or a cave because of another description, confirm before paying. That distinction matters because Railay is a major reason many people choose a Krabi day trip.

Comfort, facilities, and what to pack

The supplied equipment covers the basics. You receive a mask, snorkel, and life jacket, and lunch and water are included. You should still bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, dry clothes, and a waterproof way to carry your phone.

Do not count on a proper shower after swimming. A specific problem with this experience is the lack of fresh water for washing off salt and the possible absence of a bathroom or changing place after the swim. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and pack a dry shirt or cover-up for the ride home.

A small waterproof bag is useful for keeping your phone, wallet, and dry clothes together. Keep valuables to a minimum. The tour information does not promise lockers or secure storage, so do not bring anything you would worry about leaving near the boat or beach.

The trip is suitable for most people, but it is still a water-based day with boat transfers, beach landings, and swimming. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare for both the longer big-boat crossings and the faster speedboat section. The tour provides insurance, but that does not replace sensible care in the water.

Who will enjoy this island route most

This trip suits you if you have limited time in Phuket and want to see several well-known Krabi beaches without arranging separate transport. Families can benefit from the hotel pickup, included meal, and supplied safety equipment, while confident swimmers will get the most from the snorkeling stop.

It also works for people who like variety. You move from a large boat to a speedboat, from a sandbank walk to reef snorkeling, and then to a beach break. The guides have been praised for being friendly, helpful, and good-humored, with one family describing the team as attentive throughout the day.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you dislike long transfers, need a private-feeling beach day, or want guaranteed access to the Tub sandbank. I would also choose another route if Railay Beach and the cave are essential to your plans. They are not listed in this schedule.

The mixed overall score of 3.2 from five ratings reflects the trade-off. The scenery and staff can be excellent, but organization at the harbor, limited facilities, short stops, and unclear expectations about the islands can affect the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a practical, all-in-one day from Phuket and your priorities are white sand, a short snorkeling session, and seeing Tub, Chicken, and Poda Islands. The included transfers and equipment save effort, and the friendly guide service can make the busy schedule easier to manage.

Skip it if you want Railay Beach, a cave, long uninterrupted beach time, or reliable shower and changing facilities. Before booking, check the tide for Tub Island and confirm that the three-island route matches what you want. If it does, pack light, wear your swimwear under your clothes, and treat the day as a scenic sampling trip rather than a leisurely island escape.

The cancellation terms are forgiving: you can cancel at least 24 hours before the 7:00 am start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and finish?

Hotel pickup starts at about 7:00 am. The tour is scheduled to arrive back in Phuket at 5:45 pm, followed by transfer to your hotel.

Which islands are included?

The scheduled stops are Tub Island, Chicken Island, and Poda Island. Tub Island’s sand link may not be visible at high tide.

Is Railay Beach included?

No. Railay Beach and a cave are not included in the stated itinerary. The route visits Tub, Chicken, and Poda Islands.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at Chicken Island. Seasonal fresh fruit and drinking water are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. Swimming and snorkeling take place around Chicken Island.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.