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

The main appeal here is the chance to reach Krabi’s famous four-island area from Phuket without arranging separate transport. You cross the Andaman Sea by ferry, switch to a speedboat at Ao Nang, then spend time around Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda.

I like the friendly crew, especially guide Tony, and I like that lunch, fruit, water, life jackets, and snorkeling gear are included. The scenery is the star: bright water, white sand, limestone cliffs, and the odd pleasure of walking across the sandbar at Tup Island when the tide is low.

The catch is simple: this is a long transport day. You may spend about two and a half hours each way reaching Krabi, and the advertised four-island route may operate as only three islands because one stop is no longer open to these tours.

The essential facts before you book

• A ferry and a speedboat make this a long-distance day trip: Most of the day is spent getting between Phuket and Krabi, not only on the islands.
• Tup Island offers the most unusual stop: At low tide, you can walk along the sandbar connecting the Tup Islets.
• Chicken Island is the main swim and snorkel stop: Expect about 50 minutes in the water, subject to weather and sea conditions.
• Koh Poda gives you the longest beach break: You have about 90 minutes for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.
• The advertised four islands may mean three: One island has reportedly restricted tour access since the pandemic, so confirm the current route before paying.
• The price includes more than a boat ride: At about $71.28, you get transfers, ferry travel, speedboat transport, lunch, fruit, water, equipment, a guide, and basic accident insurance.

A Phuket to Krabi day built around transport

This trip works best if you want to see Krabi’s islands but are staying in Phuket. It is not the quickest way to enjoy them. A direct Krabi island tour would give you more time on the water, but this package removes the need to arrange a transfer from Phuket to Ao Nang yourself.

Pickup is offered from Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, and Chalong. The exact pickup time arrives by email after booking, and it can be earlier than expected. One pickup was reported to be 25 minutes ahead of schedule, so be ready before the stated time.

The trip begins at Rassada Pier near Phuket Town, with an advertised start around 8:30 a.m. At the pier, you meet the crew of Ao Nang Travel & Tour before boarding the ferry. This first part is not a scenic speedboat ride. It is a practical ferry crossing that takes about 90 minutes, with additional time needed at the terminals.

At Ao Nang, you transfer to a speedboat at Nopparat Thara Pier. The change of boats is part of the appeal, since the speedboat gets you close to the islands and limestone formations, but the handoff can feel confusing if directions are not clear. Keep your booking details handy and listen for instructions from the crew.

The full outing is advertised at about nine hours, but some departures run longer. Traffic, ferry schedules, hotel drop-offs, and weather all affect the return. If you have an evening flight from Phuket, I would not use this tour on the same day.

Tup Island and the sandbar at low tide

Tup Island is the first proper island stop after the speedboat transfer. The planned stay is about 45 minutes, giving you time to sit on the sand, swim, or walk across the sandbar linking the Tup Islets when the tide allows.

The sandbar is the reason this stop feels different from a standard beach break. At low tide, you can wade between the small islands with water on both sides. At high tide, that walk may not be possible, so do not treat it as guaranteed.

Bring footwear that can handle rough or rocky patches. Getting in and out of the speedboat may involve uneven ground, and some island beaches are not easy for everyone to access. You also need to watch the time. This is a guided group trip, not a private beach picnic.

The national park entrance fee is separate from the tour price. Adults pay THB 200 and children pay THB 100. That fee applies to Hat Noppharat Thara and Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, the protected area connected with the island stops.

Chicken Island for swimming and snorkeling

Chicken Island is named for its distinctive rock formation, but the practical attraction is the water. The planned stop allows roughly 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, with equipment and life jackets supplied.

The snorkeling conditions depend heavily on the weather. On calm days, this can be one of the strongest parts of the outing, with clear water and time to take photographs. On rough days, the crew may shorten or cancel snorkeling for safety. One disrupted departure visited only two islands and dropped snorkeling altogether because of the sea conditions.

That flexibility is sensible, but it changes the value of the day. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, understand that it is weather dependent, not guaranteed. The crew has a duty to keep the boat safe, and the route can change at short notice.

You may find boarding and leaving the boat more awkward than expected. The islands can have rocky edges, and there are no polished marina platforms at every stop. Move carefully, follow the crew’s directions, and avoid carrying more than you need.

Lunch on Chicken Island

Lunch is served at a beachside restaurant on Chicken Island, with Thai food included. Halal meals and other diets, including vegetarian meals, can be requested in advance.

The meal is useful rather than a major feature of the day. Some departures have found the food basic or not quite filling enough after swimming and a long ferry ride. Vegetarian choices have also been described as limited, so make your dietary request before departure and consider carrying a small snack if you eat a lot after time in the water.

Water and seasonal fruit are included. The fruit is a welcome break in the heat, but drink options are limited. Water is the main beverage provided, including with lunch. That is fine for hydration, though you may want to buy another drink before leaving Phuket.

The planned lunch stop lasts about an hour. In practice, the amount of time you have to eat may be affected by group movement and the boat schedule. Do not expect a leisurely restaurant meal with lots of choice.

Koh Poda gives you the longest beach break

Koh Poda is scheduled for about 90 minutes, the longest island stop of the day. This is where you can slow down a little after the transfers, stretch out on the sand, swim, or take photographs of the water and limestone karsts.

The beach scenery is the strongest reason to accept the long journey from Phuket. Koh Poda has the classic Krabi look: pale sand, open sea, and tall rock formations rising offshore. Several departures have particularly enjoyed the time at Chicken Island and Koh Poda because the schedule allows more than a quick photo stop.

Facilities are basic. Changing rooms on Poda have been described as limited, and island toilets may not be clean or private. If you plan to swim, wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack a lightweight cover-up. A waterproof bag will also help keep your phone and dry clothing safe.

The itinerary says sunbathing and swimming at Poda, but the order and exact duration can change. Weather, tide, crowd levels, and boat timing all play a role.

The four-island name needs a careful reading

The tour is sold as a four-island trip, yet the current route may include only three islands. One stop has reportedly stopped accepting these tours since the Covid period. That means Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda may be the actual stops, rather than four separate islands.

This is important because the number of islands is part of the product name. If visiting four distinct islands is essential to you, ask the operator to confirm the current route before booking. Also note that older descriptions may mention Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave, but those stops are not part of the active program described here.

The route is better understood as a Krabi island sampler from Phuket, not a precise promise of four separate beach landings. The three active stops are attractive, but the distinction matters when comparing it with a direct Ao Nang tour.

What the $71.28 price really buys

At about $71.28 per person, the tour is priced as a budget-friendly way to combine Phuket transport and Krabi island hopping. You are not only paying for a boat trip. The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the ferry from Rassada Port, the speedboat from Ao Nang, lunch, fruit, drinking water, snorkeling gear, a life jacket, an English-speaking guide, and basic accident insurance.

That is reasonable value if you are staying in Phuket and want a single booking. A separate taxi, ferry, Ao Nang transfer, and island trip would take more planning and could cost more.

The tradeoff is efficiency. You may spend roughly three and a half to five hours on ferries and transfers, depending on the departure and return arrangements. Some of the return time is also spent waiting for shared vans to fill and dropping people at different hotels. If your priority is maximum beach time, paying more for a tour that starts in Krabi may be smarter.

Remote Phuket locations and private villas may carry an extra THB 200 per person for pickup. The national park charge is also extra, at THB 200 for adults and THB 100 for children.

Guides, group size, and day-to-day comfort

The maximum group size is 45 people. That is a sizable group, especially during the pier transfer and lunch, though the speedboat portion may feel more personal once everyone is on board.

The crew is one of the better reasons to choose this trip. Tony is specifically associated with helpful, attentive service, and the tour includes an English-speaking guide. Good crew support matters here because you change boats, move through several piers, climb in and out of the speedboat, and need clear instructions at every island.

Communication is not always as smooth as it should be. Be prepared to ask where to wait, which boat to board, and how long you have at each stop. The ferry terminal is the point where you are most likely to feel on your own if the group instructions are brief.

Most people can take part, but this is not a soft, effortless sightseeing day. You need to cope with ferry travel, speedboat boarding, heat, wet clothing, and basic island facilities. Anyone with limited mobility should ask the operator for current access details before booking.

Weather is not a footnote

This tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Once the trip is underway, the crew may also cut stops, cancel snorkeling, or change the route for safety.

That policy protects you, but it can be frustrating after a long ride from Phuket. The safest mindset is to treat the beaches and swimming as weather dependent rather than guaranteed. The islands are still scenic from the boat, but the tour is much better when the sea is calm.

The best practical approach is to avoid booking this on a day when you need a fixed return time. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start, but changes made inside that period are not accepted.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you are based in Phuket, have one free day, want to see Krabi’s famous islands, and prefer an organized package to planning several connections. It also suits you if a friendly crew, included equipment, and a reasonable price matter more than a perfectly efficient schedule.

I would skip it if you dislike long ferry rides, need reliable snorkeling, want quiet beaches, or have already arranged a stay in Krabi. A direct Ao Nang island trip should give you more time at the stops and less time in transit.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Rassada Pier, 64, 423 Tha Rue Mai Road, Rassada, Muang, Phuket. Hotel pickup is offered from Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, and Chalong.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting time is listed as 8:30 a.m. Hotel pickup times are confirmed by email after booking and may be earlier than the pier meeting time.

How do I get from Phuket to the islands?

You 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 included?

The route includes Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda. The tour is advertised as a four-island trip, but one island may no longer be open to these tours, so confirm the current route before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai lunch is included, with Halal and other dietary options available on request. Water and seasonal fruit are also provided.

Is the national park entrance fee included?

No. The adult fee is THB 200 per person, and the child fee is THB 100 per person.

Can I be picked up from a private villa or remote Phuket location?

Pickup from remote locations or private villas and rentals may cost an additional THB 200 per person.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If bad weather or an insufficient number of bookings cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour for convenience and scenery, not speed. The ferry ride makes Krabi possible from Phuket at a moderate price, and the reward is a day among beautiful beaches, clear water, limestone rock, Tup’s sandbar, and Koh Poda’s long beach break.

Go in with realistic expectations: the current route may include three islands, snorkeling depends on weather, facilities are basic, and the return can run late. If that tradeoff suits you, this is a useful budget bridge between Phuket and Krabi. If you want more water time and less waiting, stay in Krabi and take an island tour from Ao Nang instead.