Krabi Islands by Big Boat and Speedboat from Phuket

This long day takes you from Phuket to three of Krabi’s most famous islands: Koh Tub, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda. The best moments are simple ones, walking the narrow sand link at low tide, swimming in clear water, and looking back at the strange rock shape that gives Chicken Island its name.

I like two things right away. Hotel pickup and drop-off remove the need to find a pier before sunrise, and the price includes lunch, fruit, water, snorkeling gear, a life jacket, insurance, and the national park fee. I also like the mixed transport plan: the big boat covers the long crossing, while the speedboat handles the island stops.

The main caution is the length and organization. You spend about two hours reaching the Krabi pier, then return on the big boat from Ao Nang. Some people have found the port confusing, and there is no promised shower or changing room after swimming. Also, this route covers three islands, not Railay Beach or a cave.

Key points to know before booking

• The sandbar depends on the tide: Koh Tub’s white sand connection to Koh Mor and Chicken Island can disappear completely at high tide.
• Three island stops make up the route: The scheduled visits are Koh Tub, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda.
• Chicken Island combines lunch and water time: You get about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.
• The journey uses two types of boat: A large boat handles the Phuket to Krabi crossing, followed by a speedboat between the islands.
• Basic costs are bundled in: Transfers, lunch, fruit, water, equipment, insurance, and park fees are included.
• The day is not designed for changing clothes comfortably: Plan to manage after swimming without relying on a shower or private changing area.

The 7 a.m. start from Phuket

The day begins with hotel pickup at about 7 a.m. You are taken to Rassada Harbor, Phuket’s departure point for the first boat. Pickup is one of the strongest practical features here, especially if you are unfamiliar with Phuket’s roads and piers.

At the harbor, allow time to find the correct stand and boat staff. The port can feel confusing, particularly if you do not speak Thai, and one past participant had trouble getting clear directions. Keep your booking confirmation on your phone, stay close to the tour staff, and ask where to wait before wandering around the pier.

The large boat leaves at approximately 8:30 a.m. for Nopparat Thara Pier near Ao Nang. The crossing takes about two hours. This is not a quick island hop from Phuket, so I would bring sun protection, water, and something to occupy you during the ride. Seasonal fruit and drinking water are included, but you may still want personal snacks if you like to graze during long transfers.

At about 10:30 a.m., you change to a speedboat. This is an important detail for anyone sensitive to motion. The big boat is used for the longer transfer, while the speedboat is used for the shorter island route. Conditions at sea can affect comfort, and the speedboat may feel lively when the water is rough.

The stated land transport limit is 15 people. Water transport can be larger, depending on the vessel: up to 35 on the speedboat, 12 on a longtail boat, or 50 on a June Bahtra. So do not assume that a small land group means a small boat group. The water portion may feel much less private.

Koh Tub and the tide-dependent sandbar

The first island stop is Koh Tub, also called Tup Island in some schedules. Its special feature is not a major building or attraction. It is the pale sand strip that appears between Koh Tub, Koh Mor, and Chicken Island when the tide is low.

When conditions are right, you can walk along this narrow stretch with water on both sides. It is an unusual little piece of geography and one of the most memorable parts of the route. The sandbar also gives you a chance to see the nearby islands from a low, open viewpoint rather than from a boat.

The catch is built into the experience: the sandbar is not guaranteed. At high tide, the connection is underwater, so the walk cannot happen. The schedule specifically notes this as an unseen feature during high tide. If walking the sandbar is your main reason for booking, check the expected tide before committing.

You get about one hour here. That is enough for a short walk, photographs, and a little beach time, but not enough for a slow exploration. Bring footwear that can handle wet sand and be ready to follow the group’s timing. The tour moves on to Chicken Island for the next stop.

Chicken Island, snorkeling, and lunch

Chicken Island is named for its odd mountaintop, which resembles a chicken’s head and neck when viewed from the right angle. The shape is the island’s calling card, but the water is the practical attraction. You can swim and use the supplied mask and snorkel around coral reefs, with fish in the shallows.

The snorkeling period is part of a roughly one-hour stop, and lunch is served here too. That makes the timing efficient but short. You are combining three activities: stepping ashore, eating, and getting into the water. I would not expect a long, relaxed snorkel session.

The tour supplies a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. Seasonal fruit and drinking water are also included. The national park fee is covered, so you do not need to budget a separate admission payment at the island.

Water conditions can change, and one person reported being stung by a jellyfish shortly after entering the water. That does not mean a sting will happen to you, but it is sensible to pay attention to the guide’s instructions and look at the water before swimming. If you are prone to sea irritation, pack any personal protection you normally use.

There is a practical weakness here. You may not have a shower after swimming, and there may not be a bathroom or proper place to change clothes. Bring a towel, wear swimwear under your day clothes, and pack a plastic bag for wet items. A light cover-up is more useful than a second full outfit.

Koh Poda for beach time

Koh Poda is the final island stop. Its appeal is straightforward: a white sandy beach, clear water, and room for swimming, sunbathing, and sitting on the shore. After the more specific attractions at Koh Tub and Chicken Island, Poda is the place to slow down.

You get about one hour. That is enough to swim and relax, but the clock will still matter. If you want a long beach afternoon, this tour will feel rushed. If you want a sample of Krabi’s famous island scenery without arranging several separate transfers, the short visit makes sense.

The water is described as clear and suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Still, the experience depends on the day’s sea conditions, tide, weather, and how many boats are visiting. I would treat the scenery as the main certainty and consider snorkeling a bonus rather than the entire reason to book.

Koh Poda is also a useful stop for people who do not want to spend every minute in the water. You can sit on the beach, take photographs, or simply enjoy the view. The tour provides a life jacket, but it does not promise a dedicated beach chair, changing room, or private facilities.

The 3:30 p.m. return by big boat

At about 3:30 p.m., you leave Ao Nang Beach by big boat for Phuket. The return trip takes roughly two hours and 15 minutes, with arrival in Phuket at about 5:45 p.m. Hotel transfer follows.

This makes the experience close to a full ten-hour day. The early start and late return are manageable, but you should not plan an important evening activity immediately afterward. Delays at sea, pier transfers, or road traffic could push the return later.

The return on a larger boat may be calmer than spending the whole day on a speedboat, though comfort depends on the vessel and sea conditions. I like the basic logic of the transport arrangement. A large boat is more practical for the long Phuket to Krabi crossing, and a speedboat is faster for reaching the islands. The trade-off is that you spend a fair part of the day in transit.

What the $154.64 price really covers

At $154.64 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. Its value comes from convenience and bundled costs rather than a long stay at each island.

Your price includes round-trip transfer, the big boat and speedboat portions, hotel pickup and drop-off, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, lunch, seasonal fruit, drinking water, a guide, insurance, and the national park fee. Those extras matter. Booking separate transport, boat tickets, equipment, food, and park entry would take more planning and could narrow the price gap.

The question is how much time you want on the islands. You receive about one hour at each main stop, while the long crossings consume several hours. I see this as a sampler tour. It gives you a broad look at Krabi’s popular island scenery in one day, but it is not a slow beach holiday.

The experience is a better value if you are staying in Phuket and want a single organized day with minimal planning. It is a weaker value if you are already based near Krabi, have several days available, or want a private boat and flexible timing.

What the route does not include

The scheduled route is three islands: Koh Tub, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda. It does not include Railay Beach or a cave. If you have seen advertising elsewhere that suggests four islands or includes Railay, confirm the exact route before booking.

That distinction matters because Railay is often the attraction people most want to see from the Krabi area. This tour’s appeal is the island trio and the boat journey, not a full survey of every famous Krabi stop.

You should also know that facilities are basic. The package includes water and lunch, but not gratuities. There is no stated provision for a shower or changing room. The tour is suitable for most people, but anyone who needs frequent access to facilities should consider that limitation carefully.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend the tour to you if you:

• Have only one free day from Phuket
• Want hotel pickup instead of arranging transport to a pier
• Like swimming, beach time, and short snorkeling sessions
• Prefer an organized schedule with food and equipment included
• Are comfortable with a long boat day and short island stops
• Want to see the Koh Tub sandbar if the tide allows it

I would hesitate if you want quiet beaches, a private boat, long snorkeling sessions, or a guaranteed visit to Railay. Families can take part, and most people can participate, but the lack of a guaranteed changing area is worth considering with young children.

The guide is included, and the group is supported by a tour operator throughout the day. The supplied information does not name individual guides, so you should not expect to book around a particular guide.

Practical packing advice

I would pack lightly but deliberately:

• Swimwear worn under quick-drying clothes
• A towel and a plastic bag for wet clothing
• Sun protection
• A phone case or waterproof pouch
• Personal snacks if you need food between included servings
• Motion-sickness medication if boat travel affects you
• Small cash for gratuities, which are optional

Keep your belongings compact. You will move between a large boat, a speedboat, beaches, and piers, and there may be little time to organize a large bag at each stop.

Check the tide if the Koh Tub sandbar matters to you. At high tide, the walk is unavailable. Also check the forecast before booking, since the day depends heavily on sea conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a convenient first look at Krabi’s islands from Phuket and accept that most stops last about an hour. The included transfers, lunch, equipment, park fee, and hotel pickup make the $154.64 easier to justify for a one-day visit.

Skip it if your priority is Railay Beach, a guaranteed sandbar walk, private facilities, or a relaxed pace. The route is long, the port process may be confusing, and the post-swim setup is basic.

The cancellation terms are reasonable: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 7 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted. For the right kind of day, this is a useful island sampler. Just book it for the three-island route actually scheduled, not for attractions it does not include.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup begins at about 7:00 a.m. You are then transferred to Rassada Harbor in Phuket.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours. The planned return to Phuket is around 5:45 p.m.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The scheduled stops are Koh Tub, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda.

Can I walk between the islands?

You can walk along the white sand connection between Koh Tub, Koh Mor, and Chicken Island when the tide is low. At high tide, the sand connection is not visible or walkable.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included.

Is lunch included?

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

Is Railay Beach included?

No. The scheduled route covers Koh Tub, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda. Railay Beach and a cave are not included in this route.