Krabi 4 Islands Tour by Longtail Boat: Tup & Phra Nang Beach

Summary

Explore Krabi’s Four Islands by Traditional Boat

You’ll hop between Krabi’s famous islands by longtail boat—snorkel clear waters, walk across Tup Island’s sandbar at low tide, visit Phra Nang Beach’s spirit cave, and relax on quiet beaches with an easygoing local crew.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the salty breeze as we climbed onto the longtail boat at Ao Nang. Our guide, Lek, handed out masks and fins—he cracked a joke about “chicken island” looking more like a dinosaur if you squint. The water was that clear blue-green you see on postcards, but here it’s real. We passed local fishermen waving from their small boats, and the engine’s hum mixed with the sound of gulls overhead.

Phra Nang Beach came up fast—a strip of soft sand tucked beneath tall limestone cliffs. There’s this old spirit house in a cave at one end; locals leave garlands and incense for good luck. You’ll probably smell the smoke before you spot it. Some folks tried rock climbing right off the beach (I stuck to watching). It gets busy around late morning, so we arrived early enough to have space for ourselves.

Next was Chicken Island—honestly, it does look like a chicken’s head poking out of the sea. Lek pointed out where the coral starts just off the shore; we slipped into the water and spotted parrotfish darting around. The current can pick up after noon, so snorkeling earlier is best.

Tup Island is something else when the tide goes out. A sandbar appears and suddenly you’re walking between two islands with water on both sides—barefoot in warm sand, tiny crabs scuttling past your toes. It’s one of those “is this real?” moments. We had lunch right there—rice, fried chicken, fruit—nothing fancy but it hit the spot after swimming.

We wrapped up at another quiet beach—white sand that feels almost powdery underfoot. Some people stretched out in the shade; others just floated in shallow water with schools of tiny fish brushing past their ankles. By mid-afternoon, clouds started rolling in (typical for this coast), so we packed up and headed back before any rain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Four Islands Tour from Krabi

• Visit Phra Nang Beach (rock climbing, spirit house)
• Explore Chicken Island (chicken head shape)
• Visit Tup Island (sand connects islands at low tide)
• Relax on white sandy beach

Top questions

Is snorkeling equipment provided or do I need to bring my own?

No need to bring your own gear—we provide masks and fins for everyone on board.

Are transfers included from my hotel in Krabi?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for most areas around Krabi town and Ao Nang.

I’m traveling with an infant—is this tour suitable?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap during boat rides for safety reasons.

What if I have dietary restrictions for lunch?

Please let us know ahead of time—we can usually arrange vegetarian or other simple meal options.

Is this tour okay for someone who isn’t a strong swimmer?

The beaches are shallow near shore and life jackets are available; our guides keep an eye out for everyone’s safety.

What’s included

Your day covers everything: snorkeling gear (mask & fins), lunch on the beach, soft drinks and water throughout, national park entry fees taken care of, plus roundtrip hotel transfers. An experienced English-speaking guide leads every step—and accidental insurance is included too.