Snorkeling in Krabi: 7 Islands, Sunset & BBQ Dinner

Bioluminescent plankton light up the water after dark, a sight most snorkelers never see.

A full-afternoon island tour from Krabi aboard a traditional longtail boat, with two snorkeling stops, visits to Phra Nang Beach and a tidal sandbar, a beachside BBQ dinner, and an evening viewing of bioluminescent plankton. Hotel pickup in Ao Nang is included, as are snorkeling masks, life vests, and all meals. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours and operates with an English-speaking guide. Children from age 3 are welcome. Snorkeling sites may shift based on weather and sea conditions, and jellyfish seasons can affect water access.

Step-by-step itinerary

Krabi island tour with snorkeling and dinner

• Shuttle pick-up from hotel
• Travel to Ao Nam Mao Pier
• Check in and depart from pier
• Visit Phra Nang Beach for photos or landing
• Snorkel at limestone island
• Snorkel at first snorkeling site
• Snorkel at Secret Beach on Poda Island
• Walk across sandbar at low tide
• Relax and enjoy BBQ dinner on beach
• View bioluminescent plankton at night
• Return to pier
• Shuttle return to hotel

The experience

You get picked up from your Ao Nang hotel in the morning and driven to Ao Nam Mao Pier, where a traditional Thai longtail boat waits. The boat heads first to Phra Nang Beach on the Railay Peninsula: a strip of sand backed by limestone cliffs where you can swim and take photos. Depending on tides and weather, you may land on the beach itself or view it from the water. Either way, the setting is the draw here.

The snorkeling happens at two sites chosen on the day based on conditions. The first is a limestone island where you'll see vibrant coral and schools of fish in clear water. The second, Secret Beach on Poda Island, is known for its visibility and the density of marine life around the reefs. Both spots are shallow enough to explore comfortably, and the boat crew provides masks and life vests. Between swims, you'll pass a sandbar that emerges at low tide: a temporary bridge linking two islands that you can walk across if the timing works.

Late afternoon, the boat anchors at a beach where the crew sets up a BBQ dinner. You eat on the sand with the water in front of you, and the meal is included in the price. As the sun drops, the boat heads to a bioluminescent plankton site. When conditions are right, clearer on moonless nights, the water glows blue-green as you move through it, a natural light show that depends on the season and lunar phase. The return journey takes you back to the pier and then to your hotel, ending a day that runs from mid-morning into evening.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport from Ao Nang.
• snorkeling masks and life vests.
• two snorkeling stops with marine life viewing.
• visits to Phra Nang Beach and the tidal sandbar.
• beachside BBQ dinner.
• seasonal fruit and bottled water throughout the day.
• evening bioluminescent plankton viewing.
• insurance coverage.
• English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 00:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Railay Local Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day of snorkeling across multiple islands with a beach BBQ dinner and sunset included. Everything departs and returns from your hotel, so you stay in one place while the boat handles the movement.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What are the two snorkeling sites like, and can I choose which one I want to visit?

The two snorkeling sites are selected on the day of the tour based on weather, sea currents, and water conditions, so you don't choose them in advance. The first is a limestone island with vibrant coral and colorful fish. The second, Secret Beach on Poda Island, is prized for crystal-clear water and dense marine life around the reefs. Both offer good visibility and are suitable for snorkelers of moderate fitness. The boat crew will brief you on conditions before you enter the water.

Will I definitely see bioluminescent plankton, or does it depend on the night?

Bioluminescent plankton viewing depends on moon phase and seasonal conditions. The brightness of the glow varies. It is most vivid on moonless nights and less visible when the moon is full. The tour includes a stop at a plankton site, but the intensity of the light show is not guaranteed and changes with the lunar cycle and time of year.

What's included in the BBQ dinner, and where do we eat it?

The BBQ dinner is included and served on the beach in the late afternoon. The meal is cooked on-site by the crew, and you eat on the sand with the water in front of you. Seasonal fruit and bottled water are also provided throughout the day.

How does hotel pickup work, and what time will I be collected?

Complimentary shuttle service picks you up from your hotel in Ao Nang and nearby areas. The exact pickup time depends on how far your accommodation is from the main collection points. The crew will confirm the time when you provide your hotel name at booking. You'll be returned to your hotel at the end of the tour.

What happens if the weather is bad or jellyfish are in the water?

Snorkeling sites may change based on weather, sea currents, and water levels, and the boat captain and guide choose the safest spots on the day. During seasons when jellyfish are abundant and pose a risk, snorkeling activities may be cancelled without prior notice to ensure everyone's safety. The decision is made on the morning of the trip.