Mangrove Boat Tour Krabi: Longtail through caves & wildlife

Drift through hidden mangrove canals and stand inside a cave carved between two mountains

A 3-hour mangrove tour in Krabi by traditional longtail boat with a local guide, starting from Chao Fah Pier. You cruise through narrow canals past monkeys and birds, visit Khao Khanab Nam Cave with its stalagmites and stalactites, and walk through Koh Klang fishing village to see rice fields and water buffalo. Lunch at a floating restaurant is available as an add-on. Life jacket and drinking water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mangrove forest and local village tour

• Meet at Chao Fah Pier
• Cruise through mangrove forest
• Enjoy lunch at floating restaurant
• Visit Khao Khanab Nam Cave
• Sightseeing at Koh Klang village
• Return to pier

The experience

What makes this tour work is the longtail boat itself: narrow enough to slip into the mangrove's tightest waterways where a bigger vessel can't go. You meet the boatman at Chao Fah Pier in Krabi Town and spend the first hour cruising through the forest, watching for the monkeys, birds and fish that live in the trees. The mangrove forest here covers 160 square kilometers and is protected as a wetland of international importance, which is why the wildlife is still abundant enough to spot regularly.

The cave comes next. Khao Khanab Nam sits between two limestone mountains and opens into a chamber with impressive stalagmites and stalactites. After that, you stop at a local floating restaurant on the Krabi River for lunch: fresh fish if you booked the seafood lunch option, or you can bring your own food. Then the boat takes you to Koh Klang, a small island just offshore where you walk through the fishing community, past rice fields and water buffalo, and watch a fish show at a local farm where you'll see puffer fish, catfish and crabs. The whole tour runs three hours from start to finish, with the afternoon departure starting at 2pm if you prefer a later slot.

What’s included

• Life jacket.
• drinking water.
• local guide in English or Thai.
• light lunch at a floating restaurant on the Krabi River (included only with the Seafood Lunch option).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except FridayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Thai

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Trip Store Krabi

Is this one for you?Book the Private Trip with Seafood Lunch if you want a meal built into the day. Choose the Private Mangrove Trip if you prefer to eat separately or bring your own food. Both options run the same 3-hour route and include the cave, the island and the wildlife, so the difference is only whether lunch happens on the boat's schedule or yours.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Thai.

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 24 h before the start.

Can I see monkeys and birds on the mangrove tour in Krabi?

Yes. The mangrove forest is home to monkeys, birds and fish, and the area is known among birdwatchers for rare species like the Masked Finfoot and Brown-winged Kingfisher. You'll spot wildlife throughout the narrow canals during the cruise.

What is Khao Khanab Nam Cave like?

Khao Khanab Nam is a limestone cave set between two mountains, with impressive stalagmites and stalactites inside. The boat takes you to the cave entrance as part of the tour route.

Is lunch included in the mangrove tour?

Lunch is included only if you book the Private Trip with Seafood Lunch option at checkout. The meal is served at a floating restaurant on the Krabi River and features fresh fish. The Private Mangrove Trip option does not include lunch.

How long is the mangrove tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs 3 hours. Morning departures meet at Chao Fah Pier at 8:45am for a 9am start. Afternoon departures begin at 2pm. Arrive at least 15 minutes early.

What do I need to bring or wear on the boat?

A life jacket is provided and included. Bring sun protection, wear clothes you don't mind getting wet, and wear shoes with grip for walking on the island. Drinking water is provided on the boat.

What is Koh Klang and what will I do there?

Koh Klang is a small island fishing community just offshore from Krabi. You walk through the village, see rice fields and water buffalo, and watch a fish show at a local farm where you can observe puffer fish, catfish, black kingfisher and crabs.