Snorkeling Hong Island: Bioluminescent Night Swim

Swim through glowing plankton under the stars after a day of coral reefs and hidden lagoons.

A guided snorkeling tour from Krabi to Hong Island, Pakbia Island and Lao Lading Island over six to seven hours, with longtail boat transport, a buffet dinner on the beach, and a night swim among bioluminescent plankton. You snorkel in crystal-clear waters among coral reefs and tropical fish, walk to a viewpoint for 360-degree island views, explore an emerald lagoon ringed by limestone cliffs, and finish by diving into the water at night to watch it shimmer with living light.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hong Island and bioluminescent swim

• Swim and snorkel at Hong Island
• Hike to Hong Island viewpoint
• Visit hidden lagoon for sightseeing
• Stroll sandbar and admire mushroom rock
• Enjoy buffet dinner at Lao Lading Island
• Swim among bioluminescent plankton

The experience

You have a free afternoon and evening in Krabi and want to pack the best of the islands into one trip without arranging transport yourself. This tour leaves from Ao Nang or Krabi Town with hotel pickup, and you travel by longtail boat across turquoise water framed by limestone cliffs. The boat stops at Hong Island first, where you wade into white sand and snorkel among vibrant coral reefs and schools of tropical fish in water so clear you see the bottom. A scenic walk up the island's viewpoint rewards you with a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding islands and the Andaman Sea.

The tour then moves to a hidden emerald lagoon enclosed by towering cliffs: a sightseeing moment where the water reflects the rock walls and the light shifts across the surface. At Pakbia Island, you walk across a unique sandbar that links it to a neighboring island, a formation that only appears at certain tides. By late afternoon you reach Lao Lading Island, where a curved beach sits tucked between dramatic limestone cliffs. Here you sit on the sand and eat a buffet dinner as the sun descends: grilled fish, vegetables, rice, and seasonal fruit, with vegetarian options available if you request them in advance.

As darkness falls, the boat takes you back into the water for the night swim. Bioluminescent plankton shimmer like stars when disturbed: each movement of your hand or body through the water leaves a trail of blue-green light. The effect is strongest on moonless nights and when the water is calmest, and the guide will time the swim to maximize what you see. You return to your hotel by around 10 or 11 p.m., depending on sea conditions and the exact timing of sunset that day.

What’s included

• Experienced tour guide in English and Thai.
• longtail boat transport to Hong Island, Pakbia Island and Lao Lading Island.
• life vest and snorkel mask.
• snorkeling in coral reefs and the hidden emerald lagoon.
• buffet dinner on the beach with vegetarian options available.
• bioluminescent plankton night swim.
• drinking water and seasonal fruit.
• accident insurance and first aid kit.
• complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off from Ao Nang and Krabi Town.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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 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 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Siam Scape Journeys

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and Thai, so you follow the commentary comfortably if either is your language. The fixed schedule (boat departures, dinner timing, and the night swim) means you don't coordinate with other travelers or decide when each stop happens. Everything is arranged, and you show up ready to go.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Thai.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 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 24 h before the start.

What's the water like for snorkeling at Hong Island?

The water is crystal-clear and shallow enough to see the sandy bottom and coral formations easily. You snorkel among vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful tropical fish, making it suitable for swimmers of all levels, including families with children from age four.

Do I need my own snorkel gear or is it provided?

Life vests and snorkel masks are provided as part of the tour. You don't need to bring your own equipment, though you're welcome to use your own mask if you prefer a better fit.

What exactly happens during the bioluminescent plankton swim?

At night, you swim in the water where bioluminescent plankton create a glowing effect when disturbed. Each movement (your hand, your body, the boat's wake) leaves a trail of shimmering blue-green light, like swimming through stars. The effect is strongest on darker nights and calmer water.

Is dinner included, and what if I'm vegetarian?

A buffet dinner is served on Lao Lading Island's beach and includes grilled fish, vegetables, rice and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian meals are available by request: mention it when you book.

What's included in the pickup from my hotel?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are complimentary from Ao Nang and Krabi Town. The tour also includes an experienced guide, accident insurance and a first aid kit, drinking water, and all snorkeling equipment.

Are there any costs on top of the tour price?

National Park entry fees of 300 THB per adult and 150 THB per child are paid directly to the park upon arrival. If your hotel is in Tub Kaek or Klong Muang, an extra pickup fee of 100 THB per person applies.