Snorkeling in Krabi: Bioluminescent Plankton & Island Hopping

Six island stops, a sandbank walk, reef snorkeling, and a night swim in glowing water

A full-day snorkeling tour in Krabi combines island hopping by longtail boat with an evening immersion in bioluminescent plankton. You snorkel at Chicken Island, Tub, Mohr, Poda and Ma Tang Ming, walk a natural sandbank at low tide, enjoy dinner and sunset on Railay Beach, then enter the water at night to watch thousands of tiny organisms light up around you. An experienced guide leads the group. All gear, meals and transfers from Krabi Town or Ao Nang are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Island hopping and bioluminescent swim

• Explore Chicken Island and swim
• Walk along sandbank at low tide
• Stroll sandbank to Tub Islands
• Snorkel in calm shallow waters
• Relax on Poda Island beach
• Dine at Railay Beach restaurant
• Swim among bioluminescent plankton

The experience

You start with pickup from your hotel in Krabi Town or Ao Nang and travel by longtail boat to Chicken Island, where you swim in shallow waters and photograph the island's distinctive rock formation. The boat then moves to Tub and Mohr, where a natural sandbank emerges at low tide: a path of sand surrounded by open water on both sides that you walk across before swimming in the calm shallows. Snorkeling stops follow at each island: small reef fish move through clear water, and the guide points out the underwater landscape. Poda Island offers time to rest on white sand and swim in turquoise water.

Late afternoon brings you to Railay Beach, where you eat a buffet dinner at a beachside restaurant and watch the sun drop toward the water. This is when the day shifts. After dark, you return to the boat and enter the water for the bioluminescent plankton swim. Millions of tiny organisms respond to movement, creating a blue-green glow that trails behind your hands and body as you move through the sea. The effect is strongest in the darkest water, away from shore lights. The guide stays with the group throughout, and life vests are available if you want them.

The tour runs five to six hours total and requires a minimum of ten participants to operate. Round-trip transfer from Krabi Town and Ao Nang is included. If you're staying in Klong Muang or Tub Kaek, an extra fee applies directly to the driver. National Park entry fees of 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child are paid on arrival. Tour times may shift by up to an hour earlier or later depending on weather and sea conditions.

What’s included

• An experienced guide fluent in English and Thai.
• snorkel mask and life vest.
• buffet dinner and drinking water.
• seasonal fruit.
• accident insurance and first aid kit.
• round-trip transfer from Krabi Town or Ao Nang.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

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?Pickup from Krabi Town or Ao Nang means you don't need a car or driver to reach the boat. The tour collects you and returns you to your hotel, so it works whether you're staying in town or at a nearby resort. The fixed schedule fits the full day into one departure, from morning island stops through the evening plankton swim.

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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 exactly happens when you snorkel among bioluminescent plankton?

Bioluminescent plankton are tiny organisms that glow blue-green when disturbed by movement. As you swim, your hands, body and fins create trails of light in the water around you, and the effect intensifies the darker the night and the farther from shore lights you venture. The glow is strongest during the night swim portion of this tour, after sunset.

How many islands do you actually visit and snorkel at?

You visit six islands: Chicken Island, Tub, Mohr, Poda, Ma Tang Ming and Khea Reux Bin. You snorkel at most of them, exploring shallow reefs and swimming in clear water. At Tub Island you also walk the natural sandbank that appears at low tide, a sandy path with water on both sides.

Is the sandbank walk something you do every day, or does it depend on the tide?

The sandbank connecting Tub Islands appears only at low tide, so it is not guaranteed on every departure. When conditions allow, you walk across this natural formation surrounded by open water. The guide confirms whether it will be accessible based on the day's tidal schedule.

What's included in the dinner on Railay Beach?

A buffet dinner is served at a beachside restaurant on Railay Beach, along with drinking water and seasonal fruit. You eat while watching the sunset before heading out for the night swim among the plankton.

Do you need your own snorkel gear, or is it provided?

Life vests and snorkel masks are provided as part of the tour. You do not need to bring your own gear, though you may use personal equipment if you prefer.

How long is the actual travel time by boat, and when does the tour end?

The full tour runs five to six hours from pickup to return. Most of that time is spent at the islands and in the water. The boat moves between stops throughout the day and evening. Times may shift by up to an hour earlier or later due to weather or sea conditions.