Day Tour from Phuket to 4 Islands in Krabi by Ferry & Speedboat

Krabi’s island scenery is the prize here: limestone karsts, pale beaches and clear water around Tup Island, Chicken Island and Koh Poda. I like that the trip combines a big ferry crossing with a smaller speedboat, and that lunch, fruit, water and snorkeling gear are included. The beach stops give you time to swim and relax, not just hop off for a photo.

I also like the hotel transfers from several Phuket areas, which save you the trouble of finding your own way to Rassada Pier. The trade-off is a long day with a lot of boat time. And despite the four-island name, the planned stops list three islands, so don’t book expecting four.

Key points

• Three named island stops: Tup Island, Chicken Island and Koh Poda are the listed destinations.
• A long crossing comes first: You travel from Phuket to Ao Nang by ferry before changing to a speedboat.
• Low tide can reveal a sandbar: Tup Island’s sandbar is walkable when conditions and tide allow.
• Lunch is included: The Thai meal is served on Chicken Island, with vegetarian and other dietary requests available in advance.
• Budget for a park fee: The listed national park charge is THB 200 per adult and THB 100 per child.
• The schedule can change: Weather may shorten the island visits or cancel snorkeling for safety.

The Phuket to Krabi crossing takes patience

This excursion is less a quick hop from Phuket to a nearby beach and more a full-day transfer to Krabi with island stops attached. You start with hotel pickup, meet the crew at Rassada Pier near Phuket Town, then take a ferry to Ao Nang. From there, a speedboat carries you to the islands.

That two-boat arrangement makes the trip possible without arranging your own transport to Krabi, but it uses a meaningful share of the day. The planned outbound ferry leg is about an hour and a half, followed by the speedboat ride. The return journey also includes a ferry, and the full trip can run longer than the stated nine hours. If your priority is maximum beach time, starting this island tour from Krabi would mean less time spent crossing from Phuket.

Pickup is offered from Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon and Chalong. The exact time is confirmed by email after booking, while the stated meeting time at Rassada Pier is 8:30 am. Be ready for the pickup details to matter: the day depends on getting to the pier, joining the correct group and transferring between boats. Some passengers have found the terminal handover confusing, so keep your confirmation handy and ask the crew if you are unsure where to go.

The maximum group size is 45. That is large enough for a busy shared outing, not a small private cruise. If a friendly guide makes the day for you, some departures have been led by Tony and his crew, who were praised for being helpful and attentive. But the guide’s name is not guaranteed, so treat that as a possibility rather than a promise.

Tup Island and the low-tide sandbar

Tup Island is the first listed stop after the speedboat leaves Nopparat Thara Pier. You get about 45 minutes here, with time to relax on the sand and, at low tide, walk across the sandbar. The tidal crossing is one of the trip’s most distinctive moments. It can connect the small islets with a strip of sand, giving you a very different view of the water and nearby coast.

The important phrase is at low tide. The sandbar is not something you can count on seeing in the same form at every time of day. Tide and conditions shape what is accessible, and the order or details of a stop can shift. Wear footwear you can manage around wet sand and water, and don’t assume every stop will offer the same kind of beach.

The time here is brief, so think of Tup as an opening taste rather than a long stay. You’ll want to move at the group’s pace and listen to the guide’s instructions about when to return to the boat. The company describes the tour as a guided island outing, but the amount of commentary and direction can vary. If you need clarity about timing or where to board, ask directly before wandering far from the group.

Chicken Island brings swimming, snorkeling and lunch

Chicken Island gets two separate blocks in the schedule: about 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, then an hour for lunch at a beachside restaurant. The island is known in the tour plan for its surrounding water and beach setting, and this is the main chance to use the provided mask, snorkel and life jacket. Snorkeling time can be limited, though. Conditions may curtail it, and one account of the trip described only around 30 minutes in the water.

Treat the equipment as a convenience, not a guarantee of a full snorkeling session. The crew may cancel snorkeling if weather or sea conditions make it unsafe. Bring a change of expectations as well as a swimsuit: the tour includes swimming opportunities, but safety decisions can alter the plan.

Lunch is included and is served on Chicken Island. Halal food is available, and vegetarian or other dietary needs can be requested. The meal has been described as basic, and portions or options may not satisfy everyone after a morning of boat travel and swimming. If you have a specific diet, make the request in advance, and consider bringing a small snack if you know you need more food than a standard tour lunch.

There may not be a comfortable place to change into dry clothes at the island stops. One account describes poor toilet and changing facilities, including an unpleasant ferry toilet. Pack a towel and a dry layer you can manage without relying on a proper changing room. It is a small bit of preparation that can make the long return much less uncomfortable.

Koh Poda gives you the longest beach break

Koh Poda is scheduled for about an hour and a half, the longest island stop. That gives you a better chance to swim, sunbathe or simply sit by the water than the shorter visits allow. The island’s white sand and clear water are central to the appeal of this trip, and the extra time here is welcome after the ferry crossing.

This is also a good place to slow down. You don’t need to treat every minute as an activity. If you have already snorkeled or waded at earlier stops, use the longer break to enjoy the scenery and let the day feel like a beach outing rather than a checklist.

Facilities are a practical weak point. Changing rooms may be limited, and clean toilets are not something to count on at the islands. The stops are in a national park setting, where facilities may be basic. Keep your belongings compact, take care getting on and off the boat, and follow the crew’s instructions around rocky or uneven boarding points.

The itinerary names Tup Island, Chicken Island and Koh Poda, which makes three island stops, not four. The tour title may set a different expectation, and the route can also change with access or conditions. Do not plan around seeing Railay Beach or Pranang Cave: those places are not part of the described current program.

What the price covers, and what it does not

At $71.28 per person, this is a fairly accessible way to see Krabi’s islands from a Phuket base. The price includes round-trip hotel transfers, the ferry between Rassada Port and Nopparat Thara Pier, the speedboat tour, Thai lunch, drinking water, fruit, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, an English-speaking guide and basic accident insurance. Bundling the long transfer with the island outing saves you from arranging separate transport and boat tickets.

The value depends on how you judge time. If you want the simplest way to sample Krabi while staying in Phuket, the included transport is useful. If you measure value by hours spent on sand or in the water, the long ferry legs make the day less efficient. You could spend roughly a third of the outing on ferry travel, and longer crossings have been reported. That is the main reason to consider a Krabi-based tour instead if you already have time there.

The national park fee is extra: THB 200 per adult and THB 100 per child. Pickup from remote Phuket locations or private villas and rentals costs an additional THB 200 per person. Factor both into your real budget rather than treating the advertised price as the final total.

Who should book this island day

I’d consider this tour if you are staying in Phuket, have a full day to spare and want to see Krabi’s beaches without planning the ferry and speedboat connections yourself. It suits people who value scenery, swimming and a guided group outing more than a polished, private experience. The strongest parts are the dramatic island setting, the longer break at Koh Poda and the chance to walk Tup Island’s sandbar when the tide allows.

It is less suitable if you dislike long boat rides, need reliable changing facilities or expect extensive snorkeling. The day can feel tiring, especially on the trip back, and weather can reduce the number of stops or cancel time in the water. Some trips have visited fewer islands than expected, so plan around the three named stops rather than counting on a fourth.

The 24-hour free-cancellation window offers some flexibility when plans change, but cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refundable. The tour also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The stated duration is about nine hours. Ferry travel takes up a substantial part of the day, and the return journey can run longer than expected.

Where does the tour start?

The ferry meeting point is Rassada Pier, also called Rassada Harbour, near Phuket Town. The stated meeting time is 8:30 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip hotel transfers are included for Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon and Chalong. Pickup from remote locations or private villas and rentals costs THB 200 per person.

Which islands are on the route?

The named stops are Tup Island, Chicken Island and Koh Poda. The itinerary describes three island stops, despite the tour’s four-island name.

How do you get from Phuket to the islands?

You take a ferry from Rassada Port to Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang, then switch to a speedboat for the island visits. The return includes a ferry trip back to Phuket.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai lunch is included and served on Chicken Island. Halal food is available, and vegetarian or other dietary requests can be made in advance.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included. Snorkeling may be canceled or reduced if weather conditions make it unsafe.

Are national park fees included in the price?

No. The listed fee is THB 200 per adult and THB 100 per child for Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

How many people can join the tour?

The stated maximum group size is 45 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants.