The 4 island tour Krabi names, plainly: Phra Nang Cave Beach (Railay), Chicken Island (Koh Kai), Tup Island (with Koh Mor) and Poda Island (Koh Poda).
- Three are true islands; Phra Nang is a mainland beach reached only by boat.
- All sit 15–25 minutes by boat from Ao Nang.
- Order changes daily with the tide.
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The 4 island tour Krabi names are Phra Nang Cave Beach, Chicken Island (Koh Kai), Tup Island (Koh Tup, tied to Koh Mor by a sandbar) and Poda Island (Koh Poda). Three are proper islands inside a national park. Phra Nang isn't; it's a mainland beach on the Railay peninsula you can only reach by boat. All four sit 15–25 minutes by boat from Ao Nang.
Introduction to the Krabi 4 Island Tour
Overview of the Krabi 4 Island Tour
The Krabi 4 Island Tour is one loop, one day, four famous stops off Ao Nang. Ao Nang's the main beach town. Noppharat Thara Beach runs west of it, and the pier at the far end is where most tour boats load. Stand on that beach and Poda and Chicken Island are right there on the horizon, which tells you how short the crossings are.
Why care about either? Logistics. Ao Nang hotels get free pickup and the shortest ride. Noppharat Thara has the pier, the ticket desks and the national park headquarters, so that's where you meet the boat and, often, where you hand over the park fee. Directions are in the starting point guide.
Islands Included in the Tour
Names of the Islands on the Tour
Every stop has a Thai name and an English one, which is why the listings look like a mess. This table untangles it:
| English name | Thai name(s) | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Phra Nang Cave Beach | Hat Tham Phra Nang | Princess Cave shrine, cliffs |
| Chicken Island | Koh Kai, Koh Poda Nok | Chicken-head rock, reef snorkeling |
| Tup Island | Koh Tup, Koh Tub, Koh Thap | Talay Waek sandbar with Koh Mor |
| Mor Island | Koh Mor | Tiny islet at the end of the sandbar |
| Poda Island | Koh Poda, Koh Poda Nai | Long beach, sea stack, lunch stop |
Poda Island
Poda Island is the biggest of the four and usually where you eat lunch. Long white-sand beach, palms and casuarina trees behind it, a small restaurant, toilets, a park ranger station. Off the beach a slim limestone sea stack stands in the shallows, and on a calm day the water around it goes glass-clear. Most tours give you 90 minutes or more here. Not enough, if you ask me.
Tup Island and Mor Island
Tup Island's often first, because the tour times it for low tide. It's two little islets, Koh Tup and Koh Mor, joined by the Talay Waek sandbar. Water drops, a ribbon of white sand appears, and you walk from one to the other with sea either side. Water rises, and within an hour it's gone.
Chicken Island
Chicken Island gets its name from that pinnacle, a rock shaped like a chicken’s head on a long neck. Best snorkeling on the route, too, over a 3–5 metre reef on the sheltered side. Some boats land on its little beach as well. The viewpoint and the reef get the full treatment in the Chicken Island Krabi guide.
Phra Nang Cave Beach
Phra Nang Cave Beach is often the last stop. Southern tip of the Railay peninsula, huge overhanging cliffs above. Inside is the Princess Cave, a shrine to a sea goddess where fishermen leave carved wooden phalluses as fertility offerings (yes, really). Fine sand, easy swimming, a superb view of the sea stack offshore. In high season it's also the busiest stop of the day, and you feel it.
Tour Logistics and Transportation
Transportation Used in the Tour
Traditionally the 4 Island Tour goes by longtail. That's a narrow wooden hull, often painted and draped with ribbons for luck, pushed along by a car or truck engine on a long propeller shaft that the boatman swings to steer. Noisy. Splashy. Huge fun on a calm morning, less so into a headwind.
Why longtails suit island tours, in three reasons:
- They draw very little water, so they run straight up onto the beach.
- They carry 8–12 people, which keeps groups small.
- They cost less than speedboats — shared seats start around ฿599.
Speedboats run the same route, just quicker. Compare the two on the longtail and speedboat pages.
Activities and Experiences on the Islands
Activities Available on Each Island
| Island | Snorkeling and swimming | Caves and rocks | Beach time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poda Island | Swimming, light snorkeling | Sea stack photos | Longest stop, shade trees |
| Tup Island | Wading, shallow swimming | Rocky islets, macaques | The sandbar walk |
| Chicken Island | Best reef snorkeling | Chicken-head pinnacle, arch | Small beach |
| Phra Nang Cave Beach | Easy swimming | Princess Cave, overhangs | Busy, beautiful sand |
Doing nothing is part of the plan. Nothing on these islands needs rushing, and honestly the best moment of the day is usually lying in the shallows at Poda after lunch.
Tour Operators and Costs
Tour Operators Offering the Krabi 4 Island Tour
Dozens of Ao Nang companies sell the Krabi 4 Island Tour, and a lot of them resell the same boats. Krabi Blue Marine Tour does the classic longtail version: out from Noppharat Thara Beach, Tup Island first, Phra Nang Cave Beach last. Others flip the order. Some throw in an extra snorkel stop.
Comparing operators? Look at:
- Boat type — longtail, speedboat, or private charter.
- Group size — 12 on a longtail, up to about 25 on a speedboat.
- Inclusions — lunch, fruit, water, guide, snorkel gear, insurance.
- Packages — some bundle the tour with Phi Phi, Hong Islands or a sunset dinner.
Cost of the Krabi 4 Island Tour
In 2026 the Krabi 4 Island Tour costs ฿599–฿1,000 per adult by shared longtail and ฿749–฿1,200 by speedboat. Speedboats, sunset add-ons and a far-off hotel push it up; the rainy season pulls it down. Easiest deal: check online the day before, or wave an online price at a stand and ask them to beat it. Then add the national park fee, usually ฿200 per adult. Full breakdown in the price guide.
Planning Your Visit
Best Time to Take the Tour
Best time to take the tour: December to March, calm seas, clearest water. November and April come close and are a touch less crowded. May to October is rainy season. Tours run most days but some get cancelled, and the water's murkier.
Crowds peak from mid-December to February and around Thai holidays. An early bird departure gets you out there ahead of the day boats.
Duration of the Krabi 4 Island Tour
With hotel transfers the Krabi 4 Island Tour lasts about 7–8 hours. Roughly 30–45 minutes at Phra Nang and at Chicken Island, 45–60 at the Tup sandbar, 90–120 at Poda. Tides, weather and that one family who's always late can squeeze or stretch all of it. More in timings and duration.
FAQ
What is the best 4 island tour in Krabi?
The best 4 island tour in Krabi is an early bird speedboat for most travellers, or a private longtail if there are four or more of you. Either one beats the midday crowds.
What are the names of the four islands in Krabi?
The names of the four islands in Krabi’s 4 island tour are Poda Island (Koh Poda), Chicken Island (Koh Kai), Tup Island (Koh Tup, plus Koh Mor), and Phra Nang Cave Beach, which is technically on the Railay peninsula.
Is the 4 island tour worth it?
Yes, the 4 island tour is worth it: easy snorkeling, the sandbar walk, four beaches, one cheap day. Just go early. Crowds.
How can I book a 4-island tour in Krabi?
To book a 4-island tour in Krabi, reserve online with an Ao Nang operator or on Klook 1–3 days ahead. Or buy at a tour stand in Ao Nang the evening before. Either way, confirm pickup, lunch and the park fee. The booking guide has more.