The 4 island tour Krabi starting point is Nopparat Thara Pier, 2–3 km west of Ao Nang’s main beach. Some longtails just leave from Ao Nang Beach.
- Pickup from Ao Nang is usually free; Krabi Town ~฿100.
- Arrive 30 minutes before departure to pay the park fee.
- Railay guests get collected by boat.
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The 4 island tour Krabi starting point is Nopparat Thara Pier, at the western end of Nopparat Thara Beach, about 2–3 km from central Ao Nang. Speedboats and a lot of longtails load there; other longtails push off straight from Ao Nang Beach. Most tours throw in a free hotel pickup in Ao Nang between 08:00 and 08:30, so you'll rarely have to find the pier on your own. Still, you should know where it is.
Understanding the 4 Island Tour in Krabi
Where Does the 4 Island Tour in Krabi Start?
The 4 island tour is a guided boat day around four stops off Ao Nang: Phra Nang Cave Beach, Chicken Island, Tup Island and Poda Island. Krabi's the setting. Ao Nang's the tourist hub. So that's where almost every tour kicks off.
Most boats start at Nopparat Thara Pier. It sits on a tidal canal at the western end of the beach, beside the headquarters of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Ticket desks, a small car park, toilets, snack stalls. And most mornings, a cheerful chaos of tour groups sorting themselves by coloured stickers, which is honestly fun to watch.
| Starting point | Who uses it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nopparat Thara Pier | Speedboats, many longtails, Phi Phi boats | Main hub; park fee often collected here |
| Ao Nang Beach longtail counter | Shared and private longtails | Walk-up bookings; boats land on the sand |
| Railay (West or East) | Guests staying on Railay | Collected by boat on the way out |
| Chao Fa Pier, Krabi Town | A few longtails and ferries | Longer ride out to the islands |
How to Reach Nopparat Thara Pier
You can get to Nopparat Thara Pier by tour transfer, songthaew, taxi, scooter or your own two feet. From the main bases:
- From Ao Nang: follow the beach road west past the Nopparat Thara beach park; 5–10 minutes by car, 30–40 minutes on foot along the sand.
- From Krabi Town: about 20 km, 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by white songthaew (about ฿60).
- From Klong Muang or Tub Kaek: 15–25 minutes by car.
- From Krabi Airport: about 40 minutes.
Want to arrive on time? Aim to be at the pier 30 minutes before departure. Have the park fee in cash. Keep the WhatsApp number from your voucher handy, in case your group's nowhere to be seen.
Exploring Transportation Options
Transportation Options to the Starting Point
Getting around Krabi is simple, and cheap:
| Option | Typical cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Tour hotel pickup | Free in Ao Nang; ~฿100 per person elsewhere | Almost everyone |
| Songthaew (shared pickup truck) | About ฿20–฿60 | Budget, daytime |
| Taxi or Grab | About ฿100–฿600 depending on distance | Early departures, families |
| Rented scooter | About ฿200–฿300 per day | Confident riders with a licence |
| Longtail boat | Part of the tour | Railay guests |
For the tour itself the longtail's the traditional pick. It leaves from the pier or the beach and lands right on the islands. Staying on Railay, where no road reaches the mainland? A longtail collects you on the way out. And if you're close by, walking Nopparat Thara Beach at sunrise is a lovely way to get there. Totally optional.
Tour Itinerary and Activities
What is the Itinerary for the 4 Island Tour?
From pickup to drop-off, the 4 island tour itinerary takes about 7–8 hours:
- 08:00–08:30 — hotel pickup in Ao Nang.
- 08:30–09:00 — check in at Nopparat Thara Pier, pay the park fee, fit life jackets.
- Phra Nang Cave Beach — the Princess Cave and the Railay cliffs.
- Chicken Island — snorkeling on the reef.
- Tup Island — the sandbar to Koh Mor at low tide.
- Poda Island — lunch, swimming and free time.
- 15:00–16:00 — back at the pier and your hotel.
All four islands sit within 15–25 minutes of the pier. That's why the island hopping feels relaxed, not rushed. Details: island names and map · timings.
Activities Included in the 4 Island Tour
Snorkeling comes first, 30–45 minutes over the Chicken Island reef with a mask and life jacket supplied. After that there's the sandbar walk, a swim at Poda, and the cave at Phra Nang to explore. What I like best about the island hopping, though, is the variety. Four stops that feel nothing alike, each a short hop from the last one.
Booking and Tour Options
Comparing Tour Options and Prices
Lots of different packages leave from the same starting point:
| Package | Price per adult | Value for money |
|---|---|---|
| Shared longtail | ฿599–฿1,000 | Best budget option |
| Shared speedboat | ฿749–฿1,200 | Best comfort per baht |
| Private longtail | From ~฿4,050 per boat | Best for groups of 4+ |
| 7 Islands sunset | ฿899–฿1,195 | Best for evening and plankton |
Klook’s Krabi tours page is the convenient route: card payment, instant confirmation, easy refunds. Direct with an Ao Nang operator is usually cheaper. Same pier either way, funnily enough. See the price guide and booking guide.
Tour Guides and Timing
Evaluating the Quality of Tour Guides
A good tour guide makes or breaks this tour. The experienced ones know the tides, which snorkel spot is calmer that day, when Phra Nang empties out. They do way more than head counts: reef briefings, company for nervous swimmers, the Princess Cave legend, the park fee.
Past tourists are pretty clear on this one: the best reviews name the guide. So before you book, look for reviews that mention a guide by name, English that's easy to follow, and actual help in the water.
Best Time to Take the 4 Island Tour
The best time to take the 4 island tour is December to March, when Krabi’s seas are calm and clear. November and April aren't far behind. May to October is the southwest monsoon: more rain, rougher water, the occasional cancellation. Peak is mid-December to February plus Thai holidays. Off-peak is cheaper, quieter, and a bit of a weather gamble.
FAQ
What time does the Krabi 4 islands Tour start?
The Krabi 4 islands Tour starts with hotel pickup at 08:00–08:30 in Ao Nang, then the boat leaves Nopparat Thara Pier around 09:00. Early bird tours start around 07:00. Sunset tours, around 13:00.
What is the best 4 island tour in Krabi?
The best 4 island tour in Krabi is an early departure from Nopparat Thara Pier. Speedboat if you want comfort, private longtail if you're a group.
Is the 4 island tour worth it?
Yes, the 4 island tour is worth it for most visitors. Short boat rides, easy snorkeling and four famous beaches for ฿599–฿1,200, plus the park fee.
Can I visit the 4 islands in Krabi by speedboat?
Yes, you can visit the 4 islands in Krabi by speedboat. They leave from Nopparat Thara Pier and cost ฿749–฿1,200 per adult. More on the speedboat tour.