How to Book a Krabi 4-Island and Phi Phi Islands Tour

The first choice you need to make about island hopping from Krabi isn’t which islands to visit — it’s which boat to ride. Longtail or speedboat. The answer changes everything: the price, the time you spend on the water vs. at each stop, and whether you’ll be sharing a bench with 8 people or 30. And if you’re thinking about combining the 4 Islands with Phi Phi in a single day, that’s only possible by speedboat and only with certain operators.

Let me break it down so you can skip the confusion.

How Island Hopping Works from Krabi

There are two distinct tour circuits here, and you can do them separately or combined:

The 4 Islands refers to Koh Poda, Koh Tup (Tup Island), Chicken Island (Koh Kai), and sometimes Phra Nang Cave Beach or Railay Beach as the fourth stop. These are close to shore — 15-30 minutes by longtail from Ao Nang. That’s why longtail tours work so well for this route. They’re short distances, calm water, and the longtail pace matches the relaxed vibe.

Phi Phi Islands are further out — about 90 minutes by speedboat from Krabi. Longtail boats can’t realistically make the trip. So any tour that includes Phi Phi will be on a speedboat, which means higher prices but more range. Phi Phi Leh (where Maya Bay is) and Phi Phi Don (with Tonsai Village) are the main stops.

National park fees are usually included in tour prices. Phi Phi has a 400 THB ($12) park fee, and the 4 Islands area has a 200 THB ($6) fee. If it’s not included, the operator will tell you at the pier — bring cash just in case.

4 Islands Only vs Phi Phi Only vs the Combo

4 Islands only (longtail) — The cheapest and most laid-back option. Six hours, four stops, $35-45 per person. You’ll swim, snorkel, walk the sandbar between Tup Island and Chicken Island (tide dependent), and have lunch on Koh Poda’s white sand beach. It’s gentle, scenic, and doesn’t require an early alarm. Perfect if you’re not in a rush.

Phi Phi only (speedboat) — A dedicated Phi Phi trip from Krabi gives you more time at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Monkey Beach. Runs $50-65 per person, about 7-8 hours. You’ll snorkel at clearer, deeper spots. The tradeoff is the 90-minute speedboat ride each way — that’s a lot of time on the boat, and it can be rough in swells.

The combo (speedboat) — Both Phi Phi and 4 Islands in one day. Longer day (9-10 hours), more expensive ($65-90), but you cover everything in a single shot. These tours usually leave early — 6:30-7:00 AM — to fit it all in. The early bird versions hit Phi Phi before the Phuket boats arrive, which is a genuine advantage at Maya Bay where visitor numbers are capped.

My recommendation depends on your time. If you have two days, do them separately — 4 Islands by longtail one day, Phi Phi by speedboat the next. If you only have one day and want to see both, grab a combo tour and accept that it’ll be a long, full day.

The Best Krabi Island Tours to Book

I’ve picked five tours that cover the main options — budget longtail, dedicated Phi Phi, and the combo deals. Each one departs from Krabi (Ao Nang area), so you don’t need to be based in Phuket for any of these.

1. Krabi Premium 4-Island Day Trip by Longtail Boat — $39

This is the classic Krabi experience. A longtail boat, four islands, six hours, and a price tag that makes you double-check it’s real. Nearly 5,000 reviews at 4.5 stars — it’s the most-booked 4 Islands tour for good reason. The itinerary covers Koh Poda, Tup Island (with the famous sandbar walkway at low tide), Chicken Island, and Phra Nang Cave Beach.

Lunch is included, snorkeling gear is provided, and the longtail pace means you actually get to soak in the scenery instead of blasting past it.

At $39 per person, there’s basically no cheaper way to see the 4 Islands with a proper operator. The 4.5 rating is slightly lower than some others on this list, mostly because longtail comfort isn’t for everyone — you’ll sit on wooden benches and the engine is loud. But for the price and the experience, it’s hard to argue with the math.

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2. Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Day Tour from Krabi — $51

If Phi Phi is the priority, skip the combo and go direct. This speedboat tour from Krabi focuses entirely on the Phi Phi archipelago — Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, and a lunch stop at Tonsai Village on Phi Phi Don. At $51 per person, it’s the cheapest dedicated Phi Phi tour from Krabi I’ve found.

The 4.3 rating from 3,300+ reviews is the lowest on this list, and that’s worth acknowledging. The complaints tend to center on rushed stops and large group sizes — typical speedboat tour issues. But if your main goal is Maya Bay and you want maximum time there, a dedicated trip beats the combo tours where Phi Phi is just one of seven or eight stops. Maya Bay has visitor caps now (since it reopened after the restoration closure), so arriving earlier with a direct tour helps.

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3. Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip from Phuket — $91

Including this one because plenty of readers will be staying in Phuket, not Krabi, and it’s the highest-rated Phi Phi tour I’ve found. (If you’re based in Phuket, our full guide to Phi Phi day trips from Phuket covers even more options from that side.) Perfect 5.0 rating from over 3,200 reviews on Viator — that’s exceptional for a large-scale day tour. The V.

Marine Tour operation runs speedboats from Phuket’s east coast, hitting Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, and Monkey Beach. The seaview lunch setup gets good marks consistently.

At $91, it’s pricier than the Krabi departures, partly because the boat ride from Phuket to Phi Phi is longer. If you’re already in Phuket and have a spare half-day, the Phuket city tour pairs well with a morning before your island trip. But if you don’t want to transfer to Krabi just for a tour, this is the cleanest option. The 5.0 rating across thousands of bookings speaks for itself — the crew, the pacing, and the lunch are all a cut above average.

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4. Phi Phi & 4 Islands Sunset Tour by Speedboat — $66

This is the combo tour for people who don’t want a 6 AM alarm. It runs 8.5 hours, starts mid-morning, and is timed so you hit the 4 Islands in late afternoon and watch the sunset over the Andaman Sea before heading back. Phi Phi first (Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Tonsai Village for lunch), then the 4 Islands on the return leg. At $66 per person, the pricing sits right between the budget longtail and the premium early bird.

The 4.7 rating from nearly 3,000 reviews is solid for a combo tour, and I think the afternoon timing is actually an advantage — the 4 Islands are less crowded late in the day, and the light for photos is dramatically better. The downside is you’ll hit Maya Bay later than the early bird tours, so expect more company there.

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5. Phi Phi Early Bird & 4 Islands by Speedboat — $85

If you want both Phi Phi and the 4 Islands and you don’t mind an early start, this is the one. Departs around 6:30 AM, hits Maya Bay first when it’s still relatively empty, works through Pileh Lagoon and the main Phi Phi stops, then loops back through the 4 Islands before returning by late afternoon. Nine hours, packed schedule, and a 4.9 rating from nearly 2,900 reviews — that’s the highest satisfaction score of any combo tour I’ve looked at.

At $85 per person, it’s more expensive than the sunset combo, but the early arrival advantage at Maya Bay is real. The beach has daily visitor caps since its reopening, and the Phuket boats don’t start arriving until 10-11 AM. Getting there at 8:30 from Krabi means fewer people, clearer water, and better photos. This is the tour I’d book if I only had one day and wanted to see everything.

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When to Go Island Hopping in Krabi

The dry season runs November through April, same as Phuket. That’s when the water is clearest, the seas are calmest, and rain is rare. December through February is peak season — great weather but crowded beaches and higher prices.

November and March are the sweet spots. Fewer travellers, lower prices, still excellent conditions. The tail end of the rains might drop a brief shower, but mornings are usually clear.

May through October is monsoon season. The 4 Islands tours still run most days since the islands are close to shore and the water is somewhat protected. But Phi Phi tours get cancelled frequently during this period — the open ocean crossing is rough when the southwest monsoon hits. If Phi Phi is a priority, don’t gamble on wet season.

Maya Bay has daily visitor limits (no more than a few thousand per day), and swimming is not allowed to protect the recovering coral. Time your visit for the morning if possible — afternoon arrivals sometimes get turned away on busy days.

Getting to the Departure Point

All Krabi island tours depart from the Ao Nang area — either from Nopparat Thara Pier or a private pier nearby. If you’re staying in Ao Nang, it’s a 5-10 minute drive. From Krabi Town, it’s about 20-30 minutes.

Most tours include hotel pickup from Ao Nang and Krabi Town. If you’re staying at Railay Beach, you’ll need to take a longtail to Ao Nang first (about 100-150 THB, 15 minutes), then meet the tour group.

For Phuket-based travellers wanting Krabi tours: it’s a 2-3 hour drive each way, which makes it impractical as a day trip unless the tour itself offers Phuket pickup (some do, but they’re rare and add significant travel time). Better to spend a night or two in Krabi.

Tips for Krabi Island Hopping

• Book combo tours 3-5 days ahead in December-February. The early bird tours sell out fast because the Maya Bay advantage is well known now.
• Wear reef-safe sunscreen. Maya Bay was closed for years because of environmental damage, partly from sunscreen chemicals. They’re serious about it now.
• Water shoes are not optional. The beach entries at Chicken Island and Tup Island have sharp rocks and coral. (You’ll want them for the Tiger Cave Temple climb and Emerald Pool too, if those are on your Krabi itinerary.) Flip-flops fall off in the water. Get proper water shoes.
• The sandbar between Tup and Chicken Island is only walkable at low tide. Ask your guide about timing — it’s one of the best photo spots but disappears under water for half the day.
• Bring cash. Phi Phi Don has ATMs, but the 4 Islands don’t. You’ll want 200-500 THB for drinks and snacks from beach vendors.
• Motion sickness warning: the speedboat ride to Phi Phi can be genuinely rough, especially in the open water between Krabi and the islands. Take medication before boarding, not after you feel sick.
• Charge your phone fully. You’ll take hundreds of photos. There are no charging points on any of the boats, and 9 hours of camera use will drain any phone.
• The afternoon return from Phi Phi often has rougher seas than the morning departure. Sit in the back of the speedboat if you’re worried about bouncing — it’s slightly smoother than the front.

What You’ll See at the 4 Islands and Phi Phi

Koh Poda — The biggest and most popular of the 4 Islands. Long white sand beach, warm shallow water, decent snorkeling on the southern end. This is where most tours serve lunch. The iconic limestone rock at the far end of the beach is the shot you’ve seen in every Krabi tourism ad.

Tup Island — Connected to Chicken Island by a natural sandbar that appears at low tide. Walking across shallow water with fish visible at your feet and limestone towers on both sides is one of those moments that feels more dramatic than any photo can convey. Timing is everything — if the tide is up, this stop is just a swim.

Chicken Island (Koh Kai) — Named for the rock formation that looks like a chicken’s head from certain angles. The snorkeling here is some of the best in the 4 Islands area, especially on the sheltered eastern side. Water is often clear enough to see 5-8 meters down.

Maya Bay (Phi Phi Leh) — The beach made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film. After closing from 2018 to 2022 for environmental recovery, it’s back with strict rules. Swimming is banned (to protect the regrowing coral), daily visitor caps are enforced, and boats can’t enter the bay — you dock on the other side of the island and walk through a path. Despite the restrictions, it’s still worth seeing. The cliffs surrounding the bay create a natural amphitheater effect that’s genuinely impressive.

Pileh Lagoon (Phi Phi Leh) — A stunning enclosed lagoon with impossibly clear turquoise water. You can swim here (unlike Maya Bay), and many tours stop for 20-30 minutes of floating and snorkeling. The limestone walls towering above you on three sides make it feel like a natural swimming pool carved out of rock.

Phi Phi Don (Tonsai Village) — The main inhabited island. Most tours stop here for lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants. It’s a backpacker hub with shops, bars, and a surprising amount of energy for a small island. The viewpoint hike takes 20-30 minutes and gives you the famous postcard view of both bays — if your tour schedule allows it, it’s worth the sweat.

More to Do Around Krabi and the Andaman Coast

If you’ve got a few days in the area, the island tours are just the start. Krabi province alone has enough to fill a week, and the wider Andaman coast opens up even more. The Tiger Cave Temple and Emerald Pool day trip is the best inland excursion from Krabi — a sweaty 1,260-step climb to a mountaintop shrine followed by a soak in mineral-blue pools surrounded by rainforest.

It works perfectly as a rest day between island tours. For a different perspective on the same limestone landscape you’ve been cruising through, the Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island tour swaps open ocean for sheltered mangrove channels and towering sea stacks — it departs from Phuket but some operators offer Krabi pickup too.

Speaking of Phuket, the Phuket elephant sanctuary experience is worth the drive if you want a meaningful wildlife encounter without the ethical baggage of riding camps.

Beyond the Krabi-Phuket orbit, the Gulf islands are a natural next move. Koh Samui island hopping hits Ang Thong Marine Park and the surrounding islands — a completely different feel from the Andaman side, with coconut palms replacing limestone cliffs. Further south, Koh Tao is where the serious snorkelers and divers end up, with visibility that makes the 4 Islands look murky by comparison.

And if you’re heading back through Phuket before flying out, the Phi Phi day trip from Phuket covers similar ground to the Krabi departures but from the opposite direction — useful if you want to see Phi Phi but your schedule only has room for it on the Phuket end of your trip.