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

Krabi is worth the long haul. I like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to see Koh Poda, Chicken Island, and the Tup Islets in one day. I also like the mix of a large ferry and a smaller speedboat, which gives you both a comfortable sea crossing and quick access to the islands.

The main catch is time. This is sold as a nine-hour trip, but roughly three to four hours can be spent on ferries and transfers. The islands are lovely, the crew can be warm and helpful, and the price is fair, but you should not confuse this with a quick Phuket boat outing.

Key points to know before booking

• The ferry takes you from Phuket to Krabi: You leave from Rassada Pier and cross to Ao Nang before changing to a speedboat.
• The island route may be shorter than advertised: The planned stops name four islands, but the actual route can include only Tup, Chicken, and Poda.
• Chicken Island offers the best active stop: You get time for swimming and snorkeling before lunch.
• Koh Poda provides the longest beach break: Expect about 90 minutes for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.
• The $71.28 price includes useful extras: Transfers, lunch, fruit, water, equipment, a guide, and basic accident insurance are included.
• Bring patience and practical beach gear: Ferry time, basic facilities, rocky boat entries, and shared return transfers can test your comfort.

What this Phuket to Krabi day tour really is

This is a transport-heavy island day trip. You start with hotel pickup in Phuket, ride to Rassada Pier near Phuket Town, take a ferry to Ao Nang, then switch to a speedboat for the Krabi islands.

That setup makes the trip possible without booking a separate hotel in Krabi. It also explains the long travel time. The ferry crossing alone is listed at about 90 minutes each way, and some people find the full ferry time closer to two hours each way once boarding and pier movements are counted.

At $71.28 per person, the tour offers decent value if you want a ready-made day with transport and meals included. You avoid arranging a taxi to Krabi, finding a pier, hiring a boat, and organizing lunch. If your main goal is maximum swimming and snorkeling time, a tour departing directly from Krabi will use the day better.

The group can reach 45 people. That is not a small, intimate outing, and the ferry portion is shared. The speedboat portion may feel more focused, but the changeover at Ao Nang requires you to pay attention and follow instructions.

Leaving Phuket from Rassada Pier

Hotel pickup is available from Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, and Chalong. The exact pickup time arrives by email after booking, so do not assume the listed 8:30 a.m. start means your vehicle reaches every hotel at that hour.

Pickup can also be early. One passenger reported arriving about 25 minutes before the expected time, which worked only because they were ready. I would keep your phone nearby and be prepared before the earliest possible pickup window.

Remote hotels, private villas, and some rental properties may cost an extra THB200 per person for pickup. Check this before paying, especially if you are not staying in one of the main resort zones.

At Rassada Pier, you meet the Ao Nang Travel & Tour crew and board the ferry. This is one part of the day where clear instructions matter. The pier can feel confusing if you are simply dropped off and left to locate the right staff or boarding area, so confirm the operator name and keep your booking details available.

The ferry crossing to Ao Nang

The large ferry is practical rather than scenic in a postcard sense. It gets you across the Andaman Sea and lets you begin the Krabi portion without paying for a separate transfer.

The drawback is that this crossing uses a large block of your day. You may spend about 90 minutes going to Ao Nang, then another ferry ride after the islands on the way back to Phuket. Allow extra time for boarding, unloading, and pier delays.

A ferry also gives you a place to sit and rest between the more active stops. That can be useful if you are traveling with children or prefer not to spend the entire day bouncing across open water in a speedboat.

Facilities are basic. One detailed account described the ferry toilet as dirty and difficult for changing clothes. I would wear swimwear under your clothes, pack a dry change of clothing in a waterproof bag, and avoid relying on island toilets for privacy.

Water and fruit are included, but food and drink choices outside the included provisions may be limited. Carrying a small personal snack is sensible, especially because swimming and boat travel can leave you hungry.

Changing boats at Nopparat Thara Pier

The ferry reaches Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang, where you change to a speedboat. The listed transfer and cruise time to Tup Island is about 15 minutes, so the speedboat portion begins with a relatively short run.

This is the point where the trip becomes more like a classic Krabi island day. The smaller boat can reach beaches and shallow water that the ferry cannot, and you get closer views of the limestone karsts along the coast.

Getting on and off the speedboat may require care. Some island landings involve rocks or uneven footing rather than a proper jetty. Bring sandals or water shoes with a secure fit, and expect crew assistance when conditions require it.

The crew receives some of the strongest praise on this trip. Tony is specifically named as a helpful guide, and the staff are often described as friendly, safety-conscious, and good at making the day pleasant. Still, communication has not always been clear, so listen carefully at every stop and confirm how long you have before wandering off.

Tup Island and its low-tide sandbar

Tup Island is usually the first island stop. You have about 45 minutes to relax and, when the tide is low, walk across the sandbar toward the nearby Tup Islets.

The sandbar is the special feature here. It creates the classic shallow-water crossing associated with Krabi’s four-island route, but the experience depends heavily on tide and weather. At high tide, you may not be able to walk across it.

This is a short stop, so you will not have much time for a long swim, extended photography, and a full beach rest. Use the first few minutes to understand the meeting point and return time. Boat groups can scatter quickly on a small beach.

The name four islands can also cause confusion. The advertised plan includes Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda, but current operating conditions may mean only three islands are visited. One island has reportedly restricted tour access since the Covid period, and some older descriptions have also incorrectly included Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave.

Those places are not part of the current route described here. If seeing a specific fourth island, Railay, or Phra Nang Cave is the reason you are booking, confirm the route with Trip Store Krabi before purchase.

Chicken Island for swimming and snorkeling

Chicken Island is the most active stop. The island takes its name from a distinctive rock formation, and the surrounding water is used for swimming and snorkeling.

About 50 minutes is set aside for this stop before lunch. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided, which saves you from renting basic gear. The amount of actual snorkeling can change with sea conditions, and one account described only about 30 minutes in the water.

Do not expect a dedicated reef expedition. This is a short island-hopping stop, not a specialist snorkeling trip. The clear water and open views are the reward, but weather can cancel snorkeling altogether. If wind or waves make the sea unsafe, the crew may reduce the number of islands or remove water activities.

That flexibility is sensible from a safety point of view, but it affects value. A day with two islands and no snorkeling feels very different from the advertised plan. The operator offers another date or a full refund if poor weather cancels the whole tour, but a weather-adjusted tour may still operate with changes.

Lunch on Chicken Island

Lunch follows at a restaurant on Chicken Island and takes about an hour. A Thai meal is included, with halal food available and vegetarian or other diets possible by request.

Food quality is mixed. Some people find lunch tasty and perfectly adequate, while others describe it as basic, small, or short on vegetarian choices. If you need a substantial meal, have specific dietary needs, or dislike buffet-style uncertainty, make your request in advance and carry a backup snack.

The meal is valuable mainly because it keeps you from having to search for food during a tight schedule. You also eat beside the beach rather than returning to the pier for lunch. Water and seasonal fruit are included, though drink options may be limited.

Use this break to dry off if possible. Changing space on the islands can be poor, so a light cover-up and a dry shirt are more useful than elaborate beach clothing.

Koh Poda, the longest island stop

Koh Poda receives about 90 minutes, the longest scheduled beach stop. This is where you have the best chance to slow down, swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the pale sand and limestone scenery without rushing straight back to the boat.

Several of the most positive accounts focus on Poda and Chicken Island. The water is often described as remarkably clear, and the setting offers the classic Krabi combination of white sand, warm sea, and tall limestone formations.

There are practical limits. Some beach areas are rocky, and facilities for changing may be inadequate. Take care when entering and leaving the water, especially if the boat lands close to shore rather than at a pier.

The national park entrance fee is not included. Adults pay THB200 and children pay THB100 for Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Keep this cash ready, since the fee is separate from the tour price.

The return journey to Phuket

After Poda, the speedboat returns to Nopparat Thara Pier. The listed return transfer takes about 30 minutes, followed by the ferry back to Rassada Pier and a shared vehicle transfer to your hotel.

The final land transfer can be the least predictable part of the day. Drop-off times depend on hotel locations and traffic, and shared vans may wait or make several stops. One account described an extra wait while the driver gathered more passengers, followed by a longer route back.

That matters after a full day in the sun. You may be wet, hungry, and ready for a shower. Keep a dry change of clothes, a snack, and some patience in your day bag. If a fast return is important, this tour is not the safest choice.

The tour is listed at about nine hours, but some departures run longer. The start time is 8:30 a.m. at the meeting point, and the hotel pickup adds to the total. Treat the day as a full-day commitment rather than a tightly timed nine-hour program.

What the $71.28 price gets you

The price is fair for a Phuket-based day trip to Krabi because it bundles the expensive and inconvenient parts:

• Round-trip hotel transfers
• Ferry service from Rassada Port to Ao Nang
• Speedboat transport around the islands
• Thai lunch
• Drinking water and fruit
• Snorkeling equipment and life jacket
• English-speaking guide
• Basic accident insurance

The national park fee costs extra, as can pickup from remote properties. The value is strongest if you want convenience and do not mind a long ferry crossing.

The value is weaker if you are already staying in Krabi. From Ao Nang, you can save several hours of transport and spend more of the day at the islands. You may also find a smaller boat group or a tour with more swimming time for a higher price.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to you if Phuket is your base and you want one affordable day in Krabi without changing hotels. It works well for people who value scenery, a prepared lunch, included equipment, and friendly staff more than a tightly managed schedule.

It can also suit families and mixed-age groups because the ferry gives you a break from constant speedboat travel. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding boats and walking over uneven beach surfaces.

I would hesitate if you dislike long transfers, need reliable changing facilities, want a small group, or are booking mainly for snorkeling. You should also reconsider if visiting exactly four islands is essential. The route may currently include only three, and weather can reduce it further.

Final call: a worthwhile but tiring island day

Book this tour if you want the easiest budget route from Phuket to Krabi’s famous island scenery and you accept that the ferry is a major part of the day. The best moments are likely to be the clear water around Chicken Island, the sandbar at low tide, and the long beach break at Koh Poda.

Skip it if you can stay in Krabi or prefer more time in the water. Before paying, confirm the current island route, request dietary needs, check your pickup location, and prepare for basic facilities. With those expectations in place, the trip can deliver a beautiful day at a reasonable price, though not the most efficient one.

FAQ

How long does the Phuket to Krabi island tour take?

The advertised duration is about nine hours. The day can run longer because of ferry schedules, shared hotel drop-offs, traffic, weather, and boarding times.

Where does the tour start?

The main meeting point is Rassada Pier near Phuket Town. Hotel pickup is available from Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, and Chalong.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time at Rassada Pier is 8:30 a.m. Your exact hotel pickup time is confirmed by email after booking.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda. The experience is marketed as a four-island trip, but the actual route may include only three islands because access to another island has changed.

Is Railay Beach or Phra Nang Cave included?

No. Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave are not part of the current route described for this experience. Confirm the stops before booking if either place is important to you.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included, although snorkeling may be shortened or canceled if weather and sea conditions are unsafe.

Is lunch included?

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

Are national park fees included?

No. The adult fee is THB200 per person, and the child fee is THB100 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.