 |
| Phra Nang Cave Beach at Railay Peninsula- Krabi 4-Island Tour |
May be it's because I was born on an island (Langkawi Island in Malaysia). I just love beaches, islands, sun, sea and sand. Whenever I'm at an island or a beach, I will have the brightest smile as big as the sun on my face. 😀
During my one and only trip thus far to beautiful pristine Krabi, Thailand few years back, taking the long tail boat on the Krabi Thailand 4 Island Tour was the best highlight of my Krabi trip! Even after a few years, the memory is still very vivid.
I must also say that the sea water at these islands is very clear. It also changes color as the seafloor drops away to deeper water. If you want to fully soak yourself in a tropical country, there is no better way to cover few islands on the same day! :)
During my visit, it was low season with not many tourists (that's the way I love to travel to avoid crowds and have the best prices!). I asked a few tour operators in Krabi town about the Krabi 4-Island Tour Package and all offered more or less the same. I decide to opt for the one that seemed to be more honest, friendlier and reliable.
Therefore, if you ever visit Krabi, please ensure that Krabi 4 Island Tour is on top of your to-do list. Otherwise, you haven't seen the best of what Krabi has to offer. And your Krabi trip will not be complete without the island hopping.
Here is what a typical Krabi Four-Island Tour package will include for your reference with some photos taken during my trip to entice your "travel appetite" for tropical islands in Krabi!
About Krabi Four-Island Tour
Just off the coast of Krabi at Ao Nang, you can see four (4) islands that are pretty close to the coast and can be seen on the horizon from the beach.
There is a popular day trip from Ao Nang covering the 4 islands operated by different boat operators. Besides the 4 islands, the tour usually also stops off at the beautiful Phra Nang Cave Beach on the Railay Peninsula.
The four islands are Koh Poda, Koh Gai (Chicken Island), Koh Tub and Koh Mor. (By the way, "Koh" means "island" in Thai language. There you go, now you also learn a new Thai word. 😊)
For this Krabi 4-island tour, you will get to
- do island hopping on speedboat;
- swim in one or few of the beautiful beaches on different islands - all in same day!
- have your perfect sun tan sunbathing on the speedboat or one or few of the beaches
- snorkel and explore the beautiful marine life and coral reefs
- enjoy wonderful picnic lunch
A. Island Hopping
1. Koh Poda (Poda Island)
Koh Poda or Poda Island is really famous for its white beaches and turquoise water. There is a coconut plantation at the centre of the island. Some of you might have seen it somewhere either on post cards or computer wallpapers. Well, the most noticeable landmark of Koh Poda will be the Hugh rock in front of it. The first picture on this article is Koh Poda for your reference. You can also find some kiosks selling snacks, fruits and drinks on the island.
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Poda |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Poda - all of us got off here for some swimming on the clear water |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Poda - all of us got off here for some swimming on the clear water |
|
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Poda - all of us got off here for some swimming on the clear water |
|
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Poda - pristine white sandy beach |
|
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Poda - all of us got off here for some swimming on the clear water |
|
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Poda - all of us got off here for some swimming on the clear water. Some are wearing snorkelling masks for some snorkelling activities too. |
|
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Poda - such clear water with the fishes. |
|
2. Koh Gai (Chicken Island)
Believe it or not! Koh Gai is shaped like the "head" of a Chicken with the odd rocket outcrop. Hence, it's called Chicken Island. Not that the island has many chickens! haha!
If you are lucky when you visit the islands during low tide, the boat will stop between Chicken Island with the two tiny islands of Koh Mor and Koh Tub. There is a three-pronged sand bar that links the three islands together. You can then have the opportunity to walk along it. Isn't it exciting and unique?
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Gai - Chicken Island |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Gai - Chicken Island |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Gai - Chicken Island |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Gai - Chicken Island |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Gai - Chicken Island |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Gai - Chicken Island |
3. Koh Tub (Tub Island)
Well, Koh Tub is a very small island, only a few hundreds meter from Koh Gai. As mentioned earlier, you can walk on the sand bar from one island to another during low tide! How cool!
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Tub (Tub Island) |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Tub (Tub Island) |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Tub (Tub Island) |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Tub (Tub Island) |
4. Koh Mor (Mor Island)
Koh Mor, Koh Tub and Kor Gai are all close to each other. Koh Mor is the smallest of the three with cliffs jutting out of the sea and lush greenery on top. Again, this can be walked to either from Koh Gai or Koh Tub during low tide on the sand bar.
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Mor |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Mor |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Koh Mor |
 |
| Krabi 4-Island Tour - Standing on the long tail boat! :) |
B. Swimming at Phra Nang Cave Beach or one of the 4 islands
Phra Nang Cave Beach near Railay Peninsula is a very beautiful beach with many interesting stalagmites and stalactites. It's inaccessible by road and considered one of the most beautiful sand strips in the world. Please look out for unique stalagmites and stalactites to take memorable photos for your trip! 😊 (You can see some of the photos on this article below)
C. Open water snorkelling
During the 4-island tour, boat operator will either stop near Koh Yawasam, a rocket outcrop wit fairly intact coral reefs and decent marine life or at the rear of Chicken island, depending on the day, for some wonderful open water snorkelling activities!!
No worries! The snorkelling masks, life jackets are all provided for. The tour operators usually will ensure all tourists wear the life jackets before jumping into the sea.
I have done some scuba divings in East Malaysia many years back. I have also done some snorkelling in Koh Samui island. The marine life and coral reefs here in Krabi and the four islands might not be the best due to heavy boat traffic, but it's still worthwhile to jump into the sea to relax with the fishes! :)
Personally, I can't wait for any opportunity to jump into the sea water!! (An island boy is always an island boy! lol)
D. Picnic lunch at one of the four islands
Oh yes - I believe all Krabi 4-Island Tour packages include a picnic lunch on one of the islands or beaches. So you don't need to worry about food while enjoying the island hopping and snorkelling!
How Do I Rate Krabi 4-Island Tour?
I enjoy islands and beaches.
And I had such a wonderful experience during the 4-island tour that even though it has been a few years, I still think of it often.
Every single journey of the Krabi 4-Island tour was simply awesome and different! The long tail boat, the beautiful islands, the sea breeze, the beaches, the interesting stalagmites and stalactites, and of course the snorkelling! Of course there was the nice picnic on the beach too! Oh yeah, by the way, on our way back, there was a rain. The feeling of having the sea water and rain splashing on my face in the boat ride back to Krabi's Ao Nang was simply unforgettable! And yes, the sun burn too as a mark for the exciting Krabi Four-Island tour!
Yes, I would strongly recommend for you to go on the one-day Krabi 4-island tour! Choose the tour operator wisely! And enjoy the tropical islands that beautiful Thailand offers!
Words. Vincent Khor
