Hong Islands Day Trip from Krabi by Speedboat: A Practical Guide

If you want a day of swimming and beach time among limestone islands in Phang Nga Bay, with hotel pickup and no planning, the Hong Islands day trip from Krabi by speedboat with lunch does that well. It runs for 6 hours, travels by road to the pier and by speedboat from there, and is a shared small-group tour of up to 15 guests.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a quiet island to themselves, or who dislikes fast boats. Hong Island is a headline stop, so expect other boats nearby. The lunch is a packed box, not a restaurant meal. Two details to check before booking are your hotel's pickup area and the national park fee, which is paid separately.

Who the trip suits

It suits first-time visitors based in Ao Nang, Klong Muang or Krabi Town who want the Hong Islands without arranging boats and piers themselves. A licensed English-speaking guide stays with the group. Life jackets and accident insurance are included.

It suits you less if you are staying at Tonsai Bay or in Krabi Old Town. Pickup there is not included, and neither is pickup from the airport or the bus terminal. You would have to reach a covered area yourself, so ask before you book.

The day, stop by stop

The listed stops add up to roughly four and a half hours. The rest of the six hours goes on moving between places and returning you to your hotel.

Hong Island and the lagoon

The Hong Islands lie north-west of Ao Nang: steep limestone islands with small beaches at their feet. Hong Island gets the longest stop, and it is the best-known place on the route. Photos of the lagoon tend to look empty. In practice, you share it with other groups, so the walls and the green water are the point, not solitude.

The lagoon visit is the shortest stop, about 30 minutes. Conditions and tide affect how a lagoon can be explored, so let the guide decide how that half hour is used.

Ko Pak Bia and Ko Lao Lading

These two smaller islands are where the day settles into a beach rhythm. Lunch comes at Ko Pak Bia: a Thai lunch box with fruit, and drinking water is on the boat. Ko Lao Lading is the final swim before the boat heads back. If you want snorkelling, ask the guide about it on the day, because snorkelling gear is not listed in the inclusions.

Practical preparation

• National park fee: paid separately, with a lower rate for children aged 4 to 11. Carry cash in baht to be safe.
• Not included: alcoholic drinks and tips.
• Bring: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a towel, swimwear you can sit in on the boat, and a dry bag for your phone. Our Thailand packing guide covers the rest.
• Speedboat comfort: the ride can be bumpy and wet. If you get seasick, take medication beforehand and sit towards the back.
• Sun: there is little shade on island beaches, so cover up between swims.

Weather and the sea

Sea conditions on the Andaman coast change with the season, and boat trips can be adjusted or cancelled when the water is rough. Our best time to visit Thailand guide explains the coast-by-coast pattern. If you are weighing this against other Krabi boat days, the Krabi island hopping comparison sets out the options. For a different Phang Nga Bay day, read about James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay.

Travelling with children? Thailand with kids has family advice. For general safety on the water and roads, see Is Thailand safe?

Hong Islands day trip FAQ

Is this a private tour?

No. It runs as a small-group shared tour for up to 15 guests.

Is lunch included?

Yes: a Thai lunch box with fruit, plus drinking water on board. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Where does pickup happen?

From hotels in Krabi Town, Klong Muang and Ao Nang. Tonsai Bay, the airport, the bus terminal and Krabi Old Town are not covered.

Is the national park fee included?

No. It is paid separately, with a lower rate for children aged 4 to 11.

How long is the trip?

Six hours in total, including hotel pickup, the pier, four island stops and the return.