So, you’ve decided on a 4 Island tour in Krabi – you’ve read the overviews, but now you want to know more about what to expect!
With a boat of our size, it should come as no surprise that one of the best things to do on these island tours is explore Krabi’s snorkelling spots! The surrounding islands and corals act as little underwater metropolises, bustling with colourful fish and sea creatures.
However, snorkelling isn’t the only reason Krabi’s visitors take to the waters, an island cruise provides some of the best photo opportunities, a day of water sports (if you’re that way inclined?), or an afternoon of relaxing and enjoying the sunshine at sea.
Our team knows Krabi’s islands inside out, and their insights are the cornerstone of this guide. Whether you’re a snorkeler, a kayaker, or simply a lover of sunsets, here’s a comprehensive guide to what you can expect from each of the island we visit on the 4-island tour.
Koh Ya Wa Sam – One of our favourite Krabi snorkelling spots
Koh Ya Wa Sam, one of the best spots in Krabi for snorkelling (in our opinion), is actually two islands separated by a picturesque gap. This quiet spot boasts vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, including timid clownfish who take shelter amongst the sea anemones. As regular visitors to this island, our tour guides can show you exactly where to find them (they can often be tricky to spot!)
With fewer boats visiting, Koh Ya Wa Sam offers a more peaceful and intimate experience, making it ideal for nature lovers.
Koy Ya Wa Sam highlights at a glance:
- One of the best and largest areas for snorkelling
- Lots of marine life & coral (including clown fish)
- Not too many boats
- Boasts 2 islands with a swimmable gap between them
Koh Si – Hidden caves and Krabi shark spotting
Koh Si is relatively small but, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in curiosities! This is a great little island for people who love exploring nooks and crannies, and on calmer days, adventurous swimmers can navigate around the entire rock.
Notable highlights include a hidden cave on the west side of the island (let us know if you’d like us to paddle around there with you), as well as sightings of blacktip reef sharks – a testament to the island’s thriving ecosystem.
If you missed the clown fish on Koh Ya Wa Sam, there’s another opportunity here to find them hiding in the coral.
Koh Si highlights at a glance:
- A small island that you can swim all the way around
- The edge of the reef is full of coral and fish
- Is often home to a family of black tip reef sharks
- Has a ‘secret’ cave to explore
Chicken Island – The most photogenic island in Krabi!
Chicken Island, named after its distinctive rock formation resembling a chicken’s head, is a true icon of Krabi. The island’s versatility is its highlight – offering sandy beaches for paddleboarding, the famous Talay Waek sandbar (walking across to Koh Tup) at low tide, and snorkelling opportunities in clear waters.
We’ve been navigating the seas around this island for years and, on the day of your tour, our experienced guides will be able to gauge which parts of the island are safe to explore (depending on the wind and the waves.)
This is one of our favourite Krabi islands for kayaking or paddleboarding – if you’re new to this, our guides can head out into the water with you until you feel comfortable going it alone. We find that some of our guests simply want to hop on a board with our team, before jumping off and swimming the last bit of the journey to the beach.
Krabi’s Chicken Island highlights at a glance:
- Iconic island that looks like a chicken head
- Has a sandbar that you can walk across to Koh Tup from at low tide
- Great for paddleboarding or kayaking
- Can paddleboard/kayak or swim to the beach
Poda Island – Sunsets and sandy beaches
Poda Island is usually our final stop – a perfect end to an island-hopping adventure due to its uninterrupted sunset views. With its towering cliffs and multiple beaches, it caters to both relaxation seekers and explorers.
In high season, we’ll sail around the back of the island to dock near Poda’s ‘secret beach’, while in low season, our guests can visit its more famous white sandy strip. With shelter from the winds, Koh Poda has become a regular spot for our guests to have their first ever try at paddle boarding and kayaking – the short journey to the hidden beach makes for an exciting (but very manageable) first-timer challenge.
While snorkelling is less prominent here, the island’s sunsets are unrivalled.
Koh Poda’s highlights at a glance:
- High limestone cliffs and a small ‘secret beach’
- Krabi’s most famous white sandy beach
- Best island sunset spot in Krabi
- Great for paddle boarding/kayaking
Top FAQs about Krabi’s four islands
What is the best island for snorkelling?
In our experience, Koh Ya Wa Sam and Koh Si are the top choices for snorkelling enthusiasts, thanks to their coral-rich reefs and exciting marine life sightings. One of the benefits of joining our larger island tour is that we have multiple guides – perfect for less confident swimmers who’d like some one-to-one time, or for keen underwater photographers who’d like to find Krabi’s most unique sea creatures.
What makes the Talay Waek sandbar special?
The sandbar connects Chicken Island to Koh Tup at low tide, creating a natural pathway perfect for walking and enjoying panoramic views. One of the area’s main attractions is just how clear and warm the water is – it’s common to see visitors stopping simply to capture photos of their feet in the glass-like sea.
Is a Krabi island tour family-friendly?
Absolutely! Especially on our large ‘pirate ship-style’ boat! We always wanted to create a tour that provided more space and allowed guests to stand up, walk about, and even lay out for a spot of sunbathing.
We fitted a Western-style toilet on-board, so that families and solo travellers alike wouldn’t need to worry about scheduled toilet breaks, and our two-tier deck means you can enjoy the views of Krabi from two separate vantage points.
Both our morning and afternoon boat tours come with a kayak and paddleboards, alongside all the safety equipment you might need – including life jackets, prescription snorkel masks, and kid’s sized snorkelling gear.
Every day, we host guests who feel a little uneasy about swimming in open waters – this is the perfect time to take advantage of multiple guides, who will help you into the water with the added assurance of life rings and jackets, and will stay with you for the duration of your swim, regardless of how long or short it may be.