Island-hopping in Krabi starts early. This day trip strings together ferry time and a speedboat hop-fest, then puts you in the water around Koh Poda, Chicken Island, and the Tup sandbar area. Snorkeling gear and a life jacket are part of the deal, so you can focus on water time instead of hunting supplies.

I really like the smooth Phuket-to-Krabi rhythm: hotel pickup and drop-off are included, plus you get fruit and a Thai lunch during the day. And once you’re out there, the crew is a big part of the vibe—people highlight Tony and the team for being helpful and safety-minded.

One thing to plan for: this is a boat day. Between Phuket and Krabi, the ferry portion takes a lot of the day, so it helps to know you’re not going to be on the speedboat or snorkeling continuously for 9 hours.

Key things to know before you go

• You start in Phuket at 8:30 am and reach Krabi early enough to snorkel, but it still feels like a long day.
• Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided, which saves time and hassle.
• Tup Island is about low tide sandbars, so you’ll want your timing and footwear mindset.
• Chicken Island is your big swim/snorkel stop and it’s also where lunch is served.
• Thai lunch is included, and halal plus vegetarian options are available if you request them.
• National park entry is extra: THB200 adult / THB100 child for Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

Phuket to Ao Nang: the ferry start that shapes the whole day

Your day begins with pickup in Phuket (Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, and Chalong). The start time is 8:30 am, but the exact pickup minute is confirmed by email after booking, so I’d keep your phone charged and plan to be ready.

From there, you head toward Rassada Pier in Phuket for the crew check-in and then take a ferry to Ao Nang in Krabi. This is the part where you should adjust your expectations: the schedule includes a chunk of ferry time before you even reach the island-hopping portion.

The “two-boat” setup matters because it affects energy. You can’t just treat this like a quick hop—bring a light layer for the ferry (air con and wind can be sneaky), and think of this as a day that starts with transport and ends with island time.

Tup Island low-tide sandbar time: fun, but timing is everything

Your first island-phase stop is Tup Island, where you get about 45 minutes. The main attraction here is walking the sandbar when the tide is low—great for photos and that slightly surreal feeling of being on a connected strip of sand.

This stop is also listed as having an admission fee not included, so I’d keep a little extra cash or card-ready just in case. And since this is a sandbar situation, you’ll do better with water shoes or sturdy sandals that can handle wet sand and quick steps.

The big practical tip: don’t assume you’ll have unlimited time to figure things out. You’ll be on a clock, and the sandbar moment depends on tides, so follow the crew’s timing.

Chicken Island: snorkel swim time plus lunch break

Chicken Island is the heart of the trip if your goal is water time. You’ll spend about 50 minutes swimming and snorkeling there, then you get an on-island lunch period (about an hour).

Here’s what I like about this stop for most people: it blends active and relaxed. You can snorkel, then float, then come up for a break. The water around these limestone-and-island areas tends to look clear when conditions are right, and the tour’s snorkeling gear and life jacket make it easier to get moving fast.

Lunch is a proper break—Thai food served with seasonal fruit and drinking water included during the day. Halal and vegetarian options are available if you request them ahead of time, which is a relief on an island tour where food can get repetitive.

One consideration: included drinks seem to be limited to water. If you want juice, soda, or anything more, plan on paying extra rather than counting on it being included on the boat or with lunch.

Koh Poda Island: white sand and a longer reset

After Chicken Island, you shift to Koh Poda Island for about 1.5 hours. This is a more “hang out” stop—sunbathe, swim, and take in the beach vibe—so it balances the busier snorkeling moments.

Koh Poda can feel like the place to catch your breath. If you’ve gone hard on the earlier swim/snorkel, this is where you slow down and just enjoy being in the water without rushing to a next activity.

That said, it’s still a scheduled stop, and some island entrance fees are listed as not included for the island segments. I’d keep that in mind if you’re budgeting tightly.

Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park: the fee you should expect

Near the return phase, you’ll be back around Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park for about 30 minutes. This is where the paperwork part shows up: national park entrance tickets cost THB200 per adult and THB100 per child, and they are not included.

Why it’s worth planning for: you don’t want the day to end with a surprise fee line. It’s one of the easiest costs to prepare for in advance, and having it handled keeps the last stretch calm.

The crew, Tony’s team, and what “safety conscious” looks like

A good island day lives or dies with the crew. People consistently call out Tony and the team as helpful and caring, with a clear focus on getting everyone safely through boat boarding, snorkeling gear, and timing between stops.

What’s actually included helps you feel more at ease:

• Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket
• A professional English-speaking guide
• Basic accident insurance

Even with that, you should still act like boats are boats. Keep your belongings secured, listen closely at each stop, and assume the schedule can tighten or shift.

Also, this tour caps group size at 45 travelers. That number isn’t tiny, but it’s small enough that you’re less likely to feel completely lost compared with massive ferry crowds.

Weather and schedule changes: when the day shrinks (and how to handle it)

This is Thailand, and conditions matter. If the weather isn’t right, the tour can adjust—sometimes that means visiting fewer islands and losing some snorkeling time for safety.

I’d plan for this mindset before you go: treat the itinerary as the target, not a promise. If you’re the type who gets cranky when plans change, you might prefer a more fixed, private option (but that usually costs more). If you’re flexible and ready to enjoy what’s possible, you’ll get more out of the day.

Food, fruit, and what to bring so you’re not starving or uncomfortable

The day includes Thai lunch, plus seasonal fruits and drinking water. That’s solid for a 9-hour day with multiple swim sessions, and it beats the “bring your own all day” approach.

Still, the timing can be long. If you’re sensitive to hunger or you burn energy in the water, I’d consider bringing a small personal snack (something non-messy) for the ferry stretches. The data provided doesn’t say extra snacks are included, and some folks felt food was basic or not enough.

Comfort is the other factor. There may not be a lot of private time to change into dry clothes between stops, and there can be limited restroom options on boats and islands. Pack accordingly:

• quick-dry towel or small sarong
• dry bag for clothes
• sunscreen and a cap
• water shoes for sandbar and rocky boarding areas

Price and value: is $71.28 worth it?

At $71.28 per person, the value is mostly about what’s bundled. You’re not just paying for islands—you’re paying for:

• round-trip hotel transfers in Phuket (with a noted extra charge if you’re in remote areas or a private villa)
• ferry travel between Phuket and Ao Nang
• snorkeling gear and life jacket
• Thai lunch, fruit, and drinking water
• an English-speaking guide
• basic accident insurance

Those included items are meaningful. The snorkeling kit alone saves time and hassle, and the lunch plus fruit removes a big chunk of decision-making while you’re out in the sun.

What can reduce value (and why it matters) is timing and variability. A long ferry portion means you spend fewer hours in the water than you might imagine from the island names alone. And when weather forces schedule changes, you may not get the full set of stops you expected.

So I’d use this rule of thumb: if you want a budget-friendly Krabi island day from Phuket with gear and lunch handled for you, the price is fair. If you’re chasing maximum water time only, you’ll want to compare other routing options that start in Krabi.

Who should book this Phuket-to-Krabi island hop?

This tour fits you best if:

• You want Koh Poda, Chicken Island, and Tup sandbar in one day
• You prefer guided snorkeling support with equipment included
• You like structured “see a lot” days and can handle a long transport segment
• You value a Thai lunch stop with fruit and planned breaks

You might skip it if:

• You’re extremely time-sensitive about boat duration
• You need lots of vegetarian variety without advance request
• You get stressed when schedules change for safety

Should you book this tour?

I’d book it if you’re excited by the island lineup and you want the convenience of pickup, gear, and lunch sorted. It’s a practical way to get Krabi waters from Phuket without going solo with taxis and separate pier logistics.

Just go in with your eyes open: expect a long day on boats, and be ready for snorkeling time or stop order to shift when conditions aren’t ideal. If that flexibility doesn’t bother you, this is one of those solid “do it once” island-hopping days.

FAQ

What islands does this tour include?

You’ll visit Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Koh Poda Island during the island-hopping portion.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as about 9 hours.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included.

Do you get a hotel pickup and drop-off in Phuket?

Yes. Round-trip transfers are included for pickup in areas like Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon, and Chalong. Remote locations and private villas/rentals may have an extra fee.

What food is included?

You’ll get Thai lunch, plus drinking water and fruit. Halal and vegetarian diets are available if requested.

Are national park entrance fees included?

No. Entrance to Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park costs THB200 for adults and THB100 for children.

Is Tup Island admission included?

The tour info lists Tup Island admission ticket as not included, so you should expect a possible extra cost there.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.