Krabi’s position midway along the Andaman coast makes it the ideal base for island-hopping: Phi Phi is 45 minutes by speedboat, Koh Lanta 2 hours by ferry, and the Hong Islands just 25 minutes by longtail. Unlike Phuket where you spend 2-plus hours commuting to the departure pier, Krabi’s tours leave directly from Ao Nang Beach or Krabi Town pier. This guide to day trips from Krabi covers the 5 best island and inland excursions with boat times, prices, and seasonal notes.
Day Trips from Krabi: Phi Phi Islands
- Travel time: 45 minutes by speedboat from Ao Nang; 2 hours by ferry from Krabi Town Pier (400 to 500 THB one way).
- Tour prices: Speedboat group tours 2,200 to 3,000 THB (US$60-82) including hotel transfer, lunch, snorkelling, and Maya Bay national park fee (400 THB). Premium small-group early-bird tours with operators like Andaman Wave Master depart at 6:00 to beat the crowds at Maya Bay, from 3,500 THB.
- Krabi advantage vs Phuket: Krabi is 45 minutes closer to Phi Phi than Phuket’s 2-hour speedboat crossing. If Phi Phi is your priority, Krabi is the better base.
Day Trips from Krabi: Hong Islands
- Travel time: 25 minutes by longtail from Ao Nang; 45 minutes by longtail from Krabi Town.
- Best for: The Hong Lagoon, a collapsed sea cave accessible only by kayak through a narrow rock passage, plus Koh Hong’s white-sand beach and clear-water snorkelling. Less crowded than Phi Phi.
- Tour prices: Group longtail tours 1,200 to 1,800 THB including hotel transfer, lunch, snorkelling gear, and national park fee (300 THB). Private longtail charters 2,000 to 2,500 THB for up to 4 people.
Day Trips from Krabi: Koh Lanta
- Travel time: 2 hours by ferry from Krabi Town Pier (350 THB) or 1.5 hours by minivan plus car ferry (November to April only).
- Best for: Long, quiet beaches (Klong Dao, Long Beach, Kantiang Bay), the Old Town’s wooden stilt houses, and a more laid-back island atmosphere than Phi Phi.
- Note: Koh Lanta works better as an overnight trip (2 to 3 days) than a day trip. The ferry schedule limits day-trip time on the island to about 4 hours. Ferries stop running during monsoon (May to October for the car ferry; the passenger ferry reduces to 1 to 2 departures daily).
Day Trips from Krabi: Emerald Pool and Hot Springs
- Travel time: 1 hour by car or motorbike from Krabi Town/Ao Nang to the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve.
- Best for: Krabi’s best inland day: a swim in the mineral-rich turquoise Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) followed by a soak in the Namtok Ron thermal springs at 40-50degC in a jungle stream setting.
- Cost: 200 THB entry per site. Tour packages including transport and both sites run 1,200 to 1,800 THB.
