Thailand is home to over 1,400 islands scattered throughout its coastal regions in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. With such an abundance of choices, it can be challenging to narrow down which ones to explore. Here is a list of the 5 best islands near Krabi, as well as recommendations for day tour companies. 

Top Tip: To avoid crowds and relish the beauty of these places in solitude, I suggest booking a private boat to these islands and arriving early in the morning. By doing so, you will have the flexibility to tailor your boat tour by choosing the duration of your stay at each location.

There are many tour companies on the streets of Krabi where you can book your day tours, but if you prefer to book online and in advance, below are some recommendations. 

Day Tour Recommendations

Phi Phi Islands

It’s best to stay on Koh Phi Phi Don Island and book a private long-tail boat to visit Maya Bay and Pi Leh Lagoon. 

Private long-tail boat rental for 6 hours costs 4,500 Baht per couple, not including the national park fee of 200 Baht per person. 

Private Tour Recommendation: Private Tour By Long Tail Boat with Visa Travel Phi Phi

Tip: Book your private long-tail boat for 6 am and visit Maya Bay, Pi Leh Lagoon and Bamboo Island! 

If you plan on visiting Maya Bay and Pi Leh Lagoon from Krabi it’s best to do a group tour. 

Group Tour Recommendation: From Krabi: Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Day Tour with GetYourGuide

Hong Islands

A private long tail boat for 5 hours costs 2,800 Baht per couple, not including the national park fee of 300 Baht per person. 

Private Tour Recommendation: Book a private long tail boat through tour@swisschalet-thailand.com. 

Tip: Book your private long tail boat for 6 am to visit Koh Lao Lading, Hong Lagoon, Hong Island and Hong Island Viewpoint. 

Group Tour Recommendation: Krabi: Hong Islands Day Trip by Speedboat with Lunch with GetYourGuide

1. Maya Bay

Maya Bay, made famous by the film “The Beach”, is closed for part of the year to allow it to recover from tourism and restore its marine ecology and coral reef. If you want to visit the beach you will need to check if it’s open before planning a trip there. 

The ministry’s regulations limit the number of visitors to 380 per hour. Boats are required to dock at Loh Sama Bay, located at the back of the island. This measure reduces the noise and pollution caused by boats approaching the beach, which can disturb the wildlife and the ecosystem of the bay.

From Loh Sama Bay, you will have to walk along a wooden trail for about five minutes to reach Maya Bay.

Note: Swimming is not permitted at Maya Bay to protect the fragile coral reef and marine life that inhabit the area.

Plan to arrive early in the morning and start your boat tour at 6 a.m., with Maya Bay as your first stop.

2. Pi Leh Lagoon

Pi Leh Lagoon is known for its greenish-blue waters. Hundreds of multicoloured fish can be found around here, making it an awesome snorkelling spot. This natural lagoon is also surrounded by lush vegetation and 100-metre-high limestone cliffs.

Pi Leh Lagoon is also an ideal spot for swimming. Take a refreshing dip in the clear water and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Note: Be cautious when standing or walking in the water as there are sea urchins here.

To fully enjoy Pi Leh Lagoon, it’s best to get there early before the crowds arrive. The lagoon is a popular tourist destination, and it can get crowded during peak season. Make this your second stop, after Maya Bay.  

Pi Leh Lagoon is an absolute must-see!

3. Koh Lao Lading

Koh Lao Lading, also known as “Paradise Island,” has a pristine beach and crystal-clear waters surrounded by coconut palms. This is the best island near Krabi in my opinion.

Booking a boat tour is the only way to get to Koh Lao Lading. You can book a boat tour that departs from either Krabi Pier or Ao Nang. 

Plan your boat trip for 6 am and make Koh Lao Lading your first stop so you can enjoy this place without too many people. 

4. Hong Lagoon

The long-tail boat or speedboat navigates a narrow rock opening to a lagoon within, where you will be captivated by the unique landscape of turquoise water and towering limestone cliffs. Hong Lagoon is an excellent snorkelling and swimming lagoon. Be sure to check the tide times and visit when it’s high tide.

5. Hong Island

Hong Island’s white sandy beach, turquoise sea colours and surrounding limestone formations makes it undoubtedly one of Thailand’s most beautiful places.  

The entrance fee to the National Park is 300 Baht per person, payable in cash only.

Be sure to take the stairs up to the 360-degree viewpoint on Hong Island! It only takes 15 minutes to reach the top but there are a lot of stairs so bring plenty of water with you.  

Wear your swimmers because you will need to enter the ocean to get from the dock to the beach. 

Hong Islands is one of the most beautiful islands in Krabi, and Phi Phi Islands is one of Thailand’s most beautiful destinations. Make sure to visit these dream destinations on your Krabi trip! 

To make the most out of your visit to Krabi, check out my blog post on 10 things to do in Krabi! It’s packed with exciting ideas, from beach escapades to temple explorations and island hopping. For a comprehensive guide on Phi Phi Islands read my blog post Phi Phi Islands: The Ultimate Guide.

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a payment I will earn a commission. I link these websites because they give the best value/service and not because of the commission I receive. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to pay using these links is completely up to you. I only recommend websites to book through that I use myself and I know will be beneficial!