I recently visited Krabi, and one of the must-do experiences on my travel wish list was a bit of island hopping. But this time, I didn’t feel like joining a large organised group tour, I wanted something more private, just for me and my husband. So how did I arrange it, and is renting a private longtail boat in Krabi really worth it? Keep reading to find out.
I rented a private longtail boat directly on the beach in Ao Nang rather than booking online, and honestly, it completely changed the experience. Instead of following a fixed group schedule, we could decide when to leave, how long to stay at each stop, and we didn’t have to spend time waiting for everyone to gather before moving on.
In this guide, I’ll explain how much a private longtail boat in Krabi costs, whether it’s really worth it, what surprised me, what I’d do differently next time, and when booking directly on the beach works better than arranging it in advance.
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Short on Time? Here’s What to Know Before Renting a Private Longtail Boat in Krabi:
- Best for: couples, families, or small groups who want flexibility
- Price: from 2,500 THB per boat for the classic 4-island route
- Where to book: directly at Ao Nang Beach sales booths or online
- Best departure time: around 8:30–9:00 AM
- Worth it if: you want to avoid fixed group schedules and move at your own pace
Booking a Longtail Boat Directly on the Beach: My Experience
I stayed in Ao Nang and really wanted to do some island hopping because, to be honest, the beach there was rather disappointing. I was hoping to get to a smaller island with that clear turquoise water you imagine when thinking of Krabi, do some snorkelling, and explore the underwater life.
At first, I started researching organised island tours online, but for some reason, maybe because Ao Nang already felt so busy and crowded, I didn’t feel like spending the day with another ten strangers.
Then, on my first morning, I walked down to the beach and noticed a sales booth right by the beach road offering longtail boat transport to nearby Railay and Tonsai Beach, as well as private longtail boat trips to nearby islands. That immediately felt like the best option.
I didn’t pre-book anything in advance. We simply walked down after breakfast, chose the island combination we wanted, paid, got a ticket, and were immediately assigned a driver and boat. It was surprisingly easy.
I’m not sure whether we were expected to negotiate, but the price felt fair considering the trip was supposed to last five hours. Personally, I always find it a bit awkward trying to push the price down as much as possible, especially when the difference is relatively small.
I also had the impression that this sales booth worked with fairly fixed prices. Perhaps if you speak directly to an independent boat owner outside this system, there may be more room for negotiation.
Because all the boats look almost identical, it was very helpful that both the boats and drivers were numbered. Each driver had a matching number, which made it much easier to find our boat again after each island stop.
How Much Does a Private Longtail Boat Cost in Krabi?
The beach sales booth offers several private longtail boat routes at different price points. You’ll also find tour booths on almost every corner in Ao Nang if you want to compare options, although most of them mainly focus on group tours rather than private boats.
Here are the routes you can book directly on Ao Nang beach:
- 4 Islands Tour – Poda Island, Chicken Island, Tup Island, West Railay (5 hours): 2,500 THB per boat
- Hong Islands (6 hours): 3,500 THB per boat
- Bamboo Island: 4,500 THB per boat
- 3 Islands Snorkelling – Mae Urai Island, Yawabon Island, Yawasam Island: 3,000 THB per boat
- 7 Islands – Mae Urai, Yawabon, Yawasam, Poda, Tup, Chicken, and West Railay: 4,000 THB per boat
- 9 Islands – Hong Beach, Hong Lagoon, Pakbia, Lao Lading, Daeng, Poda, Tup, Chicken, West Railay: 5,500 THB per boat
You can rent the boat from as early as 8 AM, and payment is cash only.
The boat capacity is usually 5 to 6 people, and they also provide a mask and snorkel, which makes the price much more reasonable if you split the cost between several people.
Extra Costs When Renting a Private Longtail Boat
After paying for the boat, make sure you carry extra cash because once you arrive at the first island, you’ll need to pay a national park fee (only once), and it’s also worth having some money for a small tip if you’re happy with the service.
The fees vary depending on the route:
| Destination | Adult (THB) | Child 4–11 (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Poda isl. / Tup isl. / Chicken isl. | 200 | 100 |
| Bamboo isl. / Phi Phi lay (Maya Bay) / Phi Phi isl. | 400 | 200 |
| Hong Island | 300 | 150 |
| 7 Islands | 200 | 100 |
| 9 Islands | 500 | 250 |
What You Actually Get With a Private Longtail Boat
One thing I really enjoyed was having the whole boat to ourselves and being able to leave whenever we wanted, in our case, right after breakfast and after buying a waterproof bag from one of the beach shops.
You also have much more freedom when it comes to deciding how long to stay at each island, although I found that slightly difficult at first because I had no idea what was waiting for us at the next stop. Still, the biggest advantage was that everything happened at our own pace.
When we stopped for snorkelling, we could finish whenever we wanted without waiting for anyone else or being told it was time to move on.
Private Boat vs Group Tour in Krabi
Although I only did a private longtail boat trip this time, I had previously joined an organised boat tour around Koh Phi Phi and Monkey Beach, so I can still make a fair comparison.
Private Longtail Boat
- Flexible timing
- Private atmosphere
- Easier to take photos
- You can choose your route (based on available packages)
- Quieter overall experience
Group Tour
- Cheaper per person
- Usually includes a guide
- Easier for solo travellers
- Fixed route
- Often includes lunch as well
Best Routes for Non-Private and Private Longtail Boats in Krabi
If you’re staying in Ao Nang and simply want to visit nearby beaches, there are also easy non-private routes available directly from the beach.
Short Routes: Non-Private Boat
- Tonsai Beach — 100 THB one way
- Railay Beach — 200 THB return
- Phra Nang Beach — reachable by a 15-minute walk from Railay Beach
These are perfect even for half-day trips. You do need to wait until the boat fills up before departure, but when I went to Railay, I only waited about two minutes. Ao Nang is very busy during high season, and in the morning most people head straight to the beach booth to buy tickets for nearby beaches or island trips.
Classic Island Route: 4-Island Private Tour
We chose the 4-Island Tour, which lasts up to five hours and allows a maximum of six people per boat. Our driver spoke a little English and at each stop told us how much time we had, although I believe they can be slightly flexible if you already know where you want to stay longer.
Railey West
This was our first stop and technically it’s not an island, but part of the route. We had around 40 minutes here, which honestly isn’t enough time to walk to Phra Nang Beach, swim, and return, so instead, we stayed near the beach and then walked inland all the way towards Railay East.
Railay Beach was slightly disappointing for me. The limestone cliffs are stunning, but the water was cloudy both times I visited, and the beach itself felt a bit like a parking area for boats.
Poda Island
This was probably my favourite stop of the whole trip. Even before reaching the shore, I could already see the soft white sand and clear turquoise water. We had one hour here, but if I went again, I would definitely ask the driver to stay longer.
Swimming here was beautiful, and there were plenty of Sergeant Major fish around us. We parked the boat on the northern side of the island, which also gave us a view of Ko Ma Tang Ming.
There isn’t much to do here apart from swimming, sunbathing or walking along the coast.
Tup Island
Not far from Poda lies Tup Island, a very small island famous for its sandbar, which appears at low tide and connects it to a nearby island. During our visit, the tide was too high to comfortably walk across with our bag, although some people still attempted it. We eventually found a quiet little corner under the rocks at the far end of the beach, and that turned out to be one of the most peaceful moments of the trip.
Chicken Island
This island gets its name from a rock formation that resembles a chicken’s head. I had assumed we would stop properly on the beach, but instead we anchored about 15 metres from the coast for snorkelling. This turned out to be one of the most interesting snorkelling spots because we saw large sea urchins, small colourful fish as well as several bigger fish.
We probably stayed in the water for around 45 minutes and one thing I didn’t enjoy was a strange dust-like layer floating on the sea surface. At first, I thought it might be pollution from the many longtail boats nearby, but later I found out it was most likely pollen. I couldn’t wait to wash it off afterwards.
➞ Looking for more ideas on what to do in Krabi? Read my guide: 3 Days in Krabi Itinerary: What I Loved & What I’d Do Differently Next Time
Other longer islands routes
If you want a longer route, private longtail boats also offer:
- Hong Islands
- Bamboo Island
- 3 Islands for snorkelling
- 7 Islands Tour
- 9 Islands Tour
When a Private Longtail Boat Is Not Worth It
I probably wouldn’t go to the expense of renting a private longtail boat if I were travelling solo, because it quickly becomes much more expensive per person, and in that case joining a group tour may simply make more sense, especially if you also enjoy meeting other travellers.
Another situation where I’d skip it is during unstable weather. We went in February, which is considered one of the best months for visiting Krabi, but even then the weather changed on the way back. It became cloudier, the sea got rougher, and we were splashed quite a lot during the return journey. I honestly wouldn’t want to be on a longtail boat during heavy rain or a storm.
➞ Not sure when it’s the best time to visit Krabi? Read my article: Best Time to Visit Krabi: A Month-by-Month Guide
My Personal Tips for Renting a Private Longtail Boat in Krabi
- Get a Waterproof Pouch: A small waterproof pouch is enough for your phones, cash, and wallet. We were splashed quite a lot on the way back, so I was very glad we bought one before leaving.
- Carry Extra Cash: You’ll still need cash for national park fees, tip for the driver and drinks/snacks if needed.
- Bring Plenty of Water and Some Snacks: You can buy drinks at Railay, and I think I also saw a small stall on Tup Island, although I’m not sure whether that was only serving group tours. Either way, bring more water than you think you need because swimming, snorkelling, and sun exposure dehydrate you quickly.
- Ask to Spend More Time on Poda Island: If you also choose the 4-Island Tour, I’d definitely ask to stay longer on Poda Island. For me, one hour there felt too short, by comparison, Chicken Island is mainly a snorkelling stop, so you probably don’t need a full hour there.
- Bring SPF 50: Snorkelling can burn your neck and shoulders surprisingly quickly. I applied several layers of SPF 50 and still managed to get sunburnt. If you burn easily, wearing a light T-shirt in the water is a very good idea.
➞ Wondering what to pack for a beach holiday in Thailand? Check out my article: Thailand Beach Packing List: What to Pack for Your 2026 Holiday
Prefer Booking in Advance?
Booking directly on the beach worked very well for me, but booking online may make more sense if you prefer fixed timing, everything arranged in advance, having a guide and lunch or refreshments included
Our boat driver was really just a driver, he spoke only a little English and wasn’t able to explain much about the islands. So if you prefer a more guided experience, booking online may suit you better.
Compare private boat options here before arriving in Krabi:
Best Place to Stay in Krabi if You Want Easy Boat Access
If you plan to rent a private longtail boat in Krabi, staying near Ao Nang Beach makes everything much easier because most boats depart directly from there.
You’ll find sales booths at both ends of the beach road, so if you prefer to stay spontaneous, you can simply walk down in the morning, compare the available routes, and choose your boat trip on the spot. That flexibility is one of the reasons Ao Nang works so well as a base for island hopping.
➞ Read my guide Where to Stay in Krabi: 6 Best Areas Explained + Where to Avoid
FAQ About Private Longtail Boats in Krabi
Can you negotiate private longtail boat prices in Krabi?
I didn’t personally negotiate and simply paid the listed price. Of course, you can always try, and if it doesn’t work at one booth, just approach the groups of boat drivers standing along the beach and ask them directly. There may be more room for negotiation outside the official sales booths, especially later in the day or during quieter periods.
Is private longtail boat better than group tour?
It really depends on what kind of experience you want. If you’re happy to chat with other travellers, don’t mind waiting for others, and are comfortable following fixed timings, then a group tour is a perfectly good and more affordable option.
But if you’re travelling as a couple, family, or small group of friends, a private longtail boat often feels much more enjoyable because the day moves more at your own pace.
Is private longtail boat safe?
It felt reasonably safe in normal weather conditions. There were life jackets on the boat, although nobody asked us to wear them. On the way back, the sea became rougher and we got quite wet, which definitely made the ride feel less comfortable. Personally, I would avoid taking a longtail boat during bad weather or if the forecast predicts rain or storms.
Should you book online or on the beach?
I don’t think one option is clearly better than the other. Booking directly on the beach gives you more flexibility and possible room for negotiation, while booking online offers more certainty and lets you organise everything in advance. There were plenty of boats available in Ao Nang in the morning, but when we returned around 2 PM, most of them were already gone.
Final Thoughts: Was the Private Long-tail Boat Worth It?
For me, yes. The freedom to leave when we wanted and having the boat just for ourselves made the whole day feel much more enjoyable. If you’re travelling with at least one other person, renting a private longtail boat in Krabi can easily become one of the best upgrades during island hopping.
Just be aware that you won’t be the only one choosing this option, there will still be lines of boats parked at popular islands, so it’s not a complete escape from crowds.
Check Out My Other Krabi Guides
Is Krabi Worth Visiting? My Honest Review After 3 Days in Krabi
How to Get to Krabi Thailand: The Best Ways to Get to Krabi
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