Boat Trip Krabi with Kids: Safe, Shaded and Easy Days on the Water

It is 8:30 in Ao Nang, the kids have been up since six, and you are holding a bag of sunscreen, snacks and spare clothes, wondering if a day at sea was a good idea. Planning a boat trip in Krabi with kids comes down to three choices: the boat, the length of the route and the season. Get those right and the day runs itself.

This guide is written from many days on the water with families. It covers what actually matters with children on board, which routes are worth it and which ones I would skip until the kids are older.

Is a private boat trip in Krabi a good idea with young children?

Yes, and a private boat is the easiest way to do it. The whole boat is for your group, so you leave when the kids are ready, stay longer where they are happy and head back when someone gets tired.

On a shared tour boat the timetable belongs to everyone. A toddler nap or a sudden tantrum does not change the plan. On a private charter, the captain and crew work around your family, within the limits of the tide and the weather.

There is also the space. Even the smallest private boat in Krabi carries only your group, so there is no fighting for a seat in the shade or a spot by the ladder. With small children that alone lowers the stress level of the day.

The downside is cost. Prices are per boat, not per person, so a private day is a bigger single payment than a few tour tickets. For a family of four or more it often makes sense, and for a small couple with one child it is a question of budget and how much calm you want.

Which boat is safest and most comfortable for kids?

For most families the answer is a catamaran. Two hulls keep the boat stable at anchor, and that is exactly when kids are moving around, eating and climbing in and out of the water.

Charter Krabi lists four catamarans. The Power Catamaran 40ft takes up to 25 guests, has 4 double cabins, a shaded deck and a mesh net at the bow. The Lavezzi 40 is a sailing catamaran for up to 12 guests, with swim ladders on both sides and an outdoor shower. Blue Atoll, a Lagoon 400 for up to 30, has a large saloon laid out like a living room and a bathroom with shower, toilet and sink in each cabin. The Power Catamaran 72ft takes up to 70 guests and suits big family groups.

Long-tail boats are the other option. They are narrow, wooden and traditional, and kids love the look of them. But they are lower to the water, more open to sun and spray, and the engine on a long shaft is loud. For children who are sensitive to noise, that matters. The Long-tail Boat does have a toilet on board, an outdoor shower and a sun deck, which makes it the more practical of the two long-tails for a family.

My honest view: with children under five, choose a catamaran. With older kids who swim well and a short route, a long-tail is a fun, cheaper choice. The comparison in long-tail or catamaran in Krabi goes deeper into the trade-offs.

Boat trip Krabi with kids: which routes work and which are too long?

Short routes close to the coast work best. The 4 Islands half day is the strongest choice for small children: the islands lie a short way off Ao Nang and Railay, so you spend more time swimming than sitting on a moving boat.

Here are the routes from the boat pages, sorted by how they fit young families:

The 4 Islands route has another advantage with kids: the Talay Waek sandbar. At low tide a strip of sand rises between Koh Tup, Koh Kai and Koh Mor, and children can walk across the sea from one island to another. Ask the crew to time the stop with the tide. The 4 Islands by private boat page shows all the boats on this route.

Phi Phi is the one I would skip with toddlers. It means a long day and a crossing of open sea, and at Maya Bay there is a no-swimming rule, so the most famous stop is for looking, not swimming. Save it for when the kids are older and the sea is calm.

Hong Island sits in between. The lagoon inside the cliffs is calm and spectacular, but full days of 8 to 12 hours are tiring for small children. Both are national park areas, so a park fee may apply on the day, on top of the boat price.

What about life jackets and snorkelling for children?

Life jackets are on the list of what is included on the Lavezzi 40, both power catamarans and both long-tails, and the Lavezzi 40 and power catamarans also carry full safety equipment. The key detail is the size: tell the team the ages and weight of your children when you request the boat, and ask for jackets that fit them.

A life jacket that is too big rides up over a small child's face in the water, which defeats the point. If your child is very small or you already own a good vest that fits, bringing it along is a sensible idea.

Snorkelling equipment is on board the Lavezzi 40 and the power catamarans, and Blue Atoll and the Luxury Long-tail list snorkelling masks. Adult masks often do not seal on a small face, so a child's mask from home helps a lot. For first-timers, start in shallow water off a beach rather than jumping off the back of the boat.

The power catamarans and the Lavezzi 40 also have a stand-up paddle board and a kayak, and the power catamarans add a fancy swim ring. For kids aged about six and up, these toys are often the highlight of the day.

A simple rule for parents: one adult is always watching the water when children swim. The crew helps, but they are also running the boat and serving lunch.

Shade, sun and the heat: how to keep kids comfortable

The sun at sea in Krabi is stronger than on the beach, because it reflects off the water. Shade on board is the most important comfort feature for a family day.

Catamarans win here. Blue Atoll has a large indoor saloon with a dining table and seating, and the cabins below deck are a good place for a nap. The Power Catamaran 40ft has a covered deck and a saloon with a U-shaped bench. On a long-tail, shade is limited, so plan the half day for the morning or the late afternoon.

A few habits help a lot:

• Put sunscreen on at the hotel, then again after every swim.
• Use a long-sleeved swim shirt and a hat with a strap so it does not fly off at speed.
• Keep kids drinking: soft drinks and ice are on board, but bring the water bottle they like.
• Plan the swim stops for the morning and the late afternoon, and keep midday for lunch in the shade.

The mesh net at the bow of the power catamarans and the trampoline on the sailing catamarans are the favourite spot on board for children. They are also the sunniest and, when the boat is moving, the spot most exposed to spray. Sit there at anchor, together with the kids.

Seasickness, toilets and naps: the practical side

Seasickness is the main reason a family day goes wrong. Short, sheltered routes and a stable boat are the best protection, more than any pill.

Catamarans move less than single-hull boats, and the 4 Islands lie close to the coast, so the crossing is short. Phi Phi is the most exposed route because it crosses open sea. If your child gets car-sick, choose a half day, give a light breakfast, and keep them on deck looking at the horizon rather than down in a cabin while the boat moves.

Toilets matter more with kids than anything on the brochure. Blue Atoll has a bathroom in each cabin, and the Long-tail Boat lists a toilet on board. The Lavezzi 40 and the power catamarans have cabins below deck; ask about the bathroom when you request the boat if it is important to you. The Luxury Long-tail does not list a toilet, which is one more reason to keep it for older kids and short trips.

Naps are easier than parents expect. The rhythm of a boat at anchor sends many toddlers to sleep, and a catamaran with cabins or a saloon gives them a quiet place for it. On a long-tail, a nap means a parent's lap and a towel for shade.

Food is less of a worry than you think. The catamarans include fruit, snacks and drinks, the Lavezzi 40 adds standard food, Blue Atoll adds a beach picnic and afternoon tea, and the Long-tail Boat a local snack and beach picnic. Still, bring the snacks your child actually eats. A hungry four-year-old will not try Thai fruit for the first time at sea.

Which boat should a family choose, and how do child prices work?

For most families with small children, the Power Catamaran 40ft on the 4 Islands half day is the safest bet: ฿22,000 for the whole boat for 1-10 guests, 4-5 hours, stable, shaded, with toys on board.

Child prices only appear on some boats. On both power catamarans the price covers 1-10 guests, then each extra adult costs ฿600 and each child aged 3-12 costs ฿300. On the Lavezzi 40 the price starts from 2 guests and each extra guest from 3 to 12 costs ฿2,500. Blue Atoll is priced for 10 guests, with ฿1,000 for each extra guest from 11 to 30. The full breakdown is on each boat page and in the catamaran rental in Krabi overview.

The Power Catamaran 40ft is the best all-round family boat, the Lavezzi 40 suits a smaller family who want a quiet sailing day and cabins, and Blue Atoll is for larger family groups who want the most comfort and a saloon.

Power catamaran Max 25 persons Power Catamaran 40ft From฿22,000 Sailing catamaran Max 12 persons Lavezzi 40 From฿20,000 Sailing catamaran Max 30 persons Blue Atoll From฿34,500

For a small family with kids who swim well, a long-tail half day is a good, lower-cost alternative. The Luxury Long-tail suits two adults and one or two older children on a short trip, and the Long-tail Boat suits up to 8 guests and has a toilet on board.

Long-tail Max 8 persons Long-tail Boat From฿8,900 Long-tail Max 6 persons Luxury Long-tail Boat From฿6,900

Before you book: a short checklist for parents

Most family days go well when a few details are sorted before the boat leaves. Tell the team the ages of your children when you send the request: it changes the price on some boats and the gear they bring.

1. Pick a half day for children under five, and keep full days for older kids.
2. Choose the morning for a long-tail, when the sun is softer.
3. Ask for child-size life jackets and bring a child's snorkelling mask.
4. Pack sunscreen, swim shirts, hats with straps, spare clothes, a favourite water bottle and familiar snacks.
5. Keep a spare day in your holiday from about May to October, when swell on the Andaman Sea can change or cancel a route.
6. Remember that national park fees on routes such as Hong Island and Phi Phi are not included in the boat price.

When you are ready, send a free, non-binding request through the contact form or a boat page, or write on WhatsApp. A manager checks that the boat is free on your date and confirms the final price before you pay anything.

Ready to choose your boat?

Every boat page shows the routes, prices and what is included. The booking request is free: a manager checks the boat is free on your date and confirms the price.

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Updated 5 November 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.