- Three catamarans run Hong Island from Krabi: the Lavezzi 40 from ฿25,000, the Power Catamaran 40ft for ฿32,000 and the Power Catamaran 72ft for ฿75,000, always for the whole boat.
- The Hong lagoon sits inside the main island and is entered through a narrow gap in the cliffs, so the tide decides how easy and how pretty the visit is.
- A private boat lets you arrive at the lagoon and the beach when the big tour boats are elsewhere, instead of on a fixed timetable.
- Koh Hong is a national park area, so the park fee is paid on the day and is not included in the boat price.
- The Lavezzi 40 day is the longest at 10-12 hours with Railay and Poda added, while the power catamarans spend 8-9 hours focused on the Hong group.
The engine drops to a murmur, the cliffs close in on both sides, and for a moment the only sound is water slapping against limestone. Then the gap opens and you slide into the Hong lagoon, green and glassy, walled in on every side. That moment is why people book a hong island private boat day from Krabi, and how good it feels depends almost entirely on when you get there.
This guide covers what you see at Koh Hong, how the tide shapes the lagoon, why timing is easier on a private charter, and which boats actually run the route. If you want the short version first, the Hong Island charter page lists the boats and routes side by side.
What is Hong Island and why do people go?
Hong Island (Koh Hong) is a group of limestone islands north-west of Ao Nang, best known for a lagoon hidden inside the main island. "Hong" means "room" in Thai, and that is exactly how it feels: a room of calm water with the ceiling open to the sky.
The main island is hollow. High walls rise straight out of the water and close the lagoon off from the sea, except for one narrow channel. There is no swell inside, even on a breezy day, which makes it one of the calmest places to float in the whole Krabi area.
On the outside of the island there is a white sand beach with clear water, good for a long swim and some snorkelling along the rocks. Nearby, the smaller islands of Pak Bia and Lading have little beaches, rocks and patches of coral, and they are the usual swim stops on the way in or out.
Koh Hong sits on the Krabi side of the wider bay. If you are curious how it fits with the rest of the area, the Phang Nga Bay guide explains where the famous northern sights are and why the Krabi trips focus on the Hong group.
How does the tide affect the Hong lagoon?
The tide decides how the lagoon looks and how you get in. At higher water the channel is deeper and the lagoon looks full and green; at low water parts of it can turn shallow, sandy or muddy, and the entrance gets tighter.
Tide times in the Andaman Sea move a little every day and change through the month, so there is no single "best hour" that works every time. The crew checks the tide table for your date and builds the order of stops around it. That might mean the lagoon first and the beach later, or the other way round.
Low tide is not a disaster. Some guests actually like it, because you can wade in the shallows and see the sand patterns and small fish. But if your picture of the day is gliding into deep emerald water by kayak, say so when you book, and ask for the route to be planned around higher water.
A few honest notes from days on the water:
- The lagoon is usually entered by kayak or by a small boat, not by the catamaran itself. The dinghy on board, or the kayak, gets you from the anchorage to the entrance.
- Rules on how boats and kayaks enter can change with the national park. The crew follows what is in force on the day.
- Light is best in the morning and later afternoon. At midday the walls throw little shade inside and the water reflects hard.
- Bring a dry bag for your phone. Kayaks drip, and the dinghy ride can be splashy.
Why is a hong island private boat better for timing?
Because the boat waits for you, not the other way round. A shared tour has to keep to one schedule for everyone, so it arrives at the lagoon and the beach at the same hours as the other big tour boats.
Hong Island is popular, and the busy window is mid-morning to early afternoon. On a private charter the captain can shift the order of stops to miss the peak: Pak Bia or Lading first, the lagoon when the tide and the crowds suit, the beach when most groups have already left.
It also changes the feel of each stop. Nobody is counting heads, and if the snorkelling at one rock is good, you stay. If the kids are tired after the lagoon, you skip the next swim and head for the beach early. The day bends around your group.
There is a catch. The big tour boats are fast, and some speedboat tours cover Koh Hong in a few hours. A catamaran is slower and more comfortable, so the whole day is longer. If you want Koh Hong quickly and cheaply, a shared tour does that. If you want space, shade and control of the clock, private is worth it.
Which boats go to Hong Island and what do they cost?
Three catamarans run Hong Island from Krabi, and the price is always for the whole boat, not per person. They differ a lot in size, in what else the day includes and in how many guests the base price covers.
| Boat | Route | Time on the water | Price per boat | Guests in the price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavezzi 40 (sailing catamaran) | Railay, Daeng, Hong Island, Pak Bia, Lading, the Hong lagoon, plus Poda | 10-12 hours | ฿25,000 | From 2 guests, up to 12 |
| Power Catamaran 40ft | Hong Island, Pak Bia, Lading and the lagoon | 8-9 hours, 10:30-19:30 | ฿32,000 | 1-10 guests, up to 25 |
| Power Catamaran 72ft | Koh Hong full day | 8 hours | ฿75,000 | 1-10 guests, up to 70 |
Extra guests are charged differently on each boat. On the Lavezzi 40, each guest from the third to the twelfth adds ฿2,500. On both power catamarans, each extra adult beyond ten adds ฿600 and each child aged 3-12 adds ฿300. The park fee is not in any of these prices, so plan for it on the day.
What all three include: captain and crew, accident insurance, fuel surcharge, a dinghy, coffee and tea, soft drinks and ice, fruit and snacks, snorkelling equipment, life jackets, a stand-up paddle board and a kayak. The Lavezzi 40 also includes standard food, which matters on a day that long.
Lavezzi 40: the long, slow sailing day
The Lavezzi 40 sailing catamaran is a Fountaine Pajot with 4 double cabins and room for 12. Its Hong Island day is the most complete of the three: Railay, Daeng Island, Hong Island, Pak Bia, Lading and the lagoon, with Poda on the same trip.
It suits couples and small groups who want a full day at sea and do not mind a long one. Swim ladders on both sides and an outdoor shower make the swim stops easy. The downside is the length: 10-12 hours is a lot for small children or anyone who gets tired in the sun.
Power Catamaran 40ft: the focused Hong Island day
The Power Catamaran 40ft is a custom-built motor catamaran for up to 25 guests. It goes straight for the Hong group: Hong Island, Pak Bia, Lading and the lagoon, from 10:30 to 19:30.
This is the one I would pick for a family or a group of friends of 8 to 15. It is quicker between stops than a sailing boat, there is a mesh net at the bow for lying over the water, and the base price covers ten people. For a bigger group the per-guest extras are modest.
Power Catamaran 72ft: for the big groups
The Power Catamaran 72ft takes up to 70 guests and spends a full 8-hour day at Koh Hong. It makes sense for company outings, weddings, birthdays and large family groups who want to stay together on one deck.
For fewer than about 25 people it is more boat than you need, and the 40ft does the same islands for much less. Choose the 72ft when headcount, not route, is the deciding factor.
Here is the quick match: the Lavezzi 40 for small groups who want the longest, slowest day, the 40ft power catamaran for families and mid-size groups, and the 72ft for crowds.
What does a private day at Koh Hong look like?
A typical day starts with pickup at the pier or the beach in the morning and a crossing of open water to the Hong group. Then it is a loop of swim stops, the lagoon and the beach, with lunch on board or on the sand and a slow ride back in the late afternoon.
The exact order depends on the tide and on the boat, but a realistic flow on the power catamaran looks like this:
- Morning crossing. Settle in, put on sunscreen, find shade. The water is often calmest early.
- First swim stop. Pak Bia or Lading, with snorkelling around the rocks and a short swim to a small beach.
- The lagoon. By kayak or dinghy through the gap, timed to the tide. Plan for a slow paddle and plenty of photos.
- Lunch. On deck in the shade, or near the beach.
- Koh Hong beach. Long swim, sand, and a walk if the park paths are open.
- Return. Late afternoon light on the cliffs, often the most beautiful part of the trip.
Some visitors climb to a viewpoint on Koh Hong for a view over the lagoon and the islands. Access, the condition of the path and opening times are set by the park and can change, so treat it as a bonus rather than the plan. It is a short but steep climb in the heat: take water and proper shoes, not flip-flops.
Snorkelling at Koh Hong is pleasant rather than spectacular. Expect clear water near the rocks, small reef fish and some coral, not big drop-offs. If snorkelling is the main reason for your trip, ask the crew which stop has the best visibility that day.
When is the best time of year for Hong Island?
The dry season, from about November to April, is the easiest time for Hong Island. The sea is usually calm, the water clearer and the crossing smoother.
From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings swell to the Andaman Sea. On rough days the crossing to the Hong group can be uncomfortable, and routes may change or be cancelled if the captain decides it is not safe. That is a good thing, even if it is disappointing.
Green season is not a write-off. There are many calm days between the rough ones, the islands are greener and the boats are fewer. Keep your dates flexible, book a stable catamaran rather than a small boat, and ask the day before how the sea looks.
A word on seasickness: catamarans are much steadier than single-hull boats, but the open crossing can still roll a little. If anyone in the group is sensitive, take tablets before boarding, sit in the middle of the boat and look at the horizon.
Is the park fee included and what else should you plan for?
No. Koh Hong is a national park area, and the park fee is paid on the day. It is not part of the boat price on any of the three catamarans.
The amount is set by the park and can change, so check it when you book. Have some cash in Thai baht with you, as cards are not always accepted at park points.
A few more things worth planning:
- Sun. The lagoon and the beach have little shade at midday. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeve top help more than you think.
- Feet. Water shoes are handy on the rocks around Pak Bia and Lading.
- Drinks. Soft drinks and water are on board. If you want something stronger, ask what is allowed when you book.
- Kids. The power catamaran days are shorter and better for children than the 10-12 hour sailing day.
When you are ready, send the date, the number of guests and the boat you like through the free booking request. A manager checks that the boat is free and confirms the final price. Mention the tide and anything special, like a birthday cake or a vegetarian guest, so the crew can plan the day around it.
Questions and answers
How long does it take to get from Ao Nang to Hong Island by boat?
It depends on the boat and the sea. A power catamaran is quicker than a sailing catamaran, and the crossing feels shorter on calm mornings. The crew can tell you the expected time for your date when you book.
Can you swim in the Hong lagoon?
Swimming and kayaking rules inside the lagoon are set by the national park and can change. Most visits are by kayak or small boat, and the crew follows the rules in force on the day. The beach outside the lagoon is the main place to swim.
Is Hong Island worth it if I have already done the 4 Islands?
Yes, it feels quite different. The 4 Islands are about beaches and the sandbar, while Hong Island is about the enclosed lagoon and taller cliffs. Many people say Koh Hong is the more dramatic of the two.
Can I bring my own food and drinks on the catamaran?
Drinks, snacks and fruit are already included, and the Lavezzi 40 also includes standard food. If you want to bring something special, such as a cake or a bottle of wine, ask when you book so the crew knows.
Is Hong Island suitable for older guests or people who cannot swim?
Yes, with some planning. The catamaran deck is stable and shaded, life jackets are on board, and the lagoon can be seen from a kayak or the dinghy without swimming. The viewpoint climb is steep, so skip it if walking is hard.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day?
The captain decides whether it is safe to go. If the sea is too rough, the route may change or the trip may be moved. Keep a spare day in your plans during the monsoon months.
Can we stay for sunset at Koh Hong?
The power catamarans run until about 19:30, which brings you back in the late afternoon and early evening light. Ask about timing when you book, as the route and the return depend on the tide and the sea.
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.
Updated 26 October 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.
