- The private long-tails cost ฿6,900 for a 4-hour half day on the Luxury Long-tail Boat and ฿8,900 for a half day or ฿15,000 for a full day on the Long-tail Boat.
- Catamarans start at ฿20,000 for the Lavezzi 40 on Railay and Poda, and only catamarans have fixed routes to Hong Island and Phi Phi.
- A long-tail takes up to 6 or 8 guests and sits low and close to the water; a catamaran takes 12 to 70 guests with shade, a stable deck and room to move.
- Couples and small groups on a short coastal day get the most from a long-tail; families, bigger groups and anyone prone to seasickness are better on a catamaran.
You are on the beach at Ao Nang, looking at a row of painted wooden long-tails rocking in the shallows, and somebody in your group says a catamaran would be nicer. Both are right, for different days. The real question of long tail or catamaran in Krabi comes down to how many of you there are, how far you want to go and how much sun, spray and engine noise you are happy with.
This comparison is based on the six private boats you can charter through charterkrabi.com, from two teak long-tails to catamarans for up to 70 guests. It covers comfort, routes, prices for the whole boat and a clear recommendation by type of traveller.
Long tail or catamaran in Krabi: what is the real difference?
A long-tail is a narrow wooden boat with an engine on a long shaft at the stern, made for short, close-to-the-water trips along the coast. A catamaran has two hulls, which makes it wider, steadier and roomier, with shade, a toilet and space for a group to eat and lie in the sun.
The long-tail is the traditional boat of the Andaman coast and still the way most people get around between Ao Nang, Railay and the nearby islands. Sitting in one, you are a metre from the water, the cliffs tower over you and the boat can nose right up to a beach. It feels local in a way no yacht does.
A catamaran is a different kind of day. You step onto a deck the size of a living room, there is a saloon, a galley and often cabins, and the boat barely rolls at anchor. Stability is the single biggest reason people choose a catamaran over a long-tail, especially with children, older guests or anyone who gets seasick.
Neither is "better". A long-tail is more atmospheric and much cheaper. A catamaran is more comfortable and goes further. The rest of this guide is about matching that to your trip.
Long-tail boats: what you get and what you give up
Two private long-tails are available, both built of teak, both with a captain and a butler on board. They are the cheapest way to have a whole boat to yourselves in Krabi, and for a small group they are often the smartest choice.
The Long-tail Boat
This one is 11.5 m long and takes up to 8 guests. It is a long-tail finished for comfort: a sun deck, a JBL speaker, an outdoor shower and, unusually for this kind of boat, a toilet on board. That last point matters more than it sounds on a full day.
The half day runs in the morning from 09:00 to 13:00 or in the afternoon from 14:30 to 18:30, both for ฿8,900. The full day runs from 09:00 to 17:00 for ฿15,000. Soft drinks with ice, infused water, local snacks, a beach picnic, life vests and towels are part of the price. Details are on the Long-tail Boat page.
The Luxury Long-tail Boat
This is a hand-made teak boat, 12 m long, built in the style of Thai recreational boats of the 19th century, for up to 6 guests. Think of it as a slow, elegant cruise rather than a speed run between beaches. A 4-hour half day costs ฿6,900 for 2 guests, and each extra guest from 3 to 6 costs ฿1,000.
Captain and crew, a butler, the fuel surcharge, travel insurance, life jackets, snorkelling masks, soft drinks with ice, seasonal fruits and towels are included. For a couple it is the best value private boat in Krabi.
The downsides, honestly
- Noise. The long-shaft engine is loud while you are moving. Conversation stops until you anchor.
- Sun and spray. There is some cover, but far less shade than on a catamaran, and in a choppy sea you will get wet.
- Movement. A narrow hull rolls more in waves. On a calm morning it is lovely; on a windy afternoon it can be tiring.
- Range. Neither long-tail page lists a fixed route to Hong Island or Phi Phi. These boats are for the nearby coast and islands; agree the stops with the manager when you book.
Catamarans: shade, space and stability
Four catamarans are available in Krabi: two sailing catamarans (the Lavezzi 40 and the Lagoon 400 Blue Atoll) and two power catamarans of 40 ft and 72 ft. They cost more, but they carry far more people and they are the only boats with fixed routes beyond the 4 Islands and Railay.
The Lavezzi 40 is a Fountaine Pajot sailing catamaran with 4 double cabins for up to 12 guests. It has swim ladders on both sides, an outdoor shower, a dinghy for going ashore, a stand-up paddle board and a kayak. Prices start from 2 guests, with ฿2,500 for each extra guest from 3 to 12, and park or island entry fees are not included.
Blue Atoll is the owner's version of the Lagoon 400, for up to 30 guests, with two cabins that each have their own bathroom, a butler, a beach picnic and afternoon tea. The base price covers up to 10 guests, and each extra guest from 11 to 30 costs ฿1,000.
The Power Catamaran 40ft takes up to 25 guests and the Power Catamaran 72ft up to 70. Both have a mesh net at the bow, snorkelling gear, a paddle board and a kayak. Their prices are for 1-10 guests, then ฿600 per extra adult and ฿300 per child aged 3-12.
The downsides are price and pace. A catamaran costs several times more than a long-tail, sailing catamarans move more slowly between stops, and a big boat cannot always slip into the small coves a long-tail reaches. You trade some of the local feel for comfort.
Which routes can each boat do?
Long-tails suit the nearby coast; catamarans cover the 4 Islands, Hong Island and Phi Phi with fixed routes and prices. Here is what the boat pages list, all prices per boat.
| Boat | Guests | Routes and prices |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Long-tail Boat | Up to 6 | Half day trip (4 hours): ฿6,900 |
| Long-tail Boat | Up to 8 | Half day morning or afternoon (4 hours): ฿8,900; Full day (8 hours): ฿15,000 |
| Lavezzi 40 | Up to 12 | Railay and Poda: ฿20,000; Hong Island and Poda: ฿25,000; Phi Phi and Poda: ฿28,000 |
| Power Catamaran 40ft | Up to 25 | 4 Islands half day: ฿22,000; 4 Islands full day: ฿29,000; Hong Island full day: ฿32,000 |
| Blue Atoll | Up to 30 | Half day morning: ฿34,500; Half day afternoon: ฿39,000; Full day: ฿50,000; Full day Phi Phi: ฿70,000 |
| Power Catamaran 72ft | Up to 70 | Krabi River cruise: ฿35,000; 4 Islands cruise: ฿55,000; Koh Hong full day: ฿75,000 |
The 4 Islands route covers Koh Poda, Chicken Island, the Talay Waek sandbar and Railay, close to the coast, so it works on almost any boat. The full picture is on the 4 Islands by private boat page.
Hong Island and Phi Phi are a different matter. Those are longer days with more open water, and on the fixed price lists they appear only on catamarans. If Phi Phi is on your list, a long-tail is not the boat for it: book the Lavezzi 40 or Blue Atoll. Both Hong Island and Phi Phi are national park areas, and the park fee is not part of the boat price.
How do long-tails and catamarans compare on comfort?
For comfort a catamaran wins almost every category: shade, seating, toilets, space and stability. A long-tail wins on atmosphere, closeness to the water and the ability to land right on the beach.
Shade is the one people underestimate. Five or eight hours on the Andaman Sea under a tropical sun is a lot, and the shaded saloon and cockpit of a catamaran make a real difference by early afternoon, especially for children and anyone fair-skinned. On a long-tail, plan on a hat, a long-sleeve top and plenty of sunscreen.
Seasickness is the next one. Two hulls spread the boat's weight, so a catamaran rolls far less at anchor and in a light swell. If anyone in your group gets queasy on boats, that alone should decide it.
Food is simpler on a catamaran too. On the Lavezzi 40 standard food is included, and the galleys on the bigger boats mean lunch can be served at a table. On a long-tail the meal is a picnic on a beach, which is lovely in fine weather and less so in a passing shower.
Where the long-tail wins is the experience of Krabi itself. You hear the water, you smell the limestone and the forest, and you can stop for ten minutes in a cove because you feel like it. Many guests who came for the catamaran remember the long-tail transfer more.
Which boat is right for you?
Choose by group size first, then by how far you want to go, then by budget. Here is how we would advise a friend:
- A couple on a budget: the Luxury Long-tail Boat at ฿6,900 for 2 guests. Private, elegant and about as authentic as it gets.
- A small group of friends, up to 8: the Long-tail Boat. The toilet and sun deck make a full day at ฿15,000 comfortable.
- A family with young children: a catamaran, without much doubt. The Lavezzi 40 for smaller families, the Power Catamaran 40ft if you are more than 12.
- Anyone who gets seasick: a catamaran, and a route close to the coast like the 4 Islands rather than the open crossing to Phi Phi.
- A celebration or a special day: Blue Atoll, with its butler, cabins and the option of a bartender for an extra charge.
- A big group, a company or a wedding party: the Power Catamaran 72ft, which takes up to 70 guests.
- Phi Phi or Hong Island: a catamaran. The long-tails have no fixed routes there.
For small groups, a long-tail is the classic way to see the coast.
For families, groups and longer routes, the catamarans are the comfortable choice.
When does a long-tail make more sense than a catamaran?
A long-tail makes more sense when the group is small, the route is short and the sea is calm. In those conditions you pay a fraction of the price and get a more local day.
The dry season, roughly November to April, is when long-tails shine: calm mornings, clear water and short hops between beaches. From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings swell to the Andaman Sea, and a small wooden boat feels it first. In those months some routes may change or be cancelled, and a catamaran gives you a better chance of a comfortable day.
A long-tail is also the better tool for a half day added to a beach holiday. A morning from 09:00 to 13:00 gets you on the water before the heat and the crowds, back for lunch and a nap. On a catamaran, a half day often feels too short for the price.
On the other hand, if you are planning just one boat day for the whole trip and there are more than four of you, the catamaran is usually worth the extra. You will spend the day comfortably instead of counting the hours.
How to book a long-tail or a catamaran
Open the boat page, check the routes and what is included, then send the booking request with your date and the number of guests. The request is free and non-binding, and a manager confirms by WhatsApp that the boat is free and the final price.
If you are still unsure, compare the two types on the long-tail rental page and the catamaran rental page, or write on WhatsApp with your group and your plans. A few practical tips before you go:
- Book early for the high season, when the best dates go first.
- Ask about the park fee if your route goes to Hong Island or Phi Phi.
- On a long-tail, pack a dry bag for phones and a layer for the spray.
- On a catamaran, bring reef-safe sunscreen and swimwear for the whole day: there is time for more than one swim.
Questions and answers
Is a long-tail boat safe for children?
Life vests are on board and the crews are used to families, so a calm-day long-tail trip near the coast is fine for most children. Young kids find the engine noise and the sun tiring, though. For toddlers or a full day, a catamaran is the easier choice.
Do long-tail boats have toilets?
Most traditional long-tails do not. The private Long-tail Boat available through charterkrabi.com is an exception, with a toilet and an outdoor shower on board. Check the boat page before you book if this matters to you.
Can a long-tail go to Phi Phi from Krabi?
Neither private long-tail has a fixed Phi Phi route on its page. Phi Phi is a longer crossing in open water, and the fixed Phi Phi routes are on the Lavezzi 40 at ฿28,000 and Blue Atoll at ฿70,000 per boat.
Is a catamaran worth it for just two people?
It can be for a special occasion, and the Lavezzi 40 prices start from 2 guests at ฿20,000 for Railay and Poda. For an ordinary day out, most couples get better value from a long-tail. The space on a catamaran really pays off with a group.
What is the difference between a sailing and a power catamaran?
A sailing catamaran can use its sails and feels quieter and slower, while a power catamaran runs on engines and moves between stops faster. Both have two hulls, so both are stable. The power catamarans in Krabi also carry bigger groups, up to 25 and 70 guests.
Are drinks and food included?
Soft drinks are included on every boat. The long-tails include snacks and fruit, and the Long-tail Boat adds a beach picnic. On the catamarans the inclusions vary, from standard food on the Lavezzi 40 to a beach picnic and afternoon tea on Blue Atoll.
Is the price per person or per boat?
Per boat. Each boat page shows how many guests the base price covers and what each extra guest costs.
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 25 October 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.
