Snorkeling Krabi by Private Boat: Where to Go and When

The engine cuts out, the anchor goes down, and for a moment the only sound is water slapping the hull. You look over the side and can see the sand and the dark shapes of coral below. This is the moment most people book a boat for, and snorkeling Krabi from a private boat is about choosing where that moment happens and when.

To be fair up front: the water near the mainland can be green rather than blue, and on a windy day it gets cloudy. But the islands off Ao Nang and further out give very good snorkelling for beginners, and a private boat gets you there at the right hour, before the crowds.

Snorkeling Krabi: where do private boats stop?

The short answer: Chicken Island and Koh Poda for an easy day close to shore, the Hong Islands for calm water and scenery, and Phi Phi for the clearest water if you accept a long crossing. Each has a different trade-off between distance, crowds and what you see under the surface.

The 4 Islands sit just off the coast. The Hong Island group lies to the north-west, at the edge of Phang Nga Bay. Phi Phi is out in the open Andaman Sea to the south-west, the furthest and usually the clearest. Here is how I would sum them up:

If snorkelling is the main goal and you only have a half day, go to Chicken Island and Poda. You spend your time in the water, not on a long ride, and the reef is shallow enough that even nervous swimmers can float above it in a life jacket.

Chicken Island and Koh Poda: the easy snorkelling day

Chicken Island is the stop I recommend most for a first snorkel in Krabi. The island is named after its rock tip, shaped like a chicken's head, and the reef around it is the classic snorkelling spot of the 4 Islands trip by private boat. The boat anchors off the reef, you climb down the ladder, and fish are often right there under you.

What do you see? Usually small reef fish in big numbers, some colourful parrotfish, sergeant majors with their black and yellow stripes, and patches of hard coral. The coral here is not pristine, and some of it has suffered over the years, so set your expectations at "pleasant and lively" rather than "underwater documentary".

Koh Poda is gentler. The long white beach slopes into clear, shallow water, and there is a tall limestone rock standing in the sea just off the shore. Snorkelling here is more about swimming over sand and a few rocks than a full reef, but it is perfect for kids and for anyone who wants to try a mask for the first time with their feet able to touch the bottom.

The downside of both is crowds, as shared boats arrive in waves from late morning. With a private boat you can ask to reach Chicken Island first thing. The Talay Waek sandbar is fun to walk at low tide, but it is not a snorkelling spot.

Hong Islands: calm water and coral around the small islands

The Hong Island group is the best choice when you want calm water and big scenery, with good snorkelling as part of the day rather than the only point of it. The main island is hollow, with a green lagoon closed in by limestone walls, and the smaller islands of Pak Bia and Lading have rocks, little beaches and coral used as swim stops on the way.

The lagoon itself is for floating, kayaking and staring up at the cliffs. The water there is calm and green, not the place for reef fish. The snorkelling is on the outside: off the beach of Koh Hong, where the water is clear for swimming, and around Pak Bia and Lading, where coral and rocks attract fish.

The tide matters at Hong more than anywhere else on these routes. At low tide the lagoon can be too shallow to enter by boat or kayak, so the crew plans the order of stops around it. Trust that plan, even if it means snorkelling first and seeing the lagoon later. You can read more about the timing in our article on Hong Island by private boat and the tide.

Hong is part of a national park, so a park fee may apply on the day. It is not included in the boat price, and the amount can change, so keep some cash on you.

Phi Phi: the clearest water, the longest day

Phi Phi usually gives the best visibility of all the day trips from Krabi, because it lies in the open Andaman Sea away from the river mouths of the coast. If you are a keen snorkeller and the forecast is calm, it is the trip to choose. If anyone in your group gets seasick, think twice.

The main snorkelling stops are around Phi Phi Leh and at Nui Bay on the coast of Phi Phi Don, a small bay with clear water for swimming. Loh Samah Bay and the nearby lagoon are pretty, with calm green water under the cliffs. The Viking Cave is seen from the boat.

One important rule: you cannot swim in Maya Bay. The bay from the film "The Beach" is protected by the national park, and it can close completely for restoration. Boats land at Loh Samah Bay on the other side of Phi Phi Leh, and the crew follows the rules in force on the day. So Maya Bay is for looking, not snorkelling.

Phi Phi is a long crossing on open water, and from about May to October the swell can make it rough or cancel it. National park fees are not included in the boat price. If you want the full picture of whether the day is worth it, see Phi Phi by private boat from Krabi.

When is the water clearest for snorkeling in Krabi?

The clearest and calmest water usually comes in the dry season, roughly from late in the year through the first months of the next. From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings swell and wind to the Andaman Sea, and visibility often drops.

In the good months, a morning at Chicken Island or Phi Phi can feel like swimming in an aquarium. In the monsoon months some days are still beautiful, others make the water milky, and some routes may change or be cancelled for safety. The captain makes that call on the day.

A few things affect visibility on any given day, whatever the season:

• Wind and swell: a choppy sea stirs sediment and makes the water cloudy.
• Rain: heavy rain brings run-off from the rivers and mangroves along the coast, which clouds the water close to the mainland.
• Time of day: mornings are often calmer and the light is better before the wind picks up.
• Distance from shore: the further out you go, the clearer the water tends to be, which is why Phi Phi often beats the near islands.
• Plankton: at some times of year small jellyfish and plankton appear; usually harmless, sometimes itchy, so a rash vest helps.

My honest advice: in the monsoon months, choose sheltered spots like the Hong Islands and keep the plan flexible. In the dry months, if visibility is your priority, Phi Phi is worth the extra hours.

What snorkelling gear is on board each boat?

Most boats on charterkrabi.com include snorkelling gear, but not all of them, so check before you go. The difference matters most on the standard long-tail, which does not list masks in what is included.

Here is what each boat lists for the water:

If you wear glasses or have a mask you love, bring your own. Masks on board are shared and come in standard sizes, and a mask that leaks is the fastest way to ruin a snorkel. Fins are not listed on any boat, so if you like swimming with them, pack a pair.

The kayak and paddle board on the Lavezzi 40 and the power catamarans are a real bonus: one person can paddle alongside while kids or less confident swimmers snorkel.

Which boat should you choose for a snorkelling day?

For a couple or small group who mainly want to snorkel, the Lavezzi 40 is my first pick: it starts at ฿20,000 for 2 guests, carries snorkelling gear, a kayak and a paddle board, and anchors steadily off the reef. For bigger groups, the power catamarans make more sense.

Catamarans are stable at anchor, which matters more than people think. Climbing back on board is easier, and nobody feels queasy while waiting for the last swimmer. On the Lavezzi 40 sailing catamaran, the trampoline net at the bow is also a great place to dry off in the sun.

Long-tails are charming and get very close to the beaches, but they rock more at anchor and have less shade. The Luxury Long-tail Boat at ฿6,900 for a 4-hour half day is a lovely option for 2 guests who want a short snorkel near the coast, and it includes masks. The standard Long-tail Boat suits up to 8 guests but bring your own mask.

Three boats for three kinds of snorkelling day: the Lavezzi 40 for small groups who want gear and toys, the Power Catamaran 40ft for families and groups up to 25, and the Luxury Long-tail Boat for a short, simple half day for two.

Sailing catamaran Max 12 persons Lavezzi 40 From฿20,000 Power catamaran Max 25 persons Power Catamaran 40ft From฿22,000 Long-tail Max 6 persons Luxury Long-tail Boat From฿6,900

If you are not sure, compare them side by side in long-tail or catamaran in Krabi, or send a free request with your date and group size and a manager will suggest the right boat and route.

Snorkelling tips for beginners and reef etiquette

You do not need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel in Krabi, but you do need to be comfortable in the water with a life jacket. The spots around Chicken Island and Poda are shallow and calm on a good day, which makes them a good place to learn.

A few habits make the first snorkel much easier:

1. Test the mask on deck. Press it to your face without the strap and breathe in through your nose. If it stays on, it fits.
2. Keep hair out of the seal. A few strands under the mask edge are enough to let water in.
3. Practise breathing first. Float face down near the ladder and breathe slowly through the snorkel before you swim away.
4. Wear a life jacket if in doubt. It lets you float flat and relaxed, and there is no shame in it.
5. Swim with a buddy. Agree on a signal to come back and stay where the crew can see you.
6. Protect your back. Your back burns fast while you float face down, so wear a rash vest or a T-shirt.

Watch out for passing boats: around the popular islands they come and go all day, so stay close to the anchored boat and never swim across a channel.

If you get cold or tired, come back early: short swims with a rest in between beat one long swim.

The reefs around Krabi are alive and fragile, and many of them are inside national parks. The simple rule is: look, do not touch, and leave nothing behind.

Coral grows very slowly, and a single kick from a fin or a hand placed on it can break years of growth. Never stand on coral, even if it looks like rock. If you need to rest, swim to sand or back to the boat, or lie on your back with your life jacket.

• Do not feed the fish. Bread and snacks change their behaviour and harm the reef.
• Do not collect shells or coral. In national park areas it is not allowed, and it takes homes away from small creatures.
• Use reef-friendly sun protection. Many common sunscreens are thought to harm coral; a rash vest is the simplest answer.
• Keep your distance from sea life. Do not chase fish or touch sea urchins, which are also painful to step on.
• Take your rubbish back. Nothing goes over the side.

A private boat makes good etiquette easier: with only your group in the water, there is no rush and no crowd kicking up sand.

How to plan your snorkelling day in Krabi

Pick the area by how much time and patience you have: Chicken Island and Poda for a half day, Hong for calm water, Phi Phi for clear water and a long day. Then choose the boat by group size and check the gear.

When you send a request on the contact page, say clearly that snorkelling is the priority. That way the crew can plan the order of stops for the best water and the quietest time at the reef. Mention any weak swimmers or kids, so life jackets in the right sizes are ready.

Bring your own mask if you have one, fins if you like them, a rash vest, reef-friendly sun protection, a dry bag for your phone and some cash for the park fee where it applies. Prices are for the whole boat, and a manager confirms the date and 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 6 November 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.