Hong Island, or Koh Hong, is my recommendation for a day trip by boat from Krabi if the Four Islands are too popular. It's the largest of a small group of limestone islands, about 6 km off the coast north of Ao Nang, in Than Bok Khorani National Park. It can be reached by boat from Ao Nang, Nopparat Thara, or Railay in 20 to 45 minutes. Hong means "room" in Thai, and this room is a lagoon surrounded by cliffs, accessible by boat through a single gap at low tide.
Beyond the beach stretches a stretch of white sand, perfect for snorkeling. A steel staircase with 419 steps leads 109 meters up to a viewpoint offering a 360-degree panoramic view. Group tours cost between 1,200 and 1,400 baht, while a longtail boat trip from the jetty on Ao Nang beach costs around 3,000 baht. A parking fee of 300 baht is payable separately in cash. As there are no overnight accommodations, this is a day trip. This is Koh Hong in Krabi, not Koh Hong in Phang Nga Bay, which is the destination of canoe tours from Phuket.
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Key facts
20 to 45 minutes by boat
Boats depart from Ao Nang beach, Nopparat Thara pier, and Railay. Most tours offer pick-up from hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek. Speedboats are the fastest, longboats the slowest.
Tours from approx. 1,200 ฿
Shared trips on longtail boats and speedboats cost 1,200–1,400 baht per person, including lunch and snorkeling equipment. A private longtail boat from the pier on Ao Nang beach costs approximately 3,000 baht (plus or minus 500 baht) for up to six people.
300 Baht parking fee, payable in cash
Foreign adults pay 300 baht and children 150 baht for Than Bok Khorani National Park, usually in addition to the tour price. Keep your entrance ticket with you all day.
419 steps to the summit
The viewing staircase leads up 239 steps and 109 meters in altitude, with six rest areas along the way. Depending on the heat and your fitness level, you should allow 15 to 45 minutes for the climb. The staircase is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The lagoon follows the tides.
Boats can enter through a narrow opening if there is enough water above it. At very low water levels, it is too shallow, which is why kayaking offers the safest way to get in.
December to April
The weather station in Phuket, which provides the closest long-term record, registers 24 mm of rainfall in February and 82 mm in December. In September and October, approximately 350 mm of rain falls monthly, leading to boating cancellations on the stormiest days.
Which Hong Island? The one in Krabi, not the one in Phang Nga Bay.
There are two islands called Koh Hong that are often confused in travel brochures. This page describes the island off Krabi in Than Bok Khorani National Park. It offers a beach where you can land, a lagoon accessible to boats and kayaks, and a 360-degree viewpoint. It can be reached from Ao Nang, Railay, and Nopparat Thara, or in about 20 minutes by longtail boat from Koh Yao Noi.
The other Koh Hong is located in Phang Nga Bay, within Ao Phang Nga National Park, and is part of the James Bond Island tours that depart from Phuket's east coast. There's no beach stop or viewpoint. A guide paddles you in an inflatable boat through shallow sea caves to the Hongs. Koh Panak is the other canoe island my guide visits that day in Phang Nga Bay. When a Phuket tour mentions the Hong Islands and refers to James Bond Island or Koh Panyee, it means Koh Hong in Phang Nga. However, if Lao Lading, Pak Bia, and the viewpoint are mentioned, it refers to Koh Hong in Krabi.
How to get to Hong Island
Almost all tours start in Ao Nang. Shared boats depart from the Nopparat Thara pier at the northern end of Ao Nang Beach, while longtail boats depart directly from the beach. Stalls there sell seats on group boats and entire boats for the day. Tour operators picking you up in Krabi Town, Klong Muang, or Tubkaek will initially take you to the same departure points. From Railay, longtail boats and some speedboats depart from the floating pier.
The crossing takes 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the boat and sea conditions. A full-day tour by speedboat, such as those offered by Sea Eagle, runs from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm. Including hotel pick-up, the journey in Hong Kong takes six to nine hours on most days. Half-day tours by longtail boat, lasting four to five hours, are also available.
From Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, the islands are about 7 km away. The journey by longtail boat from Koh Yao Noi takes about 20 minutes. Therefore, both of my Koh Yao guidebooks recommend leaving early, before the boats to Krabi arrive. From Phuket, it's about 30 km to the nearest port, so you either have to spend a long day on a speedboat or charter a boat. Many of the excursions advertised as Hong Island tours actually go to Phang Nga Bay.
Hong Kong Island Tours Compared
The prices listed for group tours correspond to those provided by the Ao Nang tour operators on their websites. The price for beach tours is the price reportedly paid by travelers. An additional parking fee of 300 Baht (150 Baht for children) will apply unless explicitly included in the tour price. Please bring this fee in cash. Tours operate year-round, and in rough seas, the itinerary will be determined by the sea conditions.
Which Hong Island tour would I book?
For two people, I would book a shared tour including kayaking, which costs about 1,395 baht by speedboat. Some boats go right up to the lagoon entrance and then wait outside if the water level is low. You can always get in with a kayak. It's also the quietest way to explore the lagoon, as the engines stay out.
For three to six people, I would walk to the boat dock on Ao Nang beach and rent an entire longtail boat for about 3,000 baht. With four people, it's cheaper than a group tour, and you can choose your own time. I would leave early enough to be at the viewpoint shortly after it opens at 8:30 a.m., before the group boats arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. Bring your own lunch and water, as these are not included on a beach boat. If you don't want to haggle, a private longtail boat with transfers, booked in advance, costs about 5,290 baht.
The stops on a day's journey on the Hong Islands
Most tours stop at four or five locations in the archipelago. Koh Hong alone has three of them, and the order depends on the tides.
Hong Island viewpoint
The viewpoint is a 419-step staircase made of steel and wood that ascends the clifftop of Koh Hong. Completed in 2020, it climbs 239 meters over a height difference of 109 meters to a platform offering 360-degree panoramic views. There are six rest areas along the way. The staircase also serves as a tsunami evacuation route for the island. Fit visitors report that the climb takes 15 to 20 minutes, while others take up to 45 minutes. As the steep sections are exposed to direct sunlight, it is advisable to bring water and wear shoes with good tread, as the steps can be slippery after rain.
It's open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The view reveals the island's outline, which isn't visible from the boat, the lagoon carved into the rocks below, and the karst islands of Krabi and Phang Nga that stretch out all around. Group tours often spend about two hours on Koh Hong – enough time for the climb and a swim. However, it's best to check before booking, as the cheapest tours sometimes allocate less time.
Hong Lagoon and the tides
The lagoon is the only point of entry determined by the tides. Its opening is narrow and shallow, allowing boats to pass only when the water level is sufficient. At extremely low tide, the channel is too shallow. The organizers plan the order of the stops based on the tide tables. Therefore, the same tour runs in a different order on different days, and some boats wait outside the lagoon to allow for a view inside.
The tides here are determined by the moon, not the clock. What happens in the morning is low tide the following day. Check the tide tables for Krabi for your desired dates or ask the tour operator if the boat goes into the lagoon. If this is important to you, book a kayak tour or only swim where the guide declares it safe, as the water gets deep near the cliffs.
The best-rated hotels in Krabi
Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Krabi. Each button opens the hotel on Booking.com, where you have already entered your travel dates.
Parking fees, opening hours and rules
Koh Hong is part of Than Bok Khorani National Park. Foreign visitors pay 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children, while Thai visitors pay 60 baht and 30 baht respectively. For most group tours, the entrance fee is collected in cash on site or must be paid directly on the island. Boats, kayaks, lunch, and snorkeling equipment are not included in the price. Please keep your ticket with you throughout the day.
The park's service areas, including the viewpoint, are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As in most Thai national parks, alcohol and drones are prohibited. There is no accommodation on Koh Hong. Anyone wishing to stay overnight must register in advance. Therefore, I recommend a day trip to Koh Hong with an overnight stay in Ao Nang, Railay, or Klong Muang.
The sea around Hong Island, month after month
The rainfall corresponds to the monthly average of the Phuket weather station, located about 50 km across the bay and only a few percent away from that of Koh Lanta. According to no source I am aware of, the Hong Islands close seasonally. The operators decide daily.
Hong Island or the 4-island tour?
The 4-Island Tour is the shorter and cheaper option for your first day on the boat. It departs from Ao Nang in 15 to 20 minutes and costs 750–1,200 baht plus a 200 baht parking fee. At low tide, it includes a walk on the Thale Waek sandbar and a visit to the Phra Nang cave beach at the end. Hong Island is a bit further away and costs 1,200–1,400 baht plus a 300 baht fee. For this price, you get beautiful scenery, a protected lagoon, and the climb to the viewpoint. If I only had one day, I would visit Hong Island. With two clear days, I would visit both islands or book a private speedboat that combines them.
Compared to Phi Phi, Hong is the clear winner. A day trip to Phi Phi takes 45 minutes to an hour each way by speedboat, costs 1,300–1,600 baht plus a 400 baht parking fee, and you have to share Maya Bay with many other boats. Furthermore, Maya itself is closed every year from August 1st to September 30th. Phi Phi attracts more well-known names. Hong, on the other hand, is the closer and quieter alternative.
What I would skip
I would avoid any Hong tour that doesn't specify the length of time spent on Koh Hong, as you need about two hours for the viewpoint and swimming. I would advise against boat trips in September and October unless the weather forecast is clear, as most tours are canceled during these months. And I wouldn't book a Phuket tour advertised as a Hong Island tour if you want to visit the lagoon and viewpoint, unless Lao Lading or Pak Bia are listed, as these are usually canoe trips in Phang Nga Bay.
Is Hong Island worth a visit?
Yes, if you're in Krabi between December and April and only have one day to spend on one of the islands. The lagoon and the viewpoint are not included in the 4-island tour. The crossing is short, and for a small group, a whole longtail boat from the beach costs little more than seats on a shared boat. Plan your visit to the lagoon according to the tides, go to the viewpoint early or late, and bring 300 baht in cash per adult.
Plan the rest of your boating days from Krabi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about Hong Island (Koh Hong), Krabi.
Off the coast of Krabi, about 6 km north of Ao Nang, in Than Bok Khorani National Park. It lies between the mainland of Krabi and Koh Yao Noi, each about 7 km apart.
The lagoon, a green pool of water enclosed by limestone cliffs, into which boats and kayaks can enter through a single crevice, and the 360-degree viewpoint, reached via 419 steps, are just some of the highlights. Hong means "room" in Thai and refers to the lagoon.
The boat trip from Ao Nang beach, Nopparat Thara pier, or Railay takes 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the boat. Shared tours cost 1,200–1,400 baht, including hotel pick-up. Alternatively, you can hire an entire longtail boat from Ao Nang beach for about 3,000 baht. From Koh Yao Noi, the longtail boat trip takes approximately 20 minutes.
300 Baht for foreign adults and 150 Baht for children, payable in cash and usually not included in the tour price. Thai visitors pay 60 and 30 Baht respectively.
419 steps, 109 m elevation gain to the viewing platform, with six rest areas along the way. The climb takes 15 to 45 minutes and is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Sometimes, where the guide deems it safe. Access is tide-dependent, and at extremely low tide, boats cannot pass through the opening, so kayaking is the safest option. The water gets deep near the cliffs.
No. There is no accommodation on Koh Hong, and the park requests that anyone wishing to stay overnight register in advance. It is a day trip from Ao Nang, Railay, or Klong Muang.
Hong Island offers beautiful scenery with a lagoon and viewpoint (1,200–1,400 baht plus 300 baht parking fee). The Four Islands are suitable for a shorter and cheaper first day by boat, including a walk on the sandbar at low tide (750–1,200 baht plus 200 baht). If you have two days, visiting both islands is recommended.
Hong Island is ideal for a relaxing day trip and can be reached in 20 to 45 minutes (parking fee: 300 baht). Phi Phi is a good option for visiting Maya Bay and Pi Leh Lagoon (45 minutes to an hour by speedboat, parking fee: 400 baht; there are significantly more boats available here). Maya Bay is closed from August 1st to September 30th.
No. Hong Island in Krabi has a beach, a lagoon accessible by boat or kayak, and a viewpoint. Koh Hong in Phang Nga Bay is visited by sea canoe as part of James Bond Island tours from Phuket – through caves to secluded hongs, without a beach stop.
From December to April, the Andaman Sea is calm and dry, with February being the driest month at the Phuket station. Boat tours are offered year-round; however, trips are canceled due to storm surges from May to October, most frequently in September and October.
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