Activities and things to do: Island hopping and cruising

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RIGHT here on our doorstep in Krabi is one of the best cruising grounds in the world: the hundreds of islands and archipelagos of the Andaman Sea. The large majority of these are uninhabited - although not all of them are deserted, especially those on the popular tour routes from Phuket and Krabi.

However, we feel sure you won't mind sharing these particular coconut-fringed crescents of powdery sand, once you see how beautiful they are. Bring a book, a picnic, perhaps a snorkel and mask, and enjoy a day in paradise.

Longtail boats with drivers are available for hire from most tourist areas. For prices, see Getting Around. If you are going to charter your own boat, remember to bring your own food and drinks and there is none available out on the islands.

There are also organised tours on both longtail and speedboats that include lunch and snorkelling gear. The companies in question charge per person, so it can work out cheaper than hiring your own boat if there are not many of you; however, bear in mind that they also pack 'em in and you can't choose your own schedule.

All the islands below, except Ko Phi Phi, can be visited easily in your own longtail boat, or on a tour by longtail or speedboat. To visit Ko Phi Phi independently, you would have to charter a speedboat for the day - please contact us for further information if you are interested in this option.

The 'Four Islands' - a popular trip from Ao Nang, this day tour takes in Ko Poda, Ko Gai (Chicken Island) and Ko Tub, with its sweeping sandbar, plus the beautiful Phra Nang Bay on Railay peninsula. This beach, inaccessible by road, is considered to be one of the most beautiful strips of sand in the world.

There's also stops at excellent snorkelling sites near Ko Yawasam and Ko See, rocky outcrops with abundant coral reefs and marine life.

The Hong Islands - Part of the marine National Park, these superb islands can be reached within twenty minutes from Ao Nang by speedboat, or 45 mins by longtail. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Phang Nga Bay, with its countless rocky outcrops, the islands in the Ko Hong group are rightly considered to be among the most beautiful in Krabi province.

The main island is home to a hidden lagoon and is uninhabited, except for the birds, monkeys and giant monitor lizards that are often spotted on the beach. Ko Lahding is another beautiful island where swallows' nests are collected and Ko Pakbia has an impressive sandbar revealed at low tide.

The Phi Phi Islands - A Krabi 'must-see'. Equally captivating above and below water, these six islands richly deserve their reputation as 'the jewels of the Andaman Sea'. A day tour from the mainland will take you to world-famous beaches such as Maya Bay, where the movie 'The Beach' was set, the pristine white sand and truquoise water of Bamboo Island, as well as snorkelling in colourful coral gardens around Hin Klang and Monkey Bay.

For more information about the Phi Phi Islands, visit our dedicated site: The Phi Phi Islands Guide.

Several companies, based locally and in Phuket, offer short cruises around the uninhabited islands of the Andaman Sea. There are varying levels of luxury on board and various types of craft from small yachts to replica Chinese junks. Large cruise vessels are actually banned from approaching Krabi's coastline and are anyway not a practical way of visiting the islands as you will end up only watching the beautiful beaches pass by, while you must stay on deck.

The main benefit of cruising with a smaller boat is that they can arrive at the islands before the day crowds and stay after they leave for an unforgettable sunset dinner. Some dive schools in Krabi also offer so-called 'liveaboard' packages, a sort of 'dive cruise' with the similar advantage of avoiding the crowds by being the first boat at the dive sites in the morning.

In recent years a number of companies have started offering "sunset cruises" around the islands, either with dinner or just drinks. These offer the opportunity to view a spectacular sunset on board a comfortable boat (the vessels used are usually the same ones taken out by dive schools during the day), and some also offer a snorkelling stop or two, which allow you to see marine life not visible during the hottest part of the day - and in almost perfect conditions (without 10 other tour boats in the same spot). Flocks of birds and bats can regularly be spotted; and those brave enough to swim after dark will be illuminated by phosphorescent plankton in the water. The trips are offered from Railay Beach and Ao Nang; contact a tour agent while here for more information.