The short answer
Poda and Chicken Island boat trip: what visitors should know first
A good first boat day if sea conditions are calm and the group can step in and out of small boats. Book through a reputable operator, check the national park fee, and skip it on rough-sea days or if anyone has mobility problems.
Useful facts
Poda and Chicken Island boat trip facts at a glance
- Location
- About 8 km from Ao Nang, in the Poda island group
- Park
- Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
- Islands
- Ko Poda, Ko Kai (Chicken Island), Ko Mo, Ko Thap
- Experience type
- Longtail or speedboat day trip with swimming
- Food note
- Ask operators about vegetarian or Jain lunch in advance
Why it matters
Why Poda and Chicken Island boat trip is worth your time
The Poda group is the classic first island outing from Ao Nang, close enough to reach in a morning and varied enough to feel like a proper boat day. It shows the limestone-and-sea landscape that makes Krabi distinctive, and for many visitors it is the first time they see karst islands up close.
It sits in a national park rather than a private resort, which affects fees, rules and what you can do on the islands. That also makes it a place where choosing a careful operator and keeping to the rules matters, since the reefs and beaches take heavy visitor numbers.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Ko Poda beach
The largest island of the group has a beach stop and is the usual centrepiece of the tour.
- 02
Chicken Island
Ko Kai is named for a rock that resembles a chicken's head and is a standard photo stop from the boat.
- 03
Swimming and snorkelling stops
Operators usually add a shallow swimming or snorkel stop; life jackets are advisable for all ages.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Wikipedia places Ko Poda about 8 km from Ao Nang, within the Poda group of islands, which is administered by Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. The group also includes Ko Kai, known to visitors as Chicken Island, plus Ko Mo and Ko Thap (Tup Island). A typical tour combines a beach stop on Poda with swimming or snorkelling near the other islands.
Book the day with an operator that provides life jackets, shade and a clear return time, and ask whether lunch and the park fee are included. Veg or Jain diners should say so when booking, since the lunch on many tours is seafood-based; carrying fruit and snacks is a sensible backup.
The quality of the day depends on sea state and crowds. A morning departure usually means calmer water and fewer boats. Bring sunscreen, a hat, water, a dry bag and reef-friendly sun protection, and plan a rest after the tour.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Book with an operator who provides life jackets and states the return time
- Ask whether the national-park fee and lunch are included
- Request vegetarian or Jain food when booking, or carry your own
- Go on calm days and early morning departures
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, water and a dry bag
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Offshore from Ao Nang, Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
- Time needed
- Half day to a full day
- Best time
- November to March for calmer sea; go early to avoid the busiest hours
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Boarding is the difficulty. You step from a pier or beach into a longtail or speedboat, and landing on the islands can mean wading. Life jackets are advisable for everyone; pick a calm day and sit near the middle of the boat.
- Tickets and access
- Tours are sold by many operators, and national-park fees are charged separately or included depending on the package. Prices and itineraries vary, so confirm what is included before booking.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Poda and Chicken Island boat trip
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Boarding is the difficulty. You step from a pier or beach into a longtail or speedboat, and landing on the islands can mean wading. Life jackets are advisable for everyone; pick a calm day and sit near the middle of the boat.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Ko Poda from Ao Nang?
About 8 km by Wikipedia's figure, reachable by longtail or speedboat in a short ride.
Is this trip suitable for older travellers?
It can be, on a calm day with a boat that has easy boarding. Avoid rough-sea days.
Is the national-park fee included?
It depends on the operator and package. Ask before you pay.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
