How to visit the Hong Islands from Ao Nang, and how it differs from Hong from Phuket

What you see on the Hong Islands

The Hong Islands (Mu Ko Hong) are a group of limestone islands in Than Bok Khorani National Park off the Krabi coast. In Thai “hong” means “room”, and the name goes to an island with a lagoon hidden inside it (Krabitrek). A trip from Ao Nang usually has four stops.

Ko Hong. The main island, with a beach, a lagoon and a viewpoint. The beach is sheltered by cliffs on three sides, so the water is calm and shore snorkelling suits beginners (Krabitrek). At low tide sharp coral sticks out near the beach, so watch your feet. The viewpoint with a 360° panorama is 419 steps up (Krabi Tours), and in the Tisland programme the climb is part of a block of 2-2.5 hours on the island.

Hong Lagoon. A ring of water inside the island with a narrow entrance between cliffs and mangrove roots. Krabitrek says longtails and speedboats go right into the lagoon, and that at low tide the water is waist deep and calm. Occasionally the water is too low for a boat, which is rare.

Ko Lao Lading. A small island with one small beach. Krabi Tours has a Thai lunch on the beach here, and Tisland has swimming and snorkelling. Krabitrek adds that people once gathered swiftlet nests here and that today you come for the rock formations and caves.

Ko Pak Bia. An island with sandbars that appear at low tide (Tisland). Krabitrek’s text notes that from February 2019 group tours were not allowed there until further notice, but the Krabi Tours and Tisland programmes on 18.10.2026 include Pak Bia, so check this in your own programme.

Other stops. Krabi Tours adds Rai Island if the tide and weather allow, and Krabitrek’s longtail version calls at Daeng Island, a coral reef halfway from Ao Nang.

How long it takes and when to go

The whole day takes 6-9 hours with the transfer: 6 hours with Krabi Tours by speedboat with kayaks, 8 hours with Tisland, 8-9 hours with Krabi Tours by longtail. DNP splits the park’s climate into two seasons: summer from mid-January to April, with February the driest month, and rain from late April to December, with September the wettest. Krabi Tours names November-March as the best time.

On 18.10.2026 the Hong Islands are not on the DNP closed list. The only closure in the park is the Chalermphrakiat mangrove trail by Khao Chang Mop since 28.02.2026, which the tours do not use. More on climate in the Krabi overview.

How to get there and how far it is

Boats leave from Nopparat Thara pier on the Ao Nang coast, and Tisland also boards some guests at the Railay East pier. Straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap coordinates:

For comparison, from Rassada pier in Phuket to Ko Hong it is 37 km and from Chalong pier 46 km (see the page on Hong from Phuket). Operators give the time at sea differently: Krabi Tours says about 20 minutes by longtail, Krabitrek about 50 minutes by longtail and 25 minutes by speedboat, and Krabi Fun Tours about half an hour by speedboat. The return transfer to your hotel takes 15 minutes in Ao Nang and up to 45 minutes from farther areas (Krabi Tours).

Park fee and what is included

Source: DNP table (edition of 02.06.2023), checked on 18.10.2026. The fee is in the Tisland price, while with Krabi Tours you pay it separately in cash on the day: 300 baht for an adult and 150 baht for a child. Krabitrek lists 200 baht for a child, which differs from the DNP table. Keep the receipt with you all day.

Options: longtail, speedboat, kayaks, sunset

Kayaks: Krabitrek says the guide gives a short lesson and leads first around the lagoon, and in waves the rangers limit the route. Tisland describes a two-person kayak for 1-1.5 hours for an extra payment.

How this differs from Hong from Phuket and Ko Hong in Phang Nga

Details are on the neighbouring pages: Hong from Phuket and Ko Hong in Phang Nga. Advertising sometimes mixes them up, so when you buy, ask which island is in the programme.

What to do in rain or heavy swell

• Waves. Krabi Tours says boats go out in the rain too, but in high waves the operator moves the trip to another day. The operator decides
• Rebooking and refunds. Krabi Tours allows free cancellation or a date change up to 24 hours before departure, and if it cancels for weather or safety it offers another date or a refund
• Kayaks. In wind the rangers limit routes, and Krabitrek refunds the difference if a kayak trip is not possible
• Order of islands. It depends on the weather and the sea (Krabitrek)
• Land plan B. Ao Nang and Railay: Railay and Ao Nang

Safety

• Life jackets. Put them on from the pier: Krabi Tours provides life jackets and masks, and with Tisland jackets are in the price
• Coral. At low tide sharp coral sticks out by the Ko Hong beach (Krabitrek), so wear water shoes
• Pregnancy. Krabi Tours and Tisland do not take pregnant travellers, and a speedboat slams in waves
• Children and back problems. Tisland does not take children under 1 or people with back or neck problems
• The viewpoint climb. 419 steps, so take water and suitable shoes
• Insurance. Tisland and Krabi Tours include insurance in the programme, so check the terms
• Litter. Krabitrek asks visitors to take their litter with them, because the islands are in a national park

Who it suits and who it does not

• Suits couples and friends. Cliffs, a lagoon and snorkelling a few minutes from Ao Nang
• Suits families with children from 4. The operators’ child fare is ages 4-11 and the sea crossing is short
• Not for pregnant travellers. Operators do not accept them
• Not for anyone who gets seasick easily. A speedboat rocks in waves
• Not for anyone who wants an empty beach. Ko Hong has many boats in season

Found an error or outdated fact? Tell the editors, we will fix it and update the check date.