What you see on the 7 Islands sunset tour
The 7 Islands sunset tour is the waters south of Ao Nang in the afternoon and evening: snorkelling stops, a sandbar, dinner on a beach and, after dark, a swim among plankton. The islands lie 6-10 km from Nopparat Thara pier. The “seven” is a label, and operators count the stops differently. Krabi Tourism and Krabi Fun Tours name Ko Ya Wa Sam, Ko Tang Ming, Chicken Island, Ko Tup, Ko Mor, Ko Poda and Ko Raeng.
Ko Ya Wa Sam and Ko Tang Ming. Snorkelling stops, 30 minutes to an hour each depending on the operator (Krabi Tourism, Krabi Fun Tours). Ko Tang Ming is the rock you see from the Ko Poda beach.
Chicken Island and Ko Tup. A photo stop at the chicken-head rock and a walk on the sandbar that links Ko Tup with its neighbours when the tide is low (Aonang Travel & Tour, Krabi Tourism). DNP closed diving off the west side of Ko Kai on 16.05.2026, and on 13.11.2026 the closure was still on its status page, so ask where you will swim.
Ko Poda and dinner. The sunset dinner is on the beach at Ko Poda at Krabi Tourism and Krabi Fun Tours (a Thai buffet at Krabi Fun Tours, BBQ at Krabi Tourism). Krabitrek’s related sunset tour has its dinner in a hall at Railay instead.
Railay and Phra Nang. At Krabi Tourism the first leg is a longtail to Railay, and Aonang Travel & Tour lists Railay Bay and Phra Nang Cave in the programme. The beach is covered on the Railay page.
Ko Raeng and the plankton. The night swim is at Ko Raeng (Krabi Tourism, Krabi Fun Tours), and Aonang Travel & Tour calls it one of the few places at Ao Nang where visitors can see bioluminescence. More on when it works in the next section.
The plankton swim: when it works
Operators are careful here, and so should you be. Krabi Tourism says the plankton is easier to see just before, during and just after the new moon, advises coming 1-2 days before, during or 1-2 days after it, wants a clear moonless night, and says the high season from November to April raises the chances. Krabi Fun Tours says the best nights are dark and moonless, near the new moon from November to April, and that you will see light where you move in the water, not a glowing sea. Krabitrek says you may see the plankton “if you are lucky”. Nobody guarantees it.
New moons for the high season, in Thai time:
| New moon | Window by the Krabi Tourism advice (1-2 days either side) |
|---|---|
| 9 December 2026, 7:52 | 7-11 December 2026 |
| 8 January 2027, 3:24 | 6-10 January 2027 |
| 6 February 2027, 22:56 | 4-8 February 2027 |
| 8 March 2027, 16:29 | 6-10 March 2027 |
| 7 April 2027, 6:51 | 5-9 April 2027 |
Source: US Naval Observatory moon phases API, times converted from UT to UTC+7, checked on 13.11.2026. The windows are our reading of the operator’s advice, not an official forecast. The last new moon was on 9 November 2026, and the next is on 9 December.
How long it takes and when to go
The day is 7-8 hours: Krabi Tourism gives 8 hours, Krabi Fun Tours 7. On the Krabi Tourism programme hotel pickup is at 12:00-12:45, the crew meets you at Nopparat Thara pier at 12:45-13:00, snorkelling starts about 14:30, dinner is at 18:00-19:00, the plankton swim at 19:00-19:30 and you are back at the hotel at 19:30-20:00. That page also states a 21:00 return and has overlapping times for Ko Mor and Ko Poda, so treat the times as a guide.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| December-March | driest, 35.9 mm in February and 90-108 mm in the other months per TMD, plankton season per the operators |
| April | hotter, 142.2 mm of rain, still inside the operators’ plankton season |
| November | 198.6 mm of rain, the start of the plankton season per the operators |
| May-October | 210-293 mm of rain a month, outside the operators’ plankton season |
More on the weather in Krabi in December and in the Krabi overview.
Where boats leave from
The meeting point at Krabi Tourism is Nopparat Thara pier, and Aonang Travel & Tour collects guests from Ao Nang and Krabi town, with a meeting point at Railay East. Krabi Tourism’s page lists its hotel pickup as “Railay drop-off only”, which is unclear, so ask about Railay hotels. Krabi Fun Tours lists hotels on the main road in Ao Nang, Krabi town, Ao Nammao, Klong Muang and Tubkaek, but not Railay or Tonsai. Straight-line distances from Nopparat Thara pier are 6.3 km to Phra Nang beach, 8.5 km to Ko Poda and 10.5 km to Ko Kai (OpenStreetMap coordinates).
Prices at local operators on 13.11.2026
| Operator | Boat | Adult | Child | Park fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aonang Travel & Tour | longtail | 1,500 baht | 900 baht (3-11) | not included, amount not given |
| Aonang Travel & Tour | speedboat | 2,500 baht | 2,000 baht (3-11) | not included, amount not given |
| Krabi Tourism | longtail to Railay, the rest not stated | 1,900 baht | 1,100 baht (4-11) | the pages disagree, 400 and 200 baht named |
| Krabitrek, price list | not stated | 1,000 baht | 800 baht | no programme on the page |
| Krabitrek, 4 Island Sunset by longtail | converted fishing boat and longtails | 900 baht | 750 baht | not included, 400 and 200 baht |
Prices are what the operators’ own pages show on 13.11.2026. Krabi Tourism’s pages carry a copyright range of 2002-2023 and no price date, and one of them gives a minimum of 2 people. Krabitrek’s pages carry no price date either, so confirm the sum. Krabi Fun Tours, a guide that sells through GetYourGuide, lists the 7 Islands tour from 39.50 euros for 7 hours, and we use it only as a secondary source for the programme.
Park fee and what is included
| What | Foreign adult | Foreign child | Thai citizen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi (outside the Phi Phi zone) | 200 baht | 100 baht | 40 and 20 baht |
Source: DNP table (edition of 02.06.2023, the file was checked on 13.11.2026). Aonang Travel & Tour excludes the fee, Krabi Fun Tours quotes 200 and 100 baht in cash on the day, and Krabi Tourism and Krabitrek name 400 and 200 baht. The DNP table has no 400 baht line for these islands, so ask your operator what it collects and keep the receipt. Included at the operators we checked: hotel transfer, dinner, water, soft drinks and fruit, mask and snorkel, life jacket, accident insurance and a guide. Fins are not included at Krabi Fun Tours.
Options: longtail, speedboat, sunset without the night swim
| Option | Time and price | Who it suits | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longtail (Aonang Travel & Tour) | 1,500 baht adult | anyone who wants the cheaper evening | slower |
| Speedboat (Aonang Travel & Tour) | 2,500 baht adult | anyone who wants less time on the water between stops | the price |
| Krabi Tourism | 8 hours, 1,900 baht adult, minimum 2 people | couples | the pages disagree on the return time and the fee |
| 4 Island Sunset (Krabitrek) | pickup 12:00-12:30, back about 20:00, 900 baht adult | couples | park fee extra, plankton only if you are lucky |
The same waters by day are described on the page about 4 Islands from Ao Nang. A sunset version with a plankton swim also appears among the options on the page about the Hong Islands from Ao Nang, and a sunset cruise from Phuket is on the page Sunset cruise from Phuket.
What to do in rain or heavy swell
- Programme changes. Krabi Tourism and Aonang Travel & Tour say the programme may change with the weather without prior notice
- Refunds. Krabi Fun Tours describes its benchmark operator as offering a full refund or another date when weather or sea conditions stop the trip. Aonang Travel & Tour writes that a no-show or same-day cancellation is charged “100%”, in unclear wording
- Booking. Aonang Travel & Tour asks you to book at least a day ahead, and Krabi Tourism accepts bookings for the next day until 18:00
- A plan B on land. Railay and Ao Nang
Safety
- Life jackets. All the operators list a life jacket in the price, which matters for the swim in the dark
- Night swim. Krabi Fun Tours says the final swim is optional, and advises asking the crew where to sit because of spray and the return in the dark
- Pregnancy. Krabi Tourism and Aonang Travel & Tour do not take pregnant travellers or do not recommend the boat
- Small children. Aonang Travel & Tour and Krabi Fun Tours do not recommend or accept children under 2, and Krabi Fun Tours says a night trip suits small children poorly
- Back and heart. Krabi Fun Tours does not take people with back or heart problems or wheelchair users
- Getting on and off. Krabitrek says its sunset tour is not suitable for people who are not reasonably fit and agile, because boat transfers need balance and climbing steps, and young children need one adult each
- Litter. Take your rubbish with you, the islands are in a national park
Who it suits and who it does not
- Suits couples and friends. Snorkelling, a sunset and a dinner on a beach, and a night swim in one trip
- Suits teenagers and older children who swim confidently. The child fare is for ages 3-11 at Aonang Travel & Tour and 4-11 at Krabi Tourism
- Not for pregnant travellers. Operators do not take them or do not recommend the boat
- Not for anyone who needs the plankton to be certain. It is not guaranteed, and the best nights are around the new moon
- Not for anyone afraid of the dark water. The plankton swim is after sunset, and the final swim is optional
FAQ
How long is the 7 Islands sunset tour from Ao Nang and when does it leave?
Krabi Tourism gives 8 hours and Krabi Fun Tours 7 hours. Hotel pickup is from 12:00 to 12:45 at Krabi Tourism and from 13:00 to 14:30 at Aonang Travel & Tour, the boat leaves around 13:00, and the return to the hotel is about 20:00 on the Krabi Tourism programme and at Krabitrek. Krabi Tourism's pages also list a 21:00 return and a booking cut-off of 18:00 the day before, so confirm both.
How much is the 7 Islands sunset tour on 13.11.2026?
Aonang Travel & Tour lists 1,500 baht for an adult and 900 baht for a child aged 3-11 by longtail, and 2,500 and 2,000 baht by speedboat. Krabi Tourism lists 1,900 baht and 1,100 baht for a child aged 4-11 and a minimum of 2 people on one of its pages. Krabitrek's price list shows 1,000 and 800 baht without a programme, so we do not compare it directly.
Is the national park fee included?
At Aonang Travel & Tour it is not, and the page does not give the amount. The DNP table (edition of 02.06.2023) lists 200 baht for a foreign adult and 100 baht for a child for Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi outside the Phi Phi zone, and Krabi Fun Tours quotes the same sums for this tour. Krabi Tourism names 400 and 200 baht, and one of its pages says the group tour includes the fee while its note says it does not, so ask in writing.
Which seven islands does the tour visit?
The name is a label, not a fixed list. Krabi Tourism and Krabi Fun Tours name Ko Ya Wa Sam, Ko Tang Ming, Chicken Island, Ko Tup, Ko Mor, Ko Poda and Ko Raeng, with Railay and Phra Nang Cave on the way at Krabi Tourism. Aonang Travel & Tour lists Tup, Chicken, Poda and Tang Ming, a plankton site, Railay Bay and Phra Nang Cave.
When can you see the plankton, and is it guaranteed?
No. Krabi Tourism says the plankton is easier to see just before, during and just after the new moon, on a clear moonless night, and that the high season from November to April raises the chances. Krabi Fun Tours adds that light appears where you move in the water, not as a glowing sea, and that visibility depends on the moon phase and conditions. Krabitrek says 'if you are lucky'. The new moons are on 9 December 2026 and 8 January 2027 in Thai time.
What is the dinner and where is it?
It differs by operator. Aonang Travel & Tour lists a BBQ dinner, Krabi Tourism writes BBQ on Ko Poda in its programme and a halal buffet in its inclusions, Krabi Fun Tours has a Thai buffet on Ko Poda, and Krabitrek's related sunset tour has a buffet in a dinner hall at Railay. Vegetarian and halal meals are available on request at Krabi Tourism, Krabi Fun Tours and Krabitrek.
Longtail or speedboat for the sunset tour?
Aonang Travel & Tour sells both with the same stops: 1,500 baht by longtail and 2,500 baht by speedboat for an adult. Krabi Tourism describes a longtail for the first leg to Railay and does not state the boat for the rest. Krabitrek's related sunset tour uses a basic converted fishing boat with longtails to the beaches.
Is it suitable for children and pregnant travellers?
Krabi Tourism and Aonang Travel & Tour do not take or do not recommend it for pregnant travellers. Aonang Travel & Tour does not recommend the boat for children under 2, and Krabi Fun Tours says the same for under 2 and adds wheelchair users and people with back or heart problems. Krabi Fun Tours also says a night boat with an after-dark swim suits small children poorly because they tire early, and the final swim is optional.
How is the sunset tour different from the day 4 Islands tour?
It covers the same waters, but the day starts at noon instead of 9:00, adds a dinner and a night swim, and takes 7-8 hours against 6-7. The [4 Islands day tour](/en/travel/krabi/excursions/four-islands-from-ao-nang/) costs 800-1,800 baht on 13.11.2026 and the sunset tour 1,500-2,500 baht at Aonang Travel & Tour, with Krabi Tourism at 1,900 baht.
What happens in bad weather?
Operators say the programme may change with the weather and the sea, and Krabi Fun Tours describes its benchmark operator as offering a full refund or another date if weather or sea conditions stop the trip. Aonang Travel & Tour writes that a no-show or same-day cancellation is charged '100%', in unclear wording, so confirm the terms when you book.
Sources
- DNP. National park entrance fees for individuals, edition of 02.06.2023 (dataset, CSV)
- US Naval Observatory. Moon phases API, new moons from 1 November 2026 (UT)
- TMD. Climate normals 1991-2020, Krabi station (48 563)
- Aonang Travel & Tour (TAT licence 34/00212). 7 Islands + Sunset tour by longtail boat with BBQ dinner
- Aonang Travel & Tour. 7 Islands + Sunset tour by speedboat with BBQ dinner
- Krabi Tourism (TAT licence 34/03189). Krabi 7 Islands Sunset with Dinner and Plankton Tour (programme times, new moon advice)
- Krabi Tourism. 7 Islands Sunset tour (price, pickup, park fee note)
- Krabitrek. Tours and activities price list (7 Islands Sunset Trip)
- Krabitrek. Sunset BBQ at Krabi 4 Island by longtail boat (buffet at Railay, night snorkel)
- Krabi Fun Tours. Krabi 7 Islands sunset and plankton guide (a secondary guide that sells through GetYourGuide, prices in euros not used)
- OpenStreetMap. Nopparat Thara pier (node 2495732193), Ko Poda (relation 6 736 886), Ko Tup (relation 5 843 326), Ko Kai (relation 20 416 606)
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