Discovering the Hong Islands: Krabi’s Hidden Paradise | Hong Island Tour from Ao Nang
- Fletch
- May 6
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 2
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We spent a day at the stunning Hong Islands in Krabi, Thailand on a full day speed boat trip— and boy did this place not disappoint! Hong Island is perfect for adding to your Krabi island-hopping itinerary. In fact we think this Hong Island Tour from Ao Nang is the one MUST-DO trip if you are pressed for time because it offers everything that the other trips offer, but is much less busier than the Phi Phi trips which can be quite busy and stressful. As a full time travel family, we mostly don't do trips with a preference to finding our own way to places that are off the beaten track. But this trip was one we were glad we did (not sponsored - this is our genuine recommendation because the offering of day trips in Krabi is well, quite frankly, overwhelming - and this was an excellent tour that was worth every penny). So come with us and spend a day on a speedboat trip to The Hong Islands and we'll share the best tour to book.
Also: I have purposely not edited the pictures in this blog post so you can see the true reality of our recent visit. All pics are unedited / untouched. As well for the video here (no editing because nature needs no filter). Please SUBSCRIBE to our channel below:
Discovering Krabi's Hong Paradise Islands by Speed Boat Tour in the Andaman Sea
If you're new to our blog welcome! We're a full time travelling family, slow travelling around the world, mostly spending a month or two at each destination, so that we can share on this blog to bring you the best, and only the best things to do to make your next trip amazing. In 2025 we spent 2 months in Thailand, island hopping around the spectacularly beautiful Krabi. We share the best things to do at each of our travel destinations and the things to avoid as well as the must do's to ensure you get the inside scoop and have the most memorable trip.
And the Hong Islands is one of those gems that you are not going to want to miss. Far less busier than Phi Phi, equally beautiful and even though it is a popular tour, it really felt like a bit of a hidden gem behind the hype of the other more famous islands.
Everybody that visits Krabi needs to see these Islands (dare I say it: over the Phi Phi Islands....) WHY? Read on....
Ok ok we get it, you want to visit Phi Phi because of "The Beach" and it's been on your bucket list since forever. We've been to Phi Phi twice. And the first time we stayed on the island for one week, which included camping out under the stars overnight on Maya Bay (which is not and was not allowed btw) but we got lucky and knew a guy that knew a guy that knew a dog, that knew a ranger, and this was in 2010 time). And so back then we jumped at the chance to experience such magic. We saw the last of the boats leave and watched the sunset, and cooked food over a campfire and sang songs with a guitar and camped under the stars. And in the morning brewed fresh coffee over the embers of that same fire and blinked in awe as the sun came up. Just us 12 or so people on this island paradise. Eyes still gritty through little sleep. Overall THIS still goes down as a life highlight. Our group still talk about it to this day. We tidied up after ourselves and left nothing but footprints. And now I'm led to believe this thing strictly does not go on anymore! Check out our very old blog post about That Night Under The Stars on Maya Bay Phi Phi here
But having been to Phi Phi again in 2025, Guys, we can safely say that the hype has not died down, in fact it's busier than ever and because of how well known it is, it attracts a different visitor too. And so personally Phi Phi island Maya Bay trips can be quite hectic, stressy and overrated. And we can say all of this with a fresh confidence having visited again in May 2025 with our kids. And this isn't a hate campaign for the Phi Phi islands btw (ohMG they are still so beautiful - theres a video on our YouTube) but here's what happens there now.
Everybody wants to go visit Maya Bay on the Phi Phi islands when in Krabi. So they have to limit the number of boats arriving at any one time. So you might be waiting on a boat in a queue before you are allowed to get onto the island. When you're finally on Phi Phi Maya Bay - it's busy. And you just have to get over that. BUT the thing that struck us the most was this really conflicting situation. You have natural stunning beauty there (for sure and we cannot argue with that one), and you a lot of people.
Next you have what felt like a Squid Games situation where everybody is waiting along the shoreline (because you're not actually allowed to go in the water there), but everyone is really desperate to go into the water (to cool down, have fun but mostly truthfully - get that all important instagram photo). And so some people do enter the water. But then a big booming loud speaker sounds all across the beach telling "Man in red in the water GET OUT OF THE WATER. I REPEAT out of the water!" and it just feels really really strange. And then this made us feel sad that we as humans are desperate to get "that" photo. And I felt it myself. This was a once in a lifetime holiday / trip for many and the pull to capture it in a photo was so strong. It's just quite a sad situation. This ban to enter the water has to happen because man has killed the coral and needs to stay out of the water to ensure years of closure, rebuild and growth remains in tact.
So let us introduce to you our blog about The Hong Islands and why we loved this day trip more than the Phi Phi day trip that we did from Ao Nang Krabi.
Tucked away in the sparkling waters of southern Thailand’s Andaman Sea, the Hong Islands (known locally as Koh Hong) are one of Krabi’s most breathtaking natural wonders —yet somehow still feel like a hidden gem. With towering limestone cliffs, clear turquoise lagoons, powdery white sand, and calm waters ideal for snorkelling or kayaking, the Hong Islands offer a perfect tropical escape for travellers craving beauty and serenity.
If you're planning a trip to Krabi, here's everything you need to know about this must-visit island group before setting off.
📍 Where Are the Hong Islands?
The Hong Islands are located in Than Bok Khorani National Park, just off the coast of Ao Nang and Klong Muang, about 25–45 minutes away by longtail boat or speedboat. The group consists of several small islands, but the main one—Koh Hong—is the star of the show.
“Hong” means “room” in Thai, a name inspired by the island’s secret lagoon (known as Hong Lagoon) surrounded by steep limestone cliffs that create a natural, emerald-green chamber.
There are a few islands in this cluster and a day trip will take you to them. With more time being spent at the main island. Or alternatively you can go straight to the main island yourself and spend a full day there by getting a boat there. We took a full day speedboat trip and can thoroughly recommend it. You can also book tours on the street via vendors but there's a lot to choose from and from previous personal experience you sometimes don't get what you think you'll be getting. When we book a tour we prefer to use a trusted provider as there's so much choice.
🎥 Watch our Hong Island Trip Video Here
We took this tour and fully recommend (certified by GetYOurGuide). Book Now Via GetYourGuide.
🛥 How to Get to the Hong Islands
Visiting the Hong Islands is easy via day tours from Krabi, Ao Nang, or even Phuket (though Krabi is much closer). You have a couple of transport options. We did the Hong Island speedboat tour from our base in Ao Nang but you can take:
- Longtail boat (from Ao Nang or Klong Muang) – a scenic and traditional way to travel
- Speedboat tour like we did – faster and often includes multiple islands in a day in a bundled up done-for-you-day with lunch, pick ups, drop offs at your hotel.
- Private charter – great for couples or families wanting more flexibility and privacy
We based ourselves in Ao Nang for most of our time in Krabi, but tours also pick up from Railay Beach as we did on our tour, we just stopped off at the pier on Raillay to pick up 2x travellers before setting off to Hong Island.
Most tours include stops at Hong Lagoon, the main beach, amazing snorkelling spots, and nearby islands like Koh Pakbia and Koh Lao Lading and they will base their itinerary on the tide and weather. Sometimes it is not possible to get the boat to some islands at varius times due to low tide etc.
🏝 What to Expect at the Hong Islands
Amazing beaches, stunning lagoons, islands that look like something off a postcard.
1. Koh Hong Beach
The main beach at Koh Hong is a picture-perfect cove with fine, white sand and calm, shallow waters perfect for swimming or sunbathing. There are shaded picnic areas and basic facilities like toilets and a ranger station, but no overnight accommodations—preserving the untouched feel.
2. Hong Lagoon (Tham Hong)
Accessible by boat during high tide, the hidden lagoon is the highlight for many visitors. Surrounded by sheer limestone walls, the calm water here turns brilliant shades of green and blue under the sun. It’s perfect for kayaking, floating in silence, or simply admiring the natural beauty.
3. Snorkeling and Kayaking
The waters around the Hong Islands are rich in marine life. You can snorkel directly from the beach or take a kayak into the lagoon and around the rugged coastline. Expect to see colourful fish, corals, and maybe even monitor lizards sunning themselves on the rocks.
4. Viewpoint Hike
A short but steep stairway leads to a 360-degree viewpoint at the top of Koh Hong. It takes about 20–30 minutes to climb and offers breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea and surrounding islands—well worth the effort. Si did this as the kids and myself were too tired.
🧭 Essential Travel Tips
- National Park Fee: Visitors must pay an entrance fee (as a guide, which is the going rate, we paid 300 THB for adults and 150 THB for children for foreigners in April 2025). This fee is payable on top of any tour price you pay and is usually payable with cash at the pier when you check in for your trip.
- Bring supplies: There are no restaurants on the smaller islands, so bring water, snacks, and reef-safe sunscreen. There is a drinks shack on the main island to get a great coffee, shake or cold coconut. Most trips supply food so check with your operator. Our trip the snacks were plentiful and the food for lunch was yummy.
- Go early: For fewer crowds and the best lighting, try to get there in the morning.
- Watch the tides: Hong Lagoon is best visited at high tide, when boats can enter fully and your tour guide and captain will vary their itinerary based around this.
🌿 Why Visit the Hong Islands?
While Krabi is known for its jaw-dropping coastline, the Hong Islands offer a more peaceful, less touristy experience compared to places like Phi Phi or Railay. It’s a perfect day trip for couples, families, solo travellers, or anyone looking to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in Thailand’s natural beauty. And the beauty compares. I mean come ON... Take a look at THIS....
Stay tuned for a roundup of the other top things to do in Krabi, including our trip to The Emerald Pool, The Hot Springs, The Tiger Cave and Night Markets.
Looking to explore more beyond Koh Hong? Stay tuned for our guide to the best island tours from Krabi—which includes a Phi Phi Maya Bay via Speedboat day trip, and the 4-Island Tour but we hired a luxury private longtail boat so make sure you subscribe to hear when these videos and blogs go live.
Coming up next: More on our Thailand adventure and how to experience this country on a budget (even with kids!).
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LOVE THIS? READ THIS: The Ultimate Krabi Guide
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