Which 4 Islands Sunset Tour from Krabi Should You Book?
6 min read
For most travellers, choose the Phi Phi and 4 Islands sunset tour by premium speed catamaran: 9–10 hours, €66.58 and 4.7 stars from 287 reviews. It makes sense when this is your main island day, because it combines snorkelling, beaches and a Thai buffet lunch before sunset. For a shorter evening rather than a full expedition, take the 4 Islands power-catamaran cruise. Another focused option is the Four Islands sunset longtail with BBQ dinner.
The sunset trips side by side
| Tour | Duration | From | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi and 4 Islands by premium speed catamaran | 9–10 hours | €66.58 | 4.7 (287 reviews) | One large island day |
| Phi Phi and 4 Islands with plankton | 7 hours | €69.22 | 4.5 (217 reviews) | BBQ dinner and a late-water experience |
| 4 Islands sunset longtail with BBQ | 6 hours | €39.95 | 4.3 (199 reviews) | Traditional boat and beach dinner |
| 4 Islands power-catamaran sunset cruise | 4 hours | €70.76 | 4.3 (12 reviews) | A shorter evening cruise with snacks and drinks |
These are not four versions of the same timetable. Two also reach Phi Phi; the other two stay with the nearer 4 Islands circuit. That distinction matters more than the word “sunset” in every title. All prices are per person, before the park fees below. The official park-status list gives Maya Bay an annual closure from 1 August to 30 September. Sea conditions and park decisions can also change stops; a sandbar visit depends on the tide. The official park-status list also marks diving on the west side of Ko Kai (Ao Khang Khao) as temporarily closed. Use only sites open on your travel date.
Best all-round day: the premium speed catamaran
The catamaran lists 9–10 hours. Its description promises both Phi Phi and the 4 Islands, snorkelling, white-sand beach time and a Thai buffet lunch. The 4.7 rating rests on 287 reviews, the strongest balance of score and review depth in this comparison. It is a poor fit if you already have a separate Phi Phi day or dislike long, stop-heavy outings: you would be paying for duplicated ground and a 9–10-hour schedule. Add a park fee of 400 THB per person. Transfers are included only with the pickup option; Railay guests meet at Railay East Blue Pier. Guiding is in English, with English/Thai also listed under inclusions. It excludes pregnant travellers, non-swimmers and people with back, mobility or heart problems or seasickness/motion sickness. The operator advises against speedboat travel within a year of back, leg or arm surgery and charges 1,500 THB for a lost snorkelling set. Its notice says no Maya Bay beach landing from 1 August to 30 September 2027.
Check availability for the Phi Phi and 4 Islands premium catamaran
Choose the plankton trip for the late finish
The seven-hour speedboat option adds snorkelling, a Thai set lunch, a BBQ dinner and bioluminescent plankton. That is a more specific evening than the premium catamaran offers. Book it because the after-dark water experience matters. Visibility of bioluminescence is a natural condition, not a performance that an operator can guarantee. The park fee is 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child extra; fins and dry bags are excluded. Guides speak English, Thai and Malay. Pickup covers Krabi Town, Klong Muang, Tubkaek, Ao Nang and Ao Nam Mao, with a Railay meeting point. It excludes babies under 1, people over 90, people over 140 kg and those with heart problems; at least six participants are needed to run. Its seasonal notes conflict: one says August–September closure, another replaces Maya Bay with Phi Phi Don from August–October. Confirm the itinerary for those dates.
See prices for the Phi Phi and 4 Islands plankton tour
Longtail BBQ or power-catamaran cruise?
The six-hour longtail stays close to Poda, Chicken, Tup, Mor and Yawasom, with snorkelling and a BBQ dinner on the beach. It has 199 reviews. It also offers a plankton swim. Park entry costs another 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child aged 3–10. Transfers depend on the selected option and cover Krabi Town, Ao Nang and Klong Muang/Tubkaek, or a Railay meeting point. The guide speaks English. Pregnant travellers and people with mobility impairments are excluded.
View the 4 Islands sunset longtail trip
The four-hour power catamaran offers two decks, Thai snacks and drinks. It suits travellers who want an evening cruise without surrendering the whole day. Compare €70.76 and 12 reviews before choosing it for the shorter cruise. Water is included; alcohol and other bar drinks cost extra. Park entry is another 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. Pickup covers Krabi Town, Ao Nang, Klong Muang and Tubkaek. The English-guided cruise excludes pregnant travellers and people with back or heart problems. The operator warns that jellyfish can occur seasonally and recommends water shoes and long swimwear for swimming.
Check the 4 Islands power-catamaran cruise
Our recommendation
Book the premium speed catamaran when you want one substantial Phi Phi-and-4-Islands day ending at sunset. Choose the longtail instead if the nearer islands, beach BBQ and traditional boat are the actual attraction; its shorter route is not a lesser version of a Phi Phi tour, but a different evening.
