Koh Poda: A Perfect Island Tour from Krabi!

Koh Poda, also known as Poda Island or Ko Pa Da Nai, is a small slice of paradise just off the coast of Krabi in southern Thailand. Thanks to its close proximity to popular holiday spots like Ao Nang, Railay Beach and Klong Muang, it’s an easy and worthwhile destination for a day trip or even a half-day tour by speedboat or traditional longtail boat. And it’s absolutely worth the trip, because on Koh Poda, you’ll find one of the most stunning beaches in Krabi. Expect powdery white sand, unbelievably clear turquoise water, vibrant coral reefs perfect for snorkeling and a breathtaking backdrop of limestone rock formations that look straight out of a postcard.

In this travel guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about visiting Koh Poda Island. We share beautiful photos, tips on how to get there, excursion options, where to stay and what to expect when exploring this tropical gem.

Good to know!

The best starting points to visit Koh Poda Island are certainly the resort of Ao Nang Beach, the quiet beautiful Klong Muang Beach and the famous peninsula of Railay Beach.

Trips to Koh Poda are usually offered as part of a Krabi 4 Islands Tour. Recommended boat trips, including hotel pickup and reviews, can also be found online at GetYourGuide.

A good waterproof backpack should not be missing on any boat trip in Thailand. It is the perfect companion to protect your cell phone, camera, or other valuables from getting wet.

If you are still looking for accommodation tips, then you can find here under “where to stay in Krabi” the most beautiful vacation resorts, from where you can also easily reach Koh Poda.

Koh Poda – Poda Island

That’s what awaits you on Koh Poda

The islet of Koh Poda is certainly one of the most beautiful islands in Krabi and a visit to this natural jewel is truly recommended. Already on arrival with the longtail boat to Koh Poda one thing becomes clear: this island is paradise. Fine white sand beach and a sea so clear that you just feel like jumping in. The perfect place to unwind and enjoy the brilliant beach scenery. The water here is also clean, crystal clear, and an interesting underwater world invites you to snorkel. In addition, the imposing limestone cliffs of Koh Poda provide a dramatic backdrop.

As part of the Had Noppharatthara – Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, the island is uninhabited and a true paradise for nature lovers. This park helps to preserve the natural beauty and marine life of the region. Therefore, visitors to Koh Poda must pay a national park fee. The park entrance fee is currently 400 baht per person and must be paid directly to the park ranger.

Tip: The best time to visit Koh Poda is during the dry season from November to April when the sea is calm and the weather is pleasant.

Koh Poda Island

Koh Poda – 4 Island Tour Krabi

Since the island is quite small, you can go on a beach walk to explore a part of the island and search for a nice spot to unwind. The most beautiful stretch of beach is right next to the eye-catching limestone cliff, which will probably remind you of the famous Railey Beach. The further you walk up the beach, the sooner you will find an undisturbed spot for swimming.

Poda Island (Koh Poda)

Koh Poda Island

If you are hungry, you can buy some food at the beach kiosk, or grab some snacks at the beach vendors. Although you will find plenty of shade on the island, you should not forget the sunscreen during a Poda Island trip. With a little luck, you should also be able to discover monkeys on Koh Poda. So watch out and take good care of your food and belongings.

Koh Poda Beach

Koh Poda – Poda Island

When visiting Koh Poda, please keep in mind to take your snorkel with you. Around the island you will find some beautiful and intact reefs for snorkeling. Actually, it is the perfect sport where you can explore the outstanding underwater world of the Krabi region. The sea around Koh Poda shines not only in the most beautiful turquoise tones, it is also crystal clear with lots of colorful fish and therefore offers unrestricted snorkeling pleasure.

Koh Poda

Poda Island

How to get to Koh Poda

The most comfortable way to get to Koh Poda is from the bigger resorts in Krabi like Ao Nang Beach, Railay Beach, Tonsai Beach or Klong Muang Beach. Longtail boat crossings are offered at most hotels, travel agencies and even directly on the beach. Costs vary depending on season, provider and resort. If you want to charter a boat for yourself, you can negotiate a price on the spot. In general, the self-organized trip from Ao Nang to Koh Poda and back costs 300 baht per person. As soon as the boat is full with at least 6 people, the trip will start. Usually 4 pm is the last return trip.

From Krabi mainland to Koh Poda is about 8 kilometers. The longtail boat ride to Koh Poda takes about 20 minutes and is a scenic highlight. It is also worth getting up early and renting a private longtail boat to have the island to yourself for an hour.

Book a Tour

Probably the most popular way to explore Koh Poda in Krabi is as part of a Krabi 4 Island Tour. On this excursion, other dream islands such as Chicken Island, Tub Island and Phran Nang Beach are approached by boat. Tours are offered on site and also online.

If good reviews are important to you, then there is also the option to book a boat tour on GetyourGuide. The advantage is that most excursions can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance, and often pickup from the hotel and a meal are included.

We can recommend the following tours to Koh Poda:

Where to stay in Krabi

You won’t find accommodation or bungalows on Koh Poda currently. Even the very simple Koh Poda Island Resort no longer exists due to the national park. If you like to stay close to the dream island, then you should look for accommodation on the coast of Krabi. The best resorts to explore the beautiful island of Koh Poda are Klong Muang Beach, Ao Nang Beach and Railay Beach.

Bhu Nga Thani Resort & Spa (Railay Beach): The Bhu Nga Thani Resort & Spa is a really amazing hotel. It is located very romantic right on the sea from Railay Beach and the modern pool is a real eye-catcher.
Krabilife Resort (Klong Muang Beach): The Krabilife Resort is a small family run hotel with only a few rooms. Very lovely accommodation with clean rooms and moderate prices.
Holiday Inn (Ao Nang Beach): The Holiday Inn Krabi Resort Ao Nang Beach – This chic hotel is located directly on the white sandy beach of Ao Nang.

Find the Best Accommodation in Krabi:

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