About this tour
When Mia from our BugBitten team ran this snorkeling tour with Krabi Nice Sea, we spent six hours poking around the quieter islands tucked behind the famous 4 Islands circuit. The wooden longtail boat is classic Thai — the kind that putters past limestone cliffs while you're already mentally in the water. We hit Yawasam's shallow reefs (fish everywhere), ducked through Talu Island's lagoon passage, and landed on a genuinely peaceful stretch of white sand at Buya. The vibe is small-group and unhurried, which makes a real difference when you're snorkeling all day.
Highlights
- Yawasam's shallow reefs packed with colourful fish and coral
- Talu Island's 30-metre lagoon accessible via narrow water passage
- Buya beach — genuinely quiet, white sand, no tour crowds
- Traditional wooden longtail boat; proper Thai experience
- Underwater photographer on standby; free shots if you ask ahead
- Thai lunch box included; simple but fills a gap
- English-speaking guide keeps things relaxed and informative
What to expect
You'll be picked up from your hotel and driven to the national park entrance, where you'll pay the entry fee separately (not included). From there it's a short boat ride out to Yawasam Island, where the morning slot is spent snorkeling over shallow reefs — expect clear water, decent fish life, and a fair number of other snorkelers, but nothing rammed. The boat then motors to Talu Island for the highlight: a narrow passage through the rocks opens onto a sheltered lagoon. It's a proper moment. You'll swim and float here for a while, then head to Buya Beach on Poda Island's southern tip for lunch and a proper rest on the sand. We found the pace felt right — not rushed, time to actually enjoy each spot rather than a tick-box dash.
What travellers say
- Wooden longtail boat feels authentic, not touristy or corporate
- Small groups mean you're not a number on a clipboard
- Talu Island lagoon passage is a genuine highlight, not oversold
- Buya Beach is quiet and genuinely beautiful without crowds
- English guide is knowledgeable and lets you breathe between stops
- Snorkel gear included and decent quality; life jackets provided
- National park entrance fees charged separately; budget accordingly
- Early start required; not ideal for late risers or slow mornings
- Tour subject to weather cancellation; flexibility essential
- Not safe for pregnant travellers or certain health conditions
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
The boat is small enough that you're not herded like cattle, the guide speaks proper English and doesn't talk over the experience, and Buya Beach is genuinely less crowded than the main tourist islands. The underwater photography option is handy — just email ahead so they bring the camera. It's a full six hours but broken into natural segments, so fatigue isn't as much of a factor as some longer tours. Snorkel kit and life jackets are supplied, and the lunch (simple Thai packed box) keeps you going without being fancy.
The national park entrance fee hits separately — budget for that. Early start is typical (expect a pickup around 7–8am), so sleep-ins are off the menu. The tour can shift or cancel based on weather and sea state, which is honest but means flexibility matters. Not suitable if you're pregnant, have spinal issues, or cardiovascular concerns. Infants must sit on a lap. Water shoes or reef shoes are smart but not mentioned — bring them. Peak season (Nov–Feb) means more bodies in the water; shoulder months are quieter.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.