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Longtail boats moored in the shallows off the Krabi coast

The Best Andaman Sea Tours

Twenty-six tours and transfers, ranked by what they actually deliver — not by who pays us most.

We rank these on four things: the quality of the experience, how well it is organised, value for money and what large numbers of real travellers say afterwards. Ratings and review counts come straight from GetYourGuide’s partner feed and are checked regularly.

We earn a commission if you book through the links below, at no cost to you. Several of our top picks are also among the cheapest trips on the coast.

  1. Most popular

    Phuket: Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay Day Trip with Lunch

    🕒 8 hours 📍 Phuket ⭐ 4.3 (4,248) 💵 from €32

    The standard Phi Phi day from Phuket, done cheaply and competently, with more than 4,000 reviews. It is busy — that is the trade-off for the price.

    First-timers who want Phi Phi in one day on a budget

    Check price & availability
    Longtail boats beneath the cliffs of Maya Bay, photographed before boats were barred from the beach
  2. Best of Phang Nga Bay

    Phuket: 7 Wonders of Phang Nga Bay 6-Islands Tour

    🕒 8 hours 📍 Phuket ⭐ 4.8 (2,705) 💵 from €60

    James Bond Island, canoeing in the hongs and a swim at Koh Yao Yai in one well-paced day. Rated 4.8 from more than 2,700 reviews.

    The best all-round Phang Nga Bay day from Phuket

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    The needle-shaped rock of Ko Tapu, James Bond Island, in Phang Nga Bay
  3. Best value

    Krabi: Premium 4-Island Day Trip by Longtail Boat with Lunch

    🕒 6 hours 📍 Ao Nang, Krabi ⭐ 4.6 (6,147) 💵 from €30

    Four islands by longtail with lunch for about the price of a restaurant dinner. More than 6,000 reviews make it the most-tested tour on this list.

    Anyone based in Ao Nang or Railay — the essential Krabi day

    Check price & availability
    A beach and limestone outcrop on Koh Poda off Krabi
  4. Best Phi Phi day

    From Krabi: Phi Phi Early Bird & 4 Islands by Speedboat

    🕒 9 hours 📍 Krabi ⭐ 4.9 (3,496) 💵 from €70

    An early start beats the crowds to Maya Bay, and 4.9 from around 3,500 reviews says the operator gets the details right.

    Travellers who would rather pay a little more for fewer crowds

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    A longtail boat on the green water of Pileh Lagoon, Phi Phi Leh
  5. Best snorkelling

    Similan Islands Early-Bird Tour from Phuket and Khao Lak

    🕒 10–13 hours 📍 Phuket or Khao Lak ⭐ 4.7 (4,383) 💵 from €108

    The Similans have the clearest water on the coast, and this early-bird boat reaches them first. Seasonal: roughly mid-October to mid-May.

    Snorkellers who want the clearest water on the coast

    Check price & availability
    White sand and granite boulders on a beach in the Similan Islands
  6. Most memorable

    Phuket: Phang Nga Bay Bioluminescent Plankton and Sea Canoes

    🕒 8 hours 📍 Phuket ⭐ 4.8 (2,671) 💵 from €116

    Sea caves at dusk, then glowing plankton after dark. A different Phang Nga Bay from the one the day boats see.

    Couples and anyone who has already done the standard day tour

    Check price & availability
    An eroded rock stack in an emerald lagoon in Phang Nga Bay
  7. Best from Koh Lanta

    Koh Lanta: Koh Rok & Koh Haa Snorkel Tour with Lunch Buffet

    🕒 7.5–8.5 hours 📍 Koh Lanta ⭐ 4.7 (650) 💵 from €41

    Koh Rok’s sand and reef are a step up from anything closer to shore. Rated 4.7 from 650 reviews.

    Lanta visitors who want the best snorkelling within reach

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    An empty white beach and clear water on Koh Rok Yai
  8. Best day on land

    Krabi: Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and Hot Springs Tour

    🕒 9–9.5 hours 📍 Krabi ⭐ 4.8 (4,133) 💵 from €35

    Temple climb, jungle pool and hot springs. The antidote to a week of boats, and a sound plan when the sea is rough.

    A day off the boats, or a rough-sea alternative

    Check price & availability
    A naga fountain in the grounds of Wat Tham Suea, the Tiger Cave Temple, Krabi
  9. Best premium cruise

    Phuket: James Bond Island Luxury Sunset Cruise

    🕒 8 hours 📍 Phuket ⭐ 4.9 (1,897) 💵 from €138

    More space, more comfort and a sunset dinner on board. Rated 4.9 from nearly 1,900 reviews.

    A special-occasion day with comfort ahead of price

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    Limestone islands in Phang Nga Bay near Khao Phing Kan
  10. Best premium Phi Phi

    Phuket: Phi Phi Sunrise Boat Tour to Bamboo and Khai Island

    🕒 9 hours 📍 Phuket ⭐ 4.9 (1,710) 💵 from €103

    The earliest start from Phuket and smaller groups. Worth the extra if crowds bother you.

    Photographers and anyone who dislikes crowded beaches

    Check price & availability
    Loh Dalum Bay on Koh Phi Phi Don seen from above
  11. Best introduction to Phuket

    Phuket: Guided Tour of Phuket City with Hotel Transfers

    🕒 1 day 📍 Phuket ⭐ 4.8 (3,110) 💵 from €32

    Big Buddha, viewpoints and the Old Town for very little money. Ideal on day one.

    First day in Phuket, or a break from the sun

    Check price & availability
    The white marble Big Buddha statue on its hilltop in Phuket
  12. Best from Khao Lak

    Khao Lak: Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island by Longtail Boat

    🕒 8 hours 📍 Khao Lak ⭐ 4.7 (2,372) 💵 from €65

    Phang Nga Bay by longtail, with a cave temple thrown in. More than 2,300 reviews at 4.7.

    Khao Lak guests who want James Bond Island without the long drive

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    The stilt village of Koh Panyee below a limestone cliff in Phang Nga Bay
  13. Best reef day

    From Khao Lak: Full-Day Snorkeling in the Surin Islands

    🕒 12 hours 📍 Khao Lak ⭐ 4.6 (452) 💵 from €101

    The Surin Islands’ shallow coral gardens are a snorkeller’s dream, with a fraction of the Similans’ boats.

    Keen snorkellers who prefer reef to beach

    Check price & availability
    Hard and soft corals in the shallows of the Surin Islands
  14. Best for culture

    Khao Lak: Surin Island & Moken Village Day Tour with Snorkel

    🕒 9–11 hours 📍 Khao Lak ⭐ 4.4 (152) 💵 from €95

    Surin’s reefs plus a visit to the Moken village — go with curiosity and respect.

    Travellers curious about the culture as well as the coral

    Check price & availability
    Stilt houses of the Moken village on the shore of the Surin Islands
  15. Best afternoon trip

    Krabi: 7 Island Tour by Luxury Longtail Boat with Snorkeling

    🕒 5 hours 📍 Krabi ⭐ 4.6 (1,229) 💵 from €26

    Seven stops, softer light and a sunset finish for less than the morning tours.

    Late risers and sunset lovers

    Check price & availability
    Longtail boats lined up on the sand at Ao Nang beach
  16. Best sunset trip

    Krabi: Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner + Plankton

    🕒 9.5 hours 📍 Krabi ⭐ 4.7 (3,057) 💵 from €62

    Phi Phi after the morning rush, a beach barbecue and plankton at night. More than 3,000 reviews.

    A full Phi Phi day that avoids the dawn alarm

    Check price & availability
    Sunset over the Andaman Sea off the Krabi coast
  17. Best active half day

    Krabi: Half-Day Rock Climbing at Railay Beach

    🕒 4 hours 📍 Railay, Krabi ⭐ 4.9 (753) 💵 from €42

    World-class limestone and patient instructors. No experience needed.

    Active travellers and families with older children

    Check price & availability
    Limestone cliffs rising above West Railay Beach, Krabi
  18. Best in the green season

    Krabi: Half-Day Kayak Adventure at Ao Thalane

    🕒 4.5 hours 📍 Krabi ⭐ 4.7 (1,099) 💵 from €22

    Sheltered mangrove canyons that can be paddled when open-sea trips are cancelled.

    A gentle half day, including in the green season

    Check price & availability
    Kayaks between mangroves and limestone walls at Ao Thalane, Krabi
  19. Best private boat

    Koh Phi Phi: Maya Bay Private Longtail Boat Tour & Snorkel

    🕒 3–4 hours 📍 Koh Phi Phi Don ⭐ 4.8 (472) 💵 from €44

    Your own longtail from Phi Phi Don at an hour of your choosing — the best way to see Maya Bay.

    Anyone sleeping on Phi Phi

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    Looking across the palms of Koh Phi Phi Don to Koh Phi Phi Leh
  20. Best cave swim

    Koh Lanta: 4 Islands, Emerald Cave & Koh Kradan by Longtail

    🕒 7–8 hours 📍 Koh Lanta ⭐ 4.4 (1,070) 💵 from €23

    The Emerald Cave is one of the coast’s strangest and loveliest places, and this is the easy way in from Lanta.

    Lanta visitors who want a taste of the Trang islands

    Check price & availability
    Swimmers on the hidden beach inside the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook
  21. Best on Koh Lipe

    Koh Lipe: Longtail Boat Snorkeling Trip Program A

    🕒 6 hours 📍 Koh Lipe ⭐ 4.8 (677) 💵 from €19

    Rated 4.8 from nearly 700 reviews, at one of the lowest prices on this page.

    The one trip to book on Koh Lipe

    Check price & availability
    Palm fronds over the white sand of a Koh Lipe beach
  22. Best in Langkawi

    Langkawi: Mangrove River Cruise Sharing 3 Hours

    🕒 3 hours 📍 Langkawi ⭐ 4.6 (807) 💵 from €16

    Mangroves, eagles and limestone in three hours. An easy add-on at the Malaysian end of the route.

    A half day in Langkawi before or after the Koh Lipe ferry

    Check price & availability
    Limestone cliffs and mangroves in Kilim Geoforest Park, Langkawi
  23. Most useful transfer

    Phuket: Direct Speedboat to Krabi, Railay or Ao Nang

    🕒 1–3 hours 📍 Phuket ⭐ 4.6 (381) 💵 from €29

    Phuket to Krabi or Railay by sea in a fraction of the driving time.

    Linking a Phuket stay with Krabi or Railay

    Check price & availability
    Longtail boats moored in the shallows off Krabi
  24. Cheapest sea crossing

    Phuket: One-Way to/from Phi Phi Premium Ferry Transfer

    🕒 2.5–3.5 hours 📍 Phuket ⭐ 4.1 (225) 💵 from €10

    The standard ferry to Phi Phi: slow, steady and inexpensive.

    Travellers staying on Phi Phi

    Check price & availability
    Travellers on Tonsai Pier, Koh Phi Phi Don
  25. Best Krabi–Phi Phi link

    Krabi: Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong

    🕒 1.5–3 hours 📍 Krabi ⭐ 4.4 (138) 💵 from €13

    A roomy ferry with an optional drop at Laem Tong for the northern resorts.

    Krabi to Phi Phi with luggage

    Check price & availability
    A longtail boat among the limestone islands off Koh Hong, Krabi
  26. Longest hop

    From Koh Lanta: Speedboat Transfer to/from Koh Lipe

    🕒 2–5 hours 📍 Koh Lanta 💵 from €65

    Lanta to Lipe in one go. No reviews yet, so confirm sailing days — but it is the link that completes the route.

    Island hoppers heading south to Lipe and Langkawi

    Check price & availability
    A white sandbar and turquoise water at Koh Lipe

How we rank these tours

  • The experience. Time at the places that matter, group size and how the crew treats the reef and wildlife.
  • Timing. On this coast, when you arrive matters more than what you pay. Early and late departures score higher.
  • Value. Not the lowest price — the most trip for the money, counting what is included.
  • Volume of reviews. A 4.7 from three thousand travellers tells you more than a 5.0 from six.
Our honest advice: do not try to see everything from one hotel. Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and the 4 Islands are each a full day; the Similans are a very long one from Phuket. Pick two or three trips per base and spend the other days on the beach.

Not sure where to base yourself? See which island suits whom and our hotel picks by hub.

Live availability: top Andaman Sea experiences

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Turn a beach holiday into an island-hopping trip

Paddle into the sea caves of Phang Nga Bay, step onto Maya Bay before the crowds, snorkel the Similan reefs and watch the sun set behind Krabi’s limestone islands. Compare the best-rated boat trips and book in a couple of taps.

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Good to know

Best tours: frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the single best boat trip on the Andaman coast?

For scenery, an early Phi Phi trip or the sea caves of Phang Nga Bay. For snorkelling, the Similan Islands in season. If you only have one day, choose the one that starts closest to your hotel.

Are the cheap tours any good?

Often, yes — the 4 Islands and standard Phi Phi trips are cheap because they run at scale, and their ratings hold up over thousands of reviews. What you give up is space and timing.

How far ahead should I book?

A few days for most trips; a week or more for the Similan and Surin Islands in peak months, because of park quotas.

Do tours run in the rainy season?

Many do, on calmer days. The Similan and Surin Islands are closed, Maya Bay usually closes for part of the season, and cancellations for weather are more common.