Private Boat Rental Krabi: How Much Does a Longtail Cost?
Private boat rental in Krabi starts at 2,500 baht for a half-day longtail (holds 8 people) or 8,500 baht for a half-day speedboat (holds 25 people). The price includes the driver, drinking water, and life jackets. It does not include food, park entry fees, or snorkel gear. This guide covers all boat rental prices in Krabi, how to pick the right size for your group, the number of islands you can visit, and what to pack before you rent.
How Many Types of Rental Boats Are There in Krabi?
Krabi has 2 main types of rental boats: traditional longtails and modern speedboats. Each one fits a different kind of group and budget.
A longtail is a traditional wooden boat used by southern Thai fishermen. It's 8 to 12 meters long. It uses a farm engine attached to a long shaft that sticks out the back. It holds 8 to 10 people. It moves slowly at 25 to 30 kilometers per hour, but the local feel is real.
A speedboat is a modern fiberglass boat. It's 12 to 15 meters long. It uses 2 to 4 outboard engines. It holds 15 to 30 people. It moves fast at 50 to 70 kilometers per hour. It has a roof and more comfortable seats. Best for big groups and families with older travelers.
For a detailed compare between the two, read our speedboat vs longtail guide for pros and cons in different activities.
Longtail Boat Private Rental Prices in Krabi
Longtail rental prices change based on how many hours, the route, and the season. High season (November to April) costs 20 to 30 percent more than rainy season.
Half-Day (4 hours)
Half-day longtail rental costs 2,500 to 3,500 baht per boat. The route covers 2 to 3 islands near Krabi like Poda, Chicken, or Tup. You leave Ao Nam Mao or Ao Nang Pier at 8 a.m. or 1 p.m., and return at noon or 5 p.m.
Full-Day (8 hours)
Full-day longtail rental costs 4,500 to 6,500 baht per boat. The route covers 4 to 6 islands including Hong Island or Railay. You leave at 8 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. You have time for snorkeling, lunch on a beach, and sun tanning.
Special Routes
Renting a longtail to Phi Phi costs 5,500 to 7,500 baht per boat. The distance is far (35 kilometers). The boat takes 1.5 to 2 hours each way, compared to 45 minutes for a speedboat. Good for travelers who love the local vibe and aren't in a rush.
Renting a private boat to Railay costs 1,800 to 2,500 baht per boat for round-trip only, with no island stops. The boat takes 30 to 40 minutes. Best for couples who don't want to share with other travelers.
Speedboat Private Rental Prices in Krabi
Renting a speedboat is best for big groups (10 to 25 people) or small groups who want a fast and comfortable trip.
Half-Day (4 hours)
Half-day speedboat rental costs 8,500 to 12,500 baht per boat. Holds 20 to 25 people. The route covers 4 to 5 islands including Hong, Poda, Chicken, Tup, and Railay. Uses 40 to 50 percent less time than a longtail. More time for snorkeling.
Full-Day (8 hours)
Full-day speedboat rental costs 15,000 to 22,000 baht per boat. The route covers every island near Krabi, including Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Maya Bay, and Hong Island. You can kayak, snorkel, and eat on the boat.
Luxury Speedboat
A premium speedboat holds 12 to 18 people. Half-day costs 18,000 to 28,000 baht. Full-day costs 32,000 to 48,000 baht. It has soft sofas, an onboard toilet, sound system, real wood floors, and GPS. Best for families who want privacy and comfort.
Our Luxury Speedboat at Railay Eco Tour includes a Krabi local guide who speaks English. No extra charge. Great for foreign travelers or anyone who wants cultural details.
Half-Day, Full-Day, or Overnight: Which Should I Pick?
Half-day (4 hours) is best for travelers who visit Krabi for one day and fly home at night. You can stop at 2 or 3 islands, snorkel, and take some photos. But you can't slow down at each spot.
Full-day (8 hours) is best for travelers who want to make every minute count. You can stop at 5 or 6 islands. Spend 30 to 45 minutes at each beach. Snorkel deep, kayak, and have lunch at Poda or Chicken Island.
Overnight (2 days on the boat) is best for groups of 8 to 15 people who want a new experience. The cost is 35,000 to 65,000 baht per trip. It includes sleeping on the boat, 5 meals, and a private guide. You sleep under the stars in the middle of the sea. Watch the sunrise from the boat. Deep snorkel. Visit islands that aren't on regular tours.
| Type | Time | Longtail Price | Speedboat Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day | 4 hours | 2,500-3,500 | 8,500-12,500 | One-day visitors |
| Full-day | 8 hours | 4,500-6,500 | 15,000-22,000 | Families, friend groups |
| Luxury half-day | 4 hours | — | 18,000-28,000 | Couples, special trips |
| Luxury full-day | 8 hours | — | 32,000-48,000 | VIP families |
| Overnight | 2 days | — | 35,000-65,000 | Adventure groups |
What's Included and Not Included in the Rental Price
The standard boat rental price includes a professional driver, fuel, 2 to 3 bottles of drinking water per person, life jackets for every seat, accident insurance up to 100,000 baht per person, and spare life rings.
The price does NOT include lunch, national park entry fees (200 to 400 baht per foreign tourist), snorkel gear (150 to 300 baht per person), and tips for the driver (100 to 200 baht per person).
If you want an all-inclusive package, pick a private island tour from Railay Eco Tour instead. Half-day tour prices are 1,200 to 1,800 baht per person. Full-day tours are 1,800 to 3,500 baht per person. Includes food, park fees, snorkel gear, and a guide.
Pick the Right Pier for Your Rental
Ao Nam Mao Pier is best for renting boats to Phi Phi, Railay, and nearby islands. It's close to the main routes. No detours. Big parking lot and high-quality boat docks.
Ao Nang Pier is best for renting boats to the 4 islands (Poda, Chicken, Tup, Mor) and snorkeling at Phra Nang Bay. It's close to where most travelers stay in Ao Nang. No need to travel far before boarding.
Other piers like Railay East or Klong Hin have fewer boats and prices are 10 to 20 percent higher. Use them only if your hotel is right in that area. For a full Ao Nam Mao schedule, read our Ao Nam Mao Pier boat schedule guide to compare routes.
Let Railay Eco Tour Design Your Private Boat Trip
A private boat trip with Railay Eco Tour is 100 percent customizable. You pick the departure pier, every stop, the timing, the food, and the guide. No forced schedule. No strangers on your boat.
Our team has 4 Luxury Speedboats and 6 premium longtails. Every boat passes Department of Marine safety checks and has full insurance. Prices start at 3,000 baht per half-day for a premium longtail, including an English-speaking guide.
For families with small kids or older travelers, contact our team to book the Luxury Speedboat. It has a non-slip floor, kid-size life jackets, and comfortable seats. The guide knows the spots that work for kids and the beach entries that aren't deep.
Krabi Private Boat Rental: Skip the Crowds
Renting a private boat in Krabi is the best choice for families and groups of 6 to 15 people who want a relaxed trip without other tourists. Prices start at 2,500 baht for a half-day longtail or 8,500 baht for a speedboat.
The best deals are on weekdays in rainy season (May to October). Prices drop 20 to 30 percent and you don't have to share beaches with other tour boats. Mornings (8 a.m. to noon) have the clearest water and smallest waves. Best for snorkeling and photos.
Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead on weekdays, or 2 to 4 weeks ahead on weekends. Quality boats sell out fast. For trip plans that combine private boats with land tours, read our full Krabi travel guide for 3 to 5-day plans covering both sea and town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is renting a boat in Krabi worth it for 4 people?
Yes, if you rent a half-day longtail for 2,500 to 3,500 baht per boat. That's 625 to 875 baht per person. Similar to a group tour at 800 to 1,200 baht per person. But you get more privacy and pick your own route.
How do I rent a boat in Krabi safely without getting scammed?
Pick an operator with a tourism license (TAT License) and a clear company address. Check Google and Tripadvisor reviews before you book. Pay a 30 percent deposit via bank transfer with a receipt. Pay the rest on the departure day.
How many islands can I visit in a half-day boat rental?
A longtail can visit 2 to 3 islands because it moves slowly. A speedboat can visit 4 to 5 islands in the same time because it's twice as fast. Pick based on how many islands you want and the speed you prefer.
Can I rent a boat in Krabi during the rainy season?
Yes, most days. The main Krabi routes stay inside sheltered bays that block the monsoon. On days with waves over 2 meters, some boats stop. A good operator refunds in full or reschedules. Check the weather the day before.
Can I drive the boat myself?
No. Every boat needs a licensed driver from the Department of Marine. Driver fee is included in the rental price. Tourists can't operate the boats themselves. This is for safety and follows Thai law.
References
Krabi walking street runs in the old-town quarter of Krabi town, on weekend evenings only — not every night. Visitors staying in Ao Nang who drive in without checking the day regularly find an empty street. The draw is freshly cooked food at local prices that Krabi people actually eat: grilled seafood, regional sweets, fresh-pressed juices, plus handicraft stalls from people in the area.
Railay EcoPoda Island is a small island in Krabi province, south of Ao Nang — roughly 20 to 30 minutes by longtail boat or about 15 minutes by speedboat. What stands out is the fine white sand and the water, which stays shallow on a long gentle slope.
Railay EcoPileh Lagoon sits on Phi Phi Leh in Krabi province — a bay almost completely ringed by tall limestone cliffs, with one narrow gap for boats to pass through. No swell reaches inside, so the water sits still, and the white sand floor below reflects the light back as emerald. Every trip to Phi Phi Leh stops here, because it is only minutes from Maya Bay.
Railay EcoKrabi Airport sits roughly 15 kilometres from Krabi town and 30 to 40 minutes by road from Ao Nang. To reach Ao Nang you can take the airport bus, a shared minivan, a taxi, or a private transfer booked in advance. Railay is a different matter: it is a peninsula no road reaches, so you take a vehicle to a pier and then a boat. The mistake people make most often is landing late and finding the last boats into Railay already finished for the day. This guide covers each transport option, journey times, rough costs, and how to handle a late arrival.
Railay EcoNopparat Thara Beach is in Krabi town district, immediately west of Ao Nang — five to ten minutes away on foot or by car. It runs for several kilometres, holds far fewer people than Ao Nang, and has the national park headquarters sitting right on the sand. The detail most visitors miss: at the lowest tides a sandbar emerges and you can walk out to the small island offshore without a boat. It also serves as a departure point for some island routes, so it works both as a place to rest and as a way out to sea. This guide covers how it differs from Ao Nang, how to get there, and when to go.
Railay EcoHong Island belongs to Krabi province and sits inside Than Bok Khorani National Park, north of Ao Nang — roughly 30 to 40 minutes by speedboat, or about an hour by longtail. What makes it different from the other Krabi islands is the lagoon in its middle: a pool of water almost entirely enclosed by tall limestone cliffs, with one narrow opening that small boats can slip through when the tide is high enough.
Railay Eco