Ko Poda Beach
The uninhabited island off Ao Nang, 20 minutes by longtail, with white sand under a tall offshore karst and a ฿200 national park fee.
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Finding your way around Ko Poda Beach
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Getting there and around
- Longtail boats leave from Ao Nang beach. The ride is about 20 minutes and costs about ฿300 per person round-trip, once six passengers have signed up.
- The return time is set for the whole boat, usually around 4pm.
- Everyone pays the ฿200 national park fee (฿100 for children) on arrival, in cash. The island is about 8 km off Ao Nang, inside Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
- Boats land at the northern tip, the busiest stretch. A short walk south takes you to the quieter half of the island. Secret Beach, a tiny cove under the cliffs on the southwest side, is easiest to see from a boat on the way around.
- Koh Poda is also the first stop on most Four Islands tours from Ao Nang, with Chicken Island, Tup Island and Phra Nang Cave Beach.
Tours that include Ko Poda Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Ko Poda Beach.
Why go, and how to do it well
Koh Poda is the uninhabited island you can see from Ao Nang beach, a long strip of white sand under limestone cliffs, with a tall karst rising out of the water just off its shore. It's about 8 km off Ao Nang, inside Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, and is the first stop on most Four Islands tours, along with Chicken Island, Tup Island and Phra Nang Cave Beach.
To get there on your own, take a longtail from Ao Nang beach. The ride is about 20 minutes and costs about ฿300 per person round-trip, but the boats leave only once six passengers have signed up, so an early ticket can mean a wait. The return time is agreed for the whole boat, usually around 4pm. Everyone also pays the national park fee on arrival in cash, ฿200 for foreign adults and ฿100 for children.
The boats land at the northern tip, where the food kiosk and vendors are, and that stretch gets busy. Walk south along the sand and the beach empties out quickly, with shade under the trees and calm, clear water. Secret Beach, a tiny cove under the cliffs on the southwest side, is easiest to see from a boat on the way around. There's coral around the rocks for some snorkeling, and the sea is gentle enough for nervous swimmers in the dry season.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Tours that include Ko Poda Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Ko Poda Beach.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Ko Poda Beach, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Ko Poda Beach, round out your day in Krabi with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
This was the highlight of our private island tour and honestly exceeded all expectations. We've done multi-island hops around Krabi before, but Ko Poda stands out. The beach itself is genuinely stunning—fine white sand stretching generously enough that even during high season you're not fighting for space like at some of the more famous spots. That breathing room makes such a difference when you actually want to relax rather than navigate through crowds. What surprised us most was the snorkeling. We'd tried several spots in the region and found them underwhelming, but Ko Poda delivered just fine. Plenty of tropical fish swimming close to shore and we even spotted a few small sand sharks—not something we expected. The water clarity was excellent for the area. The facilities are better than you'd think for an island this unspoiled. There's a small restaurant, toilet facilities, picnic tables, and shaded areas for groups—everything you need for a comfortable full day without roughing it. My advice: if the multi-island tours feel rushed or expensive, just book a longtail directly to Ko Poda and give yourself the whole day here. It's the kind of place that rewards lingering.
Fantastic beach. Like a postcard. Must see it to belive it. We hired a longtail boat, and left Railay East Beach Pier 8:00 in the morning. Half hour drive an we were there. Silky soft sand. A tropical paradise. Advice. Go early. After 10:00 its crowded. Rent private boat, 2800 bath. If you like beer, bring it. No alcohol sale on Islands. Coffee, soft drink, water and snack is for sale. Read rules for entering island carefully. Its easy to get a 100 000 bath fine if you do something not allowed. Super highly recommended.
Absolutely stunning beach with fine white sand, clear water and sorrounded by forest which can give you shade. The beach is very long meaning that is not that croundy with tourists. You have a restaurant, bathrooms and showers at one end of the beach, this is the part where the water taxi drops you off, and it's a little bit crowded, but if you walk on the other part of the beach you will find that is more wild and not that croundy.The trip with long tails bout is short, approximately 20 minutes.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 1,926 reviews on Google.
XRF6+QR, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore beaches nearby
All within 4.5 km of Ko Poda Beach.
Secret Beach - Poda Island
Ko Rang Beach
Phra Nang Cave Beach
Tips for Visiting Beaches
Go Early for Empty Sand
Even the busiest beaches are nearly deserted before 9 AM. A sunrise walk is the best hour of the day on the sand, and you'll beat the heat for a morning swim.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Many Thai marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral. Bring reef-safe (mineral/zinc-based) sunscreen from home — it's harder to find and pricier in Thailand.
Ko Poda Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Koh Poda?
By longtail from Ao Nang beach, about 20 minutes and about ฿300 per person round-trip, or on a Four Islands tour. Either way, the ฿200 national park fee is paid on arrival.
What are the four islands near Krabi?
The Four Islands tour from Ao Nang usually stops at Koh Poda, Chicken Island (Koh Gai), Tup Island with its low-tide sandbar, and Phra Nang Cave Beach.
Is Koh Poda worth visiting?
Yes, for a beach day with clear, calm water and limestone views about 20 minutes from Ao Nang. The landing beach at the northern tip is crowded at midday, so walk south for a quieter stretch, or go early or late in the day.
Can you stay overnight on Koh Poda?
No. The island is uninhabited and inside a national park, so it's a day trip from Ao Nang.
When is the best time to visit Ko Poda Beach?
The best months to visit Krabi are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: May – October (rough Andaman seas).
Also popular in Krabi
Khaothong Hill
Lagoon
Hong Island
Boogie Bar
Similar Beaches across Thailand
Ton Sai Beach (Koh Phi Phi)
Nui Bay
Thong Nai Pan
