Chicken Island
Koh Kai, the island off Ao Nang named for a limestone pinnacle shaped like a chicken's head, best seen from the water on a snorkeling stop.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
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Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Chicken Island
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Chicken Island.
Why go, and how to do it well
Chicken Island, Koh Kai in Thai, takes its name from the limestone pinnacle on its southern tip, which really does look like the head and neck of a chicken from the right angle at sea. It lies about 9 kilometers off the Krabi coast, roughly half an hour by longtail from Ao Nang, and is part of the same national park as Koh Poda and Tup Island.
Most visits are from the water. The 4 Islands tour stops off the rock for photographs and snorkeling over the coral around its base, which is some of the better shallow snorkeling on the tour, and boats then cross to Tup Island, where a sandbar links the islets at low tide. Sources disagree on how good the island's own shoreline is for a beach stop, so treat Chicken Island as the view and the snorkel rather than the place to spend the afternoon on the sand.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Chicken Island
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Tours that include Chicken Island
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Chicken Island.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Chicken Island, round out your day in Krabi with contrasting stops nearby.
WRX5+J8X, Tambon Ao Nang, Amphoe Mueang Krabi
Open in Google MapsMore islands nearby
All within 2.4 km away of Chicken Island.
Tup Island
Two tiny islands off Ao Nang joined to neighboring Koh Mor by a sandbar that rises out of the sea at low tide, so you can walk between them.
Koh Poda
The first stop on Krabi's 4 Islands tour, an uninhabited limestone island off Ao Nang with a long white beach, clear water and a sea stack offshore.
Tips for Visiting Islands
Check Island Closures
Similan Islands, Surin Islands, and Koh Tachai close mid-May to mid-October. Some smaller islands reduce ferry service in monsoon season. Always verify schedules before planning your route.
Snorkel Gear Is Cheap to Buy
Rental gear is often scratched and ill-fitting. Buy a decent mask and snorkel at a Big C for 300–500 THB — cheaper than two days of rentals and much more hygienic.
Bring Cash to Smaller Islands
ATMs on smaller islands like Koh Kood, Koh Mak, and Koh Yao charge high fees and sometimes run out of cash. Withdraw enough on the mainland before heading over.
Chicken Island: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicken Island worth visiting?
Chicken Island holds a 4.6★ rating from 341 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated islands in Krabi.
What are the opening hours of Chicken Island?
Chicken Island is open 24 hours a day — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Chicken Island?
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: June – September (rough Andaman seas).
Where is Chicken Island located?
Chicken Island is at WRX5+J8X, Tambon Ao Nang, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, in Krabi. Getting around Krabi: Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach); Songthaews in Ao Nang.
Also popular in Krabi
Secret Beach - Poda Island
A secluded cove on Poda Island near Ao Nang, offering calm waters, limestone cliffs, and a quieter beach experience.
Emerald Pool
Spring-fed jungle swimming in green water, best hit at 8:30am before the heat and the tour buses land.
Tong Talay Seafood Buffet
All-you-can-eat seafood you grill or boil yourself, about 3.5km inland from Ao Nang beach.
Sea Seeker Krabi Resort
A big family-friendly base a short walk from Ao Nang beach, close to the bars without sitting on top of them.
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Ko Samui
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