Koh Kai (Chicken Island), Krabi Excursion
Koh Kai (Chicken Island, Krabi)
Koh Kai, also known as Chicken Island, is a well-known island located in Krabi province.
The island got its name from the shape of the rock rising above it. Some say it resembles a chicken’s head, while others think it looks like an axe handle.
This popular tourist spot is easy to reach by comfortable yacht.
Advantages of the location:
– Unusual scenery: rocky on one side, a clean, cozy beach on the other.
– Unique rock formations.
– Clear, transparent water with colorful fish and coral reefs — an excellent spot for snorkeling.
– Shallow water, plenty of room for children to play, and an ideal place to sunbathe and admire the beauty of the Andaman Sea.
– Part of Ao Phang Nga National Park, home to a variety of wild animals and plants. Enjoy the rich flora and fauna without leaving any litter behind and without damaging the coral reefs.
– A sandy sandbar connects Chicken Island with two smaller islands, Koh Mor and Koh Tup, forming a single scenic complex known as Talay Waek (“the sea splits”). At low tide you can walk along the Y-shaped sandbar from one island to another.
Nuances
The island is popular with tourists, and everyone wants to see this unique beach, so if you’d like some peace and quiet, it’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon. If your goal is to walk the famous sandbar, wear closed-toe shoes to avoid injuring yourself on coral fragments.
While strolling along the sandbar, you can attract exotic fish — just take a piece of banana and sit down, and a whole shoal of fish will swim right up to you. It makes for some beautiful photos.
The island’s shoreline is about 600–1,000 m, so you can walk around it in a couple of hours.
Day by private yacht: Phuket – Koh Kai (Chicken island Krabi) and back
An excursion to Koh Kai (Chicken Island, Krabi) is a peaceful escape from the energetic buzz of Phuket. If you’re craving a calm, unhurried getaway, this paradise island is the ideal place for you. On the way, you’ll enjoy the island’s picturesque scenery, and from a distance you’ll already be able to spot the famous “chicken head” rock and capture a great photo. Adding this excursion to your Thailand itinerary will make your trip even more memorable.
Here’s why our service stands out:
– Personalized approach. We take all your preferences and needs into account and do everything we can to make you happy — breakfast, lunch or dinner, and a swim can all be arranged on board, along with stops for photos or fishing.
– Quality and comfort. Spacious cabins, spotlessly clean and modern common areas, and a dedicated, attentive crew — your comfort matters greatly to us.
– The yacht journey to Koh Kai reveals breathtaking views of limestone karsts, turquoise water and lush greenery — the journey itself is part of the experience.
– Safety above all. Our crew consists of experienced professionals who ensure not only a memorable journey but real peace of mind throughout the trip.
Start planning your yacht excursion to Koh Kai today. Contact us — your unforgettable getaway to this hidden paradise will be unlike any other.
Koh Kai is a limestone island in Krabi province, connected by a sandbar to two smaller islands, Koh Mor and Koh Tup.
The island got its name from the shape of the rock rising above it — some say it resembles a chicken’s head, while others think it looks like an axe handle.
Snorkel in clear water among colorful fish and coral reefs, walk the famous sandbar (a Y-shaped phenomenon connecting the islands at low tide), feed exotic fish with pieces of banana, and relax on the shallow, sandy shore.
The island is very popular with tourists, so for a quieter visit to the sandbar it is best to go during high tide hours.
Yes, it is part of Ao Phang Nga National Park, home to a variety of wild animals and plants — visitors should not leave litter or damage the coral reefs.
Distance and travel time from Chalong Pier
In a straight line it is about 52 km (28 nautical miles) from Chalong Pier to Chicken Island (Koh Kai). This is an approximate straight-line distance, not an exact navigational figure — the actual route on the water is always somewhat longer.
For a motor yacht, a crossing of this length typically takes about 1–2 hours, depending on the yacht, the weather and the state of the sea. The departure pier is also chosen to suit the route and the vessel, so we confirm the exact timing and departure point when planning your trip.
When planning a longer day on the water, this trip is often combined with Koh Poda or Railay Beach.
Recommended Yachts for Your Koh Kai (Chicken Island) Tour
Horizon Cruises Phuket offers a private yacht charter to Koh Kai tailored to your group. Two of our own vessels are especially well suited for this trip:
- Technema 89 “Say Yes” — a spacious motor yacht ideal for families and groups seeking comfort on the way to Koh Kai.
- Beluga 88 — a stylish yacht offering a relaxed, private atmosphere for couples or smaller parties.
See our full yacht fleet or contact us to plan your Koh Kai day trip.
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Koh Kai (Chicken Island), Krabi Excursion
