Ao Nang
Four islands by longtail, with lunch
- Longtail boat, shared or private
- Sandbar walk at low tide
- Best for
- A first island day close to Ao Nang, at an unhurried pace
- Skip if
- You want Phi Phi or a long day far offshore
Night trip · from Krabi
Swimming with the plankton at night
Four and a half hours out after dark to swim in water that lights up when you move, with a short lesson on what makes it glow.
Duration
4.5 hours
Starts in
Krabi
Price
From ฿800
The experience
- Best for
- A night out on dark water, ideally near the new moon
- Not for you if
- You are uneasy swimming in dark water, or you need to be sure of seeing the glow
Some plankton give off light when the water around them is disturbed: a hand or a kick leaves a trail of small sparks. This tour takes you out at night to swim in it, and the operator adds an explanation of the role plankton play in the sea and of the difference between the kinds you may see.
Whether the glow is strong is not something anyone can book. One local travel site gives a rule of thumb rather than a science: darker nights are better, so the days around the new moon are the ones to aim for, and nights close to the full moon the ones to avoid. The same site prefers November to May, when there is less rain and the water is clearer.
Read the rest
The booking page does not say where the swim takes place. Night trips around Krabi are generally run near the islands off Ao Nang and Railay; one local travel site reports that the national park islands are no longer open to plankton trips, while some operators still list them, so do not count on a particular island. Pickup is available and there is a child rate, but the whole point is swimming in dark water.
Why this one
01
Pick your night
Check the moon before you book: the darker the night, the better the chances.
02
More than a swim
The operator explains what plankton do in the sea and how the kinds differ.
03
Pickup available
Transfer is offered; check your area at booking.
What is included
Included
- The night swim
- An explanation of plankton by the operator
- Hotel pickup where available (check your area at booking)
Not included
- A guarantee of seeing the glow: it depends on the night
- Anything the booking page does not list: check what is included there before you pay
Practical detail
- Duration
- About 4.5 hours
- Language
- English and Thai
- Children
- Children aged 4 to 11 have their own rate; children 3 and under join free but must be added to the booking
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation, on the terms shown at booking; book at least 5 hours ahead
Common questions
Will I see the plankton glow?
Not certainly. It depends on the night: one local travel site advises the days around the new moon and avoiding nights near the full moon. No operator can promise it.
When is the best time of year?
One local travel site suggests November to May, when there is less rain and the water is clearer. It is a rule of thumb, not a guarantee.
Where does the swim take place?
The booking page does not name a place. Do not count on a particular island: reports disagree on which ones are still open to night trips.
Is it suitable for children?
The tour has a child rate from 4 to 11, and younger children join free. Whether a child is comfortable swimming at night is the real question.
Book it
Ready when you are
Dates, times and live prices come up at the next step. Booking takes two minutes, and the cancellation terms are shown before you pay.
Check availability ▸
From ฿800
Other tours in this category
Ao Nang
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- Choose longtail or speedboat
- Snorkelling stops
- Best for
- Choosing your boat for the same four-island route
- Skip if
- You want a quiet beach to yourself
Krabi
Hong Islands by speedboat, with lunch
- Speedboat
- Lunch included
- Best for
- Seeing the enclosed lagoon of the Hong Islands in a day
- Skip if
- Fast open-sea crossings make you seasick
Ao Nang
Private longtail around the islands
- Private boat
- Your own timing
- Best for
- A family or a small group who want to set the pace and leave early
- Skip if
- You are travelling alone on a tight budget
These places on the map
- Ao Nang Beach Beaches
- Railay West Beaches
- Phra Nang Beach Beaches