Koh Poda
Krabi, Thailand
Koh Tup and Chicken Island, Krabi
i
Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- park fee ≈ 400 baht; boat extra
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Daytime; the sandbar shows only at low tide
- Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Park fee
- Foreigners ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200, cash
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Sandbar
- Talay Waek — low tide only, check a tide table
- Boat
- Longtail or speedboat from Ao Nang, ≈ 20–30 minutes
- Snorkelling
- Off Chicken Island — usually from the boat
- Overnight
- No — day trips only
- Season
- November–April
Key facts
≈ 8 kmsouth of Ao Nang Beach
Sourcei
WikidataTalay Waek'the separated sea' — the sandbar between Tup, Chicken and Mor
Sourcei
travel guidesLow tideis the only time you can walk the sandbar
Sourcei
travel guidesKaiThai for 'chicken' — the island is named for its rock
Sourcei
travel guidesPoda groupPoda, Kai, Mo and Thap are islands of one group
Sourcei
en.wikipediaNational parkHat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi, founded in 1983
Sourcei
en.wikipedia≈ 400 bahtpark fee for foreign adults
Sourcei
travel guidesNo ATMson the islands, and no card payments
Sourcei
travel guidesWhat are Koh Tup and Chicken Island?
Koh Tup (Ko Thap) and Chicken Island (Ko Kai) are two neighbouring limestone islands about 8 km south of Ao Nang Beach, next to Koh Poda. Together with Poda and tiny Ko Mor they form the Poda island group in the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi marine national park.
The star here is the Talay Waek sandbar ('the separated sea'). At low tide a white strip of sand rises from the water linking Tup, Chicken and Mor, and you can walk along it with the sea on both sides. Chicken Island is named for a rock pillar that looks like a chicken's head and neck.
How the islands work
Boats usually land on Koh Tup, where the sandbar starts. Chicken Island and its rock are best seen from the water, and boats stop off its shores for snorkelling over coral reefs with plenty of fish.
There are no hotels, ATMs or card payments on the islands, and few or no food kiosks. A national park fee applies — according to guides, about 400 baht per foreign adult and 200 per child, in cash; some tours include it. Sources disagree on the amount — check when booking.
What to see and do
- Walk the Talay Waek sandbar between the islands at low tide.
- The 'chicken' rock on Chicken Island — best shot from the boat.
- Snorkelling off Chicken Island.
- Tup's beach of white sand.
- Views of Koh Poda and the Railay peninsula.
- A sunset tour — with a late swim by the islands.
How to get to Koh Tup and Chicken Island
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Koh Poda is about 2 min away on foot.
More tips
- Longtail from Ao Nang Beach — buy a ticket at the beachfront kiosk; the boat leaves once enough passengers sign up.
- 4-island tour — Poda, Tup, Chicken and Phra Nang Beach in a day, with hotel pick-up.
- Speedboat — faster, usually as part of a tour.
- Agree the return time with the boatman in advance.
- Check the low tide time — it decides whether you'll see the sandbar.
Koh Tup or Chicken Island: what's where
| Koh Tupyou are here | Beach and the start of the sandbar | Usually yes | By the rocks | Yes, at low tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Island | The 'chicken' rock and reefs | Mostly seen from the boat | The best in the group | Yes, at low tide |
How long do you need?
Allow about 2 hours for Tup and Chicken: walk the sandbar, swim and snorkel. They're usually combined with Poda and Phra Nang on the 4-island trip.
If you go on your own, pick a day with a morning low tide: you'll catch the sandbar before the tours arrive around lunchtime.
Are Koh Tup and Chicken Island worth visiting?
Yes: walking a strip of sand in the middle of the sea is a rare experience, and the 'chicken' rock is one of Krabi's symbols.
The YesGo take: it all depends on the tide — no low tide, no sandbar. Around midday the sandbar gets crowded. Check the tide and bring cash.
Before you go: checklist
Ready: 0 of 5Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Krabi beaches and islands: compare and choose
Krabi beaches and islands rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Ao Nang Beach | 41 | 2 h | Free | 7.9 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phra Nang Beach | 37 | 2 h | Free | 5.7 km |
| Railay Beach | 36 | 3 h | Free | 6.2 km |
| Koh Tup and Chicken Islandyou are here | 27 | 2 h | park fee ≈ 400 baht; boat extra | — |
| Koh Poda | 25 | 3 h | park fee ≈ 400 baht; longtail ≈ 300 | 21 min walk |
| Khao Phanom Bencha National Park | 22 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ 200 baht | 33.0 km |
| Than Bok Khorani National Park | 22 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ 300 baht; kayaking extra | 48.3 km |
| Emerald Pool | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ 400 baht; Hot Spring Waterfall ≈ 200 | 50.4 km |
| Koh Hong | 16 | 4 h | park fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra | 19.7 km |
Krabi's 4 islands in a day
A morning boat from Ao Nang Beach to Koh Poda, Koh Tup and Chicken Island, Phra Nang Beach in the afternoon, and back to Ao Nang for sunset. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Ao Nang Beach2 h · free; longtail to Railay ≈ 100 baht
- 119 min walk from the previous stopKoh Poda3 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht; longtail ≈ 300
- 21 min walk from the previous stopKoh Tup and Chicken Islandyou are here2 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht; boat extra
- 100 min walk from the previous stopPhra Nang Beach2 h · free; toilets charge
4 places · about 13 h with walks · 240 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- Pick a day with a morning low tide.
- Water shoes protect your feet from shells on the sandbar.
- There are no ATMs — bring cash.
- Shoot the 'chicken' rock from the boat.
- Nearby: Koh Poda, 1 km to the north.
Questions
How do I get to Koh Tup and Chicken Island?
By longtail from Ao Nang or on a 4-island tour.
When can you see the Talay Waek sandbar?
Only at low tide; check a tide table.
Why is it called Chicken Island?
Its rock looks like a chicken's head and neck.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, a national park fee of about 400 baht per foreigner, in cash.
Can you land on Chicken Island?
Boats usually land on Koh Tup; at Chicken Island people snorkel.
Is the snorkelling good?
Yes, especially off Chicken Island.
Can you stay overnight?
No, day trips only.
How long do you need?
About 2 hours, or a day on the 4-island tour.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Ko Poda; Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park — island group, park
- Travel guides (Places of Juma, Forever Vacation, Pickyourtrail and others) — sandbar and tides, rock, snorkelling, park fee, cash (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q25408107 — Ko Thap, coordinates
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
Top YesGo picks: Krabi
Ao Nang Beach
Krabi, Thailand
Phra Nang Beach
Krabi, Thailand
Railay Beach
Krabi, Thailand
Tiger Cave Temple
Krabi, Thailand
Khao Phanom Bencha National Park
Krabi, Thailand
Than Bok Khorani National Park
Krabi, Thailand
Emerald Pool
Krabi, Thailand
Koh Hong
Krabi, Thailand