Hong Island Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner & Glowing Plankton Krabi

Koh Hong in the afternoon

The trip starts at Koh Hong, the largest island of the Hong group and part of Than Bok Khorani National Park. Arriving in the afternoon means calmer beaches as the morning boats head back, and you have about an hour and a half to swim in the clear water, snorkel near the rocks or walk along the white sand under the cliffs.

This is the longest stop of the tour, so it is the best time to enjoy the island at your own pace. If you would like to paddle along the cliffs, kayaks can be rented here as an optional extra paid on the spot; ask your guide to arrange it. Bring cash for the national park fee, which is collected on the day.

Hong Lagoon

From the beach the boat takes you round to Hong Lagoon, a sheltered pool of emerald water hidden inside the island and reached through a gap in the rock. Your guide explains the island's ecology as you float beneath walls covered in tropical plants and limestone formations shaped over thousands of years.

The visit lasts about twenty minutes and is one of the most photographed moments of any Hong Island tour from Ao Nang. Access depends on the tide, and the captain chooses the safest time to enter. In the afternoon light the water glows in shades of jade and green, quite different from the bright colours of a morning visit.

Koh Lao Lading and the beach barbecue

Next the boat moors at Koh Lao Lading, a small island where a crescent of white sand is tucked between two limestone cliffs. Here you have about an hour and a half of free time to swim and relax while the crew prepares a barbecue on the beach.

The mini buffet dinner combines grilled dishes with Thai flavours, vegetarian options and halal and Indian choices, followed by fresh fruit and bottled water. Eating with your feet in the sand as the light softens is one of the reasons travellers book a Krabi sunset tour with BBQ dinner rather than a day trip. Tell us about any dietary needs when booking.

Sunset at Koh Pak Bia

As the sun lowers, you cross to Koh Pak Bia, a small island with a sandy strip and rocks rising from shallow water. You spend about forty-five minutes here to swim, walk on the sand and watch the sky change from gold to pink, orange and purple over the scattered limestone islets.

This is the highlight for photographers, so keep your phone or camera charged for the golden hour. The colours depend on the weather and clouds, and every evening is different. The best time to visit for clear sunsets is the dry season from November to April, when skies are usually open over the Andaman Sea. Your guide picks the spot on the beach with the clearest view to the west.

Glowing plankton after dark

When night falls, the boat stops in calm water for about thirty minutes so you can snorkel or swim with bioluminescent plankton. Each movement of your hands and fins makes tiny blue-green sparks light up in the dark sea, a magical experience that many guests remember most.

Plankton visibility depends on the tide and the phase of the moon: it is strongest on dark nights and can be faint around the full moon, so sightings are not guaranteed. Life jackets are provided, and your guide stays with the group in the water. Afterwards the boat returns to the pier and our driver takes you back to your hotel around 19:30.