Categories > Guides and Tips
Everything You Need to Know about Tup Island
- Where is Tup Island?
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Tup Island
- What to See and Do in Tup Island
- Head to the viewpoint in the eastern Tup Island
- Cool yourself down in Tup Island’s clear and shallow waters
- Laze around Thale Waek
- Capture some photos of the rock formations around the island
- Snorkel around Tup Island’s sandbanks
- Cross the Thale Waek sandbank to Koh Kai
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Tup Island
- Lek’s Sushi
- Café Lé Inguz
- Ton Ma Yom Thai Food Restaurant
- Where to Shop in and Near Tup Island
- Railay Walking Street
- Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
- Makro Food Service
- Where to Stay in and Near Tup Island
- Rayavadee Resort
- Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi
- Tan Hostel x Cafe
- FAQs about Tup Island
Though underrated, Tup Island, also known as Koh Thap, is one of Krabi’s gems. It’s within the Hat Nopparat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and features a pristine white sand beach surrounded by crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling.
Sandwiched between Koh Poda and Koh Kai, this island is also an ideal island-hopping destination, a must-see on any day trip. That’s especially because you can cross its sandbank on foot during the low tide.
But what does this mean for you? Well, the possibilities for adventure go beyond what Tup Island has to offer!
Where is Tup Island?
Tup Island is on the Andaman Sea, southwest off the coast of Railay Beach in Ao Nang. It’s between Koh Poda and Koh Kai, also known as Chicken Island.
Things to Know
Location: Andaman Sea, Ao Nang, Krabi ,Thailand
Operating Hours: 24/7
Admission Cost: 400 baht (Adults) or 200 baht (Children)
How to Get to Tup Island
Tup Island is only accessible via the longtail boats docked at Ao Nang Beach, Nopparat Thara Beach, Railay Beach, and Klong Muang Beach.
You must first travel to any of these beaches to get to Tup Island unless you booked a boat trip with a local travel agency, hotel, or resort.
Longtail boat: Catching a longtail boat at any beach in Ao Nang and Nong Thale is the cheapest way to get to Tup Island. You’ll ride these boats with other tourists but can also hire the boat operators via a private arrangement if you don’t mind paying extra.
Regular longtail boats should depart once there are at least 8 passengers.
Guided boat tour: Another way to get to Tup Island is to book the famous 4-island tour. This is great if you like island-hopping because it will take you to other islands like Koh Kai and Koh Poda.
You can book Tup Island boat tours with local travel agencies or online booking sites like Klook and Viator. Most hotels and resorts on Ao Nang also offer special private longtail boat trips to the island.
What to See and Do in Tup Island
Head to the viewpoint in the eastern Tup Island
Media credit: cissisundberg
Though not very tall for a vantage point, the viewpoint behind the ranger station in Tup Island is definitely a must-see for the stunning view it offers. This lookout point overlooks the island’s western islet, so it’s already a solid spot for some photos.
If you wait for the low tide, you can get a postcard-perfect view of this islet with Thale Waek in the foreground. This viewpoint also offers a stunning view of the Andaman Sea and two nearby islands: Koh Poda and Koh Kai.
Plus, it’s accessible since it’s only a short hike, perfect for all tourists.
Cool yourself down in Tup Island’s clear and shallow waters
Media credit: travel.dreambig
Tup Island is one of the best swimming spots off the coast of Krabi, so expect crystal-clear waters and fine white sands.
It also has shallow waters because a sandbank connects its twin islets, perfect for non-swimmers and small children. During the low tide, the surrounding waters are even shallower, so it’s definitely one of the safest places to swim in the Andaman Sea!
Moreover, you don’t have to worry about strong waves and currents while swimming near the island. There are no bothersome jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards as well.
Laze around Thale Waek
Media credit: vivreenthailande
Thale Waek, or Talay Waek, is the sandbank connecting the twin islets of Tup Island. It’s submerged under the sea during the high tide but emerges fully if you wait for the low tide, allowing visitors to walk between the two islets.
During this time, it also becomes a great spot for beach picnics and sunbathing, so expect most tourists to hang out here. Keep in mind that you won’t have any protection from the sun so we recommend staying only in the morning and afternoon.
Also, don’t forget to check out the tide forecast before heading to the island, so you can schedule your boat trip when Thale Waek emerges. In case you didn’t know, Thale Waek means “divided sea” in Thai.
Capture some photos of the rock formations around the island
Media credit: f.front_1998
Tup Island is well-known for its sandbank, but the rock formations on each side of its twin islets are also definitely worth your attention. In fact, the shutterbugs on our team like using them as backdrops for many of the photos they took during our trip.
If you have a good imagination, you can also use them to make creative and memorable photos of your island escapade.
Snorkel around Tup Island’s sandbanks
Media credit: vivreenthailande
Tup Island’s sandbank and surrounding rocky seabed make it one of the best snorkeling spots in the Andaman Sea. There, you can observe a wide array of marine creatures, from tropical fishes to coral reefs, echinoderms, and more.
However, you can’t rent snorkeling gear on the island, so be sure to bring one for your trip. Otherwise, you can stick to observing marine animals from the shallow waters on the island’s sandbank.
Don’t worry, the crystal-clear waters make it easy to spot friendly various tropical fish and starfish.
Cross the Thale Waek sandbank to Koh Kai
Media credit: himbeere28_
Koh Kai is a separate island that connects to Tup Island during the low tide thanks to Thale Waek. During this time, you can reach this island on foot, so it’s definitely worth checking out to make the most of your island escapade.
In fact, Koh Kai and Tup Island are included in the popular 4-island tour, so you’re most likely to visit it anyway if you booked a guided boat trip. Koh Kai also has a small viewpoint that overlooks the Andaman Sea and its surrounding islands.
Moreover, you can enjoy numerous beach activities here, from snorkeling to swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. It also has a unique rock cliff that resembles a chicken head and you can see it by riding a boat along its south end.
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Tup Island
Lek’s Sushi
Media from lekssushi
Address: Railay Walking Street, Ao Nang
Phone: +66 84 953 9581
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for breakfast
Lek’s Sushi is a food haven for sushi fanatics. This restaurant is also on Railay Walking Street, so it’s accessible for tourists who plan to ride a boat to Tup Island from Railay Beach.
This place is a fan favorite because it serves exquisite sushi platters using high-quality and fresh ingredients. We also like the restaurant’s casual vibes and bamboo interiors, perfect if you want to relax and enjoy good sushi.
They also serve other Japanese-style seafood like salmon maki, sashimi, and tempura. Their nice selection of cocktails is also a plus.
Café Lé Inguz
Media from cafe_le.inguz
Address: 625/55 Railay Walking Street, Ao Nang
Phone: +66 87 254 3765
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for coffee lovers
Café Lé Inguz is one of the best coffee spots in Railay Walking Street, so it’s definitely worth visiting if you need your caffeine fix before your Tup Island trip. It’s a popular cafe known for its signature specialty coffee and quirky rustic industrial-style interior.
This place is also popular for its expansive drink menu which includes teas, juices, sodas, and other non-coffee beverages. You’ll find friendly cats inside the cafe as well, so it’s certainly a must-visit for pet lovers.
It’s also a great place to hang out with friends since they have board games. Oh, and don’t forget to try their excellent cookies, croffles, or sandwiches.
Ton Ma Yom Thai Food Restaurant
Media credit: sheppoha
Address: 262/7 Leela Valley, Ao Nang Soi 11 Road
Phone: +66 89 735 0605
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours:
- 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
- 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai cuisine
Ton Ma Yom Thai Food Restaurant is our go-to spot for authentic Thai food near Tup Island. This restaurant is close to Ao Nang Beach, so you can stop here for a quick meal before boarding a boat to Tup Island.
Their menu consists of popular Thai specialties, so expect dishes like tom yum goong, poo pad pong karee, khao soi, nam prik kapi, and more. Of these, we particularly like the poo pad pong karee for its rich and savory curry and crabby flavor.
It’s a traditional crab dish stir-fried with homemade yellow curry paste, Thai chili paste, and coconut milk. They also have a good selection of drinks, from local beers and wines to sodas, teas, fruit juices, and more.
Where to Shop in and Near Tup Island
Railay Walking Street
Media credit: pplaiifon
Address: Ao Nang, Krabi
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24/7
Good to know: Good for souvenirs
If your boat ride to Tup Island is in Railay Beach, this nearby walking street is a great place to shop before your trip. Here, you’ll find lines of local shops and stalls selling all kinds of products, from clothes to bags, hats, and various souvenir items.
Our favorite shops on this walking street are Railay Fashion House and Railay Memories Beach Store. Railay Fashion House, in particular, is a solid option because it specializes in high-quality tailored suits for an affordable price.
This walking street is also filled with numerous bars, restaurants, and cafes, so you can indulge in food and drinks while shopping as well.
Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
Media credit: krabiinfinitytravel
Address: Nopparat Thara Beach, Ao Nang
Phone: +66 88 982 8899
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for souvenirs, street food
Ao Nang Landmark Night Market is a trendy Thai market in Ao Nang’s Nopparat Thara Beach, so we suggest visiting it after your Tup Island adventure. This place is best known for its wide selection of food stalls but you can also find a lot of shops here.
Expect to find local vendors selling clothes, handicrafts, traditional packed snacks, fresh produce, and more. You can also buy colorful patterned hats and bags made with Thai fabric which are great souvenir items.
Plus, there are several money exchangers in case you’re short on local currency.
Makro Food Service
Media credit: thai.blog
Address: 739 Ao Nang
Phone: +66 75 814 901
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. -10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for groceries
Makro Food Service is a reliable supermarket specializing in fresh food products, perfect if you need to shop for groceries. Here, you can buy all kinds of grocery items.
We also like their focus on wholesale items, so expect good discounts if you’re here to stock up on food supplies. In fact, it’s our go-to shopping spot when we plan to cook and pack a lot of food for our trips.
Plus, we like that they have a nice selection of imported goods as well.
Where to Stay in and Near Tup Island
Rayavadee Resort
Media from rayavadee.krabi
Address: 214 Ao Nang
Phone: +66 2 301 1861
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for nature lovers
Rayavadee is a popular luxury resort tucked away in a lush forest along East Railay Beach. It’s an excellent hideaway for travelers who want to escape the throngs of tourists and enjoy the relaxing natural scenery of the Phranang Peninsula.
In fact, local birds and animals are common sights near this resort’s private villas, so expect to see dusky-leaf monkeys, turtles, hornbills, etc. You can also join their guided birdwatching tours!
We also like ultrachic private pool villas with traditional Thai interiors, modern amenities, and lush gardens. Their special longtail boat trip to Tup Island is also a massive plus.
Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi
Media from centara_aonangbeach
Address: 981 Moo 2, Ao Nang Subdistrict
Phone: +66 75 815 999
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi is a stylish resort in Ao Nang Beach. It’s also a great hideaway because it’s located in a quiet area on the beach’s east end, perfect if you like to avoid big tourist crowds.
Still, this resort is close to the numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants in Ao Nang Beach, so you’re covered for a wide range of food and drinks. But that’s not all because this place is also known for its gorgeous modern villas.
Their units also have floor-to-ceiling windows, so expect a superb beachfront view. They also provide a wide array of top-tier amenities, from private pools to a fitness center, butterfly garden, library, and more.
Tan Hostel x Cafe
Media from tanhostelxcafe
Address: 249/2 4 5, Ao Nang
Phone: +66 81 566 3695
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for backpackers
If you’re searching for a budget hotel with easy access to Tup Island, Tan Hostel X Cafe is an excellent choice. Their dorm-style rooms are clean and cozy, and they have bunk beds so you can share them with friends or other tourists to split the bill.
Staying here also gives you a chance to make new friends thanks to their communal spaces. We particularly like their shared lounge area because it has numerous books and floor tables, perfect for hangout!
It’s also close to Ao Nang Beach so you can easily catch the boats to Tup Island.
