Tup Island (Koh Tup)

The basics

Almost everyone visits Tup and Mor islands on an island-hopping trip from Ao Nang or Krabi, generally the 4-island tour with Chicken Island (Ko Gai), Poda Island (Koh Poda), and Phranang Beach. Locals call the dividing sandbar Talay Waek, which means “divided sea”, and it’s often possible to wade across to the much larger Chicken Island as well. While travelers do snorkel the reef around the sandbar, it’s the photo opportunities that really draw people here.

Things to know before you go

• Tup Island is a great choice for Instagrammers.
• There’s little shade cover on the islands. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
• Wear waterproof shoes or flip-flops to walk along the sandbar. Coral fragments can cut bare feet.
• As you’d expect from an island barely 150 feet (45 meters) in diameter, Koh Tup has no bathrooms. There are basic toilets on Poda Island and Chicken Island.
• Tup Island boats pull up on the sandbar or near the beach so travelers can jump over the side and walk ashore. They’re not suitable for travelers who rely on wheelchairs.

How to get there

Tup Island lies about two miles (three kilometers) south of the Railay Peninsula, a promontory in between Ao Nang and Krabi that’s accessible only by boat. Book a tour or arrange a private boat charter.

When to get there

Tup Island can get extremely busy during Krabi’s high season (December and January), which is a problem given the island’s tiny size. Try visiting outside peak season or hiring a private long-tail boat to beat the group tours to the island.

The 7-Islands Tour

The Krabi 4-islands tour is a favorite way to visit Tup Island. But you can see even more of the islands on a 7-islands tour, which is a great choice for snorkelers. The three additional islands are Sii Island (Koh Sii), a popular dive site with colorful corals, Daeng Island (Koh Daeng), a red sandstone islet with very clear waters, and Ma Tang Ming Island (Ko Ma Tang Ming), a towering limestone pinnacle.

Which country is Tup Island in?

Tup Island is part of the Kingdom of Thailand, on the Andaman Sea side of the mainland. It's situated just south of the Railay Peninsula near Krabi and Ao Nang, and getting there requires joining one of the many boat tours that depart from the Krabi area.

How do I get to Tup Island?

Getting to Tup Island requires a boat ride, and most visitors come as part of a boat tour that includes stops at other islands in the area. Both 4-island and 7-island tours are available—the 4-island options usually also visit Chicken Island, Poda Island, and Phranang Beach.

Are there restrooms on Tup Island?

No, there are no restrooms on Tup Island, so use a bathroom before you arrive, especially if your boat does not have facilities onboard—which is likely to be the case. Note that Poda Island and Chicken Island both have basic toilets for travelers to use.

Is visiting Tup Island worth it?

Yes, visiting Tup Island is worth it. It's a beautiful place to take photos, and it offers great snorkeling and swimming opportunities. It's also a stop on most island tours in the area, which are worth taking if you're a fan of nature or snorkeling.

How long does it take to tour Tup Island?

The amount of time you spend on Tup Island will vary depending on the tour you take. Most of the 4-island and 7-island tours from Krabi last anywhere from five to eight hours, and many such tours spend a bit longer at larger islands, such as Chicken Island.

What is the best time of year to visit Tup Island?

The best time of year to visit Tup Island, and the Krabi area in general, is in the cooler winter season, which runs November–March. Just be aware that this is the high season, which means more crowds, particularly around Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Chinese New Year.