Ko Poda

Ko Poda, known to tourists as Four Islands, is an archipelago in Krabi Province, Thailand. It is composed by the islands of Ko Poda, Ko Kai, Ko Mo, and Ko Thap, and part of the Hat Nopharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, which also covers Ao Nang, Rai Leh and Koh Phi Phi.

Understand
The Four Islands are a group of semi-uninhabited islands between Ao Nang/Rai Leh and Ko Phi Phi, but closer to Ao Nang. "Semi-uninhabited" doesn't mean "quiet", as during the high season, the islands are swarmed by visitors coming on longtail boats. Ko Poda is popular for swimming due to its crystal-clear waters, while Ko Kai ("Chicken Island"), with its characteristic chicken-shaped mountain, is a good area for snorkelling. The other two islands are very small, but when the tide is low enough, you can walk between them and also to Ko Kai. Generally speaking, for a visitor to Ao Nang, Ko Poda is a slightly less scenic but relatively quieter and less crowded option than the Phra Nang and Rai Leh West beaches.

Get in
The only way to get to the Ko Poda group of islands is by boat, with most departures from Ao Nang. Prices of tours vary widely, but the idea is, you get what you pay for. For instance, a private longboat charter with flexible times, an English-speaking guide and a delicious Thai meal can cost as much as 5,000 baht, whereas joining a large, overcrowded tour boat which offers bland lunch boxes as food could cost as few as 400 baht. Naturally, there are a lot of options in-between.