Oh, the glowing waters of Krabi, Thailand! It’s really hard to describe in words how it made me feel to witness this beautiful phenomenon firsthand. But I will use one word – magical! And I encourage everyone reading to add kayaking in bioluminescent waters in Krabi to your bucket list!
Bioluminescence has been something that I’ve wanted to see in person for a very long time, and the possibility of witnessing the sea glow with every movement of my kayak’s paddle seemed like an out-of-reach dream.
I had already seen amazing photos and videos of this glowing water, but I never imagined that I would be able to experience it myself. That was until I traveled to Krabi, Thailand, and went on the most surreal kayaking adventure of my life.
⌛⌛Short on time? Then, you can read about and book the same tour that we did with Freebird Paddle for $65 USD here! It really was an incredible experience.
Planning my bioluminescent adventure
As I was organizing my Thailand travel plans, I knew that I wanted to do something that was really unique. I had heard of bioluminescent kayaking tours, but I (wrongly) thought you could only do this in places like the Maldives, Costa Rica, and Australia. When I found out that Krabi, a destination already famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs and white sand beaches (it’s home to Maya Bay, FYI), provided these tours, I knew that I had to try it.
Krabi’s warm waters are home to bioluminescent plankton (small marine organisms that give off light when agitated). The outcome is a glowing effect in the water that appears every time you move your hand, paddle, or even swim. Although bioluminescence can also be seen in Koh Phangan, I chose Krabi since it was easier to reach and a little quieter.
Through some digging, I learned that Railay Beach in Krabi has guided night kayaking tours specifically for experiencing this natural phenomenon. Freebird Paddle Co., a local outfitter, was highly recommended for their clear kayak tours that offer total immersion into the glowing plankton.
🛏️ FYI, we opted to splurge on a hotel for our time on Krabi, and the Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort was everything we could have dreamed of. This 5-star resort is located right on the beach, and the bungalows are so stylish. Expect to pay from $150 USD per night here, which includes breakfast.
How I got to Krabi
Traveling to Krabi for this trip was an adventure in itself. Because I was already traveling around Thailand, I opted to take the scenic route by taking the train from Bangkok to Phuket first.
The night train from Bangkok to Surat Thani was surprisingly comfortable, and I loved watching the views of the lush Thai countryside through my window. When I finally arrived in Surat Thani, I took a bus to Krabi, which took three hours.
By the time I finally got to Krabi, I was full of excitement. As I said, I pre-arranged my tour with Freebird Paddle Co., which was highly recommended, and they offer clear kayak tours. So cool!
Knowing that I’d be kayaking in a transparent kayak had me even more excited than I already was.
Other amazing tours on Krabi:
Preparing for the night kayaking tour
Just before sunset, I set out for Railay Beach, where the tour was starting from. The tour guides at Freebird Paddle Co. were super friendly and made sure everyone was at ease, even a beginner like myself who had never kayaked. They took us through a very brief talk about safety protocols, paddling style, and what we can expect when out on the water.
I remember glancing around at my fellow travelers – some of us alone, like me, some couples, and small groups – all having the same fear and enthusiasm about what we were about to do. We were all equipped with paddles, strapped on our life jackets, and gently pushed off into the deepening water.
💡You can book the same tour that we did with Freebird Paddle for $65 USD here!
My first moments on the water
Paddling out of the quiet sea was relaxing. The sky was a deep blue and speckled with the early stars in the evening. There was something movie-scene-like about the way the limestone cliffs surrounded us, silhouetted against the moonlight.
As we went further out into the water, the guide told us to put our hands in it. I paused for a second before running my fingers across the top of the surface. And then – it happened. Delicate sparks of gleaming blue light danced around my fingers, churning like liquid stars.
The guide instructed us to slowly move our paddles, and as I did just that, the water erupted with even more glow. It was like being in a fantasy film – each stroke of my paddle produced a glowing pathway, and each ripple in the water was filled with an electric blue radiance.
The surreal glow of the plankton
I stopped paddling for a moment and simply stared in awe. The other kayakers were as amazed as me. I took the glowing water into my hands, watching as the glow flashed before it faded back to darkness.
Our guide told us that the bioluminescent plankton were glowing as a defense mechanism when disturbed. It’s a natural process that takes place only under the correct circumstances – dark, clean waters and little moonlight. We were lucky; it was the night of a new moon, and the light was more intense than normal.
As we glided along, I sat for a bit, just taking in the silence, which was only interrupted by the gentle lapping of water against my kayak. There was something very thoughtful about the experience. The more I paddled, the brighter the water shone, and for a time, it seemed like I was on another planet.
An unexpected surprise!
Just when I thought the night couldn’t get any better, our guide inquired whether anyone would like to go for a swim. A few of us, including me, held back. Jumping into the dark waters at night sounded exhilarating, but was a little frightening, too. But before I could change my mind, I jumped into the water.
The instant my body plunged into the water, I was enveloped by an eruption of shimmering blue light. With every movement – every kick, every sweep of my arms – the water created an entrancing ripple. I couldn’t help but laugh; I felt like I was inside a galaxy.
The journey back
At last, it was time to paddle for shore. I lingered as long as I could, dipping my fingers in the water, reluctant to finish this experience. When we reached the beach, the plankton’s luminescence had faded.
On dry land, I was happy and calm, as if I had just gone through something incredibly deep. The guides said goodbye, and I strolled along the beach, my mind still reliving the unbelievable moments on the water.
My top tips for kayaking in bioluminescent waters in Krabi:
For anyone considering bioluminescent kayaking in Krabi, here are some helpful tips to make the most of your experience:
- Book ahead: Tours sell out fast, particularly in high season. Reserve your place well in advance.
- Pick the perfect time: Ideal visibility is on nights with no moonlight. Check out the lunar calendar before booking.
- Dress in quick-drying clothes: You will get wet! Wearing light, breathable clothing and water shoes is my recommendation.
- Follow your guide: They understand the waters and can assist in ensuring a secure and pleasant experience.
- Take a waterproof camera: Although bioluminescence can be tricky to photograph, a decent low-light camera may allow you to obtain a few enchanting photographs.
Most importantly, be in the moment. Take mental pictures, this is going to be a life-changing experience. At least it was for me!
Search for where to stay in Krabi, Thailand here –
Thanks for Reading!
Kayaking over bioluminescent water in Krabi was undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. The combination of peaceful paddling, the stunning glow of the plankton, and the peaceful beauty of Railay Beach under the night sky created an experience that I will always cherish.
If you ever have the chance to visit Krabi, I cannot recommend this experience enough. It’s not so much a tour – it’s an experience and a reminder of how spectacular our world is.
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Booking Your Trip Soon? These are my go-to booking sites!
Below you will find a list of the sites we always use when booking our trips. By booking via the below links you can support my writing at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much!
1. Flights
I use Skyscanner or Cheapoair to find the best flights. Both platforms allow you to compare and book flights on over 500 airlines from across the globe.
2. Hotels
I use Booking.com for all of our hotel stays. And if we’re traveling on a budget, I like to use Hostelworld to book a hostel.
3. Renting a Car
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
4. Tours
I use Viator or Get Your Guide to book any guided tours we plan on doing. I find Viator particularly good for the USA, Canada & New Zealand, and Get Your Guide is great for Europe.
5. Travel Sim Card
An eSIM is a great idea if you’re coming to a place for more than a week. As that way, you won’t need to change your number or remove the physical SIM from your phone. They are so handy and cheap, too. Obviously make sure your phone is compatible with an eSIM first. We always use Saily for our eSIM’s.
6. Airport Pick-Ups
Instead of cabs, we book with welcome pickup to get from the airport to our hotel. Why did we do that? The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English speaking and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
7. Travel Insurance
This is how we find the best travel insurance for our trip, it’s a search engine for travel insurance companies so you can find the best travel insurance for your trip. On their site, you can compare the plans side by side so you can get the best insurance for your particular trip! As I always say, no trip is the same so your travel insurance shouldn’t be too!
8. Compensation for Delayed or Canceled Flights
You can easily claim compensation for a canceled or delayed flight with the website – AirHelp. You just input your flight details and some personal information, and AirHelp will handle the rest.
Last Updated on October 1, 2025 by snaphappytravel