Freebird Paddle Co.
Freebird Paddle Co.
4.5
Eco ToursNight ToursGear RentalsStand Up PaddleboardingKayaking & Canoeing
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Full view
About
Freebird Paddle Co. has it all! Hourly SUP rentals, beginner SUP lessons, and the EXTRAORDINARY Bioluminescent Night Tour. Explore our shores on a Stand Up Paddleboard, or a 100% Clear Kayak. Join our team for your best day, or night on Railay!
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Freebird Paddle Co.
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(44 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
372 reviews
Excellent
315
Very good
31
Average
15
Poor
6
Terrible
5
Catherine F
Youngstown, OH4 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Paddleboarding is always a good time. We had a great time while getting some mild exercise (you can make as active as you'd like by sitting or standing on the board). We definitely had the best guides to see the bioluminescent plankton (the longboat excursion I saw didnt nearly get to see as many as we saw). They are like fireflies of the ocean. Pretty cool thing to see. Also the guide made jokes, and a huge effort to make sure everyone had a good time, was satisfied with the experience, and did some crazy great yoga positions on the board as well. They also kept pur belongings safe while we were a mile away in the ocean. Thank you crew!
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much Catherine for your kind review!
We are so happy you had a great time, and got in some good exercise, and some crazy yoga too. We love going by paddle power too -we think it's better than a boat as well and it's totally eco-friendly!
We hope you enjoyed your onward travels and are getting busy on your next trip plans, come see us again!
All our best wishes,
The Freebird Crew
Written February 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ilesk
Aarschot, Belgium14 contributions
Mar 2022
My day was a true magic experience: in the morning I went on a 4-island private tour and in the evening I participated in the group kayak night tour towards the sunset. It was taken care of everything: from snack on a beach till magic pictures of me kayaking on a dramatic backdrop of sunset. We even went witness of a rare phenomenon of rising queen plancton! The kayaks were very comfortable and suitable for the beginners. I tried some sea kayaking before and never succeded. The equiment of freebird is super stable, and it was the first time I actually managed to not fall in water not one time. Watching sunset from water is very impressive, grab your chance if you have the opportunity. Thank you Freebird for turning my time in Railey into a magical adventure!
Written March 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for joining us Irina! The Freebird Team totally enjoyed our time with you as well :).
We are so happy you trusted us with your time here in Railay - it's all about the magic!!!
Have a wonderful onward adventure, but make sure you come back one day to us too.
Many many thanks and best wishes,
Team Freebird
Written April 1, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
chawda94
Wellingborough, UK2 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
We went out with Mr Lam l last night and had such an amazing time. The weather was overcast and a bit windy but don’t let that put you off booking on a certain day. I would 100% recommend to do this if you are going to Railay beach! Mr Lam and his crew seemed to cater for local language speakers and English alike!
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this awesome review!
We 100% agree, the different conditions day by day make the tour exciting and new every time. You don't get a great sunset without some clouds!!
We are so happy to have had you along for the adventure and sincerely hope we can welcome you back in the future.
Thank you for supporting our small business!
Best wishes to you and yours for a fantastic 2022,
The Freebird Team
Written January 2, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
loralorent
Vancouver Island, Canada69 contributions
Jun 2022
as a marine biology student, I was excited to be out on the water in a lit-up kayak looking at bioluminescence! I have seen bioluminescence before, and this sighting was okay and still exciting. the lit-up kayaks and paddle boards are very cool!
as we were in 'off season' we did pay lower than standard price, and would not have considered the tour to be worth 2500B!
the guide (Dam?) was funny and enthusiastic which was nice, but we didn't see too much and barely left the shore. also we were with other customers who (no fault of Freebird's) were inexperienced and nervous with water despite not travelling far enough where you could not stand or see the bottom, so I feel like we missed out on seeing much more and travelling further out because our guide was concerned about them which unfortunately wasted our time due to their inability to paddle. I understand nature as a tour guide myself so each trip I appreciate is different and guiding may require attention elsewhere - safety is paramount etc etc.
a fun experience, something a little different and glad we experienced it anyway.
as we were in 'off season' we did pay lower than standard price, and would not have considered the tour to be worth 2500B!
the guide (Dam?) was funny and enthusiastic which was nice, but we didn't see too much and barely left the shore. also we were with other customers who (no fault of Freebird's) were inexperienced and nervous with water despite not travelling far enough where you could not stand or see the bottom, so I feel like we missed out on seeing much more and travelling further out because our guide was concerned about them which unfortunately wasted our time due to their inability to paddle. I understand nature as a tour guide myself so each trip I appreciate is different and guiding may require attention elsewhere - safety is paramount etc etc.
a fun experience, something a little different and glad we experienced it anyway.
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lora,
Thank you for taking the time to submit a review. We are happy you had a "fun experience" and that you are glad you joined our tour to enjoy our "very cool" illuminated clear kayaks and clear paddleboards.
We are sorry if you felt your experience was nothing to write home about as we do try our best to make it a very unique tour.
We understand as well, the nature of group tours and that all members might not be the same skill level, or ready to take on as much adventure. We do offer private tours as well, which allows us to cater more to individual needs and wants.
Our tours do follow along the coastline as once we get into deeper water there is not much to see and the visibility is poor. But we will certainly follow up with your guide Bung Dam to find out exactly what were the issues on this particular tour.
I just want to clarify the price information for any other readers, the standard price of our Nigth Tour is 2,000thb/person, (not 2,500). And yes, we do run promotions during Green Season and at other times throughout the year, so we are glad you were able to take advantage of that lower pricing :).
Of course, we are always disappointed if our guests are and we are glad that overall despite your disappointments you were glad to have tried it out and found it to be a fun and different experience.
We wish you the best on your onward travels,
Team Freebird
Written June 9, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kraijan S
Bangkok, Thailand63 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
The overall experience is a pleasant one - the equipment is good and it is a nice kayak trip. However there was nothing really unique with this trip, except for some lights under the kayak. The plankton “sighting” was minimal and the main guide was really quite annoying. He was far more intent on cracking jokes than explaining about the surroundings and the experience. Furthermore, he did not wish to speak English and considering there were some English speaking assistant guides they did not step in. When considering the price tag (2500 baht per person) this was completely overpriced. This experience should be sold as a kayak trip where you might see a bit of sparkly plankton at some point, and nothing more.
Written May 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Kraijans,
We are glad that you had a pleasant time, found our equipment to be good, and our activity to be a "nice kayak trip".
However, we are sorry to hear that overall you did not enjoy your experience.
We firmly believe that we offer an exceptional experience in nature and though bioluminescence is certainly one of the wonders we see on the water at night there is so much natural beauty to soak in, from cliffs to coral, fish to sunsets, or paddling under a big full moon the tour is run nightly and is different every time in terms of which natural phenomenon takes the stage.
We do sell our trip as a unique tour on Clear Kayaks and Clear Paddleboards with LED lights underneath. We always see plankton on our tour though natural conditions such as moon and tides may impact "how many" you see. We do not provide an "informational tour" and focus more on letting our customers experience the water at night, though the guides are there to answer specific questions and have a wealth of knowledge for customers who ask or would like to know more. All of our guides are 2nd language English speakers and their comfort level will vary from very basic to advanced. The lead guides are frequently managing both languages and many customers and their and cultural differences. First and foremost, the guides are there to keep the group safe while navigating the water at night.
We do ask guests to remember we are real people on the other side of these reviews and the lead guide that night was devasted to read your opinion of him. I reassured him that these reviews are highly subjective and that as he can see from the majority of our reviews, he is highly valued and enjoyed by most guests. We do our best as a team every night, and we apologize if in your case we fell short.
We would like to clarify that the tour is not 2,500/person. During peak periods the tour is 2,000/person. We do offer specials and discounts throughout the year.
Again we apologize if your experience with our activity did not meet your expectations.
Sincerely,
Team Freebird
Written May 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Albert S
Hong Kong, China11 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
My trip to Krabi was a very last minute decision and I really wanted to explore some nice scenery whilst paddling. Thanks to the team at Freebird Paddle for accommodating me at such short notice. Highly appreciated give it was Ramadan, Easter, Songkran all clumped together!
My paddle guides Sun and Film were insightful and informative, providing great fun whilst bringing me new knowledge of the area. It’s very important to have someone that is familiar with the waters of any new area to ensure a safe and enjoyable paddle.
For anyone who enjoys paddling I highly recommend you stop by at Freebird Paddle whenever you’re in Krabi
My paddle guides Sun and Film were insightful and informative, providing great fun whilst bringing me new knowledge of the area. It’s very important to have someone that is familiar with the waters of any new area to ensure a safe and enjoyable paddle.
For anyone who enjoys paddling I highly recommend you stop by at Freebird Paddle whenever you’re in Krabi
Written April 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Climber112176
6 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
I'll start with a positive spin-I think this might be a fine tour if you're a family with minimal kayaking skills.
Our group of 7 was greatly disappointed. This was a 2 hour tour that should have taken us 20 minutes. There was a lot of "let's go" followed by 5 paddle strokes and the leader would stop and everyone would start playing bumper kayaks. I wish I was kidding or exaggerating, but I'm not. This tour was nothing short of annoying to our group.
Also, they had us arrive 30 minutes early and then told us to come back at 6. At that point everyone else had their life jackets on and were headed toward the beach. We caught up no problem, but it was just odd.
The best thing I can say about this tour is that our group has a memorable story to tell, but it's not a story that reflects well on this tour.
Our group of 7 was greatly disappointed. This was a 2 hour tour that should have taken us 20 minutes. There was a lot of "let's go" followed by 5 paddle strokes and the leader would stop and everyone would start playing bumper kayaks. I wish I was kidding or exaggerating, but I'm not. This tour was nothing short of annoying to our group.
Also, they had us arrive 30 minutes early and then told us to come back at 6. At that point everyone else had their life jackets on and were headed toward the beach. We caught up no problem, but it was just odd.
The best thing I can say about this tour is that our group has a memorable story to tell, but it's not a story that reflects well on this tour.
Written March 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Farah B
Cape Town, South Africa2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This activity is definitely worth doing. It was such a memorable experience shared with my friends.
I've never been on a sup board and I was slightly nervous. Within minutes I was able navigate and control the board.
The team were cool, enthusiastic and
were constantly checking if everybody was okay.
I expected the bioluminescent to be much more prominent but that was due to my own misinformation.
Overall I highly recommend this on Railay.
I've never been on a sup board and I was slightly nervous. Within minutes I was able navigate and control the board.
The team were cool, enthusiastic and
were constantly checking if everybody was okay.
I expected the bioluminescent to be much more prominent but that was due to my own misinformation.
Overall I highly recommend this on Railay.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IRINA
4 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
Yesterday I had a wonderful experience with Freebird Paddle. I was on a night tour and it was incredible. I saw a big turtle, a lot of fish and other marine life. Sunset was so beautiful. And then we went through cave and saw plankton. Amazing! Guide Lam is very friendly and profesional. Highly recommend.
Written February 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for joining our tour Irina,
Any night we see a turtle is an awesome night in our book! We are so happy you enjoyed your experience and I'll be sure to pass on your sweet compliments to Lam :). Keep an eye on our facebook page for some group pictures, they will post any day now.
We hope you make your way back to see us again in magical Krabi soon!
All our best,
Team Freebird
Written February 7, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lindsey
3 contributions
Jan 2023
My boyfriend and I went on the night tour. All the staff are very friendly and I felt safe being out on the ocean with them. Lam lead the tour. He was funny and charming. This tour is really something special. How often can you say you went SUP/ kayaking at night on a clear board/ kayak? It's pretty cool watching/ being of the group in the dark with all our lights on the equipment turned on. They took us through caves and around cliffs. We were able to get off the boards/kayaks to actually swim in the bioluminescent plankton if we wanted. Definitely recommend!
Written February 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
willy&Jen
Kitchener, Ontario11 contributions
My husband and I and my 8 year old are coming to Krabi in the fall. I so desperately want to do this but not a swimmer. I like the idea of the paddleboard as long as I can sit on it which appears to work just fine. But is it easier to control than the kayak? Since my son is 8 would he have to go in a 2 person kayak with my husband or can they go on a paddleboard together? He's a very tall 8 and by then almost 9, can he have his own paddleboard?
GoFreebirdBaby
Lake Tahoe (California), CA13 contributions
Hi! There are a couple of different combinations we can do depending on your family's comfort levels and water sports experience. We always recommend non-swimmers, or those who aren't comfortable around the water, try one of our Beginner SUP Lessons, or Morning Kayak Tours before heading out on our Night Tours. It will help you gain all the skills and confidence you will need to really soak up and enjoy the night experience. It sounds like your son is pretty sporty and strong in which case he can either double u in a kayak or try his own board. Feel free to email us directly with more questions!
Hope to see you soon, The Freebird Team
Valori H
Brainerd, MN279 contributions
We come here in March and I think we will do this tour but I’m not sure which night and would like to just play it by ear. Is this a tour that we can book the day of or need to book ahead of time?
Ladybird
Melbourne, Australia3 contributions
You can book on the day, I did mine and go that night.
emmanuelle rosier
Saint-Raphael, France25 contributions
Bonjour!
Si j'ai bien compris vous proposer aussi de la "simple" location de planche (à partir de 10h30, 1er arrivé 1er servi 😉)
Quel est le tarif à l'heure svp ?
Nous connaissons bien le SUP et voudrions découvrir votre paradis avec quelques heures.
Bonne journée
GoFreebirdBaby
Lake Tahoe (California), CA13 contributions
Thanks for getting in touch! Our boards rent on Railay West Beach for 200-300 thb / hour depending on the board you choose :) .
Welcome to Paradise!
Maree B
Dubbo, Australia132 contributions
What time of the moon cycle is best please - full moon or new moon?
GoFreebirdBaby
Lake Tahoe (California), CA13 contributions
Hi Maree, In terms of seeing the bioluminescence, technically we should say New Moon is best. BUT - there are lots of other variables :). Sometimes it's Full Moon but with early rising/setting times that don't impact how much plankton you see it all :). Even during Full Moons we see loads, we just go different places to hide from the light ;), and then you get to add a big full moon to the wonders you see out there! Hope this helps? Look forward to getting you out on the water soon! The Freebird Crew
Vee
Dotombori, Japan8 contributions
Do you have two person kayaks?
GoFreebirdBaby
Lake Tahoe (California), CA13 contributions
Hi Vee, We do have a couple 2 person kayaks, as long as they are not reserved you can request them. Hope to see you soon! The Freebird Crew
Marie Helene B
Aubagne, France7 contributions
Canoe nuit
Indie S
Gatineau, Canada26 contributions
Yes it's a night tour 18:00-20:00 and you choose between a stand up paddle or a 100% clear kayak. Not a canoë, a kayak.
Vaibhavi J
3 contributions
I am confused as to whether to select SUP or see through kayaking. What will you suggest? (I have experience in neither)
Olivier G
Gatineau, Canada59 contributions
I think they're both fun. I personally liked better the see through kayak because we see clearly the bottom of the sea, in a very stable kayak. It's relatively easy to go where you want even if you have no experience. Hope you enjoy the tour!!
Amy
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hi, Can I know what time should I go to Railay Beach if I want to go for Night tour?
GoFreebirdBaby
Lake Tahoe (California), CA13 contributions
Hi!
Our Night Tours begin at 6:00pm, we highly recommend catching a longtail boat from Ao Nang, Ao Namao or Krabi by 4:30pm at the latest to arrive in plenty of time with no stress. If it were me, I would make at least a day trip to Railay, coming over in the afternoon to walk around, swim, and explore. Railay is VERY beautiful and charming! After the tour we do offer transfers back to your hotel which include the boat and a tuk tuk, transfers start at 200 thb / person for hotels in Ao Nang.
Thanks and hope to see you soon!
The Freebird Crew
Cruiser741523
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hi,
I want to ak you, i'm non-swimmer.. It is easy to handle paddleboard? They have any training before this activities.,
Thank you.
GoFreebirdBaby
Lake Tahoe (California), CA13 contributions
Hi!
We strongly believe that SUP is for everyone!
We do our best to give non-swimmers the chance to get comfortable in the water and confident with the Paddleboard gear, and hopefully start to fall in love with the sport. We also provide life jackets which we have non-swimmers (or anyone who wants to) wear.
We recommend joining us for our beginner lesson in the morning to really learn SUP with confidence it’s an hour long and done within the buoy zone of the beach. Or, you can try our Beginner Night Tour which gives 30 minutes instruction and practice before heading into the magic of the night.
Hope this helps?
You can do it, we believe in you!!
The Freebird Crew
Mallorca79
Palmanova, Spain11 contributions
I have 2 kids could be possible take them in the front? For the night experience? How long is it? Price, and there is transfer organized?
GoFreebirdBaby
Lake Tahoe (California), CA13 contributions
Hi Frencyeva,
It depends on the size and the age of your kids, but yes in the right circumstances your kids are welcome to ride in front of their parent. Tours range from 2 - 2 1/2 hours, depending on your experience. We ask all of our guests to meet us on Railay, though we do assist with transfers back to the "mainland" after. I recommend you check out our FAQ section on our website, it will especially help you figure out if the activity is right for your kids :).
Hope to see you soon!
Freebird Paddle Co. - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
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