Krabi, in Thailand, is known for its famous beaches . If you are going to travel to Thailand and plan to spend a few days on the beach, Krabi is a good option. We explain why. Among the best beaches in Krabi are some of the most outstanding in Thailand, such as Ao Nang and the beautiful Bay of Railay . So if you are going to spend a few days in this place in the south of Thailand, we will explain what to see and what to do in Krabi so that your trips to Thailand become an unforgettable experience. Index of contents
The beaches of Krabi
In addition to being able to enjoy the beaches of Krabi, if you are going to spend a few days in Krabi you will have the opportunity to take excursions to enjoy some of the most famous beaches in Thailand. The beaches of the province itself are not the most spectacular in the country, but some of the nearby islands are impressive. Therefore, the interesting thing about being in Krabi is having the possibility of going on excursions to its closest islands, such as the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Hong or Phang Nga Bay . In all of them you will find the best beaches in Krabi. In this Krabi guide we explain which are the main beaches in the province:
ao nang
Ao Nang is a small coastal town located about 15 minutes from Krabi town . It is a tourist town with a lot of leisure activity and a wide range of hotels. Ao Nang has a very long and wide beach, which makes it not very crowded. From the town of Ao Nang leave all the most recommended excursions to do in this area . From there we recommend that you do some of the optional day trips: visit the wonderful beaches of Railay Bay, discover the secret corners of the four islands tour or reach the Phi Phi Islands. You can do all this on excursions that depart and return from Ao Nang itself. These are the hotels that we recommend on this beach:
- Centara Anda Devi Resort and Spa (4*)
- Krabi Thai Village Resort (4*)
- Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach (4*)
- Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi (5*)
Nopparat Thara Beach
Nopparat Thara beach is the one that comes after Ao Nang beach. They are about a 15 minute walk away. Nopparat Thara is also a long but narrow beach . In fact, when the tide rises, part of the beach can disappear. The area closest to Ao Nang is more developed , while the other half of the beach is usually more deserted and quiet.
Tubkaek Beach in Nong Thale
If you are looking for relaxation, Tubkaek beach, about 20 km from Ao Nang, is a good option. It is a small and very quiet white sand beach. In addition, in this area there are exclusive resorts and hotels , so if your intention is to spend a few days relaxing in luxury, the Nong Thale area is a good option. Some of the most outstanding resorts on this beach are Anyavee Tubkaek, Boutique Anyavee and Amari Vogue. Keep in mind, however, that it is not an area with much leisure offer, beyond the resorts. So it is a perfect beach for those looking to have everything at hand in a luxury resort. From Nong Thale there are also day trips to the Phi Phi Islands, Railay or Koh Hong. These are the hotels that we recommend on this beach:
- The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort (5*)
- Amari Vogue Krabi (5*)
Klong Muang Beach
Another of the best beaches in Krabi is Klong Muang. It is located between Tubkaek Beach and Ao Nang Beach. It is a really very quiet beach with good views of the Andaman Sea.
These are the hotels that we recommend on this beach:
- Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort (5*)
- Beyond Resort Krabi (4*)
Railay
Railay is a peninsula that is located near the city of Krabi. It is only accessible through the sea, by boat, since the entire peninsula is surrounded by limestone cliffs. It is precisely these cliffs that are an attraction for travelers who like climbing. Railay also stands out for having some of the most famous Krabi beaches. Due to its small surface, Railay has four outstanding beaches:
- Railay East or Eastern Railay: it is where the boats from Krabi arrive.
- Railay West or West Railay: It is the largest and main beach, which is also the most popular and where there are more hotels and more people.
- Phra Nang: It is perhaps the most beautiful beach in Railay. At one of its ends there is a cave with offerings. On this beach is Krabi’s famous Rayavadee Hotel , one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in the area.
- Ton Sai: This is the preferred beach for backpackers and climbers. Nearby there are cheap hostels.
Railay lookout
A recommended excursion that can be done in Railay is the one that leads to the lookout or viewpoint . From the top of the viewpoint you can enjoy very nice views of Railay . The journey there is quite intense, although not very long. The climb is a bit difficult but the reward when you arrive is worth it.
Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay is located between Krabi, Phuket and Phang Nga. This bay is known for its rocky limestone islands and caves. The landscape of this bay is truly beautiful and, in fact, since 1981 it has been protected as a National Marine Park.
Excursion from Krabi to Phang Nga Bay
From Directia Travel we offer you a day trip by canoe to visit the most important parts of Phang Nga Bay. Thanks to canoeing you will be able to see hidden caves and beautiful lagoons (hongs) that are only accessible through their caves when the tide goes out. You will then head to the famous Ko Tapu Island, or better known as James Bond Island. There you will have the opportunity to take a tour of the small islet that became famous in 1974, when it appeared in The Man with the Golden Gun as the “secret island of Scaramanga”. In it, Roger Moore (agent 007) and Christopher Lee shot the final duel of the secret agent movie. The excursion also includes lunch on board and a stop at Naka Island, a perfect place to rest and swim.
The islands of Krabi
Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are located south of Krabi, about 40 km from its coast . These islands are part of the Krabi province and are made up of four islands: Koh Phi Phi Don, which is the main and only inhabited island, Koh Phi Phi Leh, Koh Pai or Bamboo Island, and Koh Yunk or Mosquito Island.
Excursion from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands
From Krabi we offer a day trip to the photogenic Phi Phi Islands by speedboat. Doing this excursion to the Phi Phi Islands if you are in Krabi is well worth it, since you will visit really very beautiful places. The excursion route includes a stop at:
- Maya Bay where the movie La Playa with Leonardo Di Caprio was filmed in 2000
- The caves of the Vikings
- The beach of the monkeys , where you can snorkel
- Khai Island , where you can bathe
The excursion that we offer from Directia Travel also includes a visit to one of the most beautiful reefs in the Andaman Sea , the Hin Klan in front of Bamboo Island.
Koh Hong Island
Koh Hong is an island that is located between Krabi and Phuket and is part of the Koh Phi Phi National Park. Hong Island has very beautiful scenery and a beach, so it is worth taking an excursion there. In low season there are few people who do this excursion and you can enjoy tranquility in an idyllic setting . Koh Hong is not one of the most visited islands by tourists , so if you are looking to enjoy your space without sharing it with many tourists, this island is a good option. Also, if the weather suits you, the transparent waters of Koh Hong are also a good place to practice snorkelling. We recommend that once on Hong Island you rent a kayak and discover the corners that this beautiful island hides at your leisure.
Koh Poda
This is the closest island to the coast of Krabi province and it is also the largest . It is an island of 1 km in diameter full of palm trees that shade the paradisiacal white sand beaches. About 25 meters from its coastline, a coral reef surrounds Koh Poda. When you arrive at Koh Poda on the tour of the four islands, we recommend that you walk 10 – 15 minutes away from the pier to discover much quieter beaches where you can bathe or relax.
Tup Island
Tup Island are two small islands that are joined by a path of white sand of about 150 meters . When the tide rises the path disappears and the two separate islands remain.
Chicken Island or Koh Gai
La Isla del Pollo or Chicken Island is called that because it is shaped like a hen’s head . When the tide is very low you can walk from Tup Island to Chichen Island. Chicken Island, like the other islands, was declared a natural park, making it a good place for diving and snorkeling. In its surroundings you can observe corals and wildlife .
Temples and other visits in Krabi
Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
The Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea in Thai) is the main cultural attraction in the area and one of the best things to see in Krabi. It is an attractive temple of recent construction (1975) located about 7 km north of Krabi town. The legend of the Cueva del Tigre tells that years ago the mountain caves were inhabited by tigers. It was a dangerous place and people did not dare to approach it. One day a monk named Jumnean Seelasettho, without fear, settled on the top to meditate. From then on, the tigers lived with it until it became the temple we know today.
A challenge of 1,237 steps that is worth overcoming
The temple is formed by natural caves within the rocks . At the top of them is the Wat Tham Sua sanctuary. To reach it, it will be enough to climb no more and no less than 1,237 steps . A tough challenge but worth doing to see fantastic 360ยบ views of the Krabi province from the top. In addition, the natural environment of the cultural complex is beautiful, so a visit to the Temple of the Cueva del Tigre is highly recommended.
Phra Nang Cave
Another curious place to see in Krabi is the Phra Nang cave. The beautiful beach of Phra Nang is located on the Railay Peninsula. This beach is famous for its cave where fishermen carry wooden carvings in the shape of a penis to ask for luck in fishing. Formerly it was believed that the princess of the sea lived in the cave and that she could bring them fortune when they went fishing.
Krabi Night Markets
In Krabi there is a type of markets called Night Market or night markets. They are street stalls that are located in the main streets of the city at night. In the city of Krabi there are two famous night markets : one, the most recommended, is located at 15/2-4 Soi 10 Maharat Road, in front of the City Hotel. In this market you will find typical Thai street food stalls: from pad thai to chicken with rice or salads and soups. The second market is located on Khong Kha Road, next to the old Chao Fah Pier. In this market you will find small restaurants with a wide variety of food. Visiting them to enjoy their flavors and smells is one of the activities you have to do in Krabi.
Four Islands Tour
The four island tour is an excursion that departs from Ao Nang and visits three of the main islands off its coast, as well as Phra Nang beach. The islands visited on this tour are:
Sports to practice in Krabi
Do rafting
Krabi is one of the best destinations in Thailand for rafting. So if you like adventure, this is a very fun activity to do on your trip to Krabi, Thailand. There are companies that are dedicated to organizing day trips to practice rafting. These outings usually start early and end in the afternoon. They are usually routes of between 5 and 10 km , depending on how expert you are. The waters of the rivers of Krabi where rafting activities are carried out are not dangerous and have a constant flow thanks to the control of a dam. In addition, the area that runs through the rivers is spectacular, so if you like rafting, practicing it in Krabi will not leave you indifferent.
Do Diving
Another of the recommended water activities to do in Krabi is diving. In Ao Nang there are diving spots that are not very deep, perfect if you want to get started in this sport. On the other hand, if you are already more expert in diving, we recommend that you go to the Phi Phi Islands where you will find incredible diving places. We leave you with a list of the Diving Centers that are in Krabi .
Climbing
Railay Bay in Krabi is a good climbing destination. Specifically, the Ton Sai beach area is the best known among climbers . If you do not have equipment for climbing in Ton Sai you will find many shops where you can rent good quality equipment and where you can request information. There they will give you advice on the different areas and routes where you can practice climbing safely. Thinking of traveling to Krabi in Thailand? We hope this Krabi guide has been helpful to you in discovering what to see and do in Krabi. If you want to see what trip ideas we have to travel to Thailand spending a few days in Krabi, take a look at our itineraries: