One of our favorite parts of Thailand was Krabi.
Krabi province is located on the southern coast of Thailand and is especially famous for its beautiful beaches, limestone cliffs, clear water and great atmosphere. In the Krabi area, the dry season and the rainy season alternate, which is why the peak season can be considered to be between November and April.
Krabi is a great place for people who like to relax on beautiful beaches, but also for those who prefer more active holidays or great nightlife. In this area it is possible to discover the beauty of the surrounding islands, kayak, snorkel or even rock climb. So let’s talk a little bit more about that.
How to get to Krabi
Krabi Province is home to Krabi International Airport (KBV), which serves several domestic and international flights daily. However, people mostly come here from Bangkok.
Krabi province can be also reached very easily by land transport. For example, from Phuket it will take you about 2 hours to get here and you will pay about 6 € for the trip. Of course, it depends whether you go by boat or by bus. We always searched for bus, minibus and boat tickets via bookaway, where we could choose between different companies.
Where to stay
If you decide to spend your holiday in Krabi, the accommodation you choose may be the key factor. As a rule, it can be said that among the most popular and most common areas to live for tourists is Ao Nang or Railay Beach. So let’s talk a little more about them.
Ao Nang
Ao Nang is the most popular and developed tourist area in Krabi. It offers a really wide range of accommodation, from cheap hostels to luxury resorts. So it depends on your preferences and budget which version you opt for.
We stayed at the Ao Nang Miti Resort during our stay in Krabi. We paid about 22€ per night, the rooms were air conditioned, clean and spacious and we even had a shared outdoor pool.
The downside could be that the hotel does not offer breakfast, but that was not a priority for us. This hotel is approximately 5 minutes by scooter from the main street in town, where you will find many clubs, restaurants and shops.
However, there are also good amenities in the area itself, 7 eleven and many other shops and cafes. The advantage of Ao Nang is also that from this place you can book trips to the surrounding islands.
Railay Beach
Another popular place to live is Railay Beach. This beach stretches between limestone cliffs and offers its visitors spectacular scenery. People who prefer a quieter atmosphere will definitely find their place here.
There are also a few restaurants, shops and cafes, but it’s not as dynamic as Ao Nang itself. This place can only be reached by boat. Here you can see the complete list of accommodation.
Island Hopping Krabi
One of the main reasons why Krabi is a great starting point for your holiday in Thailand is the many surrounding islands and beaches that can be visited from there – known as Island Hopping.
These are usually half-day or day trips during which you visit several places. You can choose from group tours, which are of course cheaper and can be booked on getyouguide, for example. Of course, you can also book these tours on the spot.
However, if you want a bit more privacy or to go on trips early in the morning to avoid the crowds, a private hire of a longtail boat with a skipper can also be a great option. So let’s talk more about which places are worth visiting.
Railay Beach
If you don’t choose to live directly on Railay Beach, we definitely recommend visiting it at least as part of a day trip. From Ao Nang you can get there in about 15-20 minutes by boat, which runs really regularly. No need to book tickets in advance, just arrive at Ao Nang Beach, where boats leave every few minutes.
At Railay Beach you can spend the whole day, relax, snorkel and enjoy a really great relaxing atmosphere. Railay Beach is also known for its great rock climbing conditions. However, as Railay Beach is gaining popularity, you should be prepared for quite a lot of people and a lot of boat engine noise in high season. If you want to enjoy more privacy we have alternatives for you! Keep reading!
Tonsai Beach
About a 15-minute walk from the famous Railay Beach, there is literally a hidden treasure. It is a beach called Tonsai Beach. This beach quickly became one of our favourite beaches not only in Thailand.
It is a less developed beach than the aforementioned Railay Beach, but you will find an oasis of beauty and tranquility. There is also a hotel and a few small restaurants where you can refresh yourself. This beach is also a great place for adrenaline lovers in the form of climbing. If you don’t feel like walking the trail from Railay Beach, you can also take a longtail boat here and get there in a few minutes. From this beach you can also get back to Ao Nang.
Phra Nang Beach
On the other side of Railay Beach is another beautiful beach that offers spectacular views of the cliffs. The ideal way to explore it all is to rent a kayak at Railay Beach, or take a boat to Railay Beach, which will take about 10 minutes.
Here you will find crystal clear water, orange rocks and beautiful underwater life. It’s just paradise! The Phra Nang Cave, also known as the Princess Cave, is also worth mentioning. There are a few small local shops on Phra Nang beach, but you won’t find any hotels here.
Phi Phi Island + Maya Bay
A very well-known trip from the Krabi area is a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands. They are located approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Krabi. The local ferry takes 1.5-2 hours to get here.
If you decide to take a speedboat, the trip will take about 1 hour. Such trips usually include a visit to the famous Maya Bay, made famous by the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo Di Caprio. You can read about what to prepare for in our article: Discover Maya Bay beach! An iconic beach in Thailand reopens with new eco-friendly measures.
Also worth mentioning are nearby places such as Bamboo Island, Pileh Lagoon (great conditions for snorkeling), Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don, where you will also find many restaurants, bars and great nightlife.
We didn’t take this trip from Krabi because we decided to spend 2 nights on Phi Phi Island. You can read about what to see and do on Phi Phi Island and its surroundings in our article: Phi Phi Island in Thailand – the most beautiful beaches, top attractions and hidden treasures!
Hong Island and Hong Lagoon
One place that is definitely worth a visit is Hong Island. The island offers visitors beautiful lagoons, beaches with white sand and crystal clear water.
You can get to Hong Island from Ao Nang Beach, for example, where you will find many companies offering this type of trip. The journey will take approximately 1 hour and we recommend you choose an early morning departure time to avoid the masses of tourists that arrive after 11:00.
If you visit the island at high tide, you can also enjoy the beautiful lagoon, which is located near the beach. On the island, in addition to the beautiful beach, you will also find a 360-degree viewpoint that offers truly breathtaking views of the surrounding islets. However, you will have to climb dozens of steps, so be sure to bring plenty of water.
There are toilets and small local shops on the island where you can buy a drink and a snack. However, it is important to note that you will pay an entrance fee of 300 THB to visit the island (you need to bring cash). However, if you are travelling with a group tour, this entrance fee is usually already included in the price.
Lao Lading Island
Lao Lading Island is also referred to as Paradise Island and we know why! It is truly the jewel of the Thai province of Krabi. In fact, it’s part of the Hong Islands group we wrote about above, so if you’re going to explore Hong Island and its surroundings, this is definitely a place you can’t miss.
The island, like most of the others mentioned, is only accessible by boat. It offers a beautiful tiny beach among the rocks, clear water and perfect conditions for snorkelling. We visited this island in the morning at 9:00 and we were almost alone. But as we were leaving during lunch, the crowds started to arrive. So if you want privacy, we definitely recommend an early morning arrival
Fours Islands Tour
Another great excursion in the Krabi area is a visit to the Four Islands, a group of islands located in close proximity, so it is possible to explore them all in one trip. These islands include: Koh Poda, Koh Gai (also referred to as Chicken Island), Koh Tub and Koh Mor.
All these islands offer ideal conditions for swimming and snorkelling. During low tide, it is possible to walk between Koh Tub and Koh Mor. Koh Gai is referred to as Chicken Island precisely because it features a rock formation that resembles a chicken.
Trips to the aforementioned islands usually start at Ao Nang Beach, Railay Beach or Krabi Town. From all locations it will take you about 20-30 minutes by boat. The entrance fee to the national park to which these islands belong is 200 TBH for adults and 100 TBH for children. However, if you travel with a company that offers these tours, this is usually already included in the price of the tour.
Looking for another hidden paradise in Thailand? Read about the island of Koh Yao Yai, located just 30 minutes from the famous Phuket.
* All links in this article including accommodation through booking are affiliate. All in one place. It won’t cost you any extra money or effort, it will make your planning easier and save you time. We would be delighted if you booked your dream holiday through them 🙂
