Krabi

🏛️ Why Visit Krabi, Thailand?

This is the adventure capital of Thailand where you can go rock climbing in the morning, island hopping in the afternoon, and still catch an epic sunset with a Thai curry in hand.

On the world-renowned Ao Nang beach, you'll be surrounded by stunning limestone cliffs, crystal clear water, and incredible flora and fauna. Krabi is the gateway to some of Thailand's most famous islands including the legendary Phi Phi Islands (where "The Beach" was filmed!), and it's got that perfect balance of adventure and chill-out vibes.

Top reasons to visit Krabi:

• 🏖️ Railay Beach paradise – Only accessible by boat, this beach paradise feels like your own private island with world-class rock climbing

• 🏝️ Island hopping heaven – Gateway to Phi Phi Islands, Hong Island, and the famous Maya Bay where you can live your Leonardo DiCaprio dreams

• 🧗 Adventure capital vibes – From rock climbing limestone cliffs to kayaking through mangroves, this place is proper adrenaline-pumping

• 🌅 Epic sunset spots – Some of the most photogenic sunsets in Thailand, often with spectacular lightning shows over the Andaman Sea

• 💰 Brilliant value – Way more affordable than Phuket but just as stunning, with incredible street food and budget-friendly activities

🎭 Top Things to Do in Krabi

Beach Lovers & Island Hoppers

🏖️ Railay Beach – Although it's part of the mainland, Railay Beach feels like an island paradise due to the surrounding limestone cliffs that cut it off from the rest of Krabi. You can only get there by longtail boat from Ao Nang (about 15 minutes), which means it feels incredibly secluded and special.  If you make the effort to get here you'll find four different beaches to explore: Railay West, Railay East, Tonsai, and the legendary Phra Nang Beach.

🏝️ Four Islands Tour – The 7-island or 4-island tour is one of the most popular tours from Ao Nang, Krabi. This tour includes visiting a nearby group of islands in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Krabi province. You'll hit spots like Chicken Island, Tup Island, and Poda Island with their pristine beaches and brilliant snorkeling.

🎬 Phi Phi Islands Day Trip – Koh Phi Phi is the type of destination that every travel guide should recommend. Maya Bay, the most famous attraction as it was featured in the hit movie "The Beach." This beach is the epitome of paradise with clear blue waters and enchanting scenery that'll leave you proper speechless.

Adventure Seekers & Adrenaline Junkies

🧗 Rock Climbing at Railay – The epic limestone cliffs that frame the beaches of Phra Nang and Tonsai make for the perfect playground for adrenaline junkies and climbing enthusiasts. You can book a half-day climbing introduction for beginners or if your wrists are strong enough you can do a full day-long climb.

🥾 Dragon Crest Trail (Khao Ngon Nak) – The 3.7 km trail climbs steadily to 498 meters above sea level, where you'll find panoramic views of the Andaman Sea, nearby islands, and the Krabi coastline. It's moderately challenging but the views are absolutely epic – proper Instagram gold!

✨ Bioluminescent Plankton – A truly unique experience in Krabi is to swim amongst bioluminescent plankton at Railay Beach. The best time of year to see the plankton is between November and April. Going on a starry moonlit night is magical!

Culture Buffs & Temple Explorers

🐅 Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) – The main highlight of this temple is the 1,237 steps that lead to a breathtaking viewpoint at the top. The climb can be challenging, but the panoramic view of Krabi from the summit is absolutely worth it. Fair warning: it's a proper workout, but the views are sublime!

🌿 Emerald Pool & Hot Springs – After all that climbing, treat yourself to a dip in the natural emerald-colored pools and therapeutic hot springs surrounded by lush rainforest. It's like nature's own spa day!

🌆 Krabi Town Night Market – Located next to the Tha Khong Kha, this night market is the most popular dinner spot in town. Try the som tam (papaya salad), grilled snapper, and proper authentic Thai desserts at brilliant local prices.

💰 How to Have a Very Cheap Krabi Holiday (that's still brilliant)

🗓️ When to Go

According to our tour guide, Krabi's best season is from November to May. During this period, the Andaman Sea is stable and the weather is conducive for Island hopping. Avoid the rainy season (June-October) when island tours get cancelled and you'll be stuck dodging downpours!

💡 Smart Savings

🏠 Stay in Ao Nang – If you're going to Krabi and unsure of where to stay, Ao Nang is the biggest resort area with loads of accommodation options, plus you're perfectly positioned for all the island tours and activities.

🛵 Rent a motorbike – Taxi trips between the beaches and Krabi Town are expensive at night. Far more expensive. It's better to travel during the day. A motorbike rental costs about 200-300 baht per day and gives you proper freedom to explore.

🎉 Free & Cheap Fun

🔥 Ao Nang Fire Show – Every day, at sunset, around 6:30 PM, there's a fire show at the Ao Nang Beach. The Fire Show in Ao Nang is among the best I've ever seen. It's free entertainment that's actually brilliant – just remember to tip the performers!

🚶 Beach hopping on foot – At the southern end of Ao Nang Beach, is a fun hike called the Ao Nang Monkey Trail. You can walk between different beaches and discover hidden viewpoints without spending a penny.

🏊 Bioluminescent plankton DIY – You can swim out for free if you'd like to do this on a budget! But for a better chance of seeing the plankton, I'd recommend booking a sunset tour.

🚌 Getting About & Eating Smart

🛥️ Share boat costs – Wait for a group of people to go on boat rides, the fee is the same for 1 person or 6 or 10. Split the cost! Longtail boats to Railay cost about 100 baht per person when you share.

🍜 Street food paradise – All over town, you'll find small restaurants that cook food to order. Typical prices for lunch or dinners in Krabi at shops like this is around 70 Thai baht. If you go to the night food market, you can get a plate of food around THB 40 – 50.

🍺 Happy hour hunting – Hit the happy hours for significant drink discounts! Most beach bars have brilliant deals between 4-7pm.

🚌 Songthaews for local transport – These shared taxis are way cheaper than private transport and connect all the main areas. Just flag one down and hop on!

Krabi proves that you don't need Phuket prices to get paradise vibes! From world-class rock climbing to island hopping adventures, epic sunsets to street food that'll ruin you for Thai food anywhere else – Krabi delivers proper Thailand magic without the tourist markup. 🌅🏝️

Important Information

Flight Time: 14h Time Difference: +7hrCurrency: Thai Baht Official Language: Thai

Vaccinations

Please check with your healthcare provider for all up to date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.