Krabi Travel Guide

Krabi is a paradise for travelers who want to enjoy the beauty and diversity of a seaside holiday in a laid-back, casual setting. There are fantastic beaches backed by towering limestone peaks, lovely tropical islands scattered off the coast, and colorful coral reefs for diving adventures.

Most of the attractions in the Krabi area are natural ones and, in fact, you’ll find some of the most dramatic seascapes in the world here. We’ve listed some of Krabi’s most popular attractions, and suggest that you consult one of the free tourist maps for exact locations.

Things to Do in Krabi

Cruises

One of the most pleasurable things to do in Krabi is to hop on a boat and set off on a cruise around the myriad islands of the Andaman Sea. Krabi boasts 132 of these under its jurisdiction, from dramatic rocky outcrops to picture postcard deserted islands. The most popular trips from Ao Nang and Railay are the island tours. This trip visits local islands – Chicken, Poda, and Tub which are visible from the shore, and there is also the Hong Island tour which involves a tour of the four beautiful islands in the Tharnbok Khoranee National Marine Park.

Day Trips

You can also make day trips to the Phi Phi Islands from here; a highly recommended excursion. This tour is by passenger boat or speedboat, and it is also possible to rent a private speedboat for your family or group. All Phi Phi tours stop off at the stunning Maya Bay, where the blockbuster movie The Beach was filmed. From Koh Lanta, you can visit the islands of Koh Rok, with their astonishingly clear water and memorable snorkeling.

Boat Tours

Trips can be made by longtail boat or by speedboat. Longtail boats have the advantage of being quite cheap and easy to charter, meaning you don’t have to join in with a tour and can set your own itinerary. However, they are less reliable and can be slower and often wetter rides. Speedboat tours are the way to go if you want to cut your traveling time; they are definitely recommended for trips further afield, such as Krabi to Koh Phi Phi. However, they do make for a bumpy ride, especially if there are big waves.

All sightseeing tours on Krabi will include snorkeling and beach stops (with equipment provided), soft drinks, and lunch. One of the most memorable full-day trips is to Phang Nga Bay, northwest of Krabi.

Made famous in the Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun, this fantastic theatre of karst pillars and cliffs is pure eye-candy – the trip includes excellent kayaking and lunch on the water gypsy village of Koh Phan Yee.

Watermark Charter is a luxury cruise experience that takes tourists on private tours all around the Andaman Coast. Visit beauty spots such as Phi Phi, Koh Hong, and Phang Nga Bay in style upon your own millionaire’s yacht, but without the prohibitive price tag.

Sightseeing

Fancy a day of sand-free shenanigans? Get your land-loving self to Krabi Town for a tantalizing taste of Thai culture. Kick off your adventure with a trip to the region’s liveliest morning market, then saunter through scenic riverside paths. But don’t forget to indulge in mouthwatering southern Thai dishes while you’re there. And for some visual feasting, pop by the Krabi Contemporary Art Gallery to admire local creative geniuses in action.

Further inland, Tiger Cave Temple is a popular tourist attraction. This meditation center is located in a cave and there are a monumental 1,237 steps that lead to a mountain-top Buddha statue.

As well as being an impressive sight in itself, you’ll also be rewarded with an unparalleled view of the Krabi countryside. On a clear day, you can see right out to the islands, around 50 km away.

The tour to Tiger Cave Temple can be combined with a trip to the Hot Springs, some 40kms farther south. This natural outdoor Jacuzzi has been carved into the rock by the action of thermal spring water, which comes from a source nearby. By the time the water reaches the hot springs site, it has cooled to a pleasant 35 degrees Celsius, so you can lounge in your ‘tub’ in the middle of the forest while the fast-flowing mineral water pummels your body into relaxation.

Top 10 Places to Visit in Krabi

Ao Nang Beach

Krabi’s main tourist resort area features a long stretch of beach, half of which has a backdrop of striking karst cliffs, and the other half lined with resorts and tourist amenities.

Ao Nang is a peaceful spot, although you will have to wander along the beach to avoid the noisy longtail boat traffic. Sunsets are often spectacular as the irregular karsts that are just from the sea add to the drama of the scene.

Krabi Town

This bustling provincial capital provides a glimpse into the real way of life in southern provincial Thailand. The town has largely escaped commercial tourism due to its lack of a beach, but it’s an interesting place to visit some tourist attractions. They include vibrant markets, a pathway that follows the estuary mouth, and lots of restaurants offering up local favorites with seafood as the main specialty.

Koh Lanta National Marine Park

Travel from Krabi to Koh Lanta – a large, peaceful island, offering the same beautiful beaches and scenery as other tourist resorts, yet without the crowds. The northern and southern extremes of Koh Lanta are mountainous, while the west coast features numerous stunning beaches. The western side and northern tip are good snorkeling locations thanks to a healthy reef culture. The old town is high on the attractions list as it has some good shops and historical buildings. Open: 08:00-17:00 (daily); entry: 400 baht; Moo 5, Kho Lanta Yai.

Koh Phi Phi National Marine Park

Blessed with idyllic beaches, stunning seascapes, and a vibrant underwater world, Phi Phi tops the Krabi attractions list. There is little accommodation available along the island’s two main beaches; however, there is no shortage of rooms set back from the beach. Embark on a blissful 90-minute journey to the enchanting Phi Phi Islands aboard the Krabi Town ferry, offering two convenient daily trips for your island-hopping pleasure. Open: 08:00-17:00 (daily); entry: foreigner: adults/children 400/200 baht, Thai: adults/children 40/20 baht for a national park, 79 Moo 5, Ao Nang, tel: (075) 661 145, 637 436, 637 200.

Nopparhat Thara Beach

Easily reached on foot from Ao Nang’s beach, this lovely stretch of tidal beach is not as developed as its noisy neighbor and is a great spot for an early morning run. There are some nice resorts here along with a ferry pier at the far end. When the tide is out, you can actually walk out to some of the nearby islands.

Railay Beach

Behold, the Andaman coastline’s crowning jewel, an enchanting peninsula accessible only by boat. On this dreamy land, you’ll find resorts nestled between two mesmerizing crescent beaches, each offering its unique allure.

Surrender to Phra Nang’s charm, as you share the sandy shores with friendly monkeys, marvel at stunning dripstones, and explore a mystical ancient shrine. For the adventurers out there, conquer a steep path to reach the top of the karst and feast your eyes upon a hidden sinkhole lake lying below.

Than Bokkharani National Park

Just a 30-minute drive from Ao Nang and you will find yourself amid a landscape of steep limestone cliffs, waterfalls and pools, and thick tropical forest. The hot springs here originate in the Khao Nor Juji lowland forest and the pools change color as the day progresses. One of Krabi’s most stunning tourist attractions. 

Shell Cemetery

Situated further around the coast from Ao Nang, this prehistoric site features fossilized shells that are over 75 million years old. The composites of fossils are found in many unusual shapes. One of Krabi’s less exciting attractions, but interesting for geology buffs. Open: 08:30-17:00 (daily); entry: Foreigners 200 baht, Thais 50 baht, approach by boat to avoid the overpriced fee.

Wat Khlong Thom Museum

The museum houses a collection of ancient artifacts that have been excavated in the Krabi area, including beadwork, bronze items, stone and clay animals, and stone tools. Open: 08:30-11:00 and 13:00-17:00 (daily); entry: free.

Wat Tham Seua

This temple is a popular attraction for Thai tourists as well as foreigners. There’s a meditation center here and fabulous views from the top of the karst peak. A climb of 1,200 steps is required to reach the lookout point, where you’ll also find chedi and Buddha images. Be careful of wild monkeys on the climb, they are brazen and enjoy rifling through backpacks. Open: daily; entry: free.

Activities and Sports in Krabi

Krabi has a wide range of activities and sports to suit every age and lifestyle. Most of them are outdoor pursuits, including diving, rock climbing, swimming, snorkeling, sea-kayaking, and golf. You can also explore the region on a jungle trek, or on a bicycle tour. You’ll also find spectator sports like Thai boxing and takraw, a traditional game that involves keeping a wicker ball up in the air – it’s actually harder, and more painful than it sounds!

Rock climbing is the one activity that has made Krabi world famous and there are more than a dozen schools offering beginner to advanced courses. The limestone cliffs and faces on the many karst formations in the area are covered in first-class routes, with more than 600 identified and ‘bolted’ so far that range from beginner 5a to extreme 8c. Getting started isn’t difficult and it can be enjoyed by all regardless of whether you have climbed before or not.

Diving is another extremely popular sport in Krabi, especially in the world-famous Koh Phi Phi which offers some spectacular reef diving and snorkeling. There are several dive centers in Ao Nang that offer Open Water 1 PADI courses, as well as advanced courses. All of them meet international standards for safety.

Big game fishing is another popular activity in Krabi. Your guides will be local villagers, who know the best places to find the fish, so a catch is guaranteed. Day excursions are the norm, but you can also charter a boat to go out before dawn, or at night.

Sea kayaking is the best way to explore the many small karst islands and visit the lagoons hidden within them. Often, kayaks can go where other boats can’t, allowing you to get up close to the area’s abounding nature.

Sailing is also a relaxing and fun way to experience the striking Andaman coast. Dragon Heart is an impressive 63ft Pinisi-style boat that tours the Phi Phi islands and boasts of a quality experience at affordable prices. Read, sunbathe, or relax with a cool drink and sample delicious Thai food prepared onboard.

Golf can be played at Pakasai Country Club, located around 35 km from Ao Nang and 10 km from the airport, in Neua Klong District. A few companies offer golf package tours, often with a few stops at other places of interest, such as the driving range outside Krabi Town along the way. For serious golfers, the world-class greens of Phuket are a short, two-hour drive away.

Walkers will find Krabi’s National Park at Huay Toh has some particularly good trails, leading through the forest and up to a seven-tiered waterfall. There are also nature trails at Khao Phra-Bang Khram nature reserve, Tharnbok Khoranee National Park, and along the Tha Pom mangrove river. All of these park areas have clean pools, so you can take a refreshing dip after your exercise. If you’re a fitness fanatic, there are a few hotels in Krabi with their own gym and tennis courts.

If you’ve fallen in love with Thai cuisine, why not learn how to prepare it at home with one of the many hands-on cooking classes? Most will be able to answer questions about ingredient substitution and offer helpful advice on how to ‘translate’ the dishes to a Western setting. Other cultural activities include learning the Thai language, and one of the best passive activities in Krabi is indulging in a Thai massage or treatment at one of the many spas.