Krabi National Parks
When people think of Krabi, the first thing that typically comes to mind is the breathtaking beauty of the Andaman Sea. The region’s pristine white sandy beaches and tranquil waters, adorned with towering limestone karsts, undeniably steal the spotlight. However, what often goes unnoticed by many visitors is the wealth of remarkable nature waiting to be explored within Krabi national parks.
Distributed across Krabi’s mainland interior are numerous national parks shrouded in lush greenery, offering natural gems such as soothing hot springs, mysterious caves, cascading waterfalls, and inviting hiking trails. Wildlife also plays a significant role in Krabi’s national parks. The relatively low number of visitors has provided a peaceful haven for the indigenous creatures, allowing hikers a unique opportunity to encounter some truly rare and elusive species.
In Thailand, foreign visitors are required to pay an entry fee of 100 to 400 baht when visiting the national parks. This fee is crucial for the conservation and maintenance of these natural treasures, and it’s well worth the money if you wish to immerse yourself in the unique tropical environment. Naturally, weekends and major holidays tend to draw large crowds of local visitors to Krabi’s parks. To fully savor the tranquility of nature, it’s advisable to plan your visit on a weekday when the parks are generally less crowded.
For those seeking a guided adventure, numerous tour companies, including some dedicated to ecotourism, offer a variety of excursions into Krabi national parks. This option can be particularly beneficial if you want to incorporate activities like kayaking, rock climbing, or overnight camping into your adventure. However, it’s worth noting that all of Krabi’s national parks are also easily navigated and explored without the need for a guide, providing independent travelers with the freedom to explore at their own pace.
BEST KRABI TOURS
Khao Phanom Bencha National Park
Entry fee: 100 baht for foreigners; 20 baht for scooter parking.
One of the closest national parks to Krabi is Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, located about 20 km north of town. This area is densely forested with classic tropical jungle. Its atmosphere is decidedly tranquil, featuring some impressive caves and several picturesque waterfalls, all of which are accessible by well-marked trails.
Tham Khao Ping is the most developed cave in the park. This limestone beauty is filled with large stalagmite and stalactite formations and is just a three-kilometer walk from the main Park Office. There are numerous other caves in the area, but these are not very well developed so it’s best to hire a guide if you’re serious about doing some off-track spelunking.
Of the park’s numerous waterfalls, Nam Tok Huay Toh is the closest to the Park Office. It’s rather popular due to the short walk to the falls, but it’s still a lovely destination. If you want a longer hike leading to a waterfall, then consider Nam Tok Klong Hang, which is a 10km hike from the Park Office, or Nam Tok Ton Hahn, which is 16 km into the park. Both of these are excellent day hikes, and there are rarely other people this far out.
Khao Nor Chu Chi (Khao Pra Bang Khram) Wildlife Sanctuary
Entry fee: 200 baht for foreigners
Khao Nor Chuchi Wildlife Sanctuary has the only remaining patch of lowland rainforest left in Thailand. A trip to this special park is a must for anyone who is keen on bird watching as it is home to more species of bird than any other national park in southern Thailand.
Among the beautiful birds that thrive in the sanctuary are black-breasted pittas, black hornbills, Crestwood partridges, chestnut-colored kingfishers, and gurneys. Khao Nor Chuchi Sanctuary is the only place in the world where you can spot the rare gurney’s pitta.
A 2.7km nature trail has been thoughtfully developed through the rainforest to showcase the biodiversity of the Krabi region. The well-maintained trail ends at the Emerald Pool, where hikers can cool off with a swim in the stunning waters of this magical site that cascades down from Thung Teao Waterfall. There are even some natural hot springs near the pool if you’d prefer to soak your muscles after the casual hike.
Than Bok Khorani National Park
Entry fee: 300 baht for foreigners
Than Bok Khorani National Park is located in the Ao Luk district of Krabi. It borders the Andaman Sea, allowing visitors the chance to mix Krabi’s forest environment with the amazing scenery of the Andaman. This park is famous for the limestone karst formations that rise out of the sea along its coastal section.
Many of the karst monoliths contain extensive cave systems that have been hollowed out over the millennia. These ‘rooms’ contain their own unique ecosystems and can only be accessed via tunnels when the tides are just right. But making the effort to explore these hong, as they’re called in Thai, is well worth it. Not only are they home to some exotic wildlife, but some also contain prehistoric cave paintings.
Kayaking is the best way to explore Than Bok Khorani National Park, as most of the highlights are along the sea. Tours can be arranged from Krabi Town, Ao Nang, or Railay for whatever kind of experience you desire. However, a very impressive section is found just off the main road between Krabi and Phuket and is worth stopping at to marvel at the cascading pools flanked by towering karst and set about with lush forest.
Inland, the park offers visitors a cool, shady forest dotted by several waterfalls and small swimming pools. It’s an ideal spot for picnics and a refreshing swim. This park can get quite busy on weekends and holidays due to its easy access from Krabi. You can bring your own food or buy snacks, fruit, drinks, and barbecue from the onsite vendors at the park entrance.
Hat Nopparat Thara National Park
Entry fee: 400 baht for foreigners
The largest park in Krabi Province is Hat Nopparat Thara National Park. This is one of Thailand’s major parks, covering a huge area of Krabi’s coastline as well as more than 80 islands offshore. The dominant feature here is the Andaman Sea and all its glory, and there are myriad ways to experience it.
Island hopping is one way to see the park’s beauty from a memorable perspective. You can affordably and easily hire your own longtail boat from Ao Nang, Railay, or Krabi and visit any of the dozens of deserted little islands dotting the sea such as Koh Poda, Koh Gai, and Koh Si.
Within the park, near the beach town of Ao Nang, is the Shell Cemetery. This interesting place is a stretch of coast where fossilized shells lie perfectly preserved as they have piled up layer by layer over thousands of years. The fossils date all the way back to when Krabi was a massive freshwater swamp inhabited by millions of tiny creatures who remain exactly where they died.
If you are interested in things like fossils, the Shell Cemetery is well worth a visit. There are only two other known sites like it on the planet: one in Japan and the other in the United States. A small museum depicts the history of the site and gives useful information regarding the fossils.
Final Words
So even if you make your way to Krabi with the beaches and sea as your priority, don’t overlook the prospect of spending a day or two exploring the wealth of natural beauty that waits just inland. In Krabi, national parks offer a great chance to check out the unique ecosystems of wildlife and nature that can only be found in this tropical region of Thailand.
When exploring these parks, it’s important to be aware of potential risks, especially when engaging in activities like climbing the limestone karsts. It’s a good practice to never embark on such adventures alone; always have a companion with you. Additionally, make sure your travel insurance is up-to-date and comprehensive.
While Thai hospitals offer affordable medical services, and local provincial hospitals maintain a decent standard of care, unforeseen circumstances can lead to the need for expensive medical attention. To stay on the safe side, we strongly recommend purchasing gap year or single trip insurance online before embarking on your journey. This way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re well-covered in case of any unexpected incidents.
