Krabi Tours
The Krabi coastline is one of the most spectacular in the world, and tours are highly recommended. In fact, the province is best seen from the water, from where you can visit the world-famous Phi Phi island group, as well as several smaller islands close to the shore. The imposing karst scenery of Phang Nga Bay, to the north of Krabi, is also well worth a snap.
Tours of Krabi are numerous and can be arranged at any of the tour agencies found in Ao Nang and resorts in the area. The most typical of these is the four-island and five-island tours of the Krabi coast, near Ao Nang. These tours depart at about 09:00 from the beachfront and take you to the small islands not far from the mainland.
Four Island Tour Krabi
This tour takes visitors to some of the most remarkable islands in the area and offers plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy the natural wonders of Thailand. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from a 4 Island Tour in Krabi.
The four islands included in this tour are Phra Nang Beach (Railay), Koh Poda Island, Tup Island, and Chicken Island. Each island has something unique to offer that will leave you with lasting memories and unforgettable experiences.
Phra Nang Beach (Railay) is located on a peninsula and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Krabi.
From here, you can soak up breathtaking views while sunbathing or exploring the surrounding cliffs and caves. And if you are feeling adventurous, there are also several rock climbing tours available nearby as well!
Koh Poda Island is home to impressive rock formations that make for great photo opportunities as well as crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling.
You can also find several small restaurants here serving up fresh seafood dishes that will have your taste buds singing with delight!
Tup Island boasts an iconic white sandbar that joins it with Chicken Island during low tide, allowing visitors to walk between them both!
Here you can find plenty of beachside activities such as kayaking or simply relaxing on the beach and taking in incredible views out towards the ocean horizon.
Chicken Island has been aptly named due to its unique rock formations which resemble a chicken head!
It’s worth noting that this island is quite small compared to its counterparts but makes up for it with its breathtaking views over neighboring islands and secluded beaches just waiting to be explored.
Hong Island
The most spectacular of these is Hong Island, a small national park with a beautiful beach in a sheltered bay.
Most of the island is sheer karst rock, but there is a picnic spot and a small nature trail away from the beach. Usually, you will be left here for a couple of hours to enjoy this lovely beach, but you’ll have to share it with quite a few longtail boat-loads of people. Luckily, everyone seems to appreciate the scenery and behave quietly, swimming in the gorgeous aqua waters.
The most impressive attraction of this island is the enclosed lagoon which can only be reached via a cave tunnel when the tide is right, and a quick whirl around inside is a highlight. These tours then take you on to several other smaller islands with similarly secluded beaches and the option of snorkeling. The whole day out is certainly worth the 800 baht or so; with a modest packed lunch included.
Hidden Beaches
By chartering a private longtail boat (prices negotiable depending on the numbers) you can visit the islands of the area by yourself and escape the hordes on other popular tours. North of Ao Nang there are several deserted tidal beaches, such as Haad Noppharat Thara; which you can have all to yourself (it’s also ideal for early morning jogs and you can run there easily from Ao Nang). South of Ao Nang is the Phra Nang Cape (where Railay beach is located) and once rounding this you enter Nam Mao Bay.
It doesn’t boast the brilliant beaches of Railay, but it is the site of a rather curious attraction: Su San Hoi. This Shell Cemetery is a graveyard for 75,000-year-old fossilized shells that have formed peculiar massive slabs that jut out of the sea. By approaching by boat you might escape the unnecessary 200 baht national park entrance fee, which visitors from the coastal access road are charged.
Phi Phi
To visit Phi Phi from Krabi, there are tours from Krabi costing about 1,500 baht, and these include an early start in a modern speedboat, visits to the pretty Maya bay and the smaller inaccessible parts of the island chain, and lunch at the main Phi Phi Don. There’s also plenty of time to relax on the beaches, swim and do some snorkeling. These tours are the best way to see Phi Phi if you don’t intend to stay overnight. Making your own way to Phi Phi Don by regular ferry for the day is impractical as the ferry is slow and the return times are inconvenient.
Krabi River Estuary
From Krabi Town, tours of the Krabi River estuary are popular and offer a different side to the usual towering landscapes that are typical of this region. There is a surprising amount of interesting flora and fauna found here and the tidal changes offer different perspectives. Early morning or sunset tours on longtail boats from the city waterfront pier are best. If you’ve rented a bike for the day you might wish to leave the coast altogether and seek out the unusual Wat Tam Sueu (Tiger Cave temple), which is south of Krabi Town.
The complex is comprised of a caved sanctuary at the base of a towering karst pillar, plus an exhausting 1,200-step climb to view a massive Buddha statue and chedi on top. The panoramic view of the surrounding area is also spectacular. It is an active and famous forest retreat temple and is home to a troupe of thieving monkeys, so keep valuables concealed.
Than Bokkharani National Park
Also worth visiting is Than Bokkharani National Park, 20 minutes drive north of Ao Nang in the Ao Luek area. It’s a delightful fairytale landscape of emerald pools cascading into streams, along with plenty of caves and karst topography.
Finally, no visit to Krabi is complete without tours to Phang Nga Bay – a charming seascape when viewed by boat and the trip takes around an hour. Tours are available from any of the travel agents and are a popular trip to admire this enormous panorama of karst pillars and landscapes, including the famous James Bond Island and the ‘water village’ of Koh Phan Yee.
