Krabi

The southern Thailand town of Krabi serves as base camp for exploring the province of the same name, a lush region of jungles, limestone cliffs and idyllic isles floating just offshore in the Andaman Sea. Buddhist shrines still used by local monks are tucked into the chambers of the town’s top attraction, Tiger Cave. The riverside pier links travellers with ferries and longboats to the best scuba diving, rock climbing and white sand beaches on the coast.

Hot Springs and Crystal Pool

Hot Springs and Crystal Pool

n the south of Krabi province in Klong Thom district (around 70km from town and near the Khao Phra Bang...

Phra Nang Beach (Ao Nang)

Phra Nang Beach (Ao Nang)

Ao Nang is a central point of the coastal province of Krabi, Thailand. The town consists chiefly of...

Poda Island

Poda Island

Near Rai Leh there are a few islands with beautiful white coral sand beaches and crystal clear water....

Railay Beach

Railay Beach

Railay is a small peninsula located between the city of Krabi and Ao Nang in Thailand. Accessible only...

Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua)

Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua)

Tiger Cave Temple or Wat Tham Sua offers a genuine spiritual experience in stunning natural surroundings....

Frequently asked questions

Krabi is the perfect holiday destination for those looking for a relaxing area in southern Thailand. The province, located between Phang Nga and Trang, features stunning scenery both inland and at sea. With over 150 islands off its 150km-long coast line (many of them featuring fantastic white-sand beaches and turquoise waters), a jungle-covered interior, towering limestone cliffs, caves, waterfalls and exotic wildlife, Krabi a great selection of natural assets that offer its visitors a wide array of leisure activities for the whole family. Island-hopping, snorkelling, rock climbing, sea kayaking, jungle trekking and scuba diving, are among the most popular occupations that can be enjoyed while on holiday in Krabi.

Thailand-Tour-Krabi-3From its most prominent destinations – Ao Nang, Railay, Phi Phi Islands and Koh Lanta – to its lesser known areas – Ao Luk, Ao Nam Mao, or Ao Thalane, to name just a few – the province of Krabi is less developed and crowded than Phuket, more laid back than Koh Samui, and just 80 minutes by air from Bangkok. With a range of accommodation from budget to deluxe, this idyllic province really is the ultimate destination. Browse your complete travel guide to Krabi, Thailand. Compiled by people who live here, it introduces hotels, tours, beaches, islands, activities, restaurants and all that you need to organise your next vacation in Krabi. Not convinced yet?

1/ Railay Beaches & Caves
Thailand-Tour-Krabi-1Railay Beach is, in fact, a small peninsula which counts four beaches. Now on every savvy traveller’s list, Railay is nevertheless one of Thailand’s most sought-after beach areas. Just south of Ao Nang Beach, around a rocky headland and accessible only by boat, Railay presents a tranquil and extraordinary world.

In just one small peninsula you’ll find gorgeous white sand beaches, soaring limestone cliffs, viewpoints, caves and a lagoon hidden inside the cliffs, shaped and fed by the changing tides. All within walking distance!

At Railay there are no roads; only footpaths. No buses, no cars, just long tail boats. Although it’s actually connected to the mainland, the spectacular Phra Nang Peninsular is effectively cut off from the rest of Krabi by limestone headlands and steep jungle valleys; the only access is by sea. The very picture of tropical paradise, with no roads and no hassle, Railay offers lazy days, adventure forays and chilled-out evenings.

2/ Koh Poda
Thailand-Tour-KrabiKoh Poda is one the most popular islands in Krabi archipelago. Located just six kilometres offshore from Ao Nang, it roughly takes 25 minutes to get there by long-tail boat. The price for a return ticket is about 300 baht per person; note that if you travel alone, you will have to wait for the long-tail boat to be full according to its capacity before you set off.

Mu Koh Poda or Poda Island group consists of four islands: Koh Poda, Koh Kai, Koh Tap and Koh Mor. Koh Poda is the largest of the group despite its area being no more than a kilometre in diameter. Covered with palm and pine trees and almost entirely encircled by a soft white sand beach, it is every inch the stunning tropical getaway. A coral reef lies about 20 metres from the beach with a variety of sea life. The irresistible combination of excellent snorkelling, scenery and soft sand make the island a popular choice with snorkelers and sea kayakers, but surprisingly, it’s not that crowded.

3/ Koh Hong
koh-hongKoh Hong is a getaway island on the Krabi coastline. Spend your day doing nothing but lazing on virgin sands. This wonderful group of tiny islands offers breathtaking scenery, soft white-sand beaches, coral reefs and a beautiful lagoon. It’s where you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, sunbathing, hiking, and picnicking. Koh Hong is part if Than Bok Khorani National Park and it’s only open for day visits with no overnight stays allowed.

4/ Phi Phi Island
phi-phi-islandThe Phi Phi islands are some of the loveliest in Southeast Asia. Just a 45-minute speedboat trip or a 90-minute ferryboat ride from either Phuket or Krabi, these picture postcard islands offer the ultimate tropical getaway. Featuring classic tropical beaches, stunning rock formations and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life, it is paradise perfected.

Phi Phi is a group of six islands. The two main islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. The larger and inhabited Phi Phi Don attracts hundreds of visitors to stay on its lovely shores while the smaller uninhabited Phi Phi Leh hosts stunningly beautiful bays and beaches, including the world-famous Maya Bay, which was the set where The Beach (with Leonardo Di Caprio) was filmed.

5/ Klong Thom Hot Springs
klong-thom-hot-springsTherapeutic and soothing, the Krabi Hot Springs are ‘hot tubs’ crafted into smooth rock channelling water from deep rooted thermal springs located in volcanic chambers. The waters average 35-40 degree Celsius and are brimming with natural mineral salts which are claimed to cure all manner of health complaints including rheumatism and sciatica. The sensation is utterly relaxing and the environment is certainly unique, imagine sitting in a bath tub hollowed out from nature’s stone and surrounded by rainforest. These jungle baths feed into a cool stream which is perfect for dipping and diving into.

Located about 70 kilometres from Krabi town, the hot springs are in the heart of a small jungle preserve and close to the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve. Situated in the same reserve as the Emerald Pool and Thung Teao Forest Natural Park, it’s worth taking the time to combine all of these wonderful eco-spots in one nature filled day.

6/ Krabi Town
krabi-townKrabi Town is a market Thai town that was around long before international tourists started to visit the area. It’s charming, laid back, and as much as the word is overused, it’s very local. Tourism has arrived, but Krabi Town doesn’t jump through hoops to bring in foreigners; as the main commercial and transit point for the province, it doesn’t need to. Its unique personality is a welcome contrast to the surrounding beach areas.

The river is a hub of activity with fishing boats and river taxis ferrying both locals and visitors to spots near and far and the pier to the west of town is the place to catch a ride to the surrounding beaches and islands. Many visitors hurry to the big name destinations – Railay, Ao Nang, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi – getting in and out of town as quickly as possible. But for those interested in a dose of genuine Thai culture and hospitality, sticking around Krabi Town is a rewarding experience.

7/ Ao Luk Mangroves
ao-luk-mangrovesAo Luk mangrove and caves is a suitable field for exploration and soft-adventure experiences in Krabi Province. Ao Luk District is located approximately 40km north of Krabi Town on the road to Phang Nga Town and enjoys an outstandingly preserved natural environment. This area is rural and hosts two parks: Than Bok Khorani and Khao Phanom Bencha National Parks.

Tall limestone cliffs similar to those found in Phang Nga Bay dot the hilly lush landscape, and along the coast, mangrove forest and limestone cliffs offer sea kayakers an exciting tropical playground. The small town of Ao Luk is a genuine southern Thailand village that has been cut in two by the Krabi-Phang Nga highway. It is a charming place to have a short rest for people driving from Phuket to Krabi Town as a few street food stalls and a 7-Eleven allow tired drivers to grab a snack and a drink.

Based on the diverse of nature and culture in Krabi offer for travelers, we have carefully created this 2 day suggested-tour which including combine travel style.

Day 1: Go on a four tour Island
tup-islandOne of the most popular tours that visitors to Krabi go on is the Four Island Tour. It takes you on a tour of four different islands, and they are usually Tup Island, Phra Nang Cave, Chicken Island and Poda Island. The tour is on a long boat and will stop at each location giving you time to swim, sunbathe, explore and stop for lunch. The boats usually house up to about forty people and a tour guide will stand at the front pointing everything out in English whilst making sure everyone has enough water for the trip.

Day 2: Chill out at Koh Lanta Island – Hiking to Khao Khanab Nam Mountain

koh-lanta-islandAM: Koh Lanta Yai is an island about two hours away from Krabi Town, it is a small island that stretches about twenty kilometers from end to end. The island is inhabited and home too many guest houses and resorts. The island itself has various beautiful beaches that are often quiet but look absolutely stunning. Takes a boat from Krabi to the Island to relax and enjoy the beautiful sand beach.

PM: The Khao Khanab Nam Mountains are the most famous landmarks in Krabi, they sit either side of the river and are a real natural wonder. The two mountains sit on top of a large series of caves that have many stalagmites and Stalactites, there are also a large number of human skeletons that could have been from people stranded during a flood. One of the mountains is climbable and offers some excellent photograph opportunities from the top.

1/ Ruen Mai Restaurant, Klong Chilat
klong-chilatOften referred to as one of the best Thai food places in Krabi, Ruen Mai is the place to visit if it’s your first time trying authentic Thai food. And it will definitely set the bar high with regard to Southern Thai cuisine. Its new location outside of Krabi Town does not deter its guests, who pour in throughout its open hours. The restaurant is more like an outdoor garden with thatched bamboo roofs and grows its own vegetables and herbs on-site. The food that you must try at the restaurant are Pad Pak Mieng, Panaeng Curry, Goong Makham.

2/ Ton Ma Yom Thai Food Restaurant, Ao Nang
ton-ma-yomThis small, colourful eatery is all about the food. Indoor and outdoor seating dots the tiny place, but the food makes a big impact. Large portions are on offer at affordable rates, and feature a heady mix of Thai spices. The restaurant is owned and operated by a local family, so it’s almost as if you were eating at their home.
Must Try: Green Curry, Spicy Papaya Salad, Mango Sticky Rice

3/ Chao Fah Night Market, Chao Fah Pier
chao-fah-pierRows of plastic tables and chairs line the pier of Chao Fah, bordering food stalls offering the most ethnic Thai cuisine you’ll find in Krabi. The smells wafting around this area are enough to work up an appetite. It’s best to visit here in the evening, when the dinnertime crowds haven’t descended on the pier. Nevertheless, it’s a busy place almost all day long!
Must Try: Wok-fried Noodles, all kinds of barbequed seafood, Prawn and Lemongrass Soup, Spicy Green Papaya salad

4/ Local Thai Food Restaurant, Railay
For this one, just go by the name. A small shack-like eatery on Railay beach, this place is marked by plastic chairs, wooden tables and whirring fans to keep you cool while you chow down on the generous portions of curries and seafood. You can also get some freshly grilled seafood from the catch of the day.
Must Try: Sticky Mango Rice, Stir-fried Pumpkin, Grilled King Prawns

5/ Lae Lay Grill, Ao Nang
lae-lay-grillGrab an intimate dinner in the busy Ao Nang area at this Thai and seafood joint. The seafood is caught and prepared fresh to feed the heaps of visitors it welcomes every day. You can devour some delicious food by candlelight while watching the sunset over the mountains from the upper balcony seating area. It’s a place that attracts families, couples and friends for its easy ambience. There are plenty of vegetarian options available too.
Must Try: Andaman Platter, Snow White & 7 Dwarfs, Moo Hong Lae Lay Grill

6/ Gecko Cabane, Soi Ruamjit
gecko-cabaneA true homage to local cuisine, this cosy eatery has a relaxed vibe and quirky décor. The food is equally simple and delicious, almost like home-cooked meals that you can request to be made as per your preference. Thai food has been given a twist with Western ingredients (owing to the French owner and his Thai wife), but the taste still remains authentic, and one of the best in the area.
Must Try: Massaman Curry, Pork Tenderloin Hang Lay Curry, Pineapple Fried Rice

Krabi enjoys a tropical climate with the temperature rarely dropping below 27-degree Celsius in the daytime, year round (the average is around 32C). There are two seasons, dry and rainy, defined by the reversal of the monsoon winds.

tup-islandThe northeasterly winds bring the driest weather from around December to April, with the temperature getting progressively hotter as the months go by. The southwesterly winds make rain more prevalent during May – November, with the wettest months tending to be September and October. But the seasonal changeover does not always happen on schedule so, for example, it is possible that the rain starts “early” in April one year and not until mid-June the next.

klong-thom-hot-springsWeather-wise, the ideal time to visit Krabi is in late January to March, when you are sure to enjoy nearly perfect conditions: calm, glassy seas; clear blue skies; moderate temperatures; and only a tiny chance of shower burst. By coming at this time, you also avoid the peak season supplements the hotels charge around Christmas and New Year.

Booking a holiday during the monsoon months of May-November remains, however, a gamble: while the typical rainy season pattern is of sunny days punctuated by short, heavy showers, you could just as easily end up with ten days of unbroken rain – or sun!

By air: Flights to Krabi town leave from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport and take under 90 minutes to reach their destination. A number of airlines make this connection. During peak season (December to April) prices start at double the low season rate and can go into the hundreds of dollars if you don’t book well in advance. There are many flights between Bangkok and Krabi Town every day, so it’s worth checking and comparing prices—flights at inconvenient times (very early mornings or late in the evenings) are often cheaper.

By bus: If you want the convenience of direct transportation with higher travel quality and without unexpected bus stops, a Bangkok to Krabi Express Bus could be the perfect solution. Private VIP buses leave from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal three times a day, both during the daytime and in the evening. However, since the journey takes 11 hours, a nighttime sleeper bus is not only a better use of your time but also a lot more comfortable.

Throughout this article, we wish you to have an idea of how to travel to Chieng Mai for your best experience. In case you are looking for your own travel agent, who can offer a wonderful and hassle-free trip, please feel free to let us know. We always commit our best to make it your once-in-a-lifetime journey.

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