Beaches
Krabi's beaches offer not just the usual mix of sea and sand, but also some stunning backdrops. Some of the beaches are surrounded by huge limestone cliffs, giving the impression of your own private space. The views out on the horizon show a vista of tiny islands in the distance, which make for great day trips and good shallow water snorkelling. Many of Krabi’s beaches are accessible only by boat which helps to retain their unspoilt character. This is the place to simply get on a boat and wander from one perfect beach to the next……

Ao Nang Beach
Framed by towering limestone cliffs and fringed by palms and pine trees, Ao Nang is a stunning beach. It’s also the main place to catch local “longtail” boats for day trips to nearby islands or other beaches along the coastline. As Krabi's most developed beach, there’s a wide range of accommodation including resorts, bungalows and guesthouses and it’s also the place to check out adventure tours and diving trips.

If you like to eat well, there's a good choice of restaurants offering Swiss, Italian, Thai, and Scandinavian food. The beach is popular with snorkellers and windsurfers, is ideal for sunbathing and very safe for swimming. A great base to explore other islands and beaches, or simply stay put and relax.

Rai Ley Beach
Rai Ley - the original traveller's place is very laid back. No roads, lots of small bungalows, a few villas for rent, and a tastefully developed upmarket hotel if you'd prefer the luxury. Its also the destination for wannabee rock climbers. Instruction and equipment is available. Small wooden boats sell snacks and sandwiches so you don't have to walk very far, otherwise there are small local and inexpensive restaurants right on the beach. Lots of local taxi boats to take you from Ao Nang to Rai Lay and also around he coastline for snorkelling trips or sightseeing.

High season it's busy, but most activities can still be enjoyed, and monsoon weather changes provide spectacular views over the ocean. The east side of Rai Lei Beach is home mostly to mangroves, a few bungalows and local restaurants. It is also the most convenient spot from which to hail a boat taxi to Krabi town.

Pra Nang Beach
Accessible only by boat, Phra Nang Beach (not to be confused with Ao Nang around the corner) attracts hedonists, rock climbers, canoe enthusiasts, snorkellers and artists. Accommodation here ranges from the prestigious and upmarket Sheraton Rayavadee Resort to modest fan cooled bungalows. The sheer limestone mountain which surrounds the beach makes it a popular venue for both beginners and advanced rock climbers. A couple of climbing schools offer tuition complete with equipment if you feel the urge to hang off a ledge or two. For non-climbers, there's a route in the interior of the cliff, which although not for the faint hearted, offers exhilarating views of the offshore islands and drops down into a interior lagoon fed by the tide far below.

The Princess Cave or Tham Phra Nang Nok, decorated with symbols of fertility is another local attraction. The beach can be reached easily from Ao Nang by regular longtail boats which shuttle back and forth during the day. Best visited during low season (April - October) as it gets busy.

Nopparat Thara Beach
Close to Ao Nang beach, Hat Noppharat Thara is a long sandy beach lined by casuarina trees. Popular with local Thai picnickers especially at the weekend. During weekdays it offers lots of shade and a great retreat.

Islands - Poda, Koh Gai (Chicken Island) Koh Rang
In the coastal waters off Krabi, lie more than 200 islands, only some of them inhabited, and many that belong to Hat Noppharat Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park. These islands offer reef diving, rock climbing, snorkelling and secluded beaches. Two noteworthy islands, Ko Poda and Ko Gai (Chicken Island because of its shape like the neck of a chicken) can be reached within half an hour by local longtail boat from Ao Nang Beach. Ko Poda is fringed by clear water and offers good snorkelling. Ko Gai, twenty minutes to the west, is also excellent for snorkelling and diving.

The Phi Phi Islands

One of southern Thailand's most popular tourist destinations, the Phi Phi islands are known for their sheer limestone cliffs and white sandy beaches, often used for film locations. There are two islands - Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, which lie within the Hat Noppharat Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park. Regular ferries run from Krabi town to and Phuket to the islands everyday.

Phi Phi Don Island
The larger of the two islands, Phi Phi Don offers picture postcard beaches, turquoise water and a relaxed beachside lifestyle. Ton Sai Bay, the main departure/arrival point has lots of bungalow and chalet accommodation and gets very busy with day trippers in high season. Worth at least an overnight stay, here’s plenty to do. The area around Ton Sai offers music bars, restaurants with both Thai and European food, and even Thai boxing matches.

From Phi Phi you can take day trips to other local islands, go diving or charter your own boat to explore the more secluded beaches. See our section on Phi Phi for more details.

Phi Phi Ley Island
Just south of the larger Phi Phi Don, lies its sister island, Phi Phi Lei. A small uninhabited island, only six square kilometres in area, its a marine explorers paradise. Characterised by rugged, limestone cliffs rising from the sea, the island has lots of hidden bays concealing tiny pristine beaches. The exceptionally clear and calm water in these bays teems with marine life and is ideal for advanced and novice snorkellers. Also on Phi Phi Lei, is a large cave known as the Viking Cave, which contains ancient cave murals depicting Viking-like sailing vessels. However these days it is more famous for the millions of swallows whose gelatinous nests are prized by Chinese gourmets.

To the north of Phi Phi Don lies Koh Yoong Island featuring 2 small beaches and well preserved offshore coral gardens.

Next to Ko Yoong lies Koh Pai Island with small swimming beaches on the north and east side, and coral gardens off the south end. [click here to read more about Phi Phi Islands]

The Lanta Islands

About 53 islands are included in this group, which form the southernmost district of Krabi Province.

Koh Lanta Yai
The largest of the islands, Lanta Yai is a favourite spot for those seeking peace and solitude. Mountainous and rugged in some spots, especially near the southern tip, the island is home to a the Chao Ley, or Sea Gypsies, an ethnic group who preserve many of their ancient customs and ceremonies. Some accommodating and services are available, and the island can easily be reached by ferry from Krabi Town.

Koh Taleng Beng
Lies in the Lanta district and is similar in shape to Phi Phi Ley. Swallows also nest at this island which at low tide features a small beach and tunnel.

Mu Koh Hah
Also in the Lanta area, this group of 5 islands has some good diving spots.

Koh Ngai, Koh Rock Nai and Koh Rock Nok
South of Lanta Yai Island, these 3 islands are close to Trang Province. Koh Ngai is easily accessed via ferry from Pak Meng Beach, others are accessed by hired boat and feature both beaches and coral gardens.