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20 Awesome Things To Do In Krabi: Complete Guide

20 Awesome Things To Do In Krabi: Complete Guide

Ao Nang, Krabi is the adventure capital of Thailand. From rock climbing to island hopping to exploring beautiful beaches, it has it all. In this guide, I’ll detail all of the best tours, places to see activities best things to do in Ao Nang, Krabi.

20 THINGS TO DO IN AO NANG, KRABI

In this list, you’ll find some awesome activities and tours starting straight out of Ao Nang, Krabi. An island hopping trip and a kayaking trip are my favorite things to do in Ao Nang.

Four Islands Long-Tail Boat Tour

Before I share my experience of hiking to the Railay Beach Viewpoint. You may want to book yourself onto the most popular boat tours to explore Railay Beach.

The Four Islands Tour is one of the top-rated tours in the region taking you to attractions:

  • Visit Princess Cave at the famous Phra Nang Cave Beach
  • Swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters off Poda Island
  • Enjoy a Thai-style buffet lunch on the beach
  • Sail around the “head” of Chicken Island
  • Walk along the sweeping three-pronged sandbar at Tub and Mor islets
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4 Islands Tour

  • 4 Different Islands
  • Longtail Boat
  • Thai Buffet Lunch

Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Day Tour

Phi Phi Islands is one of the most popular things to do near Ao Nang but it is also one of the must-do activities in Thailand. A speedboat tour to Phi Phi Islands is an awesome day’s adventure for the whole family. The full-day itinerary includes hotel-pick up and drop-off and this is what your day will look like:

  • Take a relaxing trip to one of Krabi’s most well-known destinations — Phi Phi Islands
  • Take a memorable stroll down Maya Beach — where the young Leonardo DiCaprio once played a hopeful Richard in ‘The Beach’
  • Snorkel amidst colorful corals in the underwater field of Monkey Bay
  • Enjoy a convenient trip with hotel pick up, speedboat ride, and a delicious lunch is all taken care of

Book your tour: Phi Phi Islands tour by speedboat

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Phi Phi Speedboat Tour

  • Most popular Krabi Tour
  • Lunch included
  • Amazing scenery

Visit West Railay Beach

West Railay Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area with so many other cool things to do within close proximity. West Railay shares a bay with Ton Sai Beach around the corner and is great for kayaking, sunbathing, and enjoying the stunning backdrop of cliffs. 10-20 small cafes and bars are situated right next to the beach so you are covered for lunch and drinks.

West Railay Beach is a great spot to base yourself for the day as many of the adventures on this list are in the same area. It is also home to a few of the best viewpoints in Ao Nang.

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Koh Hong Day Tour from Krabi by Speed Boat or Long Tail Boat

This tour is an awesome way to see a lot of the best places in just one tour. The snorkeling on this trip is just next level with some of the clearest water in Thailand. The day tour includes the following:

  • See the best of Krabi in less than 7 hours with a fun tour of 4 iconic islands
  • Visit the famous Koh Gai – the Chicken Island and see where it got its nickname for yourself
  • Explore the lesser know tiny islands of Koh Tub and Koh Mor
  • Discover the magnificent Phra Nang Cave beach on the Railway Peninsula

Book your tour: Koh Hong Day tour from Krabi

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Koh Hong Day Tour

  • 4 different Islands
  • Koh Tub & Koh Mor
  • Phra Nang Cave

Elephant Sanctuary Half-Day Tour

  • Enjoy up-close interactions with rescued elephants and hear their rescue stories
  • Assist with the preparation of natural dietary supplements for the elephants
  • Experience the fun of having a mud spa day with the elephants
  • Bathe the elephants and watch them enjoy being cared for

Book your tour: Elephant Sanctuary Half-Day Tour

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Elephant Sanctuary Tour

  • Close-up Interactions
  • Bathe the Elephants
  • Feed the Elephants

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Ao Nang Beach

This beach is a very long stretch of sand with cliffs at either end meaning access is limited to people staying in Ao Nang or requires transport by boat. While it isn’t the most picturesque beach in the region there are a number of reasons why it is a beautiful spot and great for photographers. The sun sets on the horizon, which is great news for sunset lovers.

The other factor that makes the sunset beautiful on Ao Nang Beach is the low tide. As the water recedes away from the shore, it leaves behind a glistening layer of sand. Every night I could, I tried to catch the sunset at Ao Nang Beach hoping for some beautiful colors and one night I got lucky with soft pastel tones allowing me to get creative with my surroundings.

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Similan Islands Day Tour from Krabi

The Similan Islands are some of the most pristine in all of Thailand. The Similan Islands day tour takes you to multiple locations that will blow your mind away with clear waters and beautiful beaches. The itinerary for the Similan Islands day tour is as follows:

  • Snorkel at Stonehenge, named after the towering rocks that rise from depths of 25 meters
  • Explore the lovely island of Koh Miang to enjoy the pristine beach with a delicious Thai lunch
  • Discover the pristine beach at Honeymoon Bay
  • Stroll on the beach and explore the island of Koh Payu
  • Swim at Christmas Point and get a chance to see dolphins in the Andaman Sea

Book your tour: Similan Islands Day Tour from Krabi

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Similan Islands Tour

  • Amazing snorkeling
  • Crystal clear water
  • Dolphins

Phra Nang Cave

A short kayak around the corner from Ao Nang Bech or a 15-minute walk across Railay you will find Phra Nang Beach. A huge islet sits out in the water, which is truly a majestic sight. Paddling out in the ocean beneath this monolithic backdrop was beautiful. Further down the beach, you will find Phra Nang Cave. Inside the cave is a shrine full of…. wooden penises.

This is one of the weirdest activities in Ao Nang, Krabi. Offerings from local people who repay the gods after the things they prayed for, actually happened. Why penises? The sign at the front of the cave tied the offering of penises to the worship of creation among other beliefs. An interesting little piece of culture although quite bizarre!

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Railay Beach Rock Climbing

One of the most popular things to do in Ao Nang, Krabi is to do rock climbing at Railay Beach with an instructor. One partner belays the other, as they try to scale the cliffs. This was common on Phra Nang Beach but there were several sites around the Railay region suitable for rock climbing.  You can choose a half-day or full-day rock-climbing experience at Railay Beach.  

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Railay Beach Rock Climbing

  • Half-day tour
  • Gear-rental included
  • All levels welcome

East Railay Beach

The second time I went to Railay Beach, I walked across to East Railay. This was much busier with longboats dropping off and picking up hotel guests. The beach was nice but more of a mangrove shoreline in some areas. A very picturesque spot but I would suggest Railay West for your out-and-out beach chill day. Railay East is awesome for photos as there are lots of longboats and the cliffs/mangrove trees make for some beautiful scenery in your photos.

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Boossabakorn Spa in Krabi

One of the most popular things to do in Ao Nang, Krabi is to pamper yourself with a massage. After all of that hard kayaking and rock climbing you probably deserve a massage at the very least. Boossabakorn Spa has an incredible reputation in Krabi as being the best spa experience. They will even come and pick you up from your hotel and drop you back after your experience. They offer everything from Thai massage to aromatherapy to the ultimate honeymoon package. To check their services and find a package that suits your needs, you can click below.

Book a package: Boossabakorn Spa in Krabi

Railay Viewpoint East

Very close to Railay East and only a short walk from Railay West is the well-known viewpoint. I didn’t attempt this one but thought it deserved to be on the Ao Nang things to do list as I did have similar views from the other hike. It looked extremely muddy and lots of fun with views of both Railay East and West but I was short of time. There weren’t too many signs directing people to the hike but it was on the path between Phra Nang to Railay East. A large assortment of flip-flops at the base of the walk identified its beginning. The emerging and highly muddied tourists were evidence of the challenging climb. The views on this hike seemed great from the photos I saw but not as good as the hike I did… by mistake! I was looking for this hike and accidentally climbed to a different viewpoint.

Railay viewpoint, Thailand

Railay Viewpoint West

Walk down to the southern end of Railay West, where all the longboats are moored. There are a number of paths that lead up the cliff. Pick the one you like as they all meet up. I came down a different way to how I went up without even knowing. The climb I did was only 20 minutes. The first part of the hike is just climbing and clambering over tree roots but the hike gets gradually steeper and steeper until it becomes vertical. At this point, you are rock climbing, with the aid of ropes, which is a lot of trust to put into a rope because it is a considerable fall down if you slip. There were more ropes from where I decided to stop but I am not sure if the people who go further have more equipment/harnesses etc. I like to push myself but I think I stopped at a good moment as it seemed to get a lot riskier past that point. The view from the top is amazing and you sit in this tiny little cave. I stayed there for an hour, peering down onto my kayak way down below on the beach. I wondered if anyone could see me, I felt on top of the world looking down on paradise. Going down wasn’t too much fun but was a definite adrenaline rush.

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Railay Ladder viewpoint

If you don’t like the idea of the ropes to the viewpoint. Follow all the same directions as the viewpoint above but keep heading west (away from shore along the cliff) instead of climbing up. You will find a ladder that leads to a smaller viewpoint but still has panoramic views of Railay West and Ton Sai Beach. All the ropes and ladders seemed pretty sturdy but always test the steps and ropes before you put your weight on them.

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What are my favorite pieces of travel gear?

There are four pieces of gear that I simply never travel without. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my travel essentials.

  • Packing Cube Set: Once you cube you’ll never go back. Organize your clothes within your luggage with these smart mesh containers. It will revolutionize your packing.
  • Quick-Dry Towel: A quick-dry towel is a must for travelers. It hardly takes up any room and dries in seconds.
  • Travel Wallet: Keep your passport, wallet, and vaccine card safe as well as any forms and important documents you need to store.
  • Grayl GeoPress Water Filter Bottle: I’ve used this for three years. It filters your water with one press and you can drink directly from it. Never buy a plastic water bottle again!

Krabi Mangrove Kayak Trip

One of the best ways to see the attractions of Ao Nang, Krabi is by kayak. The Krabi Mangrove Kayak tour takes you on a guided tour to Ao Thalane Bay. It is one of the most popular activities to do in Ao Nang. 

Book your tour: Krabi Mangrove Kayak Trip

Pai Plong Beach

Although Ao Nang Beach is blocked on either end by steep cliffs, if you walk all the way to the southern end of the beach you will find a wooden boardwalk. I stumbled upon it and decided to go on an adventure. The boardwalk takes you up over the cliff and down into the next bay. A luxurious and remote resort lays claim to the entire bay and you need to check in as you enter the beach with security but it is free to enjoy the ocean and its surroundings.

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Kayak Ao Nang to Railay

For $11 you can rent a kayak and paddle for about an hour to get to Railay and Phra Nang. I explored several islets along the way and had a great time paddling right under the overhang of the cliffs where the longboats cannot fit. It was my favorite adventure of my stay in Ao Nang and I made a short video and blog post about the journey if you think you want to give it a shot.

Longboat cruise

I kayaked to Railay Beach once but for my second visit, I took a longboat, which takes about 15 minutes and costs $5 USD return. The last boat returns to Ao Nang in time for sunset so you can enjoy a full day at Railay for only a few dollars. There are also many longboat journeys to other islands – of which there are many – in the region.

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Emerald Pool

Emerald Pool does cost $5 to get in, but substantial infrastructure in the form of an 800-meter long boardwalk is part of the cost. The water is unbelievably clear. Even where there are leaves and dirt in the water it is still crystal clear. Several different pools along the boardwalk had amazingly clear water but it was the Emerald Pool that everyone had come to see. A naturally bright green pool with a trickling waterfall was a beautiful spot to clean off the mud and relax.

Book your tour: There is a great tour that combines the caves and the Emerald Pool in one awesome day-trip. You can check it out here: Emerald Pool & Cave Tour

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Diamond Caves

On the way to Railay East, we stumbled across the Diamond Caves. For only $3 USD entry we thought it might be worth a look. Wow! A boardwalk leads you inside a stunning cave, which you share with screeching bats that hang from the ceiling. Dripping water and yellow lighting create an eerie atmosphere inside this magical cave that seems like a scene from a movie.

Book your tour: There is a great tour that combines the caves and the Emerald Pool in one awesome day-trip. You can check it out here: Emerald Pool & Cave Tour

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Smoothies and Pancakes

An adventurer has gotta eat! My favorite meal in Ao Nang quickly became a fresh fruit smoothie and a banana crepe/pancake. For $2.50 USD from a cart on the side of the main street, you can’t ask for much more. One of these meals in the morning and I was good to go until lunch. It is meals like this instead of $10 breakfasts that will save you hundreds of dollars a month. They are just as good if not better than eating at a sit-down cafe. Plus I used to buy my breakfast and eat it at the beach. It’s a no brainer if you ask me. So grab yourself a pancake and a smoothie and then attack this list of Ao Nang things to do!

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I hope you enjoyed my round-up of all the best things to do in Ao Nang, Krabi. There’s plenty on the list, so I’m sure these Ao Nang activities will keep you busy.

Where to stay in Ao Nang Krabi

Ao Nang Cliff Beach Resort – Luxury: This resort has rooms all the way up the cliff with views of the entire ocean. The room had a bath on the balcony with sunset views! The infinity pool at Ao Nang Cliff Beach Resort was amazing at sunrise and sunset.

Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang – Value: The Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang has a pool that looks out to the limestone cliffs and it is just the perfect spot for sunset. You will find that this hotel has all of the trimmings, and is 3-star but only $60 for a night.

Link Hostel Ao Nang – Budget: For just $8 a night in a dormitory room you have cheap, budget accommodation. However, you also have a beautiful pool and really modern facilities.

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The 20 Best Things to do in Krabi, Thailand

Sunday 15th of August 2021

[…] Named by Journey Era as one of the best attractions in Krabi, Phra Nang Cave is full of legend, myth, and, somewhat curiously, phallic symbols. Legend has it that if someone carves a lingam and releases it at high tide, it’ll eventually make its way to Phra Nang cave. Whether that explains the hundreds of carved wooden penises decorating the cave, who knows? Either way, they’re there, and they make a very valid, if somewhat bizarre, reason to make the 15-minute walk from Railay to Phra Nang Beach. […]

Christine Brooks

Tuesday 18th of May 2021

Would you suggest booking tours and places to stay ahead of time, or booking once we are there? I've heard from friends who have traveled there that you can get a much better deal for accommodations and tour packages if you book it once your there. Thanks in advance!

Saturday 1st of February 2020

Moc hezky napsané ,zitra se tam přesouváme tak určitě se necháme inspirovat.?

Nick

Sunday 3rd of November 2019

Great blog, are you free to use a drone in thailand? Or are there specific precautions and measures needed to be taken to be aloud to fly? Thanks in advance

Thursday 29th of August 2019

thank you so much for the detailed description of your electronics at the end of the article. im not sure what we all would have done without that very important information!

Nick

Sunday 3rd of November 2019

Thank you so much for your comment, its very usefull