Postcard-perfect Krabi is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Southern Thailand and it’s easy to see why… it’s my favorite destination in Thailand! The diversity of surrounding nature is astounding, from towering limestone cliffs rising out of the ocean to pristine jungle landscapes, miles of stunning beaches, natural hot springs, mangrove forests, delicious food, and more. The adventures and beaches Krabi offers are incredible.
How to Get to Krabi
You can fly to Krabi from Bangkok or take a ferry or bus from Phuket. However, we recommend renting a car and driving from Phuket to Krabi. It’s an easy and scenic drive, with much to see along the way. Plus, you’ll have a car to get to the various attractions in and around Krabi.
INSIDER TIP: Ready to try a road trip abroad? It’s easy! This International Driver’s License covers 150 countries! Get it in 8 minutes!
When to Visit Krabi
The weather in the South of Thailand can be unpredictable; the best time to visit is between November and April. December and March are dry and warm, but it is also the high season. We visited in November which is considered shoulder season and we had near-perfect weather and manageable crowds.
Although the best times to visit Krabi are between November and April, if you have to visit during another season, there’s enough to keep anyone occupied all year round.
Here are my ten favorite adventures and beaches Krabi has to offer, as well as some island-hopping day trips.
10 Thai Massage
Thai massage combines compression, acupressure, stretching, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and “assisted” yoga postures. These increase the range of motion in your joints and muscles. This can also improve your posture.
Many people love them and consider them one of the best things to do in Thailand because they are so cheap. I hate them. I had one on my first trip to Thailand in 2007 and will never have another. It hurt so much that I literally held my breath and prayed for it to be over. True story.
9 Night Markets
Like every city in Thailand, Krabi has several fantastic night markets. Krabi Town has the Weekend Night market which is considered the best. With over seventy food stalls, this is your chance to sample a wide range of authentic Thai street food, gorge on the ever-famous pad Thai or pick up some unique and cheap souvenirs.
We were not in Krabi on the weekend, but we loved going out every night at the Ao Nang Market where we were staying. This colorful and vibrant market was my favorite market, and I did purchase (too many) souvenirs such as swimsuits and cover-ups. The prices and variety were amazing – but be forewarned, they run small.
8 Fossil Graveyard
On your way back from the hot springs day trip (#2 below), we stop to visit the fascinating ancient Susaan Hoi, aka Fossil Shell Beach. The Gastropod fossil site is apparently one of only three of its kind (one in Japan and another in the U.S.) and is the only coastal shell fossil site in the world. The fossilized shells are said to date back somewhere between 40 million years to over 75 million years. Limestone deposits in the surrounding water covered shellfish and snails and fossilized them, distributing them in great broken sheets on the seashore. From afar, they look like broken chunks of cement flooring.
7 Krabi Town
Krabi Town has not changed or jumped through the proverbial hoops to accommodate tourists’ demands. It’s pretty laid-back and authentic, although there’s not too much to do or see other than the Weekend Market.
There is a river running through the town with fishing boats bringing in their daily catches to local restaurants. There are also river taxis that take people to the pier on the west side.
It’s worth spending a day in Krabi Town. On the day we were there, there was a sudden downpour, making it necessary to seek shelter. We found a multi-level store on the main street where I did some retail therapy.
The highlight and must-see in town is Wat Kaew Korawaram, a beautiful white temple that sits at the top of a hill overlooking the town. You can climb the golden snake staircase to go inside where you’ll find a large golden Buddha and murals on the inside walls.
6 Wat Tham Sua
Wat Tham Sua aka ‘Tiger Cave” is one of the most famous caves in the area, located near Krabi Town. It’s part of a temple complex where monks live and worship within a maze of natural caves surrounded by lush jungle. Legend has it that a tiger once lived in the cave which is where the name of the temple originated. Inside one of the caves is what appears to be tiger paw prints embedded in the stone.
If you feel up to the physical challenge, climb 1272 steps to the top of the Tiger Cave Temple for spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the valley of Krabi, the “footprint of the Buddha,” and the giant golden Buddha statue. Make sure to bring plenty of water!
5 Ao Nang Beach
Ao Nang Beach is the main beach town in Krabi. It doesn’t have the prettiest beach in the area, but it is a lot of fun and the best place to stay. It has a lively atmosphere with many chilled-out bars, street food, and a large variety of more upscale (though still inexpensive) restaurants.
We stayed in this charming beach town and loved the convenient location and the bohemian vibe. It’s definitely one of the best places to stay in Krabi and just a five-minute walk to the beach where you can get a longtail boat to Railay Beach or book other tours.
4 Emerald Pool
About an hour’s drive from Ao Nang, the Emerald Pool is a shimmering green mineral lagoon spot surrounded by a lush forest with a wooden walking track located in the hung Teao Forest Natural Park.
The park is a lowland forest rich in biodiversity, wildlife, waterfalls, and a nature trail.
The placid, crystal clear bright green waters are fun to swim in but it’s deep and cold. Luckily, for someone like me who is not a great swimmer, there’s a rope you can hold on to.
3 Phra Nang Beach
Having been voted as one of the ten most beautiful beaches Krabi offers as well as in the world, you won’t want to miss Pha Nang Beach on your trip to Krabi. You can arrive directly by longtail boat from Ao Nang or, as we did, take the incredibly beautiful walk through the cave nature path from Railay Beach. The landscape is nothing short of jaw-dropping, with warm water, sea caves, and massive limestone karsts hugging the coast.
The natural rock formations across from the beach make it a perfect adventure playground for both novice and experienced climbers.
Phra Nang Shrine, across from the beach, is the quirkiest attraction in Krabi. The infamous “fertility” cave is filled with donated carved phallic-shaped offerings of all sizes and colors.
2 Klong Thom Hot Springs
A visit to the Klong Thom Hot Springs was one of my favorite things to do in Krabi! Located in the jungle near the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, I loved the stunning environment surrounding the all-natural warm mineral salt springs made from volcanic chambers, including small cascading waterfalls, rainforests, and a gorgeous overlook of the river below. The water originates deep underground in volcanic chambers and creates the thermal springs.
Although scientifically unproven, many believed, the mineral salts in the spring water have beneficial effects such as skin disorders, rheumatism, and sciatica. Soaking in the naturally-carved bathtubs was so relaxing and I could have stayed for hours. And…. Much more to my liking than a Thai massage!
We created a nice day trip to the Emerald Pool, Klong Thom Hot Springs, and Shell Fossil Beach.
1 Railay Beach
Railay is an entire peninsula of magical beaches, the highlight of which is Railay Beach. Arguably, not only is this the most majestic beach of Krabi, but of all of Thailand – and that’s saying something because Thailand has a ton of outstanding beaches!
Reachable only by boat due to the large cliffs on each side cutting it off from the mainland, Railay Beach is the stuff dreams are made of…lush limestone cliffs resting on golden sands and crystal-clear emerald water. This postcard-perfect beach is arguably as gorgeous as Koh Phi Phi but without the hordes of tourists.
Railay Beach was certainly the highlight of Krabi. Our longtail boat landed on Railay West, this is the prettiest and most Instagram-worthy golden-sand and emerald water beach surrounded by jaw-dropping limestone cliffs rising out of the water.
A short walk across the peninsula and you’ll reach Railay East – another beach (although not as pretty) with a floating pier that gets wild when the waves are rough.
You can spend a fantastic day on Railay; West Beach is lined with beach bars to grab a bite to eat.
Krabi Tours
Nearby Islands
Phang Nga Bay
The body of water between Krabi and Phuket is called Phang Nga Bay, and it is one of the most breathtaking destinations in all of Thailand. Many compare it to Vietnam’s famous Halong Bay.
Over 100 towering limestone karst “islands” jut precariously out of the jewel-green bay casting a surreal – almost otherworldly – vista. 65-foot tall Khao Ping Gan is the most famous of these craggy outcroppings because it provided the backdrop for the James Bond iconic film Man with the Golden Gun.
Most visitors to Phang Nga Bay opt for boat tours so that they can see as many of these formations as possible, but sea kayaking is also a fun way to discover the bay. You’ll want a local guide to escort your canoe through the mysterious waters laden with hongs (sea caves) pristine wildlife mangroves, and unspoiled rivers. Along the way, you can stop to take a dip in the warm waters of a deserted lagoon, interact with wild monkeys at the edge of the formations, and weave in and out of the caves and chambers – some of which can only be entered at low tide, and even then you’ll have to lie flat in your kayak inching your through.
Trekking, rafting, rock climbing, snorkeling, and fishing are also attractions of Phang Nga Bay.
Phi Phi Islands
Navigating 90 minutes west by ferry from Krabi and you will arrive at the magnificent Phi Phi Islands. The archipelago is made up of six islands offering jaw-dropping beaches, crystal turquoise lagoons, longtail boats, vibrant reefs, sea caves, and monkeys.
Don’t miss Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Leh, the remote cove where the utopia seaside scenes in the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach were filmed. The shimmering turquoise water juxtaposed against the surrounding sentinel cliffs makes it one of the most stunning beaches in the world. Visitors can go snorkeling, scuba diving, rock climbing, or just sit on the beach and admire this extreme tropical paradise. Close by is the sister island, Phi Phi Don has a festive atmosphere with a restaurant with a very nice buffet lunch.
Phuket
Phuket, dubbed “the Pearl of the Andaman,” is the largest and most well-known of the islands in the Andaman Sea on Thailand’s southern peninsula. Once undeveloped, Phuket has been transformed into a hub for tourism. Hosting leafy jungles, white sand beaches fringed by swaying palms, breathtaking atolls, and limestone cliffs, this paradise offers myriad activities, or opportunities to just bask in luxury. The idyllic climate of this exotic paradise makes it a popular “bucket list” destination.
Phuket is popular for its 30+ exotic white-sand beaches. From quiet and remote to lively and crowded to famous Instagram spots, there’s a beach for every kind of traveler.
Old Phuket Town is quite colorful and charming. Thalang Road, Phangnga Road, and Soi Romanee are lined with pastel 19th-century shophouses and Sino-Portuguese buildings. Walking is the best way to explore it, stopping for photos, coffee, a trinket, or a sarong.
Built in 1903 by a wealthy tin merchant, the Baan Chinpracha mansion has Italian floor tiles, shuttered windows, and antique furniture. Set in a 1930s manor, the Thai Hua Museum has exhibits on Phuket’s culture and history.
Do not miss Phuket Big Buddha — a large seated Maravija Buddha statue situated atop Nakkerd Hill with panoramic views.
What to Eat in Krabi
The food in southern Thailand is a delightful fusion of Chinese, Malaysian, and Thai influences.
- Pad Thai – traditional rice noodles with shrimp, peanuts, scrambled egg, bean sprouts, and vegetables, fried in a wok.
- Satay – skewered meat
- Khao Mok Gai – turmeric-infused yellow rice and chicken
- Seafood – crab, fish, shrimp, squid
- Moo Hong – stewed pork belly
- Khao Mok Gai – yellow rice and chicken
- Kua Kling – spicy dry curry
Conclusion
Thanks to its rugged, tropical, and jungle terrain, Krabi beckons all who are looking for adventure along with beach lovers. It’s a place we thoroughly enjoyed and one of the few places in Asia that we would return again.
Most photos by Kary Kern.
Click below to PIN so you can find adventures & beaches Krabi again:
This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer.
About the Author
Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the new few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
Leave a reply