Krabi, on Thailand’s Andaman coast, is the place where giant limestone cliffs rise straight out of turquoise water. It’s a destination for island-hopping by longtail boat, rock climbing on sea cliffs, snorkelling in clear bays and, inland, swimming in jungle pools. Many visitors base themselves at Ao Nang beach, which has easy boat links to the most famous sights.
Island-hopping by longtail boat
The classic Krabi day out is on a longtail boat, the narrow wooden boats with a long propeller shaft that line up along Ao Nang beach. You can hire one privately or join a group tour, and many trips combine several islands in one day.
Koh Hong
About an hour by longtail from Ao Nang, Koh Hong is part of Than Bok Khorani National Park. Its secret is a lagoon hidden inside a ring of cliffs, reached through a narrow gap in the rock by kayak or longtail when the tide is right. The water inside is clear and shallow, and the silence is striking. Go early, before the speedboat tours arrive.
The Phi Phi Islands
Many visitors don’t realise that the Phi Phi Islands belong to Krabi province. Day tours by speedboat take in bays, viewpoints and snorkelling spots, and ferries run from Krabi’s Klong Jilad pier if you’d like to stay a night or two.
Railay: a climbing playground reached by boat
Railay is a small peninsula cut off from the mainland by limestone cliffs, so there are no roads; you arrive by longtail, about 15 minutes from Ao Nang. It is one of Southeast Asia’s classic climbing destinations, with routes for complete beginners through to experts, and local climbing schools run introductory sessions so no experience is needed. Even if you don’t climb, the walk to Phra Nang Cave Beach, with its cliffs rising from the sand and a small cave shrine, is worth it.
Talay Waek: the “separated sea”
Talay Waek (also written Thale Waek) means “the sea that parts”. At low tide a sandbar appears to link three small islands, Koh Tub, Koh Mor and Koh Kai (often called Chicken Island because of its rocky outline), and you can walk across what looks like a path through the sea. The area is part of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and lies about 15 to 20 minutes by boat from Ao Nang. Tours are timed to the tides, so departure times change from week to week.
Inland Krabi: Emerald Pool and the hot spring waterfall
Krabi isn’t only about the sea. Two popular inland sights lie in Khlong Thom district, roughly an hour to an hour and a half by road from Krabi Town, and are often visited together on a half-day or day trip.
- Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) is a clear, jade-green pool in the forest of Thung Teao Forest Natural Park. It’s reached by an 800-metre path or a longer boardwalk trail through the trees. Swimming is allowed, but the edges are slippery. Arrive around 8 to 9am, before the crowds. The smaller Blue Pool is a short walk further on.
- Khlong Thom Hot Spring Waterfall is a series of low rock tiers where naturally warm water flows into shallow pools. The water is hottest near the source, so move between pools to find a comfortable temperature, and don’t soak for too long.
The two sites are run separately, so expect to buy a ticket for each.
When to go
The dry season, roughly November to April, brings calm seas and the best conditions for boat trips and climbing. From May to October the south-west monsoon can make the sea rough; some boat trips are cancelled and wet rock is unsuitable for most climbers. The upside is greener scenery and fewer crowds.
Good to know
- National park fees apply at many islands and are not always included in tour prices, so ask before you book.
- Tide times matter for the Koh Hong lagoon and Talay Waek; good operators plan around them.
- Longtail boats stop running around sunset, so don’t miss the last boat back from Railay.
- Protect the reefs: don’t stand on or touch coral, and don’t feed the fish.
- Bring cash, a dry bag and reef-friendly sunscreen.
Summary
Krabi combines dramatic limestone scenery with easy adventure: lagoons and sandbars by longtail boat, climbing at Railay, and jungle pools inland. For more planning help, see our Krabi travel guide, or combine your trip with neighbouring Phuket. For a quieter stretch of southern coast, take a look at Chumphon.
