Things to do in Krabi: 5 fun activities
Krabi is a relatively small province in Southern Thailand, located opposite Phuket across the Andaman Sea. The most popular and convenient place to stay in Krabi is Ao Nang. Its central location makes it easy to visit many of the beautiful places in the surrounding area. You will also find plenty of lovely hotels and good restaurants here.
Krabi is quieter than Phuket and is perfect for nature lovers. Curious about all the differences between the two destinations? Read our complete Phuket vs Krabi comparison.
Go island hopping from Krabi
One of the best things to do in Krabi is hire a private long-tail boat or speedboat and explore the islands around the province. A popular option is an island-hopping tour that visits several beautiful places in one day. Our tour first stopped at Pakbia Island, followed by Koh Lao Lading. Koh Lao Lading is an incredible little island surrounded by tall limestone cliffs, palm trees and traditional long-tail boats. It looked exactly like the tropical Thailand we had imagined before our trip.
Afterwards, we sailed through Hong Lagoon, where you may even spot monitor lizards swimming in the water. We ended the day at the larger island of Koh Hong, which is a beautiful place for snorkelling. Most island tours take up a large part of the day. A traditional lunch on a quiet or secluded beach is often included along the way.
Treat yourself to a massage
Thailand is, of course, known for its excellent and affordable massages. A massage in Krabi may not be very different from one elsewhere in Thailand, but it is the perfect activity when you are spending a few relaxing days in the area. Many hotels offer massages, but you will also find plenty of massage salons throughout Ao Nang. It is a great way to relax after a long day of island hopping, swimming or hiking.
Visit Railay Beach and its limestone cliffs
Railay Beach is located on a peninsula next to Ao Nang, but it can only be reached by boat.
Boats travel between Ao Nang and Railay Beach throughout the day. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes, making Railay an easy half-day or full-day trip from Ao Nang.
Once you arrive, you will find a beautiful, long beach surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs. With traditional long-tail boats floating in the water, the scenery is truly spectacular.
Railay Beach is a great place to swim, snorkel or simply enjoy a drink at one of the restaurants near the beach.
Climb to the best viewpoint in Krabi
While visiting Railay Beach, you can also climb to the Railay Viewpoint. This is a short but steep hike that rewards you with a beautiful view across the peninsula. Although the trail is not very long, it is challenging in places. You will need to scramble up steep sections and use ropes to pull yourself higher.Wearing proper shoes is strongly recommended. Attempting the climb in flip-flops can make the route considerably more difficult and unsafe.
Large parts of the trail can also become muddy. We recommend only climbing to the viewpoint when it has not recently rained and when no rain is expected during your hike.
The descent can become extremely slippery after rainfall, increasing the risk of falling. Even in dry weather, the clay and mud may make your shoes dirty, so this is probably not the best occasion to wear your newest pair.
Watch a fire show
You can find fire shows in many parts of Thailand, but watching one while having dinner beside the sea is still a memorable experience. Reeve Beach Club in Ao Nang organises evening fire shows on the beach. Try to reserve a table with a view of the sea, so you have a good spot to watch the performance while enjoying your food and drinks. Show schedules can change, so check the current times directly with the venue before visiting.
Best time to visit Krabi
Krabi can be visited throughout the year. However, the period from November to March is generally considered the best time to visit. These months fall within the drier season, and temperatures usually feel slightly cooler and more comfortable. We have also visited Krabi several times in July and August. Despite travelling during the wetter season, we rarely experienced much rain. It was noticeably warmer and more humid, though. The weather can vary from year to year, so travelling during the rainy season does not necessarily mean it will rain all day. However, boat trips may occasionally be changed or cancelled when sea conditions are poor.
Where to stay in Krabi
Ao Nang is generally the best place to stay in Krabi Province, especially during a first visit.
It is conveniently located for taking half-day and full-day trips to attractions and islands in the surrounding area. The town is also well set up for visitors, with a wide selection of hotels, restaurants and tour operators. Staying in Ao Nang makes it easy to book island tours, travel to Railay Beach and explore other parts of Krabi.
How many days do you need in Krabi?
Because Krabi and Ao Nang are not particularly large, you do not need to spend several weeks here to see the main attractions. Of course, you certainly can stay longer if you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday. However, three to four days will give you enough time to visit many of the best places in Krabi and the surrounding area. During that time, you can take an island-hopping tour, visit Railay Beach, climb to the viewpoint, relax with a massage and enjoy an evening in Ao Nang.
