The best things to do in Krabi are a day on Railay and Phra Nang Cave Beach, a longtail Four Islands or Hong Islands tour, the climb up Tiger Cave Temple, a swim at the Emerald Pool and hot springs, and kayaking through the mangroves. Base yourself in Ao Nang and allow 3-4 days.
"Krabi" means three different things to travellers: the province, the small riverside capital of Krabi Town, and the beach area of Ao Nang, where most visitors actually stay. What ties them together is the scenery: hundreds of limestone towers rising straight out of the Andaman Sea, mangrove rivers, jungle-backed beaches and dozens of islands a short boat ride offshore.
Krabi is smaller and more relaxed than Phuket, with less nightlife and fewer big resorts, and that is exactly its appeal. Plan three to four days to cover Railay, an island tour, one inland day and some time on the beach. Ao Nang is the most practical base because nearly every boat trip leaves from its beach or from nearby Nopparat Thara pier; our guide to where to stay in Krabi compares the areas in detail.
The best sea conditions are from November to April. In the May to October monsoon, longtail trips still run on calm days, but waves can cancel island tours and the Railay boats. Inland sights such as the Emerald Pool and Tiger Cave Temple are good year-round. See the best time to visit Thailand.
Railay is attached to the mainland but cut off by cliffs, so you can only get there by boat. Longtails leave from the ticket booth on Ao Nang beach (about 100-150 THB per person each way, 15 minutes, boats go once around eight passengers are ready) and from Ao Nam Mao pier. Go for the day or, better still, stay a night.
The islands off Krabi are closer and calmer than many of Phuket's, and longtail boats make trips affordable. Tours typically include hotel pick-up, lunch, snorkel gear and a guide; national park fees are usually paid separately in cash.
| Tour | What you see | Typical price | Park fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four Islands (longtail) | Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island sandbar, Phra Nang Cave Beach | 400-700 THB (speedboat 1,000-1,500 THB) | 400 THB |
| Hong Islands | Enclosed emerald lagoon, Koh Hong viewpoint, snorkelling | 1,200-2,500 THB | 300 THB |
| Phi Phi Islands | Maya Bay viewpoint, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island | 1,500-3,000 THB | 400 THB |
| Seven Islands sunset tour | Four Islands plus bioluminescent plankton swim after dark | 1,000-1,800 THB | 400 THB |
The Four Islands tour is the classic half-day: at low tide you can walk the sandbar that links Tup Island with Chicken Island. The Hong Islands trip is quieter and the lagoon, ringed by cliffs, is spectacular in the morning light. For Phi Phi, remember that Maya Bay closes each year from about 1 August to 30 September and swimming there is not permitted. If you would rather stay on the islands than visit for a day, ferries run from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta; see our island-hopping routes.
Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple), about 10 km north of Krabi Town, is known for its punishing staircase: more than 1,200 steep steps to a golden seated Buddha and a gilded chedi on the summit, with 360-degree views over the karsts and the sea. Allow 40-90 minutes to climb. Go at opening (around 6-7am) or late afternoon to avoid the heat, carry water, cover shoulders and knees, and keep food out of sight, as wild macaques live on the hill. Entry is free. The temple complex at the bottom, with its cave shrines and forest paths, is worth a wander too; read our temple etiquette guide before visiting.
Krabi Town is a working provincial capital rather than a resort, and it is pleasantly local. Take a longtail from Chao Fa pier to the twin limestone towers of Khao Khanab Nam at the river mouth, walk the riverside promenade, visit the white-and-gold Wat Kaew Korawaram, and eat at the weekend night market (Friday to Sunday evenings) near the pier, where plates cost 40-100 THB.
A day inland is the perfect break from boats, and a good plan on a choppy day.
Krabi is a good place to learn to dive: several schools in Ao Nang run open water courses (typically 13,000-16,000 THB over three to four days) and fun dives around Koh Phi Phi, Bida Nok and the Koh Ha islands, where visibility can reach 20-30 metres in the dry season. Snorkellers get the best water on the Hong Islands and Phi Phi trips; the Four Islands reefs are shallower and busier.
You will see wildlife without paying for it: monitor lizards in the mangroves, hornbills around Railay, dusky langurs on the cliffs and macaques at Tiger Cave Temple. Do not feed monkeys, and skip any tour that offers elephant rides, elephant bathing with chains in sight, tiger photos or monkey shows. If seeing elephants matters to you, choose an observation-only sanctuary; there are several in the province, and the principles are the same as anywhere in Thailand.
Also tread lightly on the reefs: use reef-safe sunscreen or a rash vest, never stand on coral and take your rubbish home from the islands, which are all national park land.
Krabi's evenings are easy-going. In Ao Nang, the Ao Nang Landmark night market and the stalls near the beach road serve pad thai, grilled seafood and roti for 50-150 THB. Seafood restaurants along the beach let you pick your fish by weight; agree the price per kilo first. Railay East has a strip of reggae bars and fire shows, and the Krabi Town weekend market is the most local food scene in the area. Try southern Thai specialities such as gaeng som (sour yellow curry), khua kling (dry spicy minced meat) and fresh khanom jeen rice noodles with curry. A Thai massage costs about 300-400 THB an hour.
Krabi International Airport is about 30-40 minutes from Ao Nang; a shared shuttle costs around 150 THB per person and a private taxi about 600-800 THB (roughly 16-21 EUR). Buses and minivans link Krabi with Phuket (two to three hours), Koh Lanta and Surat Thani, and ferries run to Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Phuket. Compare options on our transport tickets page.
Around Ao Nang, white songthaews run along the coast and into Krabi Town for about 50-60 THB. Grab works, and scooters rent for 200-300 THB a day, but only ride with a valid motorcycle licence and a helmet.
Ready to book? Compare hotels in Krabi with live prices.
Three to four days is ideal: one for Railay, one for an island tour, one inland for the Emerald Pool or kayaking, and time for Tiger Cave Temple and the beach. Add more if you want to climb or relax.
Take a longtail boat from the ticket booth on Ao Nang beach. It costs about 100-150 THB per person each way, takes around 15 minutes and leaves once enough passengers have gathered.
The Four Islands tour is the classic and cheapest half-day option, with the Tup Island sandbar and Phra Nang Cave Beach. The Hong Islands tour is quieter and has a spectacular enclosed lagoon.
November to April has calm seas and the most reliable weather for boat trips. The May to October monsoon brings rain and some cancelled tours, but lower prices and a greener landscape.
Krabi is quieter and has more dramatic limestone scenery, while Phuket has more beaches, nightlife and flights. They are two to three hours apart, so many travellers visit both.