Beach Guide To Krabi, Thailand

The Krabi district, on the west coast of mainland Thailand, is a mecca for beach-lovers from all over the world. With great transport connections, it boasts some of the most accessible and most beautiful beaches in the country. You can fly into Krabi airport, or take a cheap long-haul bus from any main Thai city. It also offers good ferry connections to Phuket and the nearby Ko Phi Phi.

The main beach in the region is Ao Nang, a few minutes’ drive from Krabi town. With picturesque beach-bars and a handful of classy restaurants, Ao Nang is for you if want to treat yourself. With soft sand and clear water, it’s easy to while away the days in this fun, popular retreat. Krabi is home to some of Thailand’s most dramatic limestone cliffs, so the views from Ao Nang are spectacular. During the peak season, however, Ao Nang can feel a little crowded and overdeveloped.

Rock-climbing on Krabi’s Beaches

If Ao Nang starts to feel too commercial, you should hire a long-tail boat and head south to Railey (or Rai Leh) Beach. Railey is only accessible by sea, but remains popular amongst tourists. By far the biggest attraction is the rock-climbing: Railey Beach is world-famous amongst climbing fanatics. But if the sight of towering cliffs turns your knees to jelly, Railey Beach also offers some nice bars, a few good hotels, and plenty of room to sunbathe. Climbers should hire their gear from the adventure centers along the beach-front, but only the experienced should climb without a guide. Easy-going beginners courses are also available, if you feel the need to get in shape after too much beach-lounging.

A visit to the island of Ko Lanta, south of Krabi town, is a good way to escape the tourist trail. Ko Lanta does not boast the dramatic landscape of neighbouring beaches, but it does have some small, pleasant hotels, and a few beautiful deserted beaches. The traditional Thai way of life has not been swallowed up by western tourism, and fishing remains one of the main industries on the island. Ko Lanta is also home to one of Thailand’s largest clans of Sea Gypsies, or Chao-Ley. Krabi is one of the few districts where you can still observe this fascinating culture, clinging on to their ancient lifestyle on the beaches of Ko Lanta. So whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a culture-vulture, the unique and varied beaches of Krabi have something for you.