Krabi's beaches offer not just the usual mix of sea and
sand, but also some stunning backdrops. Some of the beaches
are surrounded by huge limestone cliffs, giving the impression
of your own private space. The views out on the horizon
show a vista of tiny islands in the distance, which make
for great day trips and good shallow water snorkelling.
Many of Krabi’s beaches are accessible only by boat
which helps to retain their unspoilt character. This is
the place to simply get on a boat and wander from one perfect
beach to the next……
Ao Nang Beach
Framed by towering limestone cliffs and fringed by palms
and pine trees, Ao Nang is a stunning beach. It’s also
the main place to catch local “longtail” boats
for day trips to nearby islands or other beaches along the
coastline. As Krabi's most developed beach, there’s
a wide range of accommodation including resorts, bungalows
and guesthouses and it’s also the place to check out
adventure tours and diving trips.
If you like to eat well, there's a good choice of restaurants
offering Swiss, Italian, Thai, and Scandinavian food. The
beach is popular with snorkellers and windsurfers, is ideal
for sunbathing and very safe for swimming. A great base
to explore other islands and beaches, or simply stay put
and relax.
Rai Lay Beach
Rai Lay - the original traveller's place is very laid back.
No roads, lots of small bungalows, a few villas for rent,
and a tastefully developed upmarket hotel if you'd prefer
the luxury. Its also the destination for wannabee rock climbers.
Instruction and equipment is available. Small wooden boats
sell snacks and sandwiches so you don't have to walk very
far, otherwise there are small local and inexpensive restaurants
right on the beach. Lots of local taxi boats to take you
from Ao Nang to Rai Lay and also around he coastline for
snorkelling trips or sightseeing.
High season it's busy, but most activities can still be
enjoyed, and monsoon weather changes provide spectacular
views over the ocean. The east side of Rai Lei Beach is
home mostly to mangroves, a few bungalows and local restaurants.
It is also the most convenient spot from which to hail a
boat taxi to Krabi town.
Pra Nang Beach
 Accessible
only by boat, Phra Nang Beach (not to be confused with Ao
Nang around the corner) attracts hedonists, rock climbers,
canoe enthusiasts, snorkellers and artists. Accommodation
here ranges from the prestigious and upmarket Sheraton Rayavadee
Resort to modest fan cooled bungalows. The sheer limestone
mountain which surrounds the beach makes it a popular venue
for both beginners and advanced rock climbers. A couple
of climbing schools offer tuition complete with equipment
if you feel the urge to hang off a ledge or two. For non-climbers,
there's a route in the interior of the cliff, which although
not for the faint hearted, offers exhilarating views of
the offshore islands and drops down into a interior lagoon
fed by the tide far below.
The Princess Cave or Tham
Phra Nang Nok, decorated with symbols of fertility
is another local attraction. The beach can be reached easily
from Ao Nang by regular longtail boats which shuttle back
and forth during the day. Best visited during low season
(April - October) as it gets busy.
Klong Muang Beach
Klong Muang is undisturbed and quiet. with views of the
surrounding islands. It's a very tranquil beach almost available
solely for its exclusive guests and a few fishermen. The
preferred location of Krabi's latest five star luxury hotels
like the new Sheraton and boutique hotels like the Tubkaak,
it's the kind of beach, to just sit and contemplate, especially
at sunset.
The beach seems to go on forever along the coast, with
a small island at one end - home to local seabirds and rockpools
full of life. Dozens of tiny islands lie dotted on the horizon
and to the south, at Laem Ham Nak, is a Royal residence
of the Princess. Unlike Ao Nang it doesn't have the impressive
cliffs immediately towering over the beach, but it does
have powder white sand that stretches into the distance
around three kilometres.
Forget the nightlife, in Klong Muang, it's excellent food,
good company, and a moonlight stroll along the beach, rather
than party time that's on the menu, but then Klong Muang
is maintaining a low profile, which is why the five star
hotels are located there.
Nopparat Thara Beach
Close to Ao Nang beach, Hat
Noppharat Thara is a long sandy beach lined by
casuarina trees. Popular with local Thai picnickers especially
at the weekend. During weekdays it offers lots of shade
and a great retreat.
In the coastal waters off Krabi, lie more than 200 islands,
only some of them inhabited, and many that belong to Hat
Noppharat Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park. These islands
offer reef diving, rock climbing, snorkelling and secluded
beaches. Two noteworthy islands, Ko Poda and Ko Gai (Chicken
Island because of its shape like the neck of a chicken)
can be reached within half an hour by local longtail boat
from Ao Nang Beach. Ko Poda is fringed by clear water and
offers good snorkelling. Ko Gai, twenty minutes to the west,
is also excellent for snorkelling and diving.
The
Phi Phi Islands 
One of southern Thailand's most popular tourist destinations,
the Phi Phi islands are known for their sheer limestone cliffs
and white sandy beaches, often used for film locations. There
are two islands - Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, which lie within
the Hat Noppharat Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park. Regular
ferries run from Krabi town to and Phuket to the islands everyday.
 Phi
Phi Don Island
The larger of the two islands, Phi Phi Don offers picture
postcard beaches, turquoise water and a relaxed beachside
lifestyle. Ton Sai Bay, the main departure/arrival point
has lots of bungalow and chalet accommodation and gets very
busy with day trippers in high season. Worth at least an
overnight stay, here’s plenty to do. The area around
Ton Sai offers music bars, restaurants with both Thai and
European food, and even Thai boxing matches.
From Phi Phi you can take day trips to other local islands,
go diving or charter your own boat to explore the more secluded
beaches. See our section on Phi Phi for more details.
Phi Phi Lay Island
Just south of the larger Phi Phi Don, lies its sister island,
Phi Phi Lay. A small uninhabited island, only six square
kilometres in area, its a marine explorers paradise. Characterised
by rugged, limestone cliffs rising from the sea, the island
has lots of hidden bays concealing tiny pristine beaches.
The exceptionally clear and calm water in these bays teems
with marine life and is ideal for advanced and novice snorkellers.
Also on Phi Phi Lay is a large cave known as the Viking
Cave, which contains ancient cave murals depicting
Viking-like sailing vessels. However these days it is more
famous for the millions of swallows whose gelatinous nests
are prized by Chinese gourmets.
 To
the north of Phi Phi Don lies Koh Yoong Island featuring
2 small beaches and well preserved offshore coral gardens.
Next to Ko Yoong lies Koh Pai Island with small
swimming beaches on the north and east side, and coral gardens
off the south end. [click
here to read more about Phi Phi Islands]
The Lanta Islands
About 53 islands are included in this group, which form the
southernmost district of Krabi Province.
 Koh
Lanta Yai
The largest of the islands, Lanta Yai is a favourite
spot for those seeking peace and solitude. Mountainous and
rugged in some spots, especially near the southern tip,
the island is home to a the Chao Ley, or Sea Gypsies, an
ethnic group who preserve many of their ancient customs
and ceremonies. Some accommodating and services are available,
and the island can easily be reached by ferry from Krabi
Town.
Koh Taleng Beng
Lies in the Lanta district and is similar in shape to
Phi Phi Ley. Swallows also nest at this island which at
low tide features a small beach and tunnel.
Mu Koh Hah
Also in the Lanta area, this group of 5 islands has
some good diving spots.
Koh Ngai, Koh Rock Nai and Koh
Rock Nok
South of Lanta Yai Island, these 3 islands are close
to Trang Province. Koh Ngai is easily accessed via
ferry from Pak Meng Beach, others are accessed by hired
boat and feature both beaches and coral gardens.
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