Krabi Tours

This is a popular tour, operating out of Nopparat Thara, just north of Ao Nang. A minivan will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the riverside headquarters of the tour company where you can watch a promotional video as the boatmen ready the vessel then it's straight off to Phra Nang Beach to visit the lingam shrine to a local deity.

Chicken Island is another stopover, followed by spectacular snorkelling surrounded by tropical fish and over gorgeous coral. Lunch is served at Tub Island while Poda Island plays the host for a longer stopover. In reality a three-island-one-beach tour, but no one seems to mind. (Read more...)

This tour goes first to visit Phi Phi Leh, the smaller of the two islands, and to Maya Bay, location of Hollywood's 'The Beach'. Then it's off to the bigger island of Phi Phi Don with its beautiful twin crescent beaches.

There will be plenty of free time for sunbathing and swimming so remember to pack your towel and swimming costume, as well as sunblock. Travelling time (60 minutes) is less than taking the ferry but the ride is a little bumpier. Your hotel pick up time is generally 08:00 and you will be returned to your accommodation at approx 16:30. (Read more...)

The Krabi coastline is dotted with caves ('hongs' in Thai) and the best way to explore them is by paddling sea kayaks – a relatively easy enough vessel to handle. You will be driven to a point of departure where a quick and basic lesson in manoeuvring the vessel is given. Then away you go along with experienced guides (who handle the paddling) to ensure your safety and to show you where the best locations to explore are.

Expect to see sea eagles, plenty of fish, macaque monkeys and a whole raft of exotic creatures. 08:30 pick up, back at Ao Nang Beach by 16:00. (Read more...)

Ao Nang has quite a selection of scuba diving courses and daytrips and the islands off the lower Krabi coastline are simply wonderful places to dive and to explore the wonders of tropical marine life. In many hotels you can 'try a dive' in your pool, or dive shops offer one-day 'try a dive' trips.

Many people go on to take the PADI Open Water Diver course which is a four-day course that combines some theory with practical experience (around six dives). Day trips and overnight excursions can easily be arranged through the multitude of dive shops around Krabi year-round, with late October to mid-May being peak season. (Read more...)

You can also charter a seaplane to see the sights from on high if you're that way inclined. It may take a couple of days to organise but it is well worth the wait to get to see that luscious coastline, turquoise sea and verdant limestone mountains from the air.

Railay Beach is the epicentre of organised rock climbing in this area, or how about an elephant trekking tour? (Read more...)