Krabi province has the most dramatic stretch of the Thai mainland coast: limestone cliffs dropping straight onto the sand, and dozens of small islands just offshore. Ao Nang is the main resort town, with the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and tour desks. Railay, around the headland, is cut off from the road network by cliffs and can only be reached by boat.
Railay has four beaches — West Railay, East Railay (mangroves and the main pier), Tonsai (the climbers’ bay) and Phra Nang, a cave-backed beach that regularly appears on lists of the world’s best. Krabi Town, 20 minutes inland, is a working riverside town with a good night market and the ferry pier.
Top things to do: Krabi, Railay & Ao Nang
The 4 Islands
Krabi’s signature longtail trip: Koh Poda, Chicken Island (Koh Kai), the sandbar that links Koh Tup and Koh Mor at low tide (Thale Waek, the “separated sea”), and Phra Nang Beach. It runs as a half or full day from Ao Nang or Railay.
Hong Islands
A group north of Ao Nang in Than Bok Khorani National Park. Koh Hong has a lagoon you enter by boat through a gap in the cliffs, a fine beach, and a 360-degree viewpoint reached by a long staircase.
Climb at Railay
Railay and Tonsai are world-famous for sport climbing on limestone, with hundreds of bolted routes. Local schools run half-day beginner courses with all equipment.
Tiger Cave Temple and the Emerald Pool
Inland, Wat Tham Suea has a staircase of more than 1,200 steps to a summit shrine with a huge view. It is usually paired with a swim in the forest-ringed Emerald Pool and a soak in the Khlong Thom hot-spring waterfall.
How to get to Krabi, Railay & Ao Nang
- By air: Krabi International Airport (KBV) is about 30–40 minutes by road from Ao Nang.
- To Railay: longtails leave from Ao Nang beach (around 10–15 minutes) and from Ao Nam Mao pier, running when they have enough passengers. Expect to wade ashore.
- By sea: ferries and speedboats link Krabi with Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and the Koh Yao islands.
Insider tips
- Longtails to Railay run less often after dark and cost more. Arrive in daylight, with luggage you can carry through shallow water.
- Start the Tiger Cave climb early, carry water and cover shoulders and knees. Keep bags closed — the monkeys are bold.
- Phra Nang Beach is busiest from 10 am to 3 pm when the island tours stop there.
Best tours & tickets for Krabi, Railay & Ao Nang
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see Krabi, Railay & Ao Nang:
Longtail island hopping from €30 Krabi: Premium 4-Island Day Trip by Longtail Boat with Lunch
Krabi’s signature trip and the most-reviewed tour on this site, with more than six thousand ratings. A wooden longtail links four islands and beaches a short hop from Ao Nang, with snorkelling and a picnic lunch.
- Koh Poda, Chicken Island and Phra Nang Beach
- Walk the sandbar between Koh Tup and Koh Mor at low tide
- Thai lunch included; shared or private boat
Speedboat day trip from €70 From Krabi: Phi Phi Early Bird & 4 Islands by Speedboat
An early departure is the single best way to improve a Phi Phi day, and this one has the reviews to prove it: 4.9 from around three and a half thousand travellers. It combines Phi Phi Leh with island stops on the way back to Krabi.
- Early start to reach Maya Bay ahead of the main rush
- Pileh Lagoon swim and snorkelling
- Thai buffet lunch
Guided land tour from €35 Krabi: Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and Hot Springs Tour
Krabi’s best day away from the sea: a forest pool, warm mineral cascades and a staircase of more than 1,200 steps to a summit view over the karst. More than four thousand reviews at 4.8.
- Climb to the summit shrine of Wat Tham Suea
- Swim in the Emerald Pool
- Soak in the Khlong Thom hot-spring waterfall
Guided activity from €42 Krabi: Half-Day Rock Climbing at Railay Beach
Railay is one of the world’s best-known sport-climbing areas, and a half-day course is the easiest way to try it. Rated 4.9 by more than 700 climbers.
- Instructor, rope and all equipment
- Routes for complete beginners
- Morning or afternoon session
