Ao Nang

Ao Nang is located approximately 6 kilometers from Hat Noppharat Thara and 20 kilometers from the town of Krabi. A large bay with scenic beaches and 83 small islands, Ao Nang has several famous beaches which include East Railay, West Railay and Tham Phra Nang (cave) which stretches to the foot of a prominent limestone range. A boat from Ao Nang Village can be hired for sightseeing excursions around Ao Nang, Hat Tham Phra Nang and Hat Nam Mao, all of which are only accessible by foot. Other offshore isles such as Koh Poda, Koh Kai, Koh Mo and Koh Thap, are popular destinations that can be reached by a rented boat from Ao Nang. An abundance of colorful coral reefs and lovely cartoon fishes make these islands ideal for diving and snorkeling.Ao Nang has recently emerged as a 5-star tourist attraction due to its numerous 4-5 star hotels and boutique resorts complete with facilities such as diving shops and rental boats. Popular activities include sightseeing by canoe along the beachfront and paddling tours by inflatable canoes or kayaks of the coast and its mangrove forests, islands and semi-submerged caves.

Railay Bay

This beach is generally divided into two sections, east and west. West Railay provides visitors with peace and quiet as it is a broad sandy beach with fewer facilities than Ao Nang. East Railay which lies across the peninsula from West Railay is different from other beaches in the area as it could actually be classified as a mud flat, especially during low tide. In addition to remarkable views and mangrove forests to the north of the beach, the main attraction for visitors to Hat Railay is the adrenaline pumping activity of cliff climbing. The limestone cliffs on the huge headland between Hat Railay East and Tham Phra Nang, as well as other nearby islands provide world-class rock climbing facilities against a stunning backdrop of the sea with approximately 700 sport routes of mid to high difficulty ratings.

Krabi Town

Krabi Town is a pleasant place to spend a few days sight-seeing before heading out to one of the local beaches or islands. Surrounded by spectacular limestione karst scenery and mangrove and monsoon forest it offers the nature lover a huge choice of day trips. Visit any of the forest parks or take a day trip out to the nearby Pha Nga bay to see strangely shaped mountains rising out of the sea above traditional Muslim fishing villages on stilts. History seekers will not be disappointed either with a large number of old wats (temples) in the area including the famous Tiger cave Temple. See day trip links for further information Krabi Town itself offers the visitor a vast range of accommodation and eating options and shopping needs; from the colourful local markets to modern department stores like Vogue, plus everything in between. It is the best place to base yourself to visit this truly beautiful part of Thailand. Krabi town has a lot to offer, especially during the high season when you might wish to escape the crowds and the expense of the beaches and islands and stay a while in this charming town. Krabi is just a short boat ride from the beaches of Railay and it is even possible to visit Koh Phi Phi on a day trip so why not base yourself here and experience a bit more authentic Thai culture. There are many hotels and guest houses here where you can still get a room for a100 Baht or 200 Baht even when the beaches are expensive and full.

Klong Muang Beach

Krabi's latest beach destination, Muang Klong is aiming upmarket with 5 star and boutique hotels like the Sheraton Krabi Resort, the Nakamanda and the Tubkaak Resort located here. 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 3 kilometres. Klong Muang is undisturbed - almost available solely for its exclusive guests and a few fishermen. 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. It's the kind of beach, to just sit and contemplate, especially at sunset. Dozens of tiny islands lie dotted on the horizon and to the south, at Laem Ham Nak, is a Royal residence of the Princess. The local village at the back of the beach is still in its infancy with a few shops, including the obligatory tailor's shop and a handful of restaurants. Nightlife is minimal, if you want loud music, head into Ao Nang. In Klong Muang, it's excellent food, good company, and a moonlight stroll along the beach, rather than a vibrant nightlife that's on the menu, but then Klong Muang is maintaining a low profile, which is why the five star hotels are located there.

Tubkaak Beach

Tubkaak Beach is away from the busy crowds of Ao Nang an north of Klong Muang, just 30 km. from Krabi town, this lovely duvet soft sandy beach overlooks the stunning Koh Hong Islands. The beach merges into the cool Kao Hang Nak Natural Forest in the interior and is one of the most tranquil places in Krabi. You can get a closer look on a daytrip around the islands.

Ao Nam Mao

Ao Nam Mao (often spoken as Ao Nam Mao or Anamao) stretches from shell fossil beach to the south side of Ao Nang. Boats can be taken from the pier here to Railey East beach. The beach at Ao Nam Mao is as yet, pretty much undeveloped. The high class Amatapura development is on the beach. The inland area of Ao Nam Mao actually borders onto Ao Nang and has become popular for residential villa developments, most of them are fairly small scale however a larger development of 20 or so villas and a lot of shop houses has been announced on the main road between Ao Nang and Ao Nam Mao. In all areas of Ao Nam Mao, apart from the beach itself, there are lots of plots of land available for sale. It won't be long before Ao Nam Mao and Ao Nang actually merge.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta lied on the west coast of Andaman Sea in between Krabi and Phi Phi Island . Large Size Island with 6 km wide and over 30 kms long, 9 beaches lie from north to south along the sunset coast. Stunning scenery, fantastic white sandy beaches, coastlines have more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest, coral reefs and under water life. Exposed to the Tsunami hit southern Thailand , Koh Lanta got very little physical affected. She has been quietly recovering with most hotels operating normally. Koh Lanta was very fortunate in that no damage occurred to the natural scenic beauty. All the beaches remain as beautiful as ever. All dive sites did not suffer in the disaster, rather the water is cleaner and clearer than ever.

Phi Phi Island

The most popular destination on the Andaman Coast after Phuket. Here it offers pristine beaches, impressive cliffs, clear water and fascinating marine life. Phi Phi, The name is derived from Malay and the original was Pulao Pi ah Pi, where in pulao is the Malay word for island, and pi, pronounced with only a half p sound, was very close in pronunciation to the English word be; the ah was eventually dropped, so the name was said something like Bi Bi. Later the P was pronounced with a stronger aspiration and the name became the Pi Pi we know today (the h with which it is usually spelled is confusing and superfluous). The name refers to the mangrove wood found there. Six islands are in the group; Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Biddah Nok, Biddah Nai, Yung, and Pai (Bamboo Island) ; total area is about 35 square kilometers. They were incorporated into the national park in 1983. Some of the interesting places to visit include.

Phi Phi Don Island

Covers a total ares of 28 square kilometers: 8 kilometers in length and 3.5 at its broadest point. At the north end is Cape Laem Tohng where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gypsy village. There sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia. Diving at Laem Tohng is excellent, as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme south. There are long beaches with rocks scattered about Two curving bays are especially beautiful : Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This is also where accommodations and tourist services are found.

Phi Phi Lay Island

Phi Phi Lay is smaller, 6.6 sq. kms. and promises a variety of different cultural experiences. Apart from the amazingly beautiful Maya Bay, where they filmed the movie 'The Beach' starring Leonardo Di Caprio. Colourful sea gypsies also live here and the cliffs are the home of the swallows who's nests are collected for the famous bird's nest soup. The many caves are full of historic and pre-historic relics and painting. Both these islands will provide a good opportunity to relax and explore.

Noppharat Thara Beach

Located 6 kilometers from Ao Nang is a famous 3-kilometer long white sandy beach lined with dense casuarinas and coconut groves. The beach, paved with tiny seashells, was formerly called "Hat Khlong Haeng", which means dried canal beach by locals, because the canal dries up during low tide and the area turns into a long beach. Situated 18 kilometers north-west of Krabi, Hat Noppharat Thara is in fact part of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park and is the location of the Park headquarters. This Park covers a large area both onshore and offshore. Ferry services to Koh Phi Phi are provided from this beach all year round. This beach can be reached by songthaew from the city at the rate of 20 baht and to travel further to Ao Nang, it will cost an additional 10 baht.

Hat Tham Phra Nang

Accessible only by boat, this stunning, pristine beach has fine-grained white sand and crystalline waters as well as magnificent jagged karsts. This is a highly secluded picture perfect beach that attracts thousands of visitors year round but is able to maintain its flawless appearance and relaxing ambience.This beach is the location of the 5-star Rayavadee resort, a private property that occupies 26 acres of the beach and the only compound located near Phra Nang Beach. The Inner and Outer Phra Nang Caves, and Phra Nang Lagoon, which are located nearby offer remarkable views against a stunning backdrop and a range of accommodations to suit every budget. Although these attractions are accessible only by boat, they still draw numerous visitors for recreational and adventurous activities such as diving, snorkeling, hiking and rock climbing.

Koh Ngai

Located 13 kilometers south of Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai is one of the Koh Lanta group of islands that make up the Koh Lanta National Marine Park. A small, triangular island, less than 5 square kilometers in size, Koh Ngai (also known as Koh Hai) has a forested interior and offers white-sand beaches alongside clear water and good coral which encircles the entire island making it a perfect place for snorkeling. There is limited accommodation on the island, mostly clustered around the eastern coastline. There is a variety of types of accommodation available, and a range of prices to choose from, but with so few places to stay in, Koh Ngai is a very quiet and peaceful place - probably best to try to book somewhere in advance if possible to be on the safe side. Other islands in the area include Koh Chuek, Koh Waen, Koh Mah and Koh Muk, and you can arrange tours to these islands from the accommodation outlets on Koh Ngai.

Poda Island (Koh Poda)

Poda Island is our privately owned island, is about 30 minutes from the resort. Poda island has fine sandy beach and clear blue water where friendly fish will accept food and swim with you. It is also an excellent spot for snorkeling. The resort is available for walk-in guests only.

Yung Island

Lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. There is a rocky beach on the east side, and a smaller stand of sand in a fold of the hill. Many beautiful and various corals are found there.

Pai Island

Lies also to the north of Phi Phi Don, not far from Koh Yung. Sandy beaches are on the north and east sides of the Island. Broad coral reefs stretch away into the south.

Chicken Island

Named after the strange rock formation which looks like the head and neck of an ostrich, chicken or similar member of the fowl family. One end of the island consists of steep cliffs, while the other end has beautiful beaches along a peninsula. At high tide, this peninsula gets flooded, creating a small island. There is no accommodation on Hua Khwan island. Excellent snorkeling opportunities in warm and clear water, rich in coral life. Koh Gai can be visited all year round. (Not affected by the monsoon - May - October)

Koh Ha (Five Island)

Koh Ha is a small group of Five Islands 25 km west of Koh Lanta (Ha is 5 in Thai). In fact there are six small islands - evidently one got overlooked!, separated by channels over 50m deep. The water here is ordinarily quite clear and visibility frequently exceeds 20 metres. The highlight of diving here is a series of caves, or caverns on the largest of the islands, Koh Ha Yai. The emerald light filtering through the cave entrance at sunrise is quite magical. The caves are safe to enter, even without a light, as the entrances to the first caves are large. You can surface inside the caves and see stalactites hanging down from the ceiling above.

Koh Rok

This attraction is actually comprised of two islands: Koh Rok Nai and Koh Rok Nok. Koh Rok Nai is composed mainly of steep cliffs with superb beachs and unspoiled coral reefs among rocks. On the other hand, Koh Rok Nok has soft white sandy beaches and shallow water coral reefs towards the southeast and south with Hat Thalu and Ao Man Sai situated at the end of the island. Visitors can contact tour operators, resorts and bungalows on Koh Lanta Yai for an excursion to Koh Rok by speedboat. However, it is not recommended to take the trip by long-tail boat.

Mu Koh Hong

Mu Koh Hong consists of a group of limestone islands including Koh Lao or Koh Sa Ka, Koh Lao Riam, Koh Pakka, Koh Lao La Ding and Koh Hong or Koh Lao Li Pe which is the biggest island to the south. The attractions on these islands include fine beaches, shallow and deep-water coral reefs and various kinds of fish while popular activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, sea-canoeing and nature studies on the 400-meter hiking trail around Koh Hong. Mu Koh Hong is located at the edge of the Than Bok Khorani National Park, and is accessible by a 1-hour boat trip from Ao Nang. The park entrance fee is 200 baht per person with an additional fee of 20 baht per person for camping on the island.

Taleng Beng Island

This is a limestone island similar to Koh Phi Phi Lay with numerous small and attractive beaches and caves that are clearly visible during low tide. Another attraction is the swallows that can be seen on the island.