Krabi is a province of limestone cliffs, mangroves and island-dotted water, and most visitors base themselves in Ao Nang, a beach town with restaurants, tour offices and boat piers. From there, almost everything is a boat ride or a short drive away. This guide covers what to book ahead, how to get around and how to shape three to five days.
When to go
November to March is the dry high season, with calm seas and clear water, and the best time for island tours. From May to October the green season brings rain and rougher seas, and boat trips may be cancelled or shortened, though prices fall. Maya Bay is closed each year from 1 August to 1 October, so a November visit includes it.
How many days
Three days is enough for the highlights: one island day, one Railay day and one inland day. Five days lets you add a second island trip, a climbing lesson and a cooking class. Beyond that, move on to Phi Phi or Lanta, or add rest days at the pool.
What to book ahead
The popular boat tours sell out in peak season, so book the Four Islands tour and the Hong Island or Phi Phi day trip a few days ahead, choosing free-cancellation rates because of weather. Book a sunset kayak at Ao Thalane, which is limited to small groups, and a climbing course at Railay if you want one. The Tiger Cave Temple and the Emerald Pool can be arranged a day ahead, or as one full-day tour.
Choosing your island day
The Four Islands tour is the classic first outing, with Tup, Chicken, Poda and Phra Nang, and a sunrise departure avoids the crowds. Hong Island is the pick for clear water and a hidden lagoon, and it is calmer and quieter. Phi Phi is the famous name, with Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, but it is a long, busy day. If you can only do one, choose Hong or Four Islands; if you have two, add Phi Phi.
Getting around
In Ao Nang you can walk to the beach, restaurants and piers. Longtail boats run from Ao Nang beach to Railay and Phra Nang in about twenty minutes, leaving when full. For the inland sights, use a taxi, a pre-booked tour or a scooter if you are confident. Songthaews, the shared pickup trucks, run between Ao Nang and Krabi Town. Most day tours include hotel pickup within Ao Nang and Krabi Town, and sometimes charge a supplement from further areas such as Klong Muang.
Where the sights fit
Railay and Phra Nang are the cliffs-and-sand day, with an optional climbing lesson in the morning and a swim in the afternoon. The Tiger Cave Temple is best climbed early, and the Emerald Pool and Namtok Ron hot spring make a restful afternoon. A Thai cooking class suits a rainy day or an evening, and Ao Thalane kayaking is a lovely sunset outing.
Practical tips
Carry cash for national park fees and longtail fares, wear reef-safe sunscreen, cover your shoulders and knees for temples, and keep valuables dry on boats. Expect to wade ashore at some beaches and to share the sea with other boats. Keep one day free for weather or rest, because the sun and the boats are tiring. Finally, choose where you sleep with your plans in mind, and read the second guide in this market for the details: Ao Nang for convenience, Railay for the cliffs, Klong Muang for a resort stay and Krabi Town for the lowest price.
