Three days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Krabi. It is long enough to see the islands, the Railay peninsula and the jungle inland, and short enough that you will not run out of energy. The plan below uses Ao Nang as a base, because it is the easiest place from which to reach everything, and it leaves room to swap days around when the weather changes. Treat it as a template: the order matters less than getting one boat day, one beach-and-cliffs day and one inland day into the trip.
Before you go
Book the boat tour first, because it depends on the sea, and choose a free-cancellation rate so you can move it if the waves are high. Everything else is flexible. Carry cash for national park fees and longtail fares, pack reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, a rash guard and sturdy sandals, and bring a light layer for the evening boat trips, which can be breezy.
Day one: the islands
Start with the classic boat day, since it shows you the coast and helps you decide where to return. The Four Islands tour loops through the bay between Ao Nang and Railay, with the sandbar at Tup, the snorkelling at Chicken Island and the wide beach at Poda. If you want clearer water and a hidden lagoon, take the Hong Island speedboat tour instead, and if you want the famous name, choose Phi Phi, which is a longer, busier day. A sunrise departure gets you the beaches before the crowds and leaves your afternoon free for a swim at Ao Nang or a massage. Eat early, because after a boat day most people sleep well.
Day two: Railay and Phra Nang
Take a longtail from Ao Nang beach to Railay in the morning, which takes around twenty minutes and leaves when the boat is full. Railay is a peninsula with no roads, so you arrive on the sand with the cliffs rising behind you. Walk from Railay West over to Phra Nang Beach, visit the cave with its shrine, and take time to swim in the shallows. If you want a challenge, book a half-day beginner climbing lesson on the cliffs in the morning, which needs no experience and gives you a new view of the coast. For a quieter alternative, spend the day on the sand and watch the climbers. In the late afternoon, stay for the sunset if the boats are still running, or return to Ao Nang for dinner.
Day three: the inland sights
Start at the Tiger Cave Temple early, before the heat, and climb the long staircase to the summit for the view across the province. It is a steep climb, so bring water and wear sturdy shoes. In the afternoon, cool off at the Emerald Pool and the warm stream at the hot spring waterfall, both of which are in a forested reserve. Many tours combine the temple, the pool and the hot spring in one day with hotel pickup, which is the easiest way to do it. Finish with a relaxed evening, either at a Thai cooking class or at a restaurant in Ao Nang.
If the weather turns
The green season, from May to October, brings rain and rougher seas, and boat trips can be cancelled or shortened. Keep your inland day flexible so you can swap it with the island day. A cooking class, a visit to the caves and mangroves of Khao Khanab Nam, a zipline course and white water rafting all work in the rain, and they are good alternatives. In the dry months, from November to March, the sea is calm and the plan will run as written.
If you have a fourth day
Add a second island trip, such as Hong Island or Koh Rok, or a sunset and plankton cruise, which fits well in the evening after a quiet day. A fifth day could be a long excursion to Cheow Lan Lake, a no-riding elephant sanctuary visit or a Muay Thai night in Ao Nang. If you are travelling with children, the sandbar at Tup, the jungle pool at the Emerald Pool and a cooking class are the easiest wins.
Where to stay
Ao Nang gives you the most convenience for this plan, with boat piers, restaurants and tour pickups close by. Railay suits you if the cliffs are your priority, and you can split your stay, for example two nights in Ao Nang and one on Railay, to avoid carrying bags every day. For a resort-style base, look north to Klong Muang or Tubkaek, and be ready to use shuttles in the evening. The where-to-stay guide in this market compares the areas in more detail.
Final tips
Start early whenever you can, because the sun is strongest around midday and the boats are busiest then. Keep one afternoon free for weather or rest. Check what your tours include, since park fees, equipment and lunch vary. Be flexible, and remember that the best moment of the trip is often the one you did not plan, such as an empty beach at the end of a boat day or a sunset from a longtail on the way home.
