Krabi province is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. What will you experience here? Where will you go on excursions? Read in this chapter.
Beaches and swimming
Krabi is a province that's renowned for its beautiful, catalogue-like beaches. Be warned though, not every beach in Krabi will have white sand and coconut palms. On the contrary, some beaches are crowded with small boats, tourists or trash. But you just need to do a little searching and you'll find a beach you'll fall in love with.
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Krabi include the following:
- Phra Nang Beach na Railay - a pristine beach surrounded by high limestone cliffs
- Long Beach Phi Phi Don - a beautiful beach a little off the tourist radar on the most touristy island
- Maya Bay Phi Phi Leh - the famous beach from The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio, there is a charge for entry and limited tourist traffic
- Bamboo Beach Bamboo Island - a beach with soft white sand and clear water where you can snorkel right off the beach
- Nui Bay Phi Phi Don - a tiny beach accessible only by jungle trail or boat
- Tub Kaek - pleasant beach on the mainland away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist resorts
- Hong Island Beach - a perfect beach that fulfils most Europeans' idea of a tropical paradise
- Ko Rok Yai Beach - on an islet in the south of the Andaman Sea you will find this beautiful beach with fine sand
Island hopping
Krabi is full of small and larger islands, each a little different and offering unique experiences. So island hopping is very popular, where you visit several locations on several islands in one day. Most often, tourists go to these places as part of an organised trip, but you can also go island hopping on your own by hiring a long-tail boat.
The price for a day trip ranges from 800 thb to 2 500 thb depending on the specific destination and also if the trip is made by a longtail boat or a speed boat, which is usually more expensive.
The most popular day trip locations are undoubtedly the Koh Phi Phi archipelago. During such a trip you will usually visit the famous Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, snorkel with sharks and turtles, see the main island of Phi Phi Don and sometimes swim at Bamboo Island.
From Ao Nang, a trip to the 4 or 5 islands that are close to the mainland is also very popular. These trips usually include Koh Poda, Koh Hong and Chicken Island. From Koh Lanta, island hopping to Koh Rok and Koh Ha islands or to the 5 islands in Trang province is popular.
Always check what is included when buying a similar trip. Sometimes you may be able to pay extra for entrance to a national park, which can add quite a bit to the total price. Tours usually include snorkelling equipment rental, lunch and water.
Snorkelling and diving
The Andaman Sea is famous for its spectacular underwater life. Although many of the coral reefs at tourist sites are in terrible condition, you can still enjoy snorkelling or diving and see many interesting animals.
The smaller islands and around the Koh Phi Phi archipelago are particularly good for snorkelling. On the other hand, snorkelling on the mainland or Koh Lanta is less interesting. In the waters you can also see some species of sharks, sea turtles and many interesting species of fish. In many places you can snorkel directly from the beach, but for the best spots you will have to go by boat.
In all of Krabi's tourist sites, many agencies offer snorkelling trips and also offer diving lessons for beginners. In Thailand you can even get your Open Water Diver certification for recreational diving at an affordable price.
Nightlife
The Koh Phi Phi archipelago in particular is renowned as a popular party location, where visitors from all over the world head for nightlife. However, bars and parties can be found in most of the larger resorts. The biggest parties are usually held on the beaches, where there are often fire shows and other performances.
Wild partying and nightlife is undoubtedly part of Thailand, but drunk and confused tourists are a favourite target for local scammers and thieves. So be careful when you're out and about in search of unregulated entertainment, and you may regret it the next day.
Excellent gastronomy and cooking classes
Of course, every trip to Thailand is also about great local food. And whether you're heading to some of the world's best restaurants for a fusion of Thai cuisine or just enjoying your favourite pad thai at a street stall, Thai gastronomy will burn itself into your heart. For the best food, it's worth heading to the local markets.
If you want to make delicious local food at home, take a cooking class. The one-day courses usually involve a full menu of Thai tea, some rolls or salad, a main course and dessert. It also includes a visit to a local market to learn how to choose the right ingredients for cooking.
You can find out more about Thai gastronomy in the Food section.