Krabi Thailand Travel Guide to Beaches Boat Tours Activities and Nightlife
Planning a trip to Krabi but don’t know where to start? This is one of the most stunning regions of Thailand, but not for the reasons that most people think. I’ve personally traveled to Krabi many times over the last few years, exploring every corner of the region.
Where to Stay in Krabi
When it comes to planning your Krabi adventure, where you stay can honestly make or break your trip. There are more areas to stay than most people realize, each with its own distinct vibe. Are you looking for somewhere buzzing with nightlife or hoping for the beach all to yourself?
Are you looking for elite pool villas or rustic charm? On my most recent trip, I set out to explore not just the famous hotspots, but also some hidden gems that most travelers miss. And I found four main locations that could be perfect for you depending on your travel style.
Krabi Island Hopping Boat Tours
Now, you can’t come to Krabi and not take an island hopping boat tour. Seriously, this area is home to over 200 islands, and some of Thailand’s most jaw-dropping scenery is just a short boat ride away. In fact, I think it’s the best place in Thailand to take a boat trip from because you’ve got some of the most iconic scenery right on your doorstep.
The first boat trip is arguably the most famous in the country. It’ll take you to iconic landmarks such as Emerald Lagoon, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, and Maya Bay. It’s excellent for snorkeling, as you’ll stop at the Emerald Waters of Maya Bay, but also swim with blacktip reef sharks at Shark Point. This is the Phi Phi Islands boat trip, and you’ll likely also stop on the main island for lunch, too.
And whilst it is the most iconic, I don’t know if I’d actually recommend it to most people. And here’s why. First off, it’s the furthest island hopping trip that you can take from Krabi. That means likely in a noisy speedboat hitting the bumpy waves on the way there. This is especially problematic if you’ll be traveling during the rainy season. You really don’t want to be stuck in the middle of the ocean when a thunderstorm hits. I think you definitely do not need to do this trip if you’ll be staying at the Phi Phi Islands later on your trip.
And also, this is likely the busiest island hopping tour in Thailand, with boats arriving every single day from Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. So, it can get crowded, which can ruin the atmosphere a little bit. If you do choose to do this one, make sure to take a sunrise tour. These tours will start around 5:00 a.m. and get you to the islands at sunrise for 6:00 a.m. to beat the crowds. And this is the only way you’re ever going to have Maya Bay all to yourself.
Luckily, though, there are some stunning island trips that are much closer to the Krabi mainland where you’ll be staying. So, in fact, one of the best lies just past Railay Beach. There are some really beautiful stops on this trip. And in fact, out of the two trips, this one is the best one for snorkeling. You’ll stop around the back of Kai, also known as Chicken Island, where you can see some really stunning tropical fish. The thing that stood out to me when I was here was the amount of tropical Nemo fish, the clownfish that were just in and out of the soft coral.
Here, there’s another fascinating and unique structure, which is two islands connected together by a white sandbar at low tide. When the tide is out, you can walk directly between Kai and Koh Tup, which is a really unique experience. Nearby is another one of Krabi’s most iconic landmarks. This is an epic mountain jutting out of the ocean with a stunning tropical beach to explore. The sand here is powder white and the waters are completely turquoise. The island is called Koh Poda, and your photos here will be the most epic of your entire trip with the cast rock as your background. This trip is known as the four islands tour. The only frustrating thing about this trip is that it’s not really four islands. It’s actually only three. The last stop is usually at Railay Beach, which can be a little frustrating if you’ve already been there and you might feel a little short-changed. But boat trip 3 is said to be the most picturesque trip with the best beach.
Choosing the Right Krabi Boat Tour
You’ll start your trip with a stop at the Emerald Lagoon, not the one that we just looked at on Koh Phi Phi. This is a far less explored Emerald Lagoon, which has the same shimmering emerald as the one in Phi Phi, but also, unlike the one in Phi Phi, you’re allowed to swim in here, which is pretty cool. And the good boat trips here will let you stop and enjoy the scenery. Next is the main attraction, though: the beautiful Hong Island Beach. This beach is pretty much close to perfect. Similar to Railay, it’s surrounded by cliffs. In this case, though, they actually protect it from the open ocean of the Andaman Sea, meaning it’s perfect for swimming in. If you’re feeling more adventurous, from here you can rent a kayak or climb to the top of the Hong Islands viewpoint for panoramic views of the islands below and back onto the Thai mainland.
But here’s the problem with booking a Krabi boat tour. The type of tour and the type of boat you choose might be an even more important decision than which island to visit. In fact, some trips can be doomed before you’ve even left the shore. And here’s why. If you walk along the beach in the morning, you’ll see dozens of longtail boats lining up for the big group tours. Now, the problem here isn’t so much that they cram a lot of people on the same boat, which they do. You can end up on the same boat as about 20 other people. The real problem is that all of these boats full of people leave and arrive at the same time. That means you’re not just sharing the islands with the other 20 people on your boat. You’re also sharing it with 20 other boats, each with 20 other people. This means that you’re constantly waiting around to get back on the boat and that you can’t make your own schedule because you have to stick to the group. If you want to actually enjoy your trip, I always recommend upgrading to a private longtail boat. You get your own space, you can set up your own schedule, and it’s just a more chilled experience that you can take your time with. And they’re a very professional company with good English skills. And importantly, they time their boat trips so they miss the hordes of group tours.
When I did the Hong Island tour, they even took us to a secluded private beach for lunch, setting out a beautiful picnic on the beach. And if you want to take it to the next level, look into the luxury longtail boat tours. These are a massive upgrade. They’re beautifully restored boats with comfy seating and a private guide. And if you’re looking for the ultimate holiday photos, this is how you do it. And the best part is, because the islands and the four islands are actually only a short ride away from Krabi, this is one of the most affordable private boat tours you can do in Thailand.
The private longtail comes in around $200 and the luxury longtail around $300, which is considerably cheaper than the boat tours in Phuket or Samui. Railay Tour also does private speedboats, but they are quite a bit more expensive. And for something truly unique, there are even some traditional Chinese junk boats famous for their big red sails. So, sailing out on the islands on one of these feels like a completely new adventure. Here you’ll have a little bit more space to walk around and enjoy the boat. They travel at a slower pace, but this could be good to meet fellow travelers and just take in the scenery.
But crucially, the time of day is another major factor when booking your boat trip. If you’re visiting between May and October, make sure to book your boat tours for the morning. It’s usually much sunnier and calmer earlier in the day, while the rain tends to roll in the afternoon. If you’re an early riser or you just want to squeeze the most out of your day, some boats, like the dragon boat, even offer breakfast cruises, which would be one of the most memorable meals that you’ll ever have. And if you want something a little bit different, there are also sunset tours that include a barbecue on the beach with beers and a cocktail at sunset. And then, in the evening, once it gets dark, you have the chance to swim with bioluminescent plankton. These plankton light up the shores at night for a completely surreal experience. And there aren’t many places in the world where these exist. So, it might be your only chance to see it.
Things to Do Beyond the Beaches in Krabi
Of course, though, Krabi isn’t just about island hopping. There are a ton of other epic things to do here. And in fact, for me, Krabi is the most exciting place to visit in Thailand because there are so many adventurous activities that most people end up missing out on because they aren’t even aware they exist. First of all, if you’re looking for a real adventure, there’s a temple located at the top of a mountain overlooking Krabi Town. It has some of the best views in the region. To reach it, you’ll need to conquer 1,200 steep steps winding up one of the limestone mountains. So, it’s not for the faint of heart. This place is called Tiger Cave Temple. And at the top, you’ll find a golden Buddha, sweeping 360° views over the rainforest and nearby cliffs, and an active monastery with monks doing their daily worship.
And if you want to cool off after all those stairs, there’s a hidden spot in the jungle where you can take a dip in crystal-clear water. It’s a natural hot spring surrounded by lush rainforest, and the water is refreshingly cool. It’s perfect for swimming in. It can get busy later in the day, but if you go early, you might have this magical place all to yourself. This place is called Emerald Pool, and it’s about an hour’s drive away from the beaches.
For hikers, the Dragon’s Crest hike is an absolute must. The trail here winds through lush rainforest and ends with jaw-dropping views all over Krabi. It’s a bit of a workout, but the views from the top are next level, and the trail starts from Tubkaak Beach. Railay Beach itself isn’t just about soaking up the sun, though. This place is world famous for its rock climbing.
With those dramatic limestone cliffs rising straight out of the sand, it’s pretty much a climber’s paradise. The cool thing is, you don’t need any experience to give it a try. There are plenty of local guides and climbing schools that offer beginner classes, so you can safely learn the ropes and start climbing on your very first day. If you’re an experienced climber, though, there are tons of challenging routes. And no matter what your level is, you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views over Railay and the Andaman Sea.
So, it’s unlikely you’ll actually find dinosaurs in Krabi. But if you’re looking for a Jurassic Park experience, there’s a spot that you need to head to a little bit away from the beaches. It’s called Klong Root, and it’s part of Krabi’s mangrove forest. It was a filming location in the most recent Jurassic Park film, specifically the scene where the dinosaur follows the cast through the mangroves. You’ll probably end up spotting a few giant lizards, even if they’re not dinosaurs. And it’s a much different environment to kayak through than the beaches, giving you a completely different part of Krabi to explore. Another thing that you might not expect is horse riding on the beach. Over at Klong Muang Beach, you can actually join a sunset horseback ride along the shoreline.
It’s a two-hour class that’s perfect for beginners, so you don’t need any riding experience at all. And you have the beach pretty much all to yourself. Finally, if you want a meaningful wildlife experience, visiting an elephant sanctuary in Krabi is a must. One thing that sets the elephant sanctuary in Krabi apart from the rest of the elephant sanctuaries that I’ve been to in the past is that you actually get to prepare a nutritious meal for them and then feed them yourselves, learning about their diet in the process, which is just something I haven’t seen in other sanctuaries around Thailand. You get to learn about the elephants and their backgrounds and see how they’re looked after, as well as watch them up close while they roam and play. So, it’s important to note here that I actually haven’t been to a nightclub in probably over 10 years at this point, and I’m not really interested in all the pub crawls or things like that. I do like a couple of beers on the beach, though, as well as a few cocktails. So, these are the unique spots that I think Krabi is actually good for.
Krabi Nightlife Without the Party Crawl
The first spot is no secret. If you walk along the beachfront, you’re going to be met with an array of bars and restaurants that come alive at night. Pretty much the entire strip from the beachfront and the roads leading back there are filled with places to eat and drink. I wish I could be a bit more specific here, but I don’t really think I need to. For me, part of the fun of being here is just walking around and seeing what’s going on. The places here tend to be a bit more modern with neon lights and music. Food is a mix of international and Thai, so you can get pretty much anything you want here. If you’re looking for a bit more of a beach bar feel to it with wooden shacks on the sand, there are a few places you can head to with a lot fewer people.
For example, there’s Railay Walking Street. You can visit this during the day for a bite to eat, but if you’re staying in Railay, it’s got a cool beach bar feel to it, too. And then, if you head to the north end of Klong Muang Beach, here you can find somewhere with a lot more of a local vibe to it. The restaurants here serve Thai food only, and it’s the perfect spot to catch a sunset.
On my most recent trip, I noticed that a lot of bars were using craft vodka called Kilo Spirits. And it turns out it’s a locally distilled vodka made right here in Krabi. So, make sure to check that out, too, while you’re here. And if you’re looking to sample some of the best street food in Krabi, you need to head to the next location, which is one of the bigger night markets that I’ve been to in southern Thailand.
It opens around 6 p.m., and you can find a massive array of Thai snacks. It’s called Landmark Night Market, and they also have live music and a few places to grab a drink, too. But Krabi is also home to one of the most unique restaurants in the world. It’s literally tucked inside a limestone cave right on the edge of Phra Nang Beach. It’s probably the most romantic setting I’ve seen for a restaurant as you watch the sunset behind the island in the distance and have a jazz band playing in the cave. It’s called the Grotto restaurant, and it’s part of Rayavadee Hotel. It was definitely one of the coolest meals that I’ve ever had.
During the high season, it’s only available for hotel guests in the evening, but it is open to outside guests during the low season and for lunch. So, if you’re not staying in the hotel, make sure to book in advance. If you’re looking for an adventurous food experience whilst in southern Thailand, though, there’s one dish that you might want to try, or perhaps, after you hear what I’ve got to say, might not want to try. This dish was actually voted the worst dish in the world by Taste Atlas. And I’ll have to admit that it has a pretty unique flavor. It’s called Gaeng Tai Pla, and you might see it on the menu as southern Thai fish curry. Now, look, I’ve tried all kinds of weird foods from around the world, and I’ve tried this dish a few times now, and it doesn’t do it for me. It has a strong fish taste and scent, and it’s one of the spiciest dishes that you’ll ever taste.
But if you’re looking to push your taste buds to the limit, it could be a fun experience. Another unique experience could be Krabi’s biggest cabaret show. The Blue Dragon Cabaret is an hour-long musical and dance show with a twist. All of the performers in the show are transgender ladyboys known as kathoey. This is one of the biggest shows in southern Thailand, and it’s known for its mix of Thai and Western cultures. In the show, expect to see performances of traditional Thai dances as well as more familiar song and dance numbers that you’ll know, too. To be clear, though, this is a mostly PG-rated show.
Performance times and prices change, so check the venue’s current information. But if you’re looking for a more violent affair, Krabi is home to one of the bigger Muay Thai stadiums in southern Thailand. Ticket prices and schedules change, so check the stadium’s current information. And on my most recent trip, I found an absolute hidden gem of a restaurant. This place probably has the best sunset views in Krabi. It’s a treehouse-style bar and restaurant perched on top of a hill. It has unbelievable views of the Andaman Sea as well as the Hong Islands and Koh Yao in the distance. It’s called Dragon View Restaurant and Bar. And the food here is delicious.
Krabi is one of Thailand’s easiest southern destinations to reach from Bangkok by air. Krabi International Airport serves scheduled domestic flights, and early departures can sometimes be cheaper, although the best fare depends on the season and booking time.
Travel light if the trip includes ferries, beaches, or island excursions. Keep the accommodation address and transfer details offline, and leave enough time at the airport for check-in, security, and any airline baggage limits.
Getting from Krabi Airport to Your Hotel
Getting from the airport to your hotel in Krabi can be trickier than expected, but here’s how to make it a little easier. When I first arrived on my first trip to Krabi, I thought I got a good deal by waiting for the van to be filled up. It took another hour before we left, which was the last thing I wanted after a long flight. This turned what should have been a 45-minute drive into a nearly three-hour ordeal.
After that, I’ve tried private cars but ended up haggling over fares and even getting ripped off in the process. Luckily, in Krabi you can download the Grab app, which is the best way to avoid getting overcharged. Sometimes the driver is going to be a little funny, though. I have also had drivers message me about meeting away from the usual pickup point, so confirm the vehicle and pickup details before getting in.
You might want to be a little careful when using the Grab app, but having a clear price and a traceable pickup makes the trip from the airport much less stressful.
The Best Time to Visit Krabi
One thing I didn’t know until recently is that Krabi is actually one of the rainiest places in Thailand. The last thing you need is for your trip to be ruined by rain and thunderstorms, so when is the best time to visit the beach?
Krabi’s rainy season runs from May to October. That doesn’t mean it rains nonstop, but it does mean you may experience a few heavy downpours out of nowhere. I remember the first time I experienced a Thai thunderstorm; I wasn’t prepared for how heavy the rain would be.
The best time to visit Krabi is between November and April because that’s when it’s least likely to rain, giving you the sunny beaches you’ve always dreamed of.
Practical Advice for a Krabi Trip
Personally, I think the biggest challenge when visiting Krabi is fitting all this amazing stuff into your trip. Take your time, choose your base carefully and leave room for the weather to change your plans. That way, you can enjoy the beaches, islands, mountains and inland sights without turning the whole visit into a rush.
DONE
