Krabi Activities by Base: Ao Nang to Railay
Krabi is a province of 5,323 square kilometres, not a single beach town, and what you can do on a given day depends on which of four bases you sleep in. Pick the base first and the activities follow.
Ao Nang: the beach hub
Ao Nang is the main resort strip, with the most restaurants, the longtail boats and the easiest day-tour pickups. On the sand you can hire a sit-on-top kayak, try sunrise paddleboarding before the boat engines start, or book an hour of Thai massage in an open-air beach sala. The evening markets along Nopparat Thara beach add street food and live music. Tour desks line the road behind the beach, and you can also compare Krabi tours on GetYourGuide before you arrive.
Railay and Ton Sai: cliffs and coves
Railay is reachable by boat only, because limestone cliffs cut it off from every road. The shared longtail from Ao Nang beach takes about 10 minutes and costs ฿100 per person each way, with a higher fare after dark. Boats leave once eight passengers are aboard, and you wade out through calf-deep water to climb in. When the sea is rough, use the pier at Ao Nam Mao, which has a floating pontoon.
The peninsula is one of the great sport-climbing areas, with more than 700 bolted routes graded 4a to 8c. Beginners can join a half-day course with an instructor, harness and shoes supplied. Ton Sai, the bohemian climbers’ cove, sits a walk away through the jungle at low tide. Phra Nang Beach and Diamond Cave suit anyone who prefers to keep both feet on the ground.
Krabi Town: river and market
The provincial capital lies 17 km inland on the Krabi River. Its weekend walking street on Maharaj Soi 8 runs Friday to Sunday from 17:00 to 22:00, with southern curries, grilled seafood and live acoustic sets. Songthaews between town and Ao Nang cost about ฿60 per person.
Klong Muang and Tubkaek: the quiet coast
North of Ao Nang, these beaches have resort calm, long sunsets and views across to the Hong islands. Tubkaek is also the start of the steep jungle climb to a rock ledge over the karst, a strenuous outing that takes a few hours.
On the water
Four trip styles are sold from Ao Nang. Ao Thalane mangrove kayaking is a half-day paddle between limestone walls. The Four Islands trip is a longtail day around Koh Poda, Chicken Island and Phra Nang. The Hong Islands and Phi Phi are longer speedboat days. Divers head for Shark Point and Anemone Reef. Details on each are in the Krabi day trips page .
The southwest monsoon runs from May to October. Rough seas cancel boats at short notice, rip currents run along open beaches, and jellyfish are more common. Wear the life jacket you are given, and keep an inland plan ready: Hot Springs Waterfall, Emerald Pool in Khao Phra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary, or the trails of Khao Phanom Bencha National Park , where entry is ฿100 for adults and ฿50 for children.
Before you fly
Visa-exempt stays are up to 30 days, and entries are normally limited to two per calendar year, so check the UK government entry requirements for your passport. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is free and must be filed online within 3 days before arrival, at the official TDAC portal . The currency is the Thai baht, and cash still matters for boats and park gates. Cannabis is medical-only under Thai law, so leave it alone.
For a ready-made route, the three-day Krabi itinerary links these bases together.
Tip: buy your return longtail ticket early in the afternoon, because boats from Railay cost more after dark and thin out in bad weather.