A trip to Krabi soothes the soul. Soon you’ll be sliding into sparkling lagoons and luxurious hot springs.
You’ll explore the islands and ocean, check out the temples and kick-back on the beach. Krabi’s not a place, it’s a state of mind. So change your mindset, feed your soul and plan your next Thai adventure. These are the best things to do and places to see in Krabi.
1
Four Islands Tour
EXPLORE SHIMMERING SEAS AND TROPICAL ISLANDS
Crystal clear waters. Deserted beaches. Imposing limestone rocks. It’s what Krabi is all about, and the best way to see the treasures of this place is with a four islands tour.
You’ll hop on a longtail boat or speedboat at Ao Nang – with a pickup at Railay Beach – and be treated to the wonders of the sea around Krabi. A Krabi four islands tour ticks off:
Koh Poda
It’s a picture-perfect paradise. Sink your toes into a soft sandy beach, dive into the incredible clear sea and head under water with your snorkel to check out the coral reefs. The huge stone rock in the middle of the sea is spectacular, and the white sand is the ideal spot to relax and enjoy lunch.
It’s a rustic island, so relax and enjoy the scenery.
Koh Tub and Koh Mor
These twin islands are separated by a small sandbar you can walk across at low tide. Koh Tub is surrounded by crystal clear waters, brimming with tropical fish and colourful coral. Koh Mor is just as beautiful but feels even more remote.
Chicken Island (Koh Kai)
Also connected to Koh Tub by a stunning sandbar you can walk across at low tide, Chicken Island has a quiet beach that’s just perfect for relaxing on and whiling away the day. The viewpoint is the best spot to snap a pic of the sandbar. You can also grab a snack at one of the beach bars.
When you’re back on the boat and round the other side of the island, you’ll see the reason for the island’s name – the intriguing rock formation that looks just like a chicken.
Phra Nang Beach
Located on the Railay Peninsula, it’s not an island but always part of a four islands tour. Phra Nang is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Krabi and home to an interesting cave and shrine. Inside the cave you’ll find plenty of carved wooden phalluses as shrine to fertility. Don’t forget your camera for a fun pick.
Watch out for the monkeys on the beach too.
The cost of your four islands tour depends on whether you jump on a longboat or speedboat. You can charter a longboat for around 2,500 to 3,000 baht per boat. A seat on a longboat tour costs between 400 and 1000 baht per person, whilst a seat on a speedboat will set you back 1,000 to 1,700 baht per person.
2
Tiger Cave Temple / Wat Tham Sua
GET YOUR STEPS IN
One of the top tourist spots in Krabi. This temple sits at 270 metres high and requires you to climb up 1260 steps up and around a limestone mountain to reach the summit. The climb isn’t too technically challenging and it won’t take you too long, but it’s definitely a decent workout.
Tiger Cave Temple is famed for the supposed tiger prints in the cave from the tigers that were once thought to roam the area, as well its impressive Buddha statues.
You’ll find it around 10 minutes drive from downtown Krabi and around 30 minuets from Ao Nang. You can rent a car or motorbike for the day to visit it, jump on the back of a motorbike taxi or take a traditional taxi.
Best temples in Krabi
Wat Tham Sua isn’t the only temple worth visiting in Krabi. Smack bang in the middle of Krabi Town you’ll find Wat Kaew Korawaram.
The temple’s main attraction is the 2,500 square metre terrace that’s accessed through an ornate staircase lined with gold Naga snake statues. Make your way here at sunset to enjoy the light hitting the golden statues.
Wat Klong Thom temple is east of Krabi Town and also doubles up as a museum. It’s home to artefacts including bronze tools and pottery that are over 500 years old.
Wat Sai Thai is also well worth making the trip to Sai Thai for its giant reclining buddha statue. You’ll also find plenty of smaller golden sitting buddhas dotted around the temple.
3
Emerald Pool and Hot Springs
TAKE A LOAD OFF WITH SOME NATURAL RELAXATION
Trek into the jungle and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with some of the best natural wonders of this region.
Start your pilgrimage to the emerald pool with a 1.4km walk through the jungle, where you’ll pass crystal clear streams, small yellow ponds and huge tropical plants and trees. You’ll first see the crystal pool, which is impressive but nothing like your next stop – the emerald pool. Its turquoise waters – made by the high limestone and mineral content of the lake – are oh so inviting and make for the perfect picture.
Cool yourself in the most breath-taking pool you’ve ever seen and wash your worries away. It’s around 1-2 metres deep and ideal for swimming.
Once you’ve cooled yourself in the emerald pool, it’s time to heat things up with a dip in the blue pool/hot spring. This small deep pond is surrounded by deep jungle and accessed by a 400m long footpath. The water is supplied by an underground hot spring – slide in and take a load off.
You’ll need to pay 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children as an entrance fee to the emerald pool and hot springs. It’s about 60km from Krabi Town and will take you about an hour. A return taxi will set you back around 2,500 baht but you can book on a tour that will also take you to Tiger Cave temple on your way back.
4
Krabi Night Market
AUTHENTIC SLICE OF KRABI AT NIGHT
Krabi at night is super fun. As well as the usual bars and restaurants, Krabi Night Market in Krabi Town never disappoints.
Open on Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to 10pm, it’s a treasure trove of stalls selling silk scarves, handmade jewellery, woven baskets, wooden elephants, decorative masks and more. As you stroll around the tightly packed stalls, the fragrances of Thai street food fill the air. Try Pad Thai, delicious curries and succulent seafood. And wash it all down with a cocktail or Thai whiskey.
Expect clothes shopping, Thai massage and much in the way of live music and street performers.
Insider tip:
You can go inside the statue lap. But remember this is a Buddhist monument, so you need to remove your shoes.
Other things to do in Krabi
GET YOUR ADVENTURING ON
Krabi is famed for its adventure activities, so you’ll find plenty to do. If you’re into climbing, Krabi truly is your playground. The steep limestone cliffs call climbers from all over the world – you’ll find Krabi climbing companies in all the major resorts. The climbing around Railay beach is where the action really happens.
Snorkelling in Krabi is perfect off any of the beaches – and especially on your four islands tour – whilst kayaking offers an opportunity to get out an explore on your own. You can get up close to the limestone cliffs in the sea and try a little mangrove kayaking where the jungle meets the ocean.
And once you’re done, the white sands and beach bars are calling.
Now you know what to do in Krabi, discover the best places to stay, the top hotels and how to get around.
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