Krabi Beaches

Krabi province has over 160km of coastline and over 130 islands in the Andaman Sea, so if you’re a beach bum, you needn’t look any further; start booking those flights immediately – you won’t be disappointed.

Home to some of the most iconic islands, where scenes of white sands framed with imposing cliff faces and endless turquoise seas are commonplace, featuring the Hollywood hit, Maya Bay (The Beach), people flock from far and wide to come to this tantalizing part of Thailand, no matter the budget.

Ao Nang

Just ‘down the road’ from Krabi Town itself is the slightly more westernised Ao Nang, many visitors’ first stop once they land at Krabi International Airport. As well as its beaches and karst scenery, it’s a great place to base yourself if you plan on staying on the mainland as it offers multiple longtail boat tours to explore the beaches of its neighbouring islands of Ko Hong, Ko Poda and Ko Gai (Chicken Island), as well as Railay, another hidden gem.

Ao Nang is just a 40-minute taxi or shared shuttle from Krabi Airport (THB150), and lends itself to the more ‘party’ scene, so we’d recommend staying slightly out of town if you prefer an early night. With an abundance of Indian-run pizzerias and tour agency filled streets, Ao Nong does not resemble a tropical paradise, but the beach itself is quite scenic.

Railay Beach

One of the more secluded beaches can be found at Railay, a short 20-minute longtail boat from Ao Nang. Its challenging cliffs make it an attractive destination for climbers, but the long sandy beach, little coves and secret shores tucked away across the island is what really lures people in.

Railay is popular with everyone, from families, fitness fanatics, and flashpackers, with the east side of the island definitely catering for more ‘budget’ travellers, while the west side is more ‘blow the budget.’ We recommend spending a few nights on both sides of the island to enjoy the different beaches, hiking trails, and viewpoints around the island.

Koh Phi Phi

Perhaps one of the most famous islands in the Andaman Sea, Koh Phi Phi has become a number one destination for those visiting Thailand.

The fact that it was featured in the epic Hollywood blockbuster, The Beach, might have something to do with it, but still – if you visit you’ll see why people love it. The best way to explore the island’s white sandy beaches is on an island hopping tour, which also includes great snorkelling and dive spots, too. Boasting a boisterous nightlife, Phi Phi tends to attract those aged 18-35, however, there are more upmarket family-friendly resorts located on the north of the island, away from the main hubbub.

Ferries run a few times a day from Krabi and Phuket for around THB400-500 and you’re required to pay THB200 National Park entry fee.

Koh Lanta

Ask anyone who’s been to Koh Lanta and they’ll usually tell you it’s one of their favourites (us included). It’s very different to the other Thai islands, on both the east and west side, and thanks to it being a National Park, tourism and westernisation has been slow to catch on – which is a good thing.

With 9 beaches to choose from across the island, you can often find yourself the only ones on your stretch of sand, save for casual bars and restaurants which are lined up unobtrusively where you can watch a great sunset every night. One of our favourites is Nui Beach, a small secluded 100m stretch of shoreline, and Diamond Cliff Restaurant just above it, making it the perfect place for secluded sunbathing and a sundowner.