Krabi Ao Nang

A resort hub of limestone scenery on the Andaman Sea: Railay Beach climbing, the Four Islands tour and Phi Phi's Maya Bay, a more natural southern Thai island destination than Phuket.

Krabi Province lies on the Andaman Sea coast in southern Thailand, about 80 km east of Phuket, and is known for its karst limestone landscape. Rock pillars rising from the sea, beaches ringed by cliffs and more than 130 offshore islands make up the most distinctive island scenery in southern Thailand, and it is more natural than Phuket and cheaper. Areas to visit: Krabi Town is the provincial seat and transport hub (night market, pier and airport), but most visitors stay 20 km to the west at Ao Nang, where the hotels, restaurants and travel agencies along the beach road make it the departure point for all island-hopping and land day trips. South of Ao Nang, the Railay Peninsula, cut off by cliffs and reachable only by long-tail boat, is a climbing mecca and home to some of the loveliest beaches. Out at sea, the Four Islands (Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island and Phra Nang Beach) are the classic half-day island-hopping trip, and the lagoon at Koh Hong is another route. Phi Phi (45 minutes by speedboat) and Koh Lanta (2 hours by road and ferry) are worth a night or two. On land, the Tiger Cave Temple, the Emerald Pool and the Hot Springs Waterfall make up the "Krabi land day trip." Climate: the dry season from November to April has clear skies and calm seas and is the best time, with December–February the peak season when prices are highest. May–October is the rainy season with rough seas, and some outer islands (such as some beaches on Phi Phi and the national park islands) close in August–September, though there are also runs of sunny days and prices are low. Getting there: Krabi International Airport has flights from Bangkok, Chiang Mai and some Chinese cities, and Ao Nang is about 40 minutes from the airport (airport bus 150 baht, taxi about 600 baht). From Phuket it is 3 hours by road, or you can come by speedboat via Phi Phi. A songthaew from Ao Nang to Krabi Town costs 50–60 baht. Suggested length of stay: 3–5 days (one day for the Four Islands, one for Railay, one for Phi Phi or Hong Island and one for the land tour). Notes: at high tide and in rough waves you will get wet getting on and off a long-tail boat, so use a waterproof bag for valuables; national park entry fees (about 400 baht for Phi Phi and Hong Island, for example) are usually not included in tour prices; islands are crowded in the dry season, so choose an early-morning departure or an afternoon "sunset tour" to avoid the crowds; do not step on coral or feed the fish in coral areas; and in the rainy season, heed red-flag warnings and do not enter the water.

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