Ao Nang

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Krabi's tourist hub, with hotels, restaurants, massage parlours and travel agencies lining the beach road. All island-hopping and longtail boat trips depart from here, and the beach has spectacular sunsets.

Ao Nang lies in a bay about 20 km west of Krabi Town and is the main tourist accommodation area in Krabi and the departure point for all day trips. The beach stretches about 1 km, with fairly coarse sand, and it is swimmable in the dry season. Limestone headlands frame both ends. The longtail boat pier at the eastern end runs trips to Railay, the Four Islands and Koh Hong, and the sea is dotted with rocky islets. At sunset, almost everyone on the beach road heads down to the sand to watch the sun dip into the water. Ao Nang Beach Road and the main street inland are packed with hotels in every price range, seafood restaurants, massage parlours, travel agencies, 7-Eleven stores and scooter rental shops. In the evening, street food stalls and the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market (open daily) come alive. To the west, Nopparat Thara Beach is longer and quieter, and at low tide you can walk out to the islet opposite. Locals come here for picnics, and the headquarters of Krabi's national park is located there. Ao Nang is not really a destination in itself but a base. From here you can take a 15-minute longtail boat to Railay, join a Four Islands half-day tour or a Koh Hong day trip, or book a speedboat tour to the Phi Phi Islands. You can also rent a motorbike to visit Tiger Cave Temple and the Emerald Pool. Prices at the travel agencies don't vary much, so you can book the next day's trip in the evening after you arrive while strolling around town. Entry is free. Getting there: from Krabi Airport, take the airport bus (150 baht) or a taxi, about 40 minutes. From Krabi Town, a white shared songthaew costs 50 to 60 baht and takes about 30 minutes. From Ao Nang to Nopparat Thara Beach is a 20-minute walk. Note: touts selling tours and massages on the beach road are everywhere, so compare prices. Scooter accidents are common, so you need a licence and a helmet. The beach road gets congested after dark. During the rainy season there are rip currents on the beach, so watch for red flags.

Ao Nang

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