Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
A forest temple with a long staircase to a summit shrine and a view over the limestone plain.
8 places
Krabi's temples and caves, compared
The working temples of the forest and of Krabi Town, and the caves of Ao Luek, side by side: how you get there, whether there is a fee, and when to go.
Krabi's temples are working places, not museums. The Tiger Cave Temple is a meditation monastery, with monks living in the forest behind it; Wat Kaew Korawaram, white with a blue roof, is the province's main temple, in Krabi Town. Cover shoulders and knees at both.
The caves are another matter. At Ao Luek, you pass under Tham Lot by kayak or boat, at low tide only. Tham Phi Hua To, known for its prehistoric paintings, was closed by the park in November 2023 after cracks and falling rock, and we have found no announcement that it has reopened. The table below compares them on what changes a plan, then each place has its own page.
Compare at a glance
| Places | Access | Entry | Time to allow | Best time | Distance (from Ao Nang) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) | A real hike | Free | Half a day with the climb | Early morning, before the heat | 15 km |
| Wat Kaew Korawaram | By road | A stop on a walk around Krabi Town | 11 km | ||
| Tham Phi Hua To | By boat only | Closed in November 2023; no reopening found | Only once the park confirms it has reopened | 42 km | |
| Tham Lot | By boat only | Part of a boat or kayak trip from Bor Tor | At low tide, which the trip has to be timed around | 41 km | |
| Phra Nang Cave | On foot from the road | Free | A short stop on a beach day | Early, before the island tours land on the beach | 4 km |
| Diamond Cave | By boat only | Entry fee at the gate | Under an hour | Any day you are on Railay | 3 km |
| Viking Cave | By boat only | National park fee | A few minutes from the boat | Whenever your boat passes | 38 km |
| Khao Mai Kaew Cave | A real hike | Entry fee at the gate | Part of a day, during a stay on Lanta | 62 km |
Wat Kaew Korawaram
The main temple of Krabi province, a white ordination hall at the top of a naga staircase in the middle of town.
Tham Phi Hua To
A cave with prehistoric paintings in Than Bok Khorani National Park, closed by the park in November 2023 and, as far as we know, not reopened.
Tham Lot
A pair of tunnel caves in the Ao Luek mangroves that you pass through by boat or kayak, at low tide only.
Phra Nang Cave
A shallow cave at the foot of the cliff, the shrine of the sea princess, filled with carved wooden phalluses left as offerings.
Diamond Cave
A lit cave of stalactites and stalagmites on Railay, seen from a walkway loop, with an entry fee paid at the door.
Viking Cave
A sea cave in the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh where swiftlet nests are harvested: closed to visitors, seen from the boat as it slows down.
Khao Mai Kaew Cave
A wild cave in the hills of Lanta, visited only with a local guide and a torch: a walk through rubber plantations, then mud, crawling and a rope ladder.
See these places with us
Ao Nang
Emerald Pool, hot springs and Tiger Cave, with lunch
- Lunch included
- Child and infant rates
- Best for
- The three classic inland sights in one day, lunch sorted, with children
- Skip if
- You are set on climbing to the top of the Tiger Cave Temple, or want a trip sold as small-group
Krabi
Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and hot springs
- Small group, pickup available
- Temple, Emerald Pool and hot springs
- Best for
- The main inland sights in one day, without driving yourself
- Skip if
- You would rather linger at one place than see three in a day
Things to do · inland
Tiger Cave and Emerald Pool
Away from the coast, Krabi is forest, limestone and fresh water: a temple at the top of a long staircase, a green pool you can swim in, hot springs, waterfalls and mangrove caves. What each one asks of you, and whether to go on a tour or by yourself.
Things to do · Phi Phi
Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi is two islands: Phi Phi Leh, with Maya Bay and its rules, seen on a day from Krabi, and Phi Phi Don, the island you can sleep on. What each one is, what disappoints, and how to fit them in.
Where to stay · Krabi Town
Krabi Town
A town on a river, not a beach resort. Who it suits as a base, which part of it to sleep in, and how every day out begins.
Common questions
Is Tham Phi Hua To open?
We have found no official reopening. The park closed the cave on 7 November 2023 after cracks and falling rock. Some operators still list it, so ask before you book a tour that includes it.
What should I wear to Krabi's temples?
Shoulders and knees covered, no beachwear, and shoes you can slip off before you enter the buildings. At the Tiger Cave Temple, a cloth to cover up is lent at the foot of the stairs.
Why does Tham Lot depend on the tide?
You pass under the cave by kayak or boat, from Bor Tor pier, and that is only possible at low tide. A guided trip will time it for you.