Things to do in Krabi

The island day is the one most Krabi trips are built around, and it comes down to a few routes. For a first day, the four islands by longtail: the crossings off Ao Nang are short, so the hours go to the beaches and the water, over about six hours. The Hong Islands, further northwest in a different national park, take six to seven hours and revolve around an enclosed lagoon, with a viewpoint of about 400 steps on some tours.

The four islands and the Hong Islands have no annual closure, but any departure can be cancelled when the sea is rough, and the national park fee is usually paid in cash on the day, on top of the tour price. Not for you if you want an island to yourself: the popular stops are rarely empty, and an early private longtail gives you the best chance of fewer people, though no one can promise it.

Krabi's beaches split in two: the ones you drive to, along the mainland from Ao Nang to Tubkaek, and the ones you reach by boat, on Railay and the islands. For a swim, Railay West. If you would rather not take a boat, Klong Muang and Tubkaek, further west, are calmer than Ao Nang's beach. And whatever the photos say, do not plan a swim at Railay East: it is mangrove, and mudflat at low tide.

The tide changes these beaches more than anything else, and its times move every day: Nopparat Thara becomes a sandbar walk at low tide, Klong Muang turns rocky. From about May to October, red flags and box jellyfish decide whether you go in. With children, come in the dry season and sleep close to a calm beach.

A mangrove day trades the beaches for channels among the trees, with limestone cliffs on either side. Ao Thalane, on the coast northwest of Ao Nang, is paddled on a guided half day of four to five hours, and the operator sets the time by the tide. Further north, in Ao Luek, Tham Lot is a pair of caves you pass through by boat or kayak from the Bor Tor pier, at low tide only.

Both Ao Thalane trips we list take young children; check the age limits on the one you book. Not for you if you want beaches or snorkelling, or would rather not spend a few hours sitting in a kayak. Tham Phi Hua To, the painted cave some operators still sell, was closed by the park in November 2023, and we found no announcement that it has reopened.

Phi Phi is the bigger name, and a much longer day: the tours we list run from seven to ten hours, by speedboat or catamaran. At Maya Bay you land at the back of the island and walk in, swimming is not allowed, and the bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September. Phang Nga Bay, with James Bond Island, is a full day further up the coast, about the bay and its karst seen from a boat or a canoe: not a beach day.

Koh Lanta is a stay rather than a day out: about three hours each way from Ao Nang by road and car ferry, all year, with boats from November to April. Go for a few nights if you want its beaches, its old town and the boats to Koh Rok. Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, the quiet islands across the bay, ask for two or three nights too.

Krabi does not shut for the monsoon. A short list of places closes on fixed dates, Maya Bay among them, and the rest depends on the sea, morning by morning: on some days the harbour authority stops boats from going out at all. If one boat trip matters to you, put it early in your stay, so that a cancellation can move to another morning.

The days that do not depend on the sea are on land: the temple, the Emerald Pool and the hot springs by road, Krabi Town and its markets, a cooking class. The Huay To waterfall is even at its best in the rainy season, roughly August to October. If you are still deciding what fits into your days, the shortlist of what is worth booking and the itineraries put it in order.