April 13th, 2024 |Â |Â By:Â Grace Kim
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Located along the Andaman coast is Krabi Island, paradise for those looking for the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. Known for it’s iconic beaches and crystal-clear waters, Krabi Island represents some of the most beautiful limestone cliffs and breathtaking sunsets in all of Thailand. Whether you’re planning on visiting solo, with families, or as a couple, there are a handful of reasons why you don’t want to miss out on visiting Krabi.
During my month long Thailand journey, I only had 2 days to explore Krabi Island and it was not enough time. Prior to my trip, I had no idea how much there was to see as I’ve soon realized that it was one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands. With that being said, visiting Krabi Island is one of the first places I’d go back in a heartbeat because of how beautiful, captivating, and breathtaking the scenery is.
So if you’re planning on visiting Krabi Town, what are the best things to do there? How many days is enough to explore the island? Is 2 days enough to visit Krabi Island? Well, after my 2 day visit, I’ve come up with the best things you need to do to make your Krabi trip unforgettable.
Where to Stay?
When visiting Krabi Town, there’s no doubt that you have to spend a few nights at Red Ginger Chic Resort. From my experience, it is one of the best hotels and resorts in town. It’s about a 5-7 minute walk from the main downtown area but my total experience at the hotel was unbeatable. I’ve stayed at over 15 hotels while solo traveling Thailand and it was one of my top hotels I’ve stayed at. However, I understand that when traveling, that finding a hotel in the most prime location is important in order to be close to places downtown. But if having breakfast in a floating basket in a pool isn’t enough to convince you to stay at Red Ginger Chic Resort, then I don’t know what can.
From the most incredible staff to the quality of the rooms and the food, I couldn’t have asked for a better stay during my visit to Krabi. My room had two floors with a balcony, which was perfect to start the day with morning coffee and personal time as the sun would shine through my balcony. Kasmaporn made sure that I had the best stay at Red Ginger Chic Resort during my visit and her and the staff was nothing but exceptional. The rooms were large, comfortable, and the staff even suggested a ton of things to do in Krabi during my visit.
The Best Things to Do in Krabi
Once you’ve settled into your accommodations, what are the best things to do in Krabi? And, is it worth exploring outside of Krabi Town?
Thailand is full of some of the most beautiful beaches and islands in the world. From my handful of times traveling in and out of Thailand, visiting Krabi Island was my favorite island, for obvious reasons. So whether you’re planning on visiting Krabi for 2 or 5 days, yes, it is worth exploring in and outside of Krabi Town. So what are must things to do in Krabi Town during your visit?
1. Walk along the beach
This one might seem like a no brainer, especially because Krabi Town is located along the Andaman Coast, but start off your day by taking a sunrise walk along the beach. Order a cup of coffee, listen to some music, and admire the coastal views along the beach.
2. Railay Beach
Now, if you think the coastal views along town are beautiful, know that that was only the beginning. Railay Beach has got to be one of the most underrated and exclusive beaches that most people don’t know to visit during their Thailand trip. Railay Beach was hands down, the most beautiful beach I’ve visited in Thailand and no matter how many times I plan to visit, I don’t think I could ever get sick of it.
Railay Beach is only accessible by boat so in order to get there, you either need to get tickets at Krabi Pier, or book a Day Trip SpeedBoat Tour. With the tour, not only will you get wonderful views, but you’ll also get treated with a delicious lunch made by the locals. Plus, if you’re like me and only have the day to explore Railay Beach, I recommend the guided tour to get all access to see everything that the island has to offer. Everything from relaxing on the beautiful islands along the beach to snorkeling in the bluest of waters, you’ll have 7-hours to explore Railay Beach. While 7-hours is enough time to explore the beach, if you have more flexibility, I recommend spending the night at places like Railay Bay Resort & Spa to solidify your visit.
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3. Explore Downtown Krabi Town
Considering that you’ve arrived in Krabi Town on an evening flight, or you’re looking to just take it easy for the day, there is so much to do in Downtown Krabi Town alone. There are a handful of souvenir shops to choose from and restaurants that serve khao mok gai, a chicken dish you can only find in Krabi. I recommend dining in at Baitoey Seafood Restaurant and Poo Dam Bar for some of those best eats.
Although not comparable to Bangkok, Krabi Town also has a pretty lively nightlife. Visit places like Boogie Bar and Bamboo Bar to end off the night with a couple of drinks.
4. Spend a Day at Emerald Pool
Visiting Emerald Pool is a must during your Krabi trip. If you don’t have access to get a car rental during your stay, there are other ways to get to Emerald Pool. There are day trips to Emerald Pool directly from select Ao Nang hotels and will leave you speechless. From being able to swim in the Blue Lagoon and walking through unique walkways, visiting Emerald Pool during my Krabi trip was one of the biggest highlights.
However, if you choose to run on your own time and rent a car, you’ll also get the chance to shop around the neighboring markets and outdoor shops. The one advice I would give is to get there as early as possible and snap your photos because it will get busy with large tour groups.
5. Rent a car and explore Panyee Village
My goal in Thailand was to photograph as much of the country as possible. Till this day, my favorite photo (and current phone wallpaper) is my photograph of Panyee Village. Panyee Village is located in Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and the mainland of Thailand.
Visiting Panyee Village is a bucket list destination, for many many reasons. The best way to get there is either to rent a car or get there by speed boat. We rented a car and got there with a local boat and to say the least, our trip there was magical.
Panyee Village was one of the most unique places I’ve visited in Thailand, one because the only way to get there is by boat. What I was the most shocked about is that there are around ~1,600 (360 families) who live in the village, as they receive 30 percent of their income from fishing. There is also a school on the village as well, as most of the kids support their parents’ business from their restaurants and shops.
6. Go on a private boat tour
Set sail on a private boat tour between Phi Phi and Krabi islands to explore all the hidden gems across Krabi’s coastline. Going on a tour is optimal for those looking to cruise with privacy while stopping at secluded beaches, lagoons, and sea caves. Create unforgettable memories along the Andaman Sea and own your private paradise for the day.
7. Relax at Koh Poda
Filled with the softest white sand and the clearest of waters, Koh Poda symbolizes a fraction of Thailand’s paradise. Spend the day snorkeling, swimming, or tanning along calm waters. I had so much fun playing volleyball after enjoying lunch served from the locals there, and shopping for souvenirs to at their outdoor markets.
Overall Experience
While my time was short, I was happy to squeeze in a handful of unforgettable things to do in Krabi during my visit. From taking a day trip to witness a beautiful sunset at Railay Beach to swimming in the bluest of waters at Emerald Pool, Krabi is full of some of the most beautiful wonders in Thailand. There’s a mix of relaxation and cultural immersion that you will experience during your visit. As I wish I had more time to explore more of the island, I know there will be a next time. Take my word, don’t miss out, and book that trip to Krabi during your trip to Thailand. Trust me on this one, you don’t want to miss out.
Save These Pins When Planning For trip to Krabi Island!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get from Krabi to Bangkok?
The quickest most convenient way to get from Krabi to Bangkok is by flying. There are direct, nonstop flights from KBV (Krabi Airport) to BKK (Suvarnabhumi Airport) that only takes 1.5 hours. Depending on how much in advance you purchase your tickets, one way flights can cost around 3,650 Thai Bhat (~$99 USD).
Is Krabi in Ao Nang?
While many people believe it is, Krabi is not in Ao Nang. Ao Nang is a subdistrict of the popular, Mueang Krabi District, which many know it to be famous for Phang-Nga Bay.
How many days do you need in Krabi?
While you can explore Krabi in 2 days, 3-5 days is recommended to explore Krabi. Especially if you rent a car, there is so much to see in Krabi, such as Emerald Pool, Railay Beach, and Panyee Village.
Is Krabi nicer than Phuket?
While one island isn’t necessarily “nicer” than the other, there are a lot of differences between Krabi and Phuket. Depending on what you are looking for, Krabi is nicer for a calmer vacation, while Phuket is preferred for groups. Both offer different and beautiful island views but since Phuket is more popular bigger in size, naturally, more people lean towards visiting Phuket than Krabi.
Is there much to do in Krabi?
From visiting exclusive islands to trying Krabi exclusive food, there is so much to do in Krabi. Especially if you have access to a car rental, your options are endless. I had so much fun driving and photographing in and outside of Krabi Town, it is one of the first places I would visit again in Thailand.
