Nestled amid mangrove forests and limestone karsts, Krabi is the capital of the Krabi Province in Southern Thailand near the Andaman coastline. Home to iconic Koh Phi Phi Island and neighboring Koh Lanta, Krabi is one of the prominent beach destinations in Asia, and among the most relaxing places to visit in Thailand. Serene islands with unblemished beaches engulfed in emerald waters, towering cliffs shrouded in tropical foliage, mesmerizing cascades in the middle of the forest, and aesthetic products of fine craftsmanship, there are so many places to visit in Krabi that are quite exciting and all-encompassing. Here are some of the best attractions in Krabi you can surely explore while in Krabi as part of Thailand tour packages.
Railay Beaches & Caves
Surrounded by Karst cliffs, Railay Beach is a beautiful amalgamation of four beaches offering unique attractions like limestone cliffs, exotic resorts, a Lagoon, and the Tonsai Beach. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Thailand, and among the must-include places in Krabi tour packages. Glittering white sand, stunning landscapes, shining sun, azure water, and tropical climate of Railay Beach offer an amazing experience to anyone who loves a good adventure or those just wanting to relax on a beautiful beach. With many limestone cliffs and mysterious caves, this place is also a greatest rock-climbing destination for rock climbers. Besides, the beach offers several activities such as snorkeling, jungle hiking, etc. Accessible only by boat, Railay has no particular roads, only footpaths, making it a hassle-free land.
Koh Poda
Located off the west coast of Thailand, Koh Poda is a small, uninhabited island in the Krabi archipelago. This tiny island is covered with palm and pine trees and almost entirely encircled by a soft white-sand beach. It is a haven for nature lovers, and those who want solitude as the island is mesmerized by its beautiful sights, and fabulous scenery, and is away from the crowd. If you love adventure, then you can indulge in several water sports like swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking here. While on the island, just hire a long-tailed boat to sail off to the island and spend a day, soaking in the sun, dipping in the ocean, lying on the beach, or walking through the shoreline. This uninhabited island is owned by Had Noppharatthara – Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park. So, visitors are required to pay a National Park fee of around 400 baht per person upon arriving on the island.
Thung Teao Forest Natural Park
Thung Teao Forest Natural Park is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Krabi and one of the best places to visit near Bangkok. Thung Teao Forest Natural Park is an almost otherworldly landscape filled with high trees in the darkest of greens, deep emerald-colored water at its purest, wildlife at its maximum ease, and stunning waterfalls. The highlight of the park is the most-photographed Emerald Pool where one can enjoy a swim and jump across towering limestone cliffs. The stunning Emerald Pool is a highlight for many, with shimmering blue-green waters that are perfect for a refreshing dip. Also called Sa Morakot locally, the crystal-clear water of the pool contains rich in minerals that helps you in rejuvenating your skin and body. The tropical rainforest is also home to thermal springs and walking trails. The park is often bustling with photographers and nature lovers as it offers various opportunities and landscapes to capture this otherworldly beauty in camera or on canvas.
Mu Koh Hong
Mu Koh Hong is a group of 12 limestone islands which includes popular islands like Lao Riam Pakka, Lao or Sa Ka Lao La Ding, and the southern big island Lao Li Pe. These islands offer breathtaking scenery, soft white-sand beaches, amazing coral reefs, and crystal blue waters. This place is ideal for adventure enthusiasts as they can get indulged in water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling, etc. Fishing is one of the popular activities here as some of the unique fishes are available in the sea here. Another attraction close to the island is the Bok Khorani National Park which can be easily reached by boat ride.
Ao Nang
Ao Nang is a popular resort town situated in the Krabi Province of Southern Thailand. Known for its long Andaman beachfront, it is one of the best places to visit in Krabi for those people who want a vacation by the beach, market, and nightlife. It is also a great place from where you can go off diving, as there are many good diving spots in the vicinity of Ao Nang. Another major highlight of Ao Nang is that it is a hub for long-tail boats where you can hire a boat and take trips to the nearby beaches of limestone islands including Ko Hong, Koh Poda, and Koh Gai. If you want to try some rock climbing, you can take a boat tour to Railay Beach.
Tiger Cave Temple
Tiger Cave Temple, also known as Wat Tham Sua, is a revered Buddhist temple located in Krabi. Overlooking spectacular mountain and valley views, it is a sacred temple complex where monks live and worship within a stunning maze of natural caves surrounded by lush jungle. The temple got its name from the tiger paw prints inside the caves. The main attraction of this place is the giant golden Buddha statue. As you explore the caves, you will come across many relics and icons depicting the lives and beliefs of the religion. The summit offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the surrounding beautiful islands. However, one needs to climb up a staircase having 1237 steps to see the ‘footprint of the Buddha’.
Phi Phi Islands / Ko Phi Phi
Located southwest off the Krabi coastline, Ko Phi Phi is a small archipelago of six islands and is regarded as one of the best tourist places in Krabi. The beautiful bondage of two islands – Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh together by a narrow isthmus is something that makes this place more pretty. The postcard picture-perfect beaches, unending thickets, and craggy cliffs of Phi Phi Don have been known for attracting people from all over the world as part of Thailand tour packages. Also, Phi Phi Island is known for its adventure sports that range from snorkeling to rock climbing, and from scuba diving to hiking. Phi Phi Le is the most visited among the islands because of its steep limestone cliffs that look like they came out of the water. The island also has several coves, bays perfect for snorkeling, and the famous Viking Cave that contains prehistoric paintings. Ko Mai Phai or Bamboo Island, Bida Nok, and Bida Nai complete the Phi Phi islands, all of which are accessible only by longtail boats or speedboats from Krabi town or Phuket.
Koh Tup & Koh Mor
Located 9 km from Ao Nang is the Mu Koh Poda group of islands composed of four islands- Koh Poda, Koh Gai, Koh Tub, and Koh Mor, which could be reached through a 30-minute long-tail boat ride from the main towns of Krabi. The islands of Koh Tup and Koh Mor together with Koh Gai or Chicken Island are connected by a sandbar called “Talay Waek” which one can walk through during low tide. But one can also access these islets by swimming because they’re so near to each other. Also, visitors can hike Koh Tup’s summit from one will get stunning views of the surrounding islands. Besides, the beaches surrounding the islets are also great for swimming and snorkeling because of the crystal clear waters.
Klong Thom Hot Springs
Tucked into a small tropical jungle near Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, Klong Thom Hot Springs is one of the must-visit Krabi tourist places. The 5-meter-tall waterfall cascades to form over ten canopied ponds and mineral plunge pools. Rising to a pleasant 40–47-degree Celsius, these deep-rooted thermal springs are located inside the volcanic chambers of Klong Thom. Because of its rich natural components and mineral salts, a bath in the hot springs is said to treat body aches, skin ailments, rheumatism, and other bodily diseases. Surrounded by a pristine lush environment, a plunge in the hot water will provide you with a peaceful and refreshing experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.
Krabi Town
Krabi Town is a calm, laidback, and absolutely charming town away from the maddening tourist crowds of Thailand. The small market town remains to be very local yet it plays an important role in the province’s economy as it is the kick-off point for popular destinations like Koh Phi Phi, Railay, Koh Lanta, and Ao Nang. However, travellers should take notice of this town also, which offers an old-world charm and let you experience the best of Thai culture and hospitality. Visitors can engage in market activities, go for Thai massages, or even take a boat ride to Khao Kanab Nam. There are various restaurants in the town that serve excellent local as well as international cuisine.
Ao Luk Mangroves
If you love exploring and looking for secluded tourist destinations, then Ao Luk Mangroves is one of the perfect places in Krabi. The entire area is covered with limestone cliffs similar to those found in Phang Nga Bay dotting the hilly lush landscape that showcases an amazing picture of nature. Located within the mangroves are three caves—Tham Lod Neua, Tham Lod Neua, and Tham Phi Hua Toh which offer an adventure with their stunning rock formations and rich history. Of these limestone caves, one is nearly a narrow tunnel with many stalagmites and stalactites and the other served as a burial site nearly 3 millennia ago. The caves even have some wall paintings and unique rock formations. To reach Ao Luk Mangroves and caves, visitors will need to ride a long-tail boat from the Tha Pring Canal.