Krabi itinerary blog — Krabi, a new beach paradise in Southern Thailand

When it comes to beaches in Thailand, everyone tends to think of Phuket – the most popular destination with white powdery sand beaches that extend beneath the shadow of coconut palms. However, in recent years, Krabi has emerged as a new perfect alternative when Phuket is overcrowded. Krabi is just as lovely as Phuket, but it is calmer and possibly even more appealing in its own right. Now, have a look at our Krabi itinerary blog – Krabi, a new beach paradise in Southern Thailand — down below.

Kayaking to the stunning fjords

Krabi’s allure stems from the beautiful limestone islands that stand out in the blue sea. Visitors may choose from a variety of itineraries because each group of islands and islets has its own particular charm. Some islands are known for their coral reefs, while others provide visitors with views of colorful fish swimming around. Wild cats can be found on certain islands. There are even clusters of islands in the ocean that form a “oasis.”

Kayaking at Ao Thalane amid Thailand’s most gorgeous mangrove forest was the highlight of my visit. We began the adventure by kayaking through a quiet region. I couldn’t find the appropriate words to describe how majestic the limestone cliffs were. When I approached them, I had the impression that they were ready to collapse on us. If you go there, you could feel the same way I did, realizing how little we all are in comparison to the majestic mountains and boundless ocean.

In our quiet kayaks, we followed our hilarious and energetic guide past cliffs, beaches, and islets before entering a new world of beautiful mangroves. We sailed across the “fjords,” occasionally leaning down to pass through a labyrinth of roots or low caverns. The most terrifying yet fascinating experience was being lost in a “fight” between two hostile groups of monkeys. The monkeys are often sociable and a little naughty. When it comes to fighting over food, though, they have a fury to be reckoned with.

When we saw other kayaking groups coming from the opposite direction, our guide began asking them, “Hey guys, did you spot any crocodiles or snakes that way?” This type of inquiry piqued our interest while also making us nervous. It took us 4 hours to paddle roughly 12 kilometers, yet no one was fatigued, only more anxious to keep going. To finish the kayak route, we stopped at a beautiful beach and swam for a bit.

The nightlife in Krabi was vibrant, with restaurants and bars along the beach. We went down town to buy souvenirs after having supper and live music at a small restaurant. We stopped at a rock bar on the way. I’m not a big fan of rock music, but as I walked into the pub, I was drawn in by the thrilling music and outstanding performances by the drummers and female singer. One of my pals, a genuine rocker at heart, raved about the pub.

Your trip to Krabi wouldn’t be complete without a Thai massage. Massage salons can be found at every corner. The staff are professional and caring. What would be better than ending your day of kayaking with relaxing Thai massage therapies?

Face to face with giant Iguana in Koh Hong

We went on a trip to Koh Hong Island on our second day in Krabi. I chose not to go to adjacent Koh Phi Phi, which is quite popular with tourists. Koh Hong is a tiny island with a lot of beautiful fish. We leased an express boat, which was not significantly more expensive than sharing a boat with other tourists. The boat can transport approximately 30-40 people for 800 bath (about 22USD) each pax, but our charter boat only cost us 1000bath per passenger.

The passenger vehicle took us up at the hotel in the morning. It just took 5 minutes to get to the wharf. I was really pleased by their professional approach to client service. The driver arrived on time, drove us to the pier, introduced us to a sailor, and then took us to the boat. There was nothing we had to do but enjoy the vacation. Furthermore, we were permitted to walk freely on the boat. This was one excursion that was unquestionably worthwhile.

Our first stop was Ko Lao Lading, a tiny island with beautiful wild cats. There is a beautiful trail that leads inward from the shore. We went to Koh Phak Bia, a group of islets connected by a road beneath the water, after taking a brief break there. When the tide is low, the road seems like a long stretch of white dunes, comparable to Diep Son in Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa Province.

There are several unusual fishes to be found there. Schools of zebra fish swim about joyfully. If you are so inclined, you can dive along the stone around the island to “make friends” with them. If you don’t want to crash into the cliffs, keep an eye out for waves. We returned to the boat after about an hour and traveled to Hong Lagoon, the most well-known of Krabi’s several lagoons.

The Hong Lagoon is enchanting with its signature emerald water. You can also visit a small mangrove forest on the exclusive road. As the boat was sweeping through the natural gate formed by two high cliffs, everyone got excited about the beauty of this lagoon.

We arrived at Koh Hong around midday. We placed a huge table near the river, beneath the shade of trees, for a well-cooked meal. Lunch was not included because we rented a private boat without a guide. Instead, the day before going to Koh Hong, we bought groceries at Ao Nang, Krabi’s main tourist center.

While we were resting on the beach, one of my buddies frantically raced back and reported seeing a lizard the size of a human strolling on the sand. We all followed him to see the colossal iguana. It was the largest reptile I’d ever seen. The two-meter-long iguana was walking down the beach, looking for food. There was no indication that it was about to notice us, let alone care about our presence.

After saying our goodbyes to our colossal companion, we began our diving adventure. The BBC named Koh Hong as one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. The powdery sand beach with turquoise sea, on the other hand, is not the most appealing feature to vacationers. Its particular appeal stems from the colorful fishes that appear to be acclimated to the presence of humans. We considered them pals and had a fantastic time with the sea’s tiny companions.

Further information

Itinerary

You can fly with Nok Air, Jetstar, Vietjet, Air Asia, or Thai Airways from Hanoi or HCMC to Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang airport (Bangkok). From Bangkok, take a flight operated by Nok Air to Krabi. There is only on flight departing at 10:00am from Bangkok to Krabi. On the reverse route, the flight departs at 11:00am from Krabi. It could take you almost a day to travel by plane. You can also go by passenger car. Please visit https://12go.asia/en for further information. It takes about 10 hours by car, from 8:00 pm to early morning the next day; however, the high-quality cars are very comfortable.

There are many bus stations in Krabi. You can also take a car to Ao Nang. Express buses costs about 4USD/ ticket while a rental 4-seat car costs about 17USD/ day.

Krabi trip blog: Where to stay in Krabi?

Centra by Centara Phu Pano Resort Krabi (Address: 879 Moo 2, Soi Ao Nang 11, Krabi, 81180, Thailand / Phone: +66 75 607 888), 4-star hotel with room rates from $35/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Ban Sainai Resort (Address: 550 Moo 2 Ao Nang, Muang Krabi 81180, Thailand / Phone: +66 75 819 333), 4-star hotel with room rates from $56/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Avatar Railay Krabi (Address: 629 Moo 2 Tambon Ao Nang, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi 81000, Thailand / Phone: +66 75 818 333), 3-star hotel with room rates from $35/night.

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi (Address: 396-396/1, Krabi, Ao Nang, Amphur Muang, Krabi 81180, Thailand / Phone: +66 75 637 789), 5-star hotel with room rates from $141/night.

Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach (Address: 123 Moo 3 Ao Nang Beach A. Muang Ao Nang, 81, Krabi 81180, Thailand / Phone: +66 75 810 888), 4-star hotel with room rates from $71/night.

Aonang Cliff Beach Resort (Address: 328 Moo 2, Tambol Aonang, Amphur Muang, Krabi, 81000, Thailand / Phone: +66 75 626 888), 4-star hotel with room rates from $47/night.

The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort (Address: Thailand, Mueang Krabi District, 123 Moo. 3 Tubkaak Beach, Tumbol Nongtalay, Amphur / Phone: +66 75 628 456), 5-star hotel with room rates from $142/night.

Centara Anda Dhevi Resort and Spa (Address: 182 Moo 3, Tumbol Ao Nang Soi 8, Mueang Krabi, Krabi, 81000, Thailand / Phone: +66 75 626 222), 5-star hotel with room rates from $45/night.

There are various types of accommodations from hostels to luxurious hotels. The average rate is about 17 – 23 USD/ night.

Rental motorbike

Rent a motorbike to easily travel around Ao Nang for about 6-8USD/ day. Be noted that Thai people drive on the left side of the road.

Food

Pork is not frequently offered since it is located in southern Thailand, where the majority of the inhabitants are Muslim. Many restaurants open between 4 and 5:00 p.m. and serve fried prawns, grilled squid, fried squid, and steamed or grilled mussels. Dishes are reasonably priced, costing approximately $2 per dish. You should also taste som tam (papaya salad) and tom yum (chicken soup) (Thai sour soup). Remember to specify “no spicy” or “mai phet” while ordering because the meals are generally quite hot.

Tour

You are required to buy a tour package to visit the islands. There are many agencies offering the same quote. You can book a tour in Ao Nang. Prices:

+ Phi Phi Island: 1000 baht (29USD)
+ Hong Island: 800 baht (23USD)
+ Ao Thalane kayaking tour: 500 baht (17USD)

Outfit

Bring swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and necessary items with you. If you want to join different tours, you can buy waterproof bags from 5l to 20l, for 150 to 350 bath.

Souvenirs

There are numerous shops selling souvenirs and T-shirts with the symbol of Krabi. Elephant statues are everywhere. Magnets with the symbol of Krabi are eye-catching and can’t be found in any other place. Price: 100 bath/ 3 magnets.