White sand beaches surrounded by towering cliffs and turquoise water are just some of the things to expect when seeking out the best beaches in Krabi.
I spent three days exploring most of the Krabi beaches and was absolutely blown away at each location.
I have put together this complete guide to the 5 BEST Beaches In Krabi including where to find them and what to expect at each one.
5 BEST BEACHES IN KRABI
AO NANG BEACH
Ao Nang Beach is a 20-minute drive from Krabi Town and it’s the main hub for all things happening.
A long stretch of white sand beach welcomes you when you arrive at Ao Nang Beach and it’s the best pick of beaches in Krabi to watch the sunset!
Apart from enjoying the calm waters at Ao Nang Beach, there are dozens of restaurants, bars, cafes, and retail stores that line the Esplanade strip.
My favorite cafe for reasonably priced food and coffee is the Lion & Shark.
If you plan to do island and beach hopping around some of the best islands in Thailand, most of the longtail taxi boats operate out of Ao Nang Beach, bound for the neighboring islands and other beaches that are only accessible by boat.
Click here to view the most top-rated Island Hopping Tours in Krabi and book online ahead of time to get the best rates.
After a day of island and beach hopping, you’ll want to experience the Ao Nang Nightlife, which is when this small beach town comes to life.
The most reputable bar in Ao Nang is Smile Bar Central Point for great cocktails and all-around good vibes!
If partying is not your thing, I recommend heading over to the night markets located at Noppharat Thara Beach, a short 15-minute walk from Ao Nang.
However, keep in mind that Krabi is one of the best places to visit in Asia!
See All: Homestays/Hotels/Resorts in Krabi
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RAILAY BEACH WEST – BEST BEACH IN KRABI
Railay Beach West is undoubtedly one of the most popular beaches in Krabi.
West Railay Beach is where the majority of longtail boats zip in and out of the bay doing the dropping and picking up of beach-goers.
The earlier you arrive at Railay Beach West the better, that is to say, if you want to enjoy this beautiful white sand beach before the midday crowds.
West Railay Beach is the perfect spot to cool off by jumping in for a swim in the netted-off area in the bay.
There are also a dozen beachside cafes and bars, so you won’t have to travel too far for some food and beverages after a swim.
Another fun adventure to be had at Railay Beach West is to rent a kayak and explore the bay.
There are many kayaks available for rent along the beach for around 200 Baht per hour. You can leave your bags safely with the kayak rental operators while you are out enjoying your paddle.
At the western end of the bay is the access point for Tonsai Beach, which is the next beach over from West Railay Beach.
At low tide, it is possible to walk around the rocky headland to Tonsai Beach for a few minutes.
Alternatively, on high tide, a bush trail leads over the headland and takes approximately 10 minutes to walk before emerging on the sand at Tonsai Beach.
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TONSAI BEACH
Tonsai Beach is by far my favorite beach in Krabi. I think the entire adventure of getting to Tonsai Beach was what made this spot so exciting and favorable to me.
When I visited Tonsai Beach it was high tide so I ventured on the bush trail from West Railay Beach to get there.
When I arrived at Tonsai Beach the first thing I spotted was half a dozen rock climbers scaling the cliff face.
Not knowing previously that this region is popular for rock climbing enthusiasts, I was very intrigued and watched for a good 15 minutes.
I continued on to explore the entire Tonsai Beach which is surrounded by a bowl of massive cliffs in a half-moon-shaped bay.
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Tonsai Beach seemed to be one of the most unspoiled and uncrowded beaches which makes this location even more enjoyable.
There happens to be a sports bar just back from the shoreline on Tonsai Beach, serving up decent food complimented by a cold beer and there is even a billiards table off to the side. Only in Thailand right?!
Tonsai Beach is visually pleasing with a number of awesome viewpoints to take photos.
My favorite photo location is at the east end of the bay on top of a large boulder that sits on the sand beneath the cliffs.
RAILAY BEACH EAST
Railay Beach East is more of a photogenic location as opposed to a swimming spot, though it is still one of the best beaches in Krabi.
You can find seaside restaurants serving up Western and Thai cuisine with awesome views of Railay Beach East and distant mountains.
There is also a small pier for resort guests coming in and out of the bay.
The best adventure to be had on Railay Beach East is hiking to the Railay Viewpoint, which offers panoramic views overlooking the entire region!
It’s more of a muddy climb than a hike to reach the Railay Viewpoint, but if you are fit and able, this adventure is a MUST.
It takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to reach the viewpoint on a trail that is a combination of rocks, ropes, tree vines, and steps.
Trust me, the view is incredibly rewarding at the top and an adventure you will not regret.
PHRA NANG
Phra Nang Beach, also known as Princess Cave Beach, is one of the most unique and beautiful beaches in the region.
A number of caves can be found at the foot of the cliffs and a huge islet sits not too far off the beach, creating an incredible postcard-worthy backdrop.
Phra Nang Beach I believe would have once been a hidden gem, but now due to the popularity of the unique caves on the white sand beach and the incredible surrounding scenery, this location is no longer untouched.
However, if you are exploring on a kayak there are smaller beaches to seek out just around the corner from Phra Nang Beach and you will most likely have them entirely to yourself.
Inside the caves themselves, are shrines full of wooden penises… I have seen these hand-crafted wooden penises quite a lot throughout my travels in South East Asia and it is said that the offerings of penises at these shrines are that the belief shall create fertility and prosperity for the whole earth and mankind.
Most people didn’t seem too interested in the meaning of this concept, but rather just wanted to take a selfie with all the wooden penises stacked high inside the cave.
WHERE TO STAY IN KRABI
Krabi has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Krabi Resort
Mid Range: Vipa Tropical Resort
Budget: Popeye Guesthouse
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN KRABI, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR KRABI
When visiting Krabi, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
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FINAL THOUGHTS – KRABI BEACHES
If you have any questions about the Beaches in Krabi, please drop me a line below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
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