 Krabi
Introduction Tour
As the tour name suggests this is an ideal way to familiarize yourself
with your new surroundings. There will be lots to see and plenty of
photo opportunities as you discover the main sights of Krabi on this
half day tour. Don't miss this opportunity to discover one of the most
attractive tourist destinations in southern Thailand. Book now!
Click here for more information and Booking Details » |
Beaches
Just across Phangnga Bay, in the shadow of Phuket Island, lies another
southern Thai jewel, the peacful and relatively unspoilt paradise of Krabi.
Known as the "Emerald of the Andaman," for its brilliant white beaches,
myriad small islands dotted along its coast, and the fabled Phi Phi island
group. A mecca for sun worshippers and divers.
Yao Beach, Phi Phi Don
This beach, also known as Long Beach, is one of the most famous on the
island. Not only does it offer a broad, sweeping beach and unbelievable
scenery, it also is home to some of the best coral reefs in the area.
Snorkeling and Scuba diving top the long list of things to do here, and
accommodation is plentiful. The only complaint might be a little too much
development. Hat Yao can be reached on foot or by longtail boat from the
pier at Ton Sai.
Lanti Beach: Phi Phi Don
This beach is in close proximity to Hat Yao, and is equal to it in nearly
all respects. Once underdeveloped, Hat Lanti has only recently given way to
commercialism, and remains quite beautiful. Offshore coral reefs provide for
some great snorkeling, and accommodation is cheap and decent.
Hat Lanti is accessible on foot via the viewpoint trail. Boats to Hat
Lanti are difficult to find, because bungalow owners refuse to pay
commissions, but boats can be arranged from Hat Lanti quite easily.
Hin Khom Beach, Phi Phi Don
This beach is one of the more unremarkable on Phi Phi Don, and has
recently fallen prey to over-development and lack of maintenance.
Hin Khao Beach, Phi Phi Don
This is one of the more isolated beaches on Phi Phi Don, accessible only
on foot. This beach offers good views, and peace and quiet.
Ao Ton Sai, Phi Phi Don
This is the oldest developed beach area on Phi Phi Don, and the most
congested. Still, Ton Sai offers some rather good views of the surrounding
territory, and although lacking beauty, it is the most accessible and
convenient place on the island.
 Canoe
Cave Explorer
Join in this ultimate adventure tour! This is a unique experience that
takes you into the wonderful limestone formations of Krabi on board a
small canoe complete with your own skilled canoe guide. You will be
witness to some of the most spectacular scenery in Thailand and the
newly discovered sea caves. A day not to be missed!
Click here for more information and Booking Details » |
Railay Beach
As for sandy beaches, East Hat Railay has relatively little to offer, but
is within walking distance of both West Hat Railay, and Hat Tham Phranang,
which offer some of the best beaches anywhere. Both East and West Hat Railay
can be reached by boat from Krabi's Chao Fah Bridge. These boats cost 50
baht per person, and typically take about 45 minutes.
However, outside of the months between November and April, these boats
usually do not go all the way around to West Hat Railay, because of
unfavorable sea conditions. During this period, you must get off the boat at
East Hat Railay, and then walk to your final destination.
Klong Jark, Lanta Island
This is the southernmost beach on Lanta, and although rather average by
most standards, the proximity to completely deserted Mai Phai beach, and the
national park make this a good place to stay. Also, there is a small
waterfall and a lagoon nearby.
Pranang Beach
Hat Pranang is a long, beautiful stretch of beach, located just south of
Hat Noppharat Thara. This stretch of beach is rapidly developing, however,
it still remains quite stunning. In addition to the broad, white-sand beach,
Hat Pranang has clean, clear water and a backdrop of striking limestone
islands and cliffs. There are a total of 83 small islands in the bay, and
they can be explored by boat trips arranged by many of the guesthouses.
Unlike Hat Noppharat Thara, Hat Pranang is a full service beach offering a
wide variety of recreational water sports. This entire area offers excellent
Scuba diving, with both reefs and a wide variety of marine wildlife.
Laem Tong, Phi Phi Don
This is one of the nicest beaches on Phi Phi Don, offering spectacular
views and a nice stretch of marvelous beach. Hat Laem Tong has its own pier,
and therefore is accessible. However, it is targeted at the high-budget
tourist.
Klong Dao, Lanta Island
This beach is the most populous of those offered on Lanta, with several
bungalows at very reasonable prices.
Located 2 km from the Saladan pier, this beach offers visitors clean,
sparkling sand, tepid, translucent waters, and excellent views of the
surrounding areas.
Recreational activities are limited, but there is plenty of sand and sun
to go around, making this a wonderfully relaxing and stress-free vacation
spot.
Phra Ae, Lanta Island
At the northern end of Lanta, this beach is known for its fine sand and
quickly shelving coastline.
Where to stay: Accommodation at Phra Ae are extremely affordable, and the
food is sumptious. Like most of the beaches on Lanta Island, recreational
activities are few and far between.
Tham Pranang Beach
This secluded beach is one of the most popular destinations for travelers
in Thailand. Accessible only by boat, this sweeping beach offers
fine-grained white sand and crystalline waters, as well as magnificent
jagged karsts. Although visitors flock to this beach year-round, it is still
extremely pristine, and considered to be the most attractive in the area.
The Inner and Outer Pranang Caves, and Pranang Lagoon are close by, and
offer some truly spectacular views. Accommodation is available over a wide
price range, and the food is excellent. Despite the fact that it is
reachable only by boat, this area offers plenty of recreational activities.
Klong Nin, Lanta Island
Like nearly all the beaches on Lanta, Klong Nin is isolated and quiet.
Fine, sandy beaches are essentially all one will encounter here, and the
accommodations are adequate.
Again, this is not the place to go if you want to go jet-skiing or para-sailing,
but perfect if you want to read a book on a beautiful beach.
Kantiang, Lanta Island
Towards the southern tip of the island, Kantiang beach is one of the most
beautiful on Koh Lanta.
Although accommodations are only average, the sparkling sands and
iridescent aquamarine waters more than compensate.
There is also excellent snorkeling available in the surrounding area.
Klong Kaong, Lanta Island
This beach, 2 km south of Phra Ae, is extremely peaceful, and has
excellent accommodation at bargain prices.
Although the food is not quite as good as at Phra Ae, the beaches are
isolated, tranquil and serene.
Island
Krabi offers the adventurous traveller not just beautiful beaches and
clear green seas, but numerous islands, large and small, for exploring or
even living like Robinson Crusoe for a while.
Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are by far the main attraction to Krabi, and are
widely considered to be amongst the most beautiful places in the world.
There are six islands altogether: Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Bida Nok,
Bida Nai, Yung, and Phai; each of which offers some of the most unique
topography on this planet. Of these six islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley
are the largest, and most well known.
Phi Phi Don
This is the largest of the Phi Phi islands, and offers some of the most
arresting scenery available anywhere in the world. Phi Phi Don is comprised
of two main sections, peculiarly connected by a narrow strip of glittering
white sand. It was here, in the center, where the first settlement of Ton
Sai was established.
Since that time, Phi Phi Don has earned a reputation as one of the most
alluring sights in the region, offering spectacular beaches, gleaming,
turquoise seas, and remarkable landscapes. This reputation, however, has not
come without a cost.
In recent years Phi Phi Don has experienced a tremendous amount of
growth, and is no longer the pristine island that it was just ten years ago.
This is not to say, however, that there is no longer anything to see on Phi
Phi Don. Regardless of the commercial expansion, Phi Phi Don still remains
one of the most magnificent places in the region.
The upside to the recent development of Phi Phi Don is that it is now
able to offer a more complete range of services. A virtually unlimited
number of recreational activities are now offered for the tourist and the
traveler. Phi Phi Don also offers some very good game-fishing, and sea
kayaks are obtainable for a reasonable fee. Phi Phi Don can be reached by
boat from the Chao Fah Bridge in Krabi, for about 150 baht. The trip
typically takes about 2 hours.
Beaches - Phi Phi Don: Hat Yao, Hat Lanti , Hat Hin Khom, Hat Hin Khao,
Ton Sai, Hat Laem Tong
Phi Phi Ley
The second largest of the Phi Phi Island chain, Phi Phi Ley is extremely
beautiful, and pristine.
Day trips to Phi Phi Ley are available, and one of the biggest
attractions is Phaya Naak Cave, or Viking Cave, which has some bonafide
prehistoric carvings.
Another attraction to Phi Phi Ley are the nests of the edible-nest
swiftlet, which fetch up to US $2000 per kilogram. Armed guards stand watch
over these nests, to protect them against poachers. Overnight stays on Phi
Phi Ley are forbidden.
Another attraction to Phi Phi Ley is the abundance of coral reefs, which
make for some extraordinary Scuba diving and snorkeling. Recently, the
motion picture The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed on Phi Phi
Ley, giving viewers a mere glimpse of the truly breathtaking scenery this
island has to offer.
Yung Island, Phi Phi Ley
This small island in the Phi Phi chain is a few km north of Phi Phi Don,
and has two small beach areas. Much like Phi Phi Don, and Phi Phi Ley, Yung
Island offers visitors some fabulous scenery, both underwater and above.
Day trips are available to Yung Island from Phi Phi Don, and feature
brilliant views of pristine coral fields.
Phai Island, Phi Phi Ley
This is another small, deserted island in the Phi Phi chain that can be
visited during the day by boat. Phai Island offers some tremendously
attractive scenery, and also has exceptional coral specimens.
However, like Yung Island, this pristine island is uninhabited, and has
no accommodation.
Lanta Island
Although less scenic than some other areas in the province, Koh Lanta is
perhaps the most idyllic area available in Krabi. While lacking the towering
karsts, Lanta offers travelers something that is growing increasingly
difficult to find on Phi Phi or Pranang: peace and quiet. With over 19
pristine, tree-lined beaches, remarkably friendly residents, and inexpensive
accommodations, Lanta Island is the perfect place to go for a serene,
relaxing vacation.
A section of the southern portion of the island was recently made into a
national marine park, and further south is a large community of sea gypsies.
How to get there: Passenger boats to Lanta cost 150 baht and can be taken
from the Chao Fah pier, Krabi. Lanta can also be reached by a combination of
minibus/ferry. Minibuses to Bo Muang leave from in front of the TAT
sub-office in Krabi, and cost 40 baht. Ferries from Bo Muang to Lanta Island
leave at 12.30 and 2.00 pm, for another 40 baht. Ferries can also be taken
to the new port at Saladan, which is more developed, for 50 baht. This ferry
leaves Bo Muang at 1.30 pm. Beaches, Lanta Island: Klong Dao, Phra Ae, Klong
Koang, Klong Nin, Kantiang,
Hong Island
This island is located at the edge of the Than Bokkhorani National Park,
and is accessible via boat from Ao Pranang. The trip takes about an hour,
but is well worth it, as Hong Island is home to a beautiful sandy beach, and
some wonderful deep and shallow water coral deposits.
In addition, Koh Hong has several caves that are home to the edible-nest
swiftlet, whose nests are valued at over US$2000 per kg.
Natural Wonders
In the friendly town of Krabi, there are hotels, shops and restaurants,
and yet it still retains its natural charm.
The two mountains which straddle the Krabi River, in the town of Khao
Khanap Nam, are a stunning example of stalagmites and stalactites. At Sah
Bok Khorani, one of the eight big ponds nestling in a shady forested area,
lays a replica of the Lord Buddha's footprint carved from wood.
A small waterfall, running down from the mountain in steps, creates a
magical emerald tinge to the big pond.
Tham Phet, Amphoe Ao Luk
In front of the cave an image of Buddha is enshrined. The name of this
cave, "Phet," means diamond, and indeed sparking stone casts beautiful
reflections on the cave wall.
How to get there: 3 km from the intersection at Ao Luk Nua market. The
best way to get there is to first contact the National Park Office at Than
Bokkhorani for a guide.
Kao Phanom Bencha National Park, Amphoe Khao Phanom
20 kilometers from Krabi along Talat Kao-Ban Huai To Road, and covering a
total area of 50 square km, including some parts of Amphoe Ao Luk, Amphoe
Khao Phanom, and Amphoe Muang. Khao Phanom Bencha National Park had thick
forest on its highest peaks. Its marvellous scenery is enhanced by streams,
waterfalls, and wild animals.
The park's major attractions are Huai To and Huai Sa-de waterfalls.
Than Bokkhorani National Park, Amphoe Ao Luk
Covering 37.5 rai (1 rai = 160 square meters) in Tambon Ao Leuk Tai, 1 km
from the Tambon Ao Leuk Neua Market intersection on the Ao Luk Sak road, the
park is shady and forested. Among the many different species of trees in the
park are wild gardenia, asoka, and Apocynaceae.
The Sah Bok Khorani - after which the park is named - flows through a
winding passage in the mountains. At the north end of the pool is a
footprint of the Buddha carved in wood and a shrine to Chao PhoTo Yuan-To
Chong.
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