Landmarks in Krabi
- 01
Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot)
A forest pool in Khao Phra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary, fed by warm springs and coloured an emerald green. It is reached by a boardwalk from the car park, with a longer forest trail to a second pool.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours on site; half a day with the drive
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Arrive near opening time; November to March is driest
- Tickets
- Entry is paid in cash at the gate. Reports put foreign adult tickets near 400 baht and children near 200, but check the current rate on arrival. Opening hours are usually daytime only; the site can close in heavy rain.
- 02
Fossil Shell Beach (Susan Hoi)
A shoreline at Ban Laem Pho, about 2 km long, where limestone slabs are packed with fossilised freshwater snails. Often called the Shell Cemetery, or Susan Hoi in Thai.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Dry-season mornings or late afternoons; avoid rough monsoon days
- Tickets
- Entry fees are charged for foreign visitors in some reports; check the current amount on site. Hours vary by source.
- 03
Khao Phanom Bencha and Huai To Falls
A national park about 20 km north of Krabi Town with rainforest, caves and the multi-tier Huai To Falls, which drops around 80 metres in five cascades. A cool inland day away from the coast.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to March; avoid heavy rain when paths and streams are dangerous
- Tickets
- National park fees apply; check the current amount on arrival. Conditions change with weather, so ask staff which areas are open.
- 04
Phra Nang Beach and Cave
A sheltered cove at the southern tip of the Railay peninsula, walled in by cliffs on three sides, with a small cave shrine to the Phra Nang princess spirit. It is one of Krabi's most photographed beaches.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours including the walk or boat transfer
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; November to March for calmer sea
- Tickets
- The beach and cave shrine were reported free to enter at the time of writing, with a small charge for toilets. Check at the site, as arrangements change.
Neighbourhoods in Krabi
- 05
Ao Nang
Krabi's main resort town, built along one long street of restaurants, shops and tour desks, with longtail boats leaving for Railay, Phra Nang and the islands. A practical base, not a quiet one.
- Time needed
- A base for 2 to 5 nights; a few hours for an evening walk
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to March; evenings for the promenade
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Boat prices and tour packages vary by operator; compare at several desks and confirm what is included before paying.
- 06
Railay Beach
A limestone-walled peninsula between Krabi Town and Ao Nang that no road reaches. Arrive by longtail boat and spend a day on West Railay's wide sand or the cliff-backed beaches around it.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day; one night if you want the quiet before and after the day boats
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to March for calm seas; go early morning or late afternoon, when the day-trip crowd is thin
- Tickets
- No entry fee for the beaches themselves. Longtail boats from Ao Nang run on a shared or chartered basis; confirm the fare and the return arrangement before you board, and note that boats can stop or reroute in rough seas.
Experiences in Krabi
- 07
Hong Islands (Ko Hong) day trip
Limestone islands in Than Bok Khorani National Park, famous for a lagoon surrounded by cliffs that is reached only by boat or kayak. A full-day outing from Ao Nang or Krabi Town.
- Time needed
- Full day (about 6 to 8 hours including transfers)
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to March for calmer seas; go early
- Tickets
- Tours are sold by many operators; national park fees may be extra and sources disagree on the amount, so confirm before booking. Overnight stays on the island are not generally permitted in the protected area.
- 08
Poda and Chicken Island boat trip
A day by longtail or speedboat from Ao Nang to the Poda group of islands in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, usually combining Ko Poda, Chicken Island (Ko Kai) and a swimming or snorkelling stop.
- Time needed
- Half day to a full day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to March for calmer sea; go early to avoid the busiest hours
- Tickets
- Tours are sold by many operators, and national-park fees are charged separately or included depending on the package. Prices and itineraries vary, so confirm what is included before booking.
Temples in Krabi
- 09
Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
A Buddhist meditation temple north-east of Krabi Town, known for its long stairway to a hilltop golden Buddha and broad views over the Krabi plain. A forest monastery at the base with cave dwellings.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours for the summit; 30 to 45 minutes for the lower grounds only
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Right at opening or at the coolest hour; avoid midday heat
- Tickets
- Check current opening hours and any donation or entry arrangement on site. Dress covers shoulders and knees; remove shoes where signs ask, and respect monks and meditation areas.
- 10
Wat Kaew Korawaram
A large Buddhist temple on a hill above downtown Krabi Town, reached through an entrance plaza and a grand staircase lined with naga sculptures. Easier to visit than the Tiger Cave Temple.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler
- Tickets
- Wikipedia lists no entry arrangement; check on arrival whether donations are requested. Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes before entering halls.
