August 14, 2024

You're visiting Ao Nang during your stay in Krabi and wondering what you can do in the area? Let us guide you through the must-see excursions departing from Ao Nang. On the agenda: island exploration and inland adventures.

Excursion to Railay Beach and Phra Nang Bay

Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, the Railay peninsula ranks among the region's must-visit destinations. It's home to some of Thailand's most beautiful beaches: Railay Beach and Phra Nang Bay.

Accessible only by sea, you can venture into this wild region on a traditional long-tail boat excursion departing from Ao Nang. You can also take a ferry.

For your information, Railay Beach isn't just one beach but several: Railay East and Railay West. Phra Nang Bay is located further south on the peninsula.

Once there, plenty of activities await you:

• Phra Nang Cave: dedicated to Princess Phra Nang, this grotto shelters a sanctuary where you can observe a collection of wooden phalluses and lingams, symbols of the Hindu god Shiva associated with fertility and virility.
• Diamond Cave (also called Tham Phra Nang Nai): renowned for its impressive stalagmite formations, this cave is accessible from Railay East Beach.
• Bat Cave Railay: accessible from Phra Nang Bay, it offers lovely views over the bay.
• The lagoon and viewpoint: the peninsula houses a lagoon and viewpoint reachable by roughly a 30-minute hike (one way).
• Kayaking: you can rent a kayak for a few hours to explore the Railay surroundings. You might even paddle to Phra Nang Cave from Railay West. It's also an opportunity to make snorkeling stops to admire the marine life of the Andaman Sea.
• Rock climbing: for climbing enthusiasts, Railay is renowned worldwide as an excellent climbing destination.

Excursion to the 4 Islands (4 Island Tour)

The 4 Island tour is undoubtedly the most popular excursion departing from Ao Nang. As its name suggests, the excursion takes travelers to 4 nearby islands:

Koh Tup (or Koh Tub) and Koh Mor

Situated southwest of Ao Nang, Koh Tup is a small island with a tropical paradise feel. At low tide, a sandbar emerges, connecting other nearby islands, notably Koh Mor and Koh Kai. This sand crossing even has a name: the Talay Waek (meaning "divided sea"). Beyond enjoying the fine sand beach, you can snorkel and freedive.

Koh Kai (Chicken Island)

Nicknamed Chicken Island, Koh Kai rises like a limestone mountain from the sea. It gets its name from the fact that the rock formation at its summit resembles a chicken's head. Surrounded by stunning coral reefs, you can snorkel and explore the underwater world.

Koh Poda

Though barely a kilometer in diameter, Koh Poda is the largest of the 4 islands. Here too, you can relax on white sand, admire the karst landscapes and discover the marine depths through snorkeling or freediving.

Railay

While not technically an island, Railay peninsula is often included as a stop on this excursion. You can visit Phra Nang Cave with its numerous phalluses, enjoy the peninsula's beaches, explore the jungle, snorkel and kayak...

Note: some excursions include a final stop at Phra Nang Bay to enjoy the sunset at the end of the day. You can also request a night snorkeling option to witness a unique and magical phenomenon: bioluminescent plankton.

Good to know:

For the 4 Island tour, you can choose between a group excursion (by speedboat or long-tail boat) or a private excursion by renting a long-tail boat.

Since the islands are within a national park, you'll need to pay an entrance fee to visit them on a private tour. If you opt for a group excursion, the entrance fee is typically included in the price.

Excursion to Hong Island

Situated in Phang Nga Bay, Hong Island looks straight out of a postcard. It's characterized by impressive limestone cliffs amid which sits a stunning emerald-colored lagoon.

During an excursion to Hong Island, you can:

• Enjoy white sand beaches around the lagoon or beyond it;
• Snorkel in the lagoon to admire the impressive aquatic flora and fauna;
• Kayak to explore the lagoon, considered one of Thailand's best kayaking spots. You can also paddle around the island;
• Climb to the viewpoint for a 360-degree panorama of the surroundings.

Note that it's best to visit the lagoon at high tide for better conditions.

Good to know:

Again, you can choose to visit Hong Island on a group excursion or a private one. You can opt for a speedboat to get there faster and save time, or choose a long-tail boat excursion for more authenticity.

Excursion to Koh Phi Phi Island:

Famed worldwide for Maya Bay, where the film "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio was shot, the Koh Phi Phi archipelago captivates with its exquisite scenery.

Beyond discovering Maya Bay, a full-day excursion to Koh Phi Phi from Ao Nang allows you to navigate between the archipelago's islands, notably the two largest: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. In the latter, you'll find the Phi Phi Leh lagoon, one of Thailand's most magical spots.

You can also visit other regional sites like Bamboo Island, snorkel, see monkeys at Monkey Beach, explore Viking Cave...

Good to know:

We recommend opting for a speedboat excursion to save time and see as much as possible.

Discovering the Hinterland: Emerald Pool, Hot Springs and Tiger Cave Temple

For this final excursion, you won't be heading to sea but inland to discover 3 must-see sites in Krabi:

Wat Tham Suea or Tiger Cave Temple

Perched atop a hillside, this Buddhist temple houses a golden chedi, caves (where tiger paw prints were allegedly found, hence its name) and a golden Buddha. To reach it, you'll need to climb 1,237 steps. But it's worth the effort as you'll enjoy breathtaking views over Krabi.

Emerald Pool of Sa Morakot

After your efforts, treat yourself to a well-deserved swim break at the emerald pool of Sa Morakot. Nestled deep in the forest, this pool is accessible via a short hiking trail. Nearby, you'll also find two other natural pools: Glass Pool and Blue Pool (note: swimming is permitted in the first but forbidden in the second).

Hot Springs (Hot Spring Waterfall)

The excursion will also take you to Krabi's hot springs, where you can bathe in thermal water with temperatures around 35 to 40°C.

Good to know:

Most excursions don't include entrance fees for the emerald pool and hot springs. Budget 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child for the emerald pool, and 200 baht per adult and 100 baht per child for the hot springs.

Key Takeaways:

All the excursions mentioned are "classic" options. You can fully customize them based on your preferences.

Certain excursions can be combined. For example, you can visit Koh Phi Phi and explore the 4 islands of Krabi during the same full-day excursion.

Furthermore, excursions can be done by speedboat or long-tail boat (the traditional Thai boat). You can opt for group tours if you're on a tight budget or private tours for more intimacy.

Feel free to contact us to organize your excursion from Ao Nang according to your expectations and budget.

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet

A professional web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by the desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, listen, and understand. For her, traveling isn't about checking countries off a map, but weaving connections—often invisible yet always powerful—with places, peoples, and all manner of creatures. Her creed? Advise travelers with integrity, awaken their consciousness about animal welfare, cultural respect, and the importance of humble, sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories are often born far from the spotlight, in the shadow of a path, in the glow of conversation, or in the quiet whisper of a world we finally take time to hear…