Incredible Things to Do in Krabi That You Can’t Miss (2024)

Looking for things to do in Krabi? We’ve spent a ton of time exploring Krabi Province and the rest of the Thai islands so here is our top recommendations on things to do.

Apart from this, the founders of this blog spent years living in Thailand and have visited Krabi multiple times. They’ve made sure to add lots of useful tips on the best things to do in this beautiful island.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, Krabi is a group of beautiful islands located in the southern part of Thailand, a tropical country framed in with gorgeous shorelines. When in Thailand, one shouldn’t pass up a chance to visit Krabi.

Despite the recent closures there’s still a lot of fun to be had when you’re in Krabi. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for incredible beaches, fun activities, and sightseeing, here are the best things to do that you can enjoy while in the region.

How to Get to Krabi?

Krabi province is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located right by the shore of the Andaman Sea.

Peppered with beautiful beaches, stunning limestone karst formations, and a chilled out vibe, Krabi is a popular island for tourists to visit and rightly so!

Located 814 kilometers south of Bangkok, the best way to get to Krabi is via a plane or a train. There are multiple flights to Krabi Airport (KBV) from main spots like Bangkok or Chiang Mai. If you’re on a budget, you can also opt to take a bus from Bangkok, straight to Krabi Bus terminal.

The bus to Krabi Province usually takes anywhere from 11-14 hours and is roughly around $20. For more details on how to get to Krabi, plus rough costs, check out the link below.

Krabi Highlights

Things to Do in Krabi

1. Go on an Island Hopping Tour

Joining an island hopping tour is a must to make your Krabi holiday time complete. The towering limestone cliffs seemingly planted by giants thousands of years ago, looking over the turquoise waters are a sight to see.

Most island hopping tours include a visit to the Maya Bay beach, the iconic location where Leonardo Di Caprio found paradise in the movie “The Beach” as well as a visit to the James Bond island, which was the setting for the movie “The Man with the Golden Gun.”

Last but not least, these island tours often also include a brief stop to the touristy and busy Kho Phi Phi island and monkey island. Most island hopping tours include a packed lunch, free time to snorkel and explore the islands on foot, fruit trays and bottled water.

We recommend this awesome boat tour in Krabi which includes a visit to 5 islands on a boat + bioluminescent plankton snorkel.

Recommended Boating Tours in Krabi

• 4 Islands Snorkeling Boat Tour
• Phi Phi Islands Boating Tour
• Hong Islands Day Trip

2. Check out Railay Beach

When exploring Krabi on foot, you can also check out Railay beach on the other side of the mountain cliff that separates Railay and Krabi. There is a small alley through a residential part of Krabi that exits to Railay. Alternatively, you can also opt to take a long tail boat from Ao Nang Beach, straight to Railay Beach.

Not only is Railay one of the most beautiful beaches in the Krabi Province, but it is also home many food stalls, souvenir shops, tattoo parlors, bars and night spots. It also has a beautiful jogging or walking lane that you can thread solo on early mornings.

Here are a few of the must see things in Railay:

• Walking Street
• Railay Viewpoint
• Phra Nang Cave

3. Go Rock Climbing in Krabi

For those who are looking for a more adventurous activity to do around Krabi, tucked in the limestone cliffs at the side of the beach, are many rock climbing tours for half a day or whole day.

These rock climbing tours are open for beginners too and are mostly done in the neighboring islands of Railay beach or Ton Sai Beach.

Railay Beach, in Krabi, Thailand is a popular destination for rock climbing. The area features stunning limestone cliffs that offer a variety of routes for climbers of all skill levels.

Some popular climbing spots in Railey include Tonsai Tower, Phra Nang Cave, and East Rai Leh. The climbing season is generally from November to April, when the weather is dry.

This is one of the best things to do while in Krabi and comes highly rated amongst travelers! If this is something you want to try out, take a look at these rock climbing tours below.

4. Explore Ao Nang Beach

If you’re looking to spend some time wandering around a place which has restaurants, bars, and cafes, head to Ao Nang Beach.

Ao Nang Beach itself is over 1km long, narrow, and is lined with lots of local restaurants and bars. Although it isn’t the prettiest beach in Krabi, the sunsets here are gorgeous. Spend your time exploring and relaxing around the area or use it as a point to visit nearby beaches like Railey.

5. Visit Krabi Town

If you want to escape the beach resorts, head on over to Krabi town where you can see a more authentic version of Thailand. While most people head to Krabi town to explore the night markets (more on this later), there are temples, rivers, and caves that you can explore while in the area.

Although Krabi town doesn’t have any beaches, it is popular amongst backpackers because of its relatively inexpensive prices.

While in Krabi Town, take a walk along the promenade where you can easily spot 100 meters high rocks, called Khao Khanap Nam.

From here, you can also rent a traditional long-tail boat to take you through mangrove forests to the Khao Khanab Nam Caves filled with stalactites.

6. Go Scuba Diving in Krabi

If scuba diving is your thing, don’t miss out on the incredible liveaboard boat trips in Thailand that are a must for avid divers.

The clear waters of the Andaman Sea offer a diverse range of marine life, including tropical fish, sharks, rays and a variety of coral. Some popular dive spots in Krabi include the Hong Islands, King Cruiser Wreck and the nearby Phi Phi Islands.

The Hong Islands are known for their crystal clear waters and abundance of marine life, while the Phi Phi Islands offer both shallow and deep dives, as well as the opportunity to dive around the famous Maya Bay.

The King Cruiser Wreck is a popular spot for experienced divers, as the sunken ferry offers an exciting wreck diving experience. Diving season in Krabi is generally from November to April, when the visibility is the best.

Krabi, along with all the surrounding islands have incredible marine life which is why a trip to explore the underwater world is something we highly recommend.

5. Take a Cooking Class

If you fall in love with the iconic Pad Thai, a sumptuous noodle dish topped with your choice of veggies, chicken or seafood, there are multitudes of small shops that offer cooking lessons. Treat yourself to a lesson, and be proud of your new culinary skills by whipping up your own version of Pad Thai when you get back home.

This cooking class in Krabi includes a market tour as well as instructions on how to make 2 Thai dishes of your choice.

6. Visit Phi Phi Islands

If you want to go on another excursion visiting another beautiful Thai island, a day trip to Koh Phi Phi from Krabi is a must. This speedboat tour from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi is a full day tour which includes swimming and snorkeling in 5 different spots.

Expect to visit Bamboo Island, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, as well as Ko Phi Phi Don.

Another boat trip that I recommend going on to explore the rest of Krabi’s coastline is this 5 island + night snorkeling trip which allows you to see the best islands along with Krabi’s famous bioluminescent planktons!

7. Take a Boat to Phra Nang Beach

Phra Nang Beach is one of the most gorgeous beaches in Krabi’s coastline! Located right next to Railay Beach, it is no wonder why people flock here during the day. The beach itself is known for its incredible limestone formations and crystal clear waters.

While it can get crowded from the day trippers, if you opt to stay in Railay, you can experience Phra Nang Beach before and after the day trippers arrive.

To get to Phra Nang Beach you have to walk back to East Railay and turn right until you see the path heading to Phra Nang Beach. It isn’t too long of a walk and you can see stunning limestone formations, white sandy beaches, and caves along the way.

8. Shop at its Day and Night Markets

Spend a lazy afternoon and walk off those heavy Thai meals you just had around its many streets lined with shops and stalls that sell anything and everything for a bargain. If you need to extend your holiday, running out of clothes and supplies is never a problem. While you’re at it, don’t forget to haggle!

If you still have room in your stomach, these markets are the perfect place to try out the local delicacies. Personally, we love visiting markets for this reason alone!

Listed below are a few of the popular night markets worth visiting:

• Krabi Street Food Market-Khong Kha Road (old Chao Fah pier)
• Krabi Town walking street (6:00-9:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
• Ao Nang Market (daily)

9. Treat Yourself to a Relaxing Massage by the Beach

Experience the authentic, back breaking but at the same time invigorating Thai massage along the beach. The massage parlors are located right on the beach and the Thai masseurs are really good! If you’re feeling the pressure, remember that they don’t hate you!

Thai massages are really meant to compress, pull, and stretch you in every way possible so be prepared. If you don’t like strong massages, you can also just opt for a foot massage or a back and shoulders one.

10. Explore the Island on Foot

There is more to Krabi than just its gorgeous beaches and turquoise waters. The towering limestone cliffs by the beach is home to caves and rock formations at its foot. There are some caves maintained by the Krabi tourism office.

They have enforced the cave interiors with steps and ladders and wooden footbridge. If you’re looking for other islands in Thailand to explore, you can also take a look at my guide on the best islands to explore for solo travelers.

11. Take a Day Trip to Ton Sai Bay

If you’re looking for another day trip to do while in Krabi, head to the chilled-out area of Ton Sai Bay. Popular amongst rock climbers and backpackers, Ton Sai is a great place to relax and spend the day. Although the beach itself can be rocky, the overall relaxed chilled out vibe of the place is intoxicating!

We highly recommend grabbing a beach mat, a cold beer, and relaxing as you watch the many rock climbers attempt to scale up the testing limestone walls in Ton Sai.

12. Swim in the Emerald Pool

As Krabi town is pretty huge, naturally, there would also be a plethora of underrated activities that are worth doing. From swimming in the crystal clear waters in the Emerald Pool or kayaking through the Mangroves Forest.

The trip to Emerald Pool starts with an easy 1.4km hike through the jungles. The footpath is well defined and is very easy to follow. As soon as you reach the end of the path, you will see “Sa Kaew” or the Crystal Pool.

This is Emerald Pool’s main attraction and is 100% worth visiting when you’re in Krabi. We recommend going early to avoid the crowds, given that it is a popular destination. The best starting points to visit Emerald Pool is Krabi Town, Ao Nang Beach, and Klong Muang Beach.

We recommend this Emerald Pool and Tiger Temple tour is great as it takes care of all the transportation to and from each place.

13. Kayak Through Mangroves

If you’re looking to spend more time in nature, Pa Phru Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam is a mangrove reserve where you can kayak through. In thaik the name translates to canal of two waters and is pretty unique to see as it is where a fresh spring meets a saltwater mangrove forest.

To get the full experience, we recommend kayaking through as the waters are insanely clear. If kayaking isn’t your thing, you can also just walk along the boardwalk to see the mangroves. If you enjoy this type of excursion, this tour takes you through a guided kayak tour along mangroves and limestone karsts.

14. Caving in Than Bok Khorani National Park

Phi Hua To Cave, also known as Hua Kalok Cave, is a tunnel beneath a mountain located in Than Bok Khorani National Park.

This place is known for its prehistoric paintings which line the walls and ceiling of this cave. Amazingly enough, this place has over 238 prehistoric rock paintings. If you’re looking for a unique way to see this place, check out this kayak tour that takes you through mangroves and caves.

Editor’s Note: If you’re looking for unique experiences, check out our article on Unusual Places in Thailand!

15. Watch the Sunset in Krabi

And after all the tiring day activities you’ve done, it is best to call it a day and grab a cold beer and lazily wait for the sunset. No need to explain this further. But let me just add, that this is a superb relaxing way to end your Krabi escapade.

Whether you decide to relax in Ao Nang, Railay, or even in Ton Sai Bay, taking the time to soak in your surroundings is one of the best things to do in Krabi. There is nothing better than walking along the stunning Krabi coastline and looking out at the sun.

16. Visit Koh Lanta

Located in Krabi Province, Koh Lanta Yai is another popular island to visit. There is a direct ferry from Krabi Khlong Jilad Pier that goes to Koh Lanta.

This trip only takes 1.15 minutes making it an ideal day trip destination. If you’ve never heard of it before, Koh Lanta is a laid back island. Although Koh Lanta consists of several islands (small and big lanta), only one really gets a lot of tourists.

We personally LOVE Koh Lanta and recommend you spend more than a day here. It is relatively quiet and isn’t known as a party island unlike the nearby Koh Phi Phi.

16. Hike Up to Tiger Cave Temple

Thankfully, Tiger Cave Temple has no actual tigers kept in captivity. Known in Thai as Wat Tham Suea, it is a Buddhist temple located north-northeast of Krabi, Thailand.

If you’re looking for a fun, physical activity to do while in Krabi, we recommend hiking up the 1260 stairs leading to the top of the temple. While this sounds pretty grueling, trust me, the views when you get to the top are 100% worth it.

The climb usually takes 40 minutes to an hour, depending on your physical fitness. To visit the Tiger temple, if you have a scooter or a moped, you can opt to drive yourself or alternatively, hire a taxi. Taxis can cost anywhere from 1000-1500 THB. ($26-$39)

If you’re coming from Krabi town, the temple is only 7km away. However, if you’re coming from Ao Nang, it is a 20km drive.

If you prefer, you can also book a tour which takes you to the temple as well as to nearby waterfalls.

18. Food Trip Around the Island

One fantastic thing about Krabi, and all of Thailand is its food. The fusion of flavors from its neighboring countries makes your next dish spicy, fresh, and rich and at the same time, distinctively Thai. One cannot pass up a gastronomic tour around the island. And it’s cheap too!

You can have a full meal for less than $10, with beer, by the beach! If you want to go cheaper, there are also a number of night markets and street food stalls where you can enjoy a plate of Pad Thai or Tom Yum soup for $3.

The best street food can be found in the night markets around Krabi town but Ao Nang beach also has loads of restaurant and cafe options.

19. Visit Klong Thom Hot Springs

Klong Thom Hot Springs is located in the middle of Krabi island. It is also sometimes referred to as the Khlong Thom Saline Hot Spring. Nestled in the jungle near the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, this spot is a popular tourist destination.

Here, you can swim in the natural hot springs or play around by the waterfalls. We recommend going early it isn’t too large. If you want to visit Klong Thom Hot Springs, you can do so independently or join a guided tour which takes you to the hot springs, Emerald pool, as well as Tiger Cave Temple.

Where to Stay in Krabi

As Krabi has heaps of accommodation choices, we created a guide on our top recommendations on where to stay in Krabi Town, Ao Nang, and even Railay.

From the best hostels to awesome pool villas which is perfect for renting with friends and family. Check out our full article on where to stay in Krabi for more details.

FAQ on Krabi

This post was originally written by Carla Abanes but has since been updated by the Adventure in You team.

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