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Ao Nang
 Ao
Nang is located approximately 6 kilometers from Hat
Noppharat Thara and 20 kilometers from the town of
Krabi. A large bay with scenic beaches and 83 small
islands, Ao Nang has several famous beaches which
include East Rai Le, West Rai Le and Tham Phra Nang
(cave) which stretches to the foot of a prominent
limestone range. A boat from Ao Nang Village can be
hired for sightseeing excursions around Ao Nang, Hat
Tham Phra Nang and Hat Nam Mao, all of which are only
accessible by foot. Other offshore isles such as Ko Poda,
Ko Kai, Ko Mo and Ko Thap, are popular destinations that
can be reached by a rented boat from Ao Nang. An
abundance of colorful coral reefs and lovely cartoon
fishes make these islands ideal for diving and
snorkeling.
Ao Nang has recently emerged as a 5-star tourist
attraction due to its numerous 4-5 star hotels and
boutique resorts complete with facilities such as diving
shops and rental boats. Popular activities include
sightseeing by canoe along the beachfront and paddling
tours by inflatable canoes or kayaks of the coast and
its mangrove forests, islands and semi-submerged caves.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Canoeing and kayaking are two ways to enjoy the
spectacular seascape, limestone cliffs and caves in
Krabi's waters as these sports allow visitors to explore
hidden offshore areas at a more leisurely pace. Canoeing
and kayaking operators are available at Ao Nang.
Diving & Snorkeling
Like Phang-nga, Krabi offers a great opportunity for
diving due to its numerous natural marine resources
including over a hundred offshore islands. Dive shops
around Rai Le and Ao Nang provide dive trips as well as
rent diving and snorkeling gear such as mask/snorkel/fin
at the rate of 150 baht/ set/ day (with a deposit of 500
baht).
The advantage of diving from Ao Nang is the nearby sites
in the Poda Island group, where water visibility is
better than that of the mainland, but not as good as Phi
Phi. There are 15 dive sites off of Ao Nang, all
reachable with a 20 to 60-minute boat ride. For
experienced divers there is a 50-meter long cave at 5-12
meters depth at Yawabon Island behind Poda. The water
visibility is at its best from November to April. Some
Ao Nang dive shops close during low season, May to
October, while some (Ao Nang Divers for instance) remain
open all year long. Two local dives in the Poda/Yawasam
group cost approximately 1,900 baht. Four-day PADI open
water courses have risen to 10,000 baht. For more
information contact either Seafan, Aquavision, Poseidon,
Phra Nang, Stingray, Ao Nang Divers (in Krabi Seaview),
or Coral Diving (Krabi Resort). Unlike Phi Phi, scuba
dive operators in Ao Nang close from May to October.
 Hat
Noppharat Thara (Noppharat Thara Beach)
Located 6 kilometers from Ao Nang is a famous
3-kilometer long white sandy beach lined with dense
casuarinas and coconut groves. The beach, paved with
tiny seashells, was formerly called "Hat Khlong Haeng",
which means dried canal beach by locals, because the
canal dries up during low tide and the area turns into a
long beach. Situated 18 kilometers north-west of Krabi,
Hat Noppharat Thara is in fact part of Hat Noppharat
Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and is the location of
the Park headquarters. This Park covers a large area
both onshore and offshore and. Reservations for
accommodations on the beach should be made in advance at
the Forestry Department in Bangkok, contact tel. (02)
5797223, 5795734, or at Hat Noppharat Thara National
Park, P.O. Box 23, Amphoe Mueang, Krabi 81000, tel.
(075) 6347436.
Ferry services to Ko Phi Phi are provided from this
beach all year round. This beach can be reached by
songthaew from the city at the rate of 20 baht and to
travel further to Ao Nang, it will cost an additional 10
baht.
Hat Rai Le (Rai Le
Beach)
This beach is generally divided into two sections, east
and west. West Rai Le provides visitors with peace and
quiet as it is a broad sandy beach with fewer facilities
than Ao Nang.
East Rai Le which lies across the peninsula from West
Rai Le is different from other beaches in the area as it
could actually be classified as a mud flat, especially
during low tide. In addition to remarkable views and
mangrove forests to the north of the beach, the main
attraction for visitors to Hat Rai Le is the adrenaline
pumping activity of cliff climbing. The limestone cliffs
on the huge headland between Hat Rai La East and Tham
Phra Nang, as well as other nearby islands provide
world-class rock climbing facilities against a stunning
backdrop of the sea with approximately 700 sport routes
of mid to high difficulty ratings.
Hat Tham Phra Nang
Accessible only by boat, this stunning, pristine beach
has fine-grained white sand and crystalline waters as
well as magnificent jagged karsts. This is a highly
secluded picture perfect beach that attracts thousands
of visitors year round but is able to maintain its
flawless appearance and relaxing ambience.
This beach is the location of the 5-star Rayavadee
resort, a private property that occupies 26 acres of the
beach and the only compound located near Phra Nang
Beach.
The Inner and Outer Phra Nang Caves, and Phra Nang
Lagoon, which are located nearby offer remarkable views
against a stunning backdrop and a range of
accommodations to suit every budget. Although these
attractions are accessible only by boat, they still draw
numerous visitors for recreational and adventurous
activities such as diving, snorkeling, hiking and rock
climbing.
Khao Khanap Nam
Regarded as the symbol of Krabi, Khao Khanap Nam are two
mountains that are roughly 100 meters tall, separated by
Maenam Krabi and located at the entrance to Krabi city.
Khao Khanap Nam has beautiful caves with amazing
stalactites and stalagmites worth exploring. In addition
to natural attractions, a large number of human
skeletons have been found here. It is theorized that
they are the remains of people who came and established
a home at Kanab Nam, but were cut off by an inundation
and quickly perished. The mountains can be reached by
taking a 15-minute long tail boat ride from Chao Fa
Pier. For visitors interested in a more extensive
excursion, it is possible to tent a boat can be rented
at 300 baht per trip to visit Khao Khanap Nam, mangrove
forests and Ko Klang fishing village.
Krabi Horticultural
Centre
Location: Mu 1, Thanon Phetkasem, Tambon Khao Khram,
Amphoe Mueang, Krabi 81000. Tel. 075-612913. Fax. 075
612913
This agro-tourism attraction, supported by the
Department of Agricultural Extension, is approximately
20 kilometers from Krabi on the way to Amphoe Ao Luek.
The center covers a large area with a collection of
local fruits, flowers and economic plants. Facilities
provided include a touring route, demonstrative research
plant plots, parking areas, toilets and beverages.
Note: There are also an agricultural product
promotion centre, herb gardens, fisheries and mussel
farms located along the Krabi-Phuket route. Please
contact the Agricultural Promotion Centre at tel. 075
612913 and Amphoe Tapput Agricultural Office at 075
599124 for more information.
 Mu
Ko Phi Phi (Phi Phi Islands)
Regarded by travelers from all walks of life as being
among the most beautiful tropical islands of the world,
Phi Phi Islands have become one of the most popular
tourist attractions in Thailand. In addition, the
islands are famous as the location where the movie "The
Beach" featuring Leonardo Di Caprio was shot. The
islands, together with the nearby Noppharat Thara Beach,
a total area of 390 square kilometers, were recently
established as a national park.
Phi Phi Islands are located just 40 kilometers away from
both Krabi and Phuket. Thus, despite the fact that both
Noppharat Thara Beach and Phi Phi administratively are a
part of Krabi Province, most tourists think that Ko Phi
Phi is part of Phuket Province.
The islands and the coastal hills are composed mainly of
limestone and are an extension of the limestone mountain
range in Phang-Nga Province. The main characteristics of
these mountains and islands are their steep cliffs,
large caves and dwarf trees growing out of the rock
crevices, like those in Phang-Nga Bay.
The island group is composed of two rocky, tree-covered
islets Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. Phi Phi Don, the
larger islet to the north, is well known for its fine
beaches and coral formations. Above average tourist
facilities and accommodations are available along two
beautiful curved bays, namely Ton Sai Bay and Lodalam
Bay. Several shops at Ton Sai can arrange diving and
snorkeling trips around the island or the nearby islands
- Ko Phi Phi Le, Ko Yung and Ko Mai Phai.
About 2 kilometers to the south is Phi Phi Le. Contrary
to Phi Phi Don, this islet is uninhabited as there is no
beach area as the island descends abruptly into the sea
on all sides and it is prohibited by the administrative
body. The main attraction is a large cave about 3.2
square kilometers in size known as Viking Cave derived
from one of the numerous drawings on the wall which
resembles a Viking ship. The cave has a 10 to 15-metre
high ceiling which contains many ledges inhabited by
thousands of swallows, thus a bird's nest collection
demonstration is a regular feature of guided tours.
Ao Maya and Ao Lo Sama - Phi Phi Islands scenic coves
are favorite snorkeling places while the sea around the
islands, especially the southern part, which are deep
and full of coral formations are popular diving spots.
With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, mountain
cliffs, colorful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi
is a paradise in the Andaman Sea. The best time to visit
Phi Phi Islands is from November to April, when the sea
is calm.
Ko Yung, an island to the north of Ko Phi Phi Don, has a
stone beach on the east and small sandy beaches amid
valleys. In addition, the island is teeming with diverse
colorful coral reefs. Ko Phai, another island to the
north of Ko Phi Phi Don and not far from Ko Yung, has
spectacular beaches in the north and east of the island.
The bank of coral reefs comprised mainly of antler
corals stretches from the north to the south of the
island.
Getting to Ko Phi Phi
Phi Phi Islands which are equidistant to Phuket and
Krabi Provinces can be reached by boat.
From Krabi
Chao Fa Pier: Passenger boats leave Chao Fa Pier twice
daily at 10 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The trip takes about 2.30
hours.
Ao Nang: There is one express boat trip leaving daily at
9 p.m. taking 40 min.
From Phuket
Many tour companies in Phuket organize one-day trips to
Phi Phi Islands. Tickets can be obtained from any hotel.
Phuket Business Corp. has provided a shuttle boat
service to Phi Phi twice a day : 08.30 a.m. , 13.30 p.m.
For more information call 0 7624 9303, 0 7622 2824 or
log on to websites : http://phiphi-cruiser.com or
http://phiphicruiser3.com
Rock climbing
Apart from marine sports, Krabi is also an ideal place
for rock climbing. Lines of sheer limestone cliffs along
Tham Phranang and Rai Le beaches have challenged
thousands of climbers from all over the world every
year. The levels of difficulty of the various routes
vary, so even the most inexperienced climbers can
experiment. Equipment, instruction and guides are
available at most lodgings.
Sa Kaeo
Within the Sa Kaew compound in Khao Thong Sub-district
forest plantation area are eight small natural ponds
which is currently a major recreational area for the
local residents. Sa Kaeo is 28 kilometers from town on
the Krabi-Nai Sa route (Highway No. 4034).
Susan Hoi or Fossils Shell Beach
Susan Hoi features a slab formed from a huge number of
embedded various types of mollusks which can be dated to
approximately 40 million years ago. This shell graveyard
at Ban Laem Pho was once a large freshwater swamp, the
habitat of diverse mollusks. With changes on the surface
of the earth, seawater flooded the freshwater swamp and
the limestone elements in the seawater enveloped the
submerged mollusks resulting in a homogenous layer of
fossilized mollusk shells forty centimeters thick known
as Shelley Limestone. With geographical upheavals, the
limestone layer is now distributed in great broken
sheets of impressive magnitude on the seashore. The site
is located 17 kilometers from the town.
Thale Waek (Separated
Sea)
One of Thailand's unseen highlights, Thale Waek is
situated along Ko Dam Khwan. As the tide recedes, the
sea is gradually separated by the white sand and
limestone beach that will appear to amazingly connect
the two islands at low tide. The best time to visit
Thale Waek is 5 days before and after the full moon from
December to beginning of May. To visit Thale Waek,
proceed on Highway No. 4034 from the city, then turn
left and follow Highway No. 4202 to Ao Nang.
Tham Sadet
This beautiful cave adorned with stalactites and
stalagmites is located at Ban Nong Kok, Tambon Sai Thai,
7 kilometers from town on Highway No. 4034. "Sadet"
means visit, and the use of the term in the name of the
cave refers to the royal visit to the site in 1909 by
the King Rama VI (at that time that Crown Prince).
Wat Sai Thai
The monastery is Krabi's central temple and a local
gathering point during Buddhist events and weddings. The
main attraction in the temple is an impressive reclining
Buddha image.
Wat Tham Suea
Wat Tham Suea, which literally means tiger cave temple,
is located in the Khiriwong Valley amidst lush forests
and mountains with large trees over a hundred years old
approximately 9 kilometers northeast of Krabi Town.
Aside from being the site of a meditation center, the
compound is also a place of archaeological and
historical interest as excavations have uncovered stone
tools, pottery remains and Buddha footprint crafting
molds. In addition, a cave in the compound has what
appears to be tiger paw prints in the stone.
Krabi Province Map
Source: Information by Tourism
Authority of Thailand
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