The sights
Railay Peninsula
Four beaches walled in by limestone: broad Railay West for swimming and sunsets, mangrove-fringed Railay East for the pier and bars, climbers’ Ton Sai and Phra Nang at the tip. Paved footpaths link them in 10–15 minutes; there are no cars.
ℹ️ Free to visit. Longtails from Ao Nang take about 15 minutes and leave when full; allow a full day.
Phra Nang Cave Beach
A curve of fine sand under an overhanging cliff hung with stalactites, with a small cave shrine to a sea spirit at one end. At low tide you can wade to the islets offshore. It is busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon.
ℹ️ Inside a national park zone; a fee may be collected from boat tours. Go before 10 am or after 4 pm for space.
Climbing walls of Railay & Ton Sai
Walls such as One-Two-Three, Muay Thai and Diamond Cave have the easy, well-bolted routes used for courses; Ton Sai’s steep roofs are for experienced climbers. Watching from the sand is free entertainment.
ℹ️ Half-day beginner courses typically run morning and afternoon. Best conditions November–April; shaded walls are climbable all year.
Koh Poda & the Four Islands
A cluster of islands 20–30 minutes from Ao Nang: Koh Poda’s long white beach, the rock outline of Chicken Island, and Thale Waek, a sandbar that joins three islets at low tide.
ℹ️ National park fee for foreign visitors. Half-day and full-day tours; snorkelling is fair rather than outstanding.
Hong Islands
A quieter group to the north in Than Bok Khorani National Park. Koh Hong hides a shallow lagoon ringed by cliffs, and a stairway of around 400 steps climbs to a viewpoint over the bay.
ℹ️ About 30–45 minutes by speedboat from Ao Nang area piers. National park fee applies. Allow a day.
Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)
A forest monastery outside Krabi Town, known for the 1,260 uneven steps that climb a karst pinnacle to a golden Buddha and a view over the whole province. It is a serious 30–45 minute ascent in the heat.
ℹ️ Free; donations welcome. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Start early, carry water, and do not feed the monkeys.
Emerald Pool & hot-spring waterfall
In lowland forest at Khlong Thom, about an hour from Ao Nang: a clear green spring-fed pool reached by a boardwalk trail, and a short drive away a stream of naturally warm water spilling over smooth limestone tubs.
ℹ️ Separate entry fees at each site. Usually visited together on a day tour; weekends are busy with local families.
