Beaches and Islands in and around Krabi
Beaches
Ao Ton Sai, Phi Phi Don
This is the oldest developed beach area on Phi Phi Don, and the most congested. Still, Ton Sai offers some rather good views of the surrounding territory, and although lacking beauty, it is the most accessible and convenient place on the island.
Hin Khao Beach, Phi Phi Don
This is one of the more isolated beaches on Phi Phi Don, accessible only on foot. This beach offers good views, and peace and quiet.
Kantiang, Lanta Island
Towards the southern tip of the island, Kantiang beach is one of the most beautiful on Koh Lanta. Although accommodations are only average, the sparkling sands and iridescent aquamarine waters more than compensate. There is also excellent snorkeling available in the surrounding area.
Klong Dao, Lanta Island
This beach is the most populous of those offered on Lanta, with several bungalows at very reasonable prices. Located 2 km from the Saladan pier, this beach offers visitors clean, sparkling sand, tepid, translucent waters, and excellent views of the surrounding areas. Recreational activities are limited, but there is plenty of sand and sun to go around, making this a wonderfully relaxing and stress-free vacation spot.
Klong Jark, Lanta Island
This is the southernmost beach on Lanta, and although rather average by most standards, the proximity to completely deserted Mai Phai beach, and the national park make this a good place to stay. Also, there is a small waterfall and a lagoon nearby.
Klong Kaong, Lanta Island
This beach, 2 km south of Phra Ae, is extremely peaceful, and has excellent accommodation at bargain prices.
Although the food is not quite as good as at Phra Ae, the beaches are isolated, tranquil and serene.
Klong Nin, Lanta Island
Like nearly all the beaches on Lanta, Klong Nin is isolated and quiet. Fine, sandy beaches are essentially all one will encounter here, and the accommodations are adequate. Again, this is not the place to go if you want to go jet-skiing or para-sailing, but perfect if you want to read a book on a beautiful beach.
Laem Tong, Phi Phi Don
This is one of the nicest beaches on Phi Phi Don, offering spectacular views and a nice stretch of marvelous beach. Hat Laem Tong has its own pier, and therefore is accessible. However, it is targeted at the high-budget tourist.
Lanti Beach: Phi Phi Don
This beach is in close proximity to Hat Yao, and is equal to it in nearly all respects. Once underdeveloped, Hat Lanti has only recently given way to commercialism, and remains quite beautiful. Offshore coral reefs provide for some great snorkeling, and accommodation is cheap and decent. Hat Lanti is accessible on foot via the viewpoint trail. Boats to Hat Lanti are difficult to find, because bungalow owners refuse to pay commissions, but boats can be arranged from Hat Lanti quite easily.
Phra Ae, Lanta Island
At the northern end of Lanta, this beach is known for its fine sand and quickly shelving coastline.
Where to stay: Accommodation at Phra Ae are extremely affordable, and the food is sumptious. Like most of the beaches on Lanta Island, recreational activities are few and far between.
Pranang Beach
Hat Pranang is a long, beautiful stretch of beach, located just south of Hat Noppharat Thara. This stretch of beach is rapidly developing, however, it still remains quite stunning. In addition to the broad, white-sand beach, Hat Pranang has clean, clear water and a backdrop of striking limestone islands and cliffs. There are a total of 83 small islands in the bay, and they can be explored by boat trips arranged by many of the guesthouses. Unlike Hat Noppharat Thara, Hat Pranang is a full service beach offering a wide variety of recreational water sports. This entire area offers excellent Scuba diving, with both reefs and a wide variety of marine wildlife.
Railay Beach
This beach is generally divided into two sections, East Hat Railay and West Hat Railay. Of these two, West Hat Railay offers visitors more traditional beach scenery. The bay is rather pretty, and there is a broad sandy beach and clean, clear water. Although it has less to offer in the way of facilities, and has a more limited variety of recreational activities than Ao Nang, West Hat Railay is quieter and more peaceful. Across the peninsula from West Hat Railay is East Hat Railay, which varies from the other beaches in the area in that it could actually be classified as a mud flat, especially during low tide. Even so, it does offer some rather remarkable views. One end of the beach is covered with mangrove trees, and good views of mountains and islands are available.
As for sandy beaches, East Hat Railay has relatively little to offer, but is within walking distance of both West Hat Railay, and Hat Tham Phranang, which offer some of the best beaches anywhere.
Both East and West Hat Railay can be reached by boat from Krabi's Chao Fah Bridge. These boats cost 50 baht per person, and typically take about 45 minutes.
However, outside of the months between November and April, these boats usually do not go all the way around to West Hat Railay, because of unfavorable sea conditions. During this period, you must get off the boat at East Hat Railay, and then walk to your final destination.
Tham Pranang Beach
The area possesses some of the best Scuba-diving sites in the world, with certified instruction courses offered on site. In addition, some of the most sought after rock-climbing sites are found in the vicinity, making it a perfect area for a truly complete vacation.
Hat Tham Pranang can be reached from town via longtail boat from the Chao Fah jetty for a fee of 40 baht, and also from Hat Pranang, and the Phi Phi Islands. These trips cost 20 baht and 150 baht respectively.
Yao Beach, Phi Phi Don
This beach, also known as Long Beach, is one of the most famous on the island. Not only does it offer a broad, sweeping beach and unbelievable scenery, it also is home to some of the best coral reefs in the area. Snorkeling and Scuba diving top the long list of things to do here, and accommodation is plentiful. The only complaint might be a little too much development. Hat Yao can be reached on foot or by longtail boat from the pier at Ton Sai.
Islands
Hong Island
This island is located at the edge of the Than Bokkhorani National Park, and is accessible via boat from Ao Pranang. The trip takes about an hour, but is well worth it, as Hong Island is home to a beautiful sandy beach, and some wonderful deep and shallow water coral deposits.
In addition, Koh Hong has several caves that are home to the edible-nest swiftlet, whose nests are valued at over US$2000 per kg.
Lanta Island
Although less scenic than some other areas in the province, Koh Lanta is perhaps the most idyllic area available in Krabi.
While lacking the towering karsts, Lanta offers travelers something that is growing increasingly difficult to find on Phi Phi or Pranang: peace and quiet.
With over 19 pristine, tree-lined beaches, remarkably friendly residents, and inexpensive accommodations, Lanta Island is the perfect place to go for a serene, relaxing vacation.
Phai Island, Phi Phi Ley
This is another small, deserted island in the Phi Phi chain that can be visited during the day by boat.
Phai Island offers some tremendously attractive scenery, and also has exceptional coral specimens.
However, like Yung Island, this pristine island is uninhabited, and has no accommodation.
Phi Phi Don
This is the largest of the Phi Phi islands, and offers some of the most arresting scenery available anywhere in the world. Phi Phi Don is comprised of two main sections, peculiarly connected by a narrow strip of glittering white sand. It was here, in the center, where the first settlement of Ton Sai was established.
Since that time, Phi Phi Don has earned a reputation as one of the most alluring sights in the region, offering spectacular beaches, gleaming, turquoise seas, and remarkable landscapes. This reputation, however, has not come without a cost.
Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are by far the main attraction to Krabi, and are widely considered to be amongst the most beautiful places in the world. There are six islands altogether: Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Bida Nok, Bida Nai, Yung, and Phai; each of which offers some of the most unique topography on this planet. Of these six islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley are the largest, and most well known.
Phi Phi Ley
The second largest of the Phi Phi Island chain, Phi Phi Ley is extremely beautiful, and pristine.
Day trips to Phi Phi Ley are available, and one of the biggest attractions is Phaya Naak Cave, or Viking Cave, which has some bonafide prehistoric carvings.
Another attraction to Phi Phi Ley are the nests of the edible-nest swiftlet, which fetch up to US $2000 per kilogram. Armed guards stand watch over these nests, to protect them against poachers. Overnight stays on Phi Phi Ley are forbidden.
Yung Island, Phi Phi Ley
This small island in the Phi Phi chain is a few km north of Phi Phi Don, and has two small beach areas. Much like Phi Phi Don, and Phi Phi Ley, Yung Island offers visitors some fabulous scenery, both underwater and above.
Day trips are available to Yung Island from Phi Phi Don, and feature brilliant views of pristine coral fields.