The main tourist stretch, Ao Nang, is a bustling seafront lined with hotels, bars and restaurants, while the Railay Peninsula in the province’s southern end offers more privacy, picturesque beaches and adventure sports like rock climbing.
Inland, there are nature reserves with cascading waterfalls, hot springs and crystal clear wading pools waiting to be discovered, while compact Krabi town offers delicious street eats and souvenir shopping.
This gem in southern Thailand is also the gateway to the islands of Ko Lanta, Ko Hong and Ko Phi Phi, which are home to spectacular dive sites where you can explore underwater caves and colourful coral reefs, as well as swim alongside pufferfish, hawksbill turtles, mantas and nurse sharks.
Be a beach bum
If you can’t get enough sun, sand and surf, Krabi, blessed with postcard-perfect beaches, is your go-to destination.
Kicking off the list is Railay Beach, a sweet spot framed by dramatic limestone cliffs and accessible only by long-tail boat.
Here, you can chill under palm trees, snorkel or test your rock climbing skills on Railay’s world-famous cliffs.
Also on Railay Peninsula is the gorgeous Phra Nang Beach, known for its fine sand and shrine dedicated to Phra Nang, the goddess of seafarers, where you’ll find phallic offerings.
Between the beaches of Railay and Ao Nang is Tonsai Beach, a quiet stretch of golden sand fronting glassy waters where you can swim or kayak without a care in the world.
Visit a sacred site or two
One of the most sacred sites in Krabi, Wat Tham Sua or Tiger Cave Temple is said to derive its name from tigers spotted in the area by a meditating monk.
For devotees who ascend the 1,260 steps to reach the temple, the prints embedded on the cave wall that resemble a tiger’s paw also lend credence to the legend.
The serene sanctuary is well worth the climb to marvel at the large, gleaming statue of Buddha atop a lotus pedestal at the peak, and to take in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Perched on a hill overlooking downtown Krabi is Wat Kaew Korawaram. This temple, which sports a grand staircase flanked by mythical nagas, is a peaceful spot for reflection and meditation.
Explore the mangroves
The best way to explore Krabi’s mangroves is via a boat ride or kayak excursion that takes you into the heart of the forest.
As you drift through the calm waters, you may be rewarded with sightings of crab-eating macaques, kingfishers, egrets and, if you’re lucky, white-bellied sea eagles.
Essential to the ecosystem, the mangrove forests on Krabi’s coastline act as a buffer against storm surges and are spawning grounds for fish and shellfish, which feed local communities.
At Tha Pom Klong Song Nam, a boardwalk allows visitors to stroll through the ethereal mangrove forest lined with camphor trees.
Soak your troubles away
Krabi is not all beaches and islands. Less than an hour’s drive southeast of Krabi town are the Klong Thom Hot Springs, nature’s very own hot tub.
Located close to Khao Phra Bang Nature Reserve and set amid lush foliage, the water from these thermal springs is believed to have therapeutic effects, particularly for those suffering from rheumatism, skin problems and sciatica.
You can combine a trip to the hot springs with a visit to Thung Teao Forest Park – a forest sanctuary known for its beautiful lagoons – just a 20-minute drive away.
A scenic 3-kilometre hiking trail from the park’s entrance leads to the Emerald Pool, a shimmering blue-green waterhole great for photo ops and refreshing dips.
According to airasia.com
