The 8 Best Krabi Beaches
The southern Thai province of Krabi is well known for its spectacular coastal scenery where white sand beaches meet sheer, craggy limestone cliffs draped in tropical vegetation. Home to some of Thailand's most iconic beaches.
Beyond the mainland, Krabi extends into over a 150 islands, and this is where you will find some of the very best beaches. Rising out of the crystalline turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, islands such as Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are the very embodiment of tropical paradise.
Of course Krabi is well and truly on the travel radar, and whilst not quite as popular as Phuket the better known spots draw a fair crowd. However, with so much coast and so many islands to explore it isn't difficult to find a beautiful beach more or less to yourself.
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1. Railay Beach
© PancakeTom Railay is a narrow peninsula that is cut off from the surrounding area by high limestone cliffs. Whilst these cliffs are very popular with climbers it means that Railay is only accessible only by a short boat ride from Ao Nang or Krabi. This should be seen as a blessing as it has protected the resort from the tourist frenzy in nearby locations such as Ao Nang. The other benefit… read more »
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2. Maya Bay // Koh Phi Phi
© Iakov Kalinin / 123RF Great for:- Snorkeling
Virtually enclosed within towering limestone cliffs Maya Bay is one of Thailand's most spectacular and iconic beaches. The beach is situated on the island of Ko Phi Phi Ley in the Andaman Sea some 30km off the Thai coast and only accessible by boat.
However, the 2000 Leonardo diCaprio movie, "The Beach", which put Maya Bay on the map ensuring its popularity for years to come. It is said that… read more »
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3. Phra Nang
© efired / 123RF Phra Nang is without doubt one of Thailand's most spectacular beaches. Indeed, the claim is that it is one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. On first arriving here, you might think you had stumbled over Conan Doyle's Lost World. Framed by the imposing ThaiWand Wall rising vertically from the ocean at its northern end, this surreal stretch of beach has spectacular overhanging cliffs announcing its southern… read more »
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4. Tonsai Beach, Ao Nanag
WIL Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Located on the mainland next to the little Tonsai resort, beautiful Tonsai Beach is a small sandy bay at the foot of steep tree-covered cliffs.
The best way to access it is by longtail boat from Ao Nang Pier costing 100 baht (about US$3). At low tide it is possible to walk to Tonsai Beach from neighbouring Railay Beach in about 10 minutes. However, the rocky path is treacherous… read more »
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5. Nopparat Thara Beach
kallerna Located about 18 km north of the ever-popular Krabi Town and next to the much busier Ao Nang, Nopparat Thara Beach is within the 387 km² Hat Nopparat Thara – Koh Phi Phi National Park.
This relatively serene, unspoilt beach has almost 4 km of soft white sand lined by local casuarina trees. You can easily find a shady place for laying your beach mat and enjoying the peace.… read more »
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6. Ao Nang Beach
kallerna Great for:- Swimming
One of the main beaches on the coast of Krabi, Ao Nang is a popular beach town with one of the most visited beaches in southwest Thailand.
The sandy beach stretches for about a kilometre and is easy to reach from the steps leading down from the promenade. Popular for swimming and sunbathing in the day, despite it being very hot and lacking shade, the beach is equally well frequented… read more »
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7. Bamboo Island // Koh Phi Phi
Mark Fischer Great for:- Snorkeling
Bamboo Islands is a quintessential tropical island in the Phi Phi Archipelago of Thailand. Known locally as Koh Phai or Koh Mai Phai, it is the most northeasterly of the islands, about 5 km offshore from Koh Phi Phi Don in the gorgeous blue Andaman Sea. Its remote location ensures that the beach is never crowded providing an unusually peaceful Thai beach experience.
Bamboo Island is one of the 80… read more »
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8. Railay Beach East
© Chamaiporn Kitina Located on the east-facing side of Railay peninsula, Railay Beach East is refreshingly different from other nearby beaches such as Railay Beach West and Ao Nang Beach.
For a start, it is very narrow, edged with a tangle of mangroves and unsuitable for swimming. It is well used by local fishermen though. There's a small jetty and it's the ideal place to find a longtail boat to whisk… read more »
