Ao Nang, Krabi is a popular beach and holiday destination from where you can easily visit most of the famous spots like Maya Bay, Railay Bay, Tiger Cave Temple, and the Phi Phi islands. There are many awesome things to do in Ao Nang since it has quite a lot of adventure activities, a lively atmosphere, stunning scenery, and beautiful limestone headlands that are great for climbing.

Southern Thailand with its crystal clear water and powdery white sand is also an idyllic beach getaway. And Ao Nang is no different. If you’re traveling from Phuket, you probably know that Krabi is very close and most of the boat trips and bay and island tours are interchangeable for Phuket and Krabi. You can access Krabi province either by road, boat, or air. Krabi international airport (KBV) is some 10 kilometers outside Krabi town and half an hour to an hour from Ao Nang.

The resort town of Ao Nang on southern Thailand’s Andaman coast is a beach lover’s paradise. From snorkeling, kayaking, and island-hopping to cruising on a long-tail boat there is a great mixture of activities in Ao Nang. I spent 3 weeks in Ao Nang in Krabi and really had a great time! Since I prefer adventurous activities, I put together this travel guide to Ao Nang, Thailand featuring my favorite things to do in Ao Nang, Krabi.

12 Absolutely Unmissable Things to Do in Ao Nang: 101 Best Sites

1. Spend a Day (or Two) At Railay Beaches

With so many things to do in Ao Nang and places to visit, one of my favorite spots is Railay Peninsula. Railay beach is probably the most beautiful beach here, accessible only by boat due to the towering limestone rocks on each side cutting it off from the mainland. Railay may feel like an island but it’s actually part of the Thai mainland.

The entire area is covered in lush jungle and soaring cliffs with the warm Andaman sea lapping at its shore. And with so many things to do in Railay beach, it’s no wonder it’s one of the more popular places to visit in Thailand (if not in Southeast Asia).

Railay Beach has an East and West. East Railay is great for watching the sunrise and taking cool photos of longboats and the cliffs/mangrove trees. West Railay shares a bay with Tonsai Beach around the corner and is great for kayaking, swimming, sunbathing and watching the sunset.

Railay and Tonsai beaches both attract climbers from all over the world to scale the limestone cliffs that are plentiful in this area. Numerous schools cater to beginner climbers and it doesn’t take too long to get into a higher level of climbing. These schools will show you the technique that will provide a safer overall experience. Of course, there are permanent hooks placed into the rock with ropes through them that novices can use during their own climbs.

While at Railay, make sure to visit the Phra Nang Cave and hike to the Railay beach viewpoint. To satisfy your hunger visit Govinda’s At The Beach that has decent vegetarian and vegan options for cheap. There’s also a floating snack bar that sells fruit and delicious Thai meals at Phra Nang Cave Beach.

2. Emerald Pool, Blue Pool and Krabi Hot Springs

One of the most relaxing activities near Ao Nang is chilling out in Namtok Ron Hot Spring Waterfall. Located not far from the Emerald pool and Blue Pool, I combined a day trip here with a trip to Krabi Hot Springs. Emerald Pool has many other names, one of which is Crystal Pond or Sa Morakot. Since Klong Thom Hot Springs with a waterfall and two pools are different attractions, I recommend hiring a scooter. I did just that for 300 THB per day. If you travel from Ao Nang, drive around 70 km to the east to get there. Both sites charge an admission fee.

The hot springs are a system of natural man-made pools situated between the cascade waterfalls. Water flows through them from top to bottom, ending with a small waterfall. The water get up to temperatures of forty degrees Celsius and contains natural mineral salts that have many healing properties.

Emerald Pool is a popular attraction so the entire place might get packed when Thai people come here to unwind on a weekend. A weekday trip is the best option to avoid crowds. From the parking lot and the ticket office with a small market stretching between them, there is a path that leads to the Emerald Pool through the beautiful rainforest.

Exploring the Blue Pool requires venturing deeper into the forest. Located a few hundred meters from the Emerald pool, visitors aren’t allowed to swim in it. I bet it is not a big deal since the crystal clear water is a good reason to visit the Emerald pool in itself.

3. Soak Up The Views at Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)

One of Thailand’s natural wonders that sit within the jungle and house many monks that live and worship here. Legend has it that a tiger once lived in the cave that is now the monastery’s main hall and hence the name. Caves are open to the public so you find many Buddha images and relics to take a look at. There is also a shrine with a statue of a tiger.

I came here primarily for the epic views of the Andaman Sea and Krabi’s limestone cliffs! Wat Tham Suea is arguably one of the most adventurous tourist attractions in Krabi and it won’t take long to get there from Krabi Town.

To reach a large seated Buddha image and gold-painted chedi you’ll need to climb up 1237 steps. Just take your time and make sure you have plenty of water. You will need it. Obviously, it’s a bit quicker coming back down. But be sure to watch your step as you climb these narrow stairs.

The monkeys are as much a part of Tiger Cave Temple as anything else and you may spot them pretty much anywhere. They are used to humans and their food. The monkeys are annoying and shouldn’t be encouraged. While appearing tame monkeys can be quite dangerous and even have rabies so it would be better to just ignore them and avoid getting at all close.

4. Take the Four Islands Tour

A classic Four Islands Tour is a popular day trip from Au Nang Krabi and nearby small islands. If you do nothing else on your visit to Ao Nang, Four Island Tour is the one thing you should do.

The Four Islands are Koh Poda, Koh Gai (Chicken Island), Koh Tub and Koh Mor and tours also often stop at Phra Nang Cave Beach at Railay – a beautiful beach that I mentioned before.

The tour is on a longtail boat and will stop at each location giving you time to swim, sunbathe, explore and stop for lunch. The longtail boats typically do not carry more than 15 people and a tour guide will stand at the front explaining everything fully in plain English while making sure everyone has enough drinking water. Tide times and weather conditions usually determine the exact itinerary.

In addition to Four Islands Tour, there are also tours to smaller uninhabited islets of the bay. You can choose from a variety of islands with unspoiled tropical nature, turquoise waters, lagoons, coral reefs and a plethora of marine life. Island Tours give ample opportunities to snorkel, swim and are among the best things to do in Ao Nang.

Aside from small islands around Ao Nang, you can also visit the larger and more remote islands of Phi Phi or Koh Lanta. Island hopping tours range from 500 to 1700 Baht, depending on the destination.

5. Hit The Monkey Trail

Monkey trail is a path that starts at the far South West end of Ao Nang beach and leads through a forest-covered mountain to the Pai Plong Beach. The beach is where you can find an upscale Centara Grand Beach Resort. The trail is not very long. If you start from the river mouth, you’ll probably bump into a wooden flooring and rails with the stairs running into the wood.

In addition to exceptional views and nice Pai Plong Bay, the place is home to a large colony of monkeys. You can spot plenty of monkeys here if you come at the right time. Observing monkeys and taking photos made my day.

With the signs all around prohibiting the feeding of monkeys, I saw a lot of macaque monkeys on the trail and in the trees. They get used to being around humans, but these are wild monkeys and they could be really aggressive if they see food. I heard they snatch bags and things out of hands!

6. Giant Catfish Farm

I loved fishing as a kid and I still love it today. Visiting Giant Catfish farm was fun and there are lots of interesting things to do there aside from catfish feeding. Expect to spend a couple of hours here. You can reach the farm if you drive from Ao Nang to Klong Muang beach on the outskirts of Nopparat Thara.

Since the farm isn’t only about breeding fish, there is some kind of petting zoo, thus you can feed some of the animals. I really enjoyed the time I spent here because of lovely paths through the jungle, gazebos, and handmade suspension bridges. Going there with kids will offer great opportunities for teachable moments. Entrance tickets are only 70 baht, including a bag of fish food.

7. Spend a Friday Night Watching Muay Thai Fight

Muay Thai is probably one of the brightest moments of Thai culture. With a lot of street advertisements before the fight, all martial arts enthusiasts shouldn’t miss out on visiting the Ao Nang Thai Boxing Stadium near Nopparat Thara Beach.

While some of the boxers are really young, any Muay Thai kickboxing match is one of the most thrilling things to do in Ao Nang during the rainy season. You can also get free dinner if you buy a VIP-ticket. Yup, I know that Muay Thai isn’t for everyone because they use fists, elbows, knees, and shins during the fight. But it’s enthralling! A lot of folks around the world come to Ao Nang just to see the fight with their own eyes! If you’re really into Muay Thai you can even take classes led by professional fighters.

8. Take A Thai Cooking Class

Thailand is a beautiful country with flavorful, fragrant food that truly complements any travel experiences. Krabi local cuisine is famous for blending spicy, salty, bitter, sour and sweet flavors all in one dish. So if you want to learn how to balance these flavors, check out some of Thai cookery schools around Ao Nang where you can take classes.

Most chefs will show you how to cook Thai food and which ingredients they use. Some will take you to the market to introduce alternatives you can buy when back at home because these items might not be available outside of Thailand.

Taking a Thai cooking class was one of my favorite things I did in Ao Nang. I love to cook (mostly to save money), not to mention enjoy eating. I love that most classes finish with you sitting down to sample your own dishes.

Despite being slightly on the pricey side, it’s an activity I would highly recommend to any visitors to Thailand. In fact, its something I would love to try in more countries I visit – there’s no better way to learn about a new culture than through its food!

9. Ziplining

There is nothing more extreme than speeding down a zip line at a speed of 40km/h. Monkeys and beautiful rainforest pass by faster than you can imagine and one can barely predict what is going to pop up next.

All outdoor enthusiasts should know, there are two excellent spots in Ao Nang. Hollow Mountain and Treetop Adventure Park. The latter offers several routes of various difficulty and categories. Ziplining is an incredibly fun, and safe, action activity. If you’re like me and can never get enough fun, then don’t miss ziplining when you are thinking of the top things to do in Ao Nang.

10. Kayaking

Slow and silent, kayaking is a cheap and environmentally-friendly way to see Ao Nang coastline made up of different coastal limestone karst, mangrove, and caves from a new perspective. There are countless tours available that will generally take you to Ao Luk in the north of the province on the way to Phang Nga, Ao Thalane at the southern tip of Phang Nga Bay, Bor Thor with its ancient limestone caves, and Koh Hong with a lagoon in its center.

There are also several sites closer to Ao Nang that are often visited including Nai Sa village and Sai Thai village. All tours give you an opportunity to get up close with an array of wildlife. Many bird species, lizards, enormous insects, and monkeys, including crab-eating macaques, are likely to cross your path. I could see some fishes and sand crabs along the way.

Eventually, I stopped on a tiny empty beach I found in the middle of the tall cliffs. There was no one else there, and there was no space for sunbaths. It was just a quick stop to relax, swim and snorkel. The water here has a different color. It is looking like a soft beautiful tone of green. The great thing about kayaking in Ao Nang is that it will take you to most enchanting places where you can relax and hide a bit from the crowds.

11. Hike Your Way To Khao Ngon Nak Viewpoint

Located about 30 minutes north of Ao Nang, Khao Hang Nak (also known as Dragon Crest Mountain) is by far one of my favorite things to do in Ao Nang. The park entrance and trailhead for Khao Ngon Nak can be found at the northern end of Highway 6024 near Tubkaek Beach.

I recommend bringing lots of water, sturdy hiking boots and a walking stick. The trail is a real hiking challenge and feels like a real adventure as you slowly make your way uphill. But it also offers great opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle for a couple of hours.

Khao Ngon Nak viewpoint is one of the highest points in Nong Thale district so you can enjoy breathtaking 360 views. The trail itself is about four kilometers long and it typically takes about two and a half hours to reach the summit.

12. Snorkeling And Scuba Diving

I can’t imagine visiting Ao Nang without spending a bit of time admiring the world underneath the sea surface. Whether it is snorkeling or scuba diving you can either take a tour from a travel agency or, if you travel in a group, hire your own longtail boat for the day. The boatmen know where to find the best snorkeling locations at the best time of day and will wait for you whilst you sunbathe or snorkel.

There are also several dozens of dive sites around Krabi. You can explore the rich marine environment with underwater caves, amazing corals, underwater caves and rock formations. One encounters a huge variety of marine species such as manta rays, seahorses, green turtles and, sometimes, even whale sharks.

Most of the dive sites are shallow and cater for beginner scuba divers. There are plenty of dive companies that can either get you certified (I recommend PADI), or take you out for some fun dives if you’re a qualified diver. The two most serious dive sites are Hin Daeng, Koh Ha and Hin Muang at 70 meters.

Where to Stay in Ao Nang Beach

For me, one of the most exciting things about traveling the world is meeting new people and staying in new places. And what better place than Ao Nang to really jump into backpacker culture by staying in some of the most kickass hostels in Thailand. These backpacker hotspots are great for meeting fellow travelers, exchanging exciting travel stories and simply chilling out.

In Ao Nang, Krabi you will find plenty of hostels and hotels that cater for all tastes and budgets. I spent 3 weeks in Krabi province, so here’s a breakdown of the best stays in Ao Nang and Krabi Town.

I have used Ao Nang as a home base for my last trip to Krabi, and, in my opinion, it’s the best area to stay when you are willing to stay a bit longer.

At first glance, Ao Nang Beach doesn’t seem to be offering you much. In fact, it’s actually a very strategic place to stay as it offers quick access to places on the list of top things to do in Ao Nang and Krabi. The opposite is also true if you’ve only got a couple of days and you plan to take day trips from Krabi, stay in Ao Nang and leave for your day tours from there!

Some of the best hotels and hostels in Ao Nang are:

Ao Nang Cliff Beach Resort – Rooms from $110 USD per night
Chatchada House – Rooms from $41 USD per night
Dream Garden Hostel – Dorms from $12 USD per night
Aonang 88 Hostel – Dorms from $9 USD per night

When is the Best Time to Visit Ao Nang

Ao Nang, like most Asian cities, has the dry season and, of course, the wet season. Thankfully visiting Ao Nang is great all year round – even in the rain! Most travelers will flock to Krabi and Ao Nang around January and February when the weather is more reliable and cooler, perfect for traveling around!

Want more specifics? Let me break down the rest of the year for you my friends planning a trip to Ao Nang.

Dry Season (November – April): This is when you can enjoy Ao Nang weather at its finest and the rains are less likely to hit. The high season starts in November and lasts until March. The busiest months are December and January which aren’t the hottest but warm enough to swim (an average of 28ºC). February and March are my favorite months to visit Ao Nang.

Wet Season (June – October): ‘Wet Season’ normally put people off; however, this is a great time to visit Ao Nang and Krabi. The rains aren’t constant, normally an hour or so of downpours before the sun drys everything up again. Expect temperatures of around 32ºC.

Did I Miss Any Other Top Things to Do in Ao Nang?

Over the course of this guide, I’ve covered a heap of must-dos in Ao Nang, but there are always attractions that fall through the cracks. If I missed your favorite activities in Ao Nang, please leave a comment in the section below!

Otherwise, if you’re rolling out of your hostel in the morning in Ao Nang and you just need something to do that isn’t something… totally regular, then keep a few of my ideas in mind.

I’m off for my scuba lessons – see ya!

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