Overview
South of Phuket across the bay, Krabi is a coast and a cluster of islands defined by karst — sheer limestone towers draped in jungle, rising from the water and the mangroves. The beach town of Ao Nang is the main base, and the cliff-ringed peninsula of Railay, reachable only by boat, is a magnet for rock climbers and beach-goers. Warm and scenic, it is quieter than Phuket and the launch point for some of the Andaman’s finest islands.
Highlights
Railay’s beaches sit beneath dramatic cliffs that draw climbers from around the world, reached by longtail boat from Ao Nang. Island-hopping tours run to the Hong Islands, Chicken Island and beyond, with snorkelling over reefs and hidden lagoons. Inland lie hot springs, the Emerald Pool and the tiger-cave temple with its long stairway to a mountain view.