Thailand – Getting to know Krabi

Undoubtedly the most distinguishing feature of the Krabi province are the huge, unworldly limestone karsts – craggy towers, rising up out of the turquoise sea. Throw in some seriously sublime beaches, excellent diving opportunities, mouthwatering local cuisine and a variety of adventure sports, and it’s easy to understand why Krabi is amongst Thailand’s most popular beach resorts.

What to do in Krabi

Krabi’s rugged coastline is best explored by kayak. Paddle along the shore and you’ll come across hidden lagoons, tangled mangroves and intriguing sea caves. For the more adventurous, the towering limestone cliffs also offer incredible rock climbing opportunities for all abilities, particularly at Railay beach.

Take a break from the beach and climb to the hilltop Wat Tham Sua (a.k.a Tiger Cave temple) It’s a heart pumping 1200+ steps to reach the golden Buddha statue and pagodas, but you’ll be rewarded with 360 degree panoramic views over the Andaman Sea and its islands.

If you’re staying near Krabi Town over the weekend, in the early evening head to the bustling weekend market where you can shop for handicraft souvenirs and Thai fashion, whilst tucking into southern Thai cuisine.

Islands beyond Krabi.

  KOH LANTA. Koh Lanta actually comprises of several islands, the largest of which is the 18-mile long Koh Lanta Yai, which is the main tourist destination. The island is blessed with numerous peaceful, unspoilt beaches: the best of which are on the west coast, the most developed on the north coast and most rugged on the south. Away from the beach, Koh Lanta’s interior is dotted with waterfalls and caves, jungle and mangroves that can be explored on foot, by bike or kayak. Whilst Koh Lanta has experienced an increasing amount of development in the last 10 years, it’s low-key compared with Thailand’s well-known beach resorts, and the island has retained its charm and laid-back vibe.

 KOH PHI PHI One of Thailand’s best-known islands, thanks predominantly to Hollywood movie ‘The Beach’ that was filmed around the island’s Maya Bay. Ko Phi Phi is an extremely beautiful island – even amongst such an array of good-looking neighbours – boasting limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, an abundance of white sand beaches and miles of trackless forest. Day trips from Phuket and Krabi are possible and popular, however we would recommend staying a few nights to experience the island once all the day-trippers have left. There are plenty of places to stay and a decent choice of restaurants, bars and clubs.

    KOH JUM. Lying just off the coast of Krabi and to the north of Koh Lanta, Koh Jum (also known as Ko Pu) is a small, sleepy and practically undiscovered island. Accommodation is limited and modest, eateries comprise of a handful of shacks on the beach, and there’s very little to do other than relax on the beach, soak up the tranquillity and revel in the slower pace of life. What’s not to like?!