Krabi could well be described as the 'new Phuket' for the amount of development, much of which has taken place in just the last few years. Krabi's popularity is mainly due to its combination of fantastic limestone cliffs which march right down to sparkling white sandy beaches. Of course, there's also the clear waters filled with spectacular corals as well.
Map of Krabi ProvinceMost of the new development is in three areas: The Nang Bay (Ao Nang) and Railay coast of the mainland west of Krabi town; Lanta Yai island; and Phi Phi Don. Although the Phi Phi islands have been an alternative to Phuket for years - long before Leonardo Di Caprio discovered 'The Beach' - the mainland and Lanta have been developed only since the late 1990s.
Ao Nang Area Map When most people talk about visiting 'Krabi' they usually mean the Ao Nang area. The stretch of beach west of Railay is the most heavily developed area, although Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are also well developed, but better known as distinct destinations in their own right. There are several other areas with hotels, as shown in the map above. If you want to stay some place less 'crowded' you might consider Railay or the Tubkaak area.
Like the Hot Waterfall, the Emerald Pond is the result of hot springs. Water flows through a fissure, over a large rock shelf and into a large pool. Depending on the temperature and other factors, the pond can be anything from crystal clear to deep green. The water is not as hot as the waterfall, but it's warm enough to be quite comfortable. The water has a lot of calcium carbonate, which deposits on the rocks and creates a rich place for bacteria, making the surfaces in and around the pool very slippery.
The best way to get to Krabi is to fly there. The only other realistic option is by bus, which takes in excess of 12 hours from Bangkok. The train completely by-passes the Andaman coast, so it is not really an option. You can also get to Krabi through Phuket, but this involves either a long boat ride (more than four hours) via Phi Phi, or a two-hour-plus over-land journey.
The hills inland from the Krabi coast are dotted with hot springs, some of which form an interesting landscape good for a day trip. One of these is the Hot Waterfall in Klong Thom district.
The Hot Waterfall in Krabi Province, Thailand At the Hot Waterfall, hot water rises from several springs and flows through a forest until it tumbles down a bluff into a stream. Over the course of hundreds of years, the minerals dissolved in the water have been deposited on the rocks in such a way as to form large deep pools of water.
There's a wide variety of resorts and hotels available in Krabi town as well as the Nang Bay (Ao Nang) beach area. Here's short list of places worth considering. Alternatively, you may wish to consider staying on the Lanta Islands of Krabi province.
Nakamanda Resort & Spa Posh resort in the Klong Muang beach area, which is one of the more remote beaches, and furthest from the airport. Rayavadee Hotel The top end of the offering in the somewhat isolated Railay area.
Just off the mainland at the southern end of Krabi province are the two large islands of Lanta Noi ('Little Lanta') and Lanta Yai ('Big Lanta'). The two big islands are at the center of a group of 52 islands, 15 of which have been designated as the Koh Lanta National Marine Park.
Map of Koh Lanta, Krabi The west coast of Lanta Yai is lined with resorts and bungalows for almost its entire 25 kilometer length.
Krabi's relatively new airport is a small modern structure. The main terminal structure is on three levels. The lowest floor is the arrivals hall, and the second is check-in and departures. The third level houses offices and a restaurant.
Krabi Airport Arrivals There is only one sky-bridge at Krabi Airport, so you may find yourself walking from your plane into the terminal. If that is the case, you will find yourself directed first up an escalator, then back down to the arrivals hall.
Boats on the sand of West Railay Beach The area known as Railay is a bit of a geographical curiosity. It's part of the Krabi province mainland, but can only be reached by boat. High vertical cliffs cut off the peninsula from the rest of the coast. The peninsula is really just a build-up of sand between the cliffs and two large rocks. The result is three beaches with decidedly different characters.
Not far from Krabi's airport is one of Southern Thailand's most revered temples. The monastery is set at mouth of a cave in the base of a stone pillar rising almost 1,000 feet into the air. Tour guides will spin you a tale about the cave once being home to a tiger, but the source of the name is more mundane that that. Apparently one of the rock formations near the cave looks like a tiger's paw.
Krabi shares the same climate as other Andaman Coast destinations, such as Phuket. The rainy season lasts from roughly May to October each year, although there can be big variations from year to year as to when the rains come, and how wet the season is. The rainy season is not necessarily a bad time to visit Thailand, but if you are planning on sunning yourself on a beach, in June, then you might want to consider a destination south of the equator, such as Bali.
Krabi's spectacular scenery and secluded bays have made it one of the most popular places in Thailand for romantic and exotic weddings. A number of the hotels and resorts around Nang Bay and Lanta Island offer special wedding packages, and will help you with the legal formalities involved in making sure your wedding is recognized back home.
If you're considering a Krabi wedding, the first question you're probably asking is "Where?
