Ao Nang is one of my favorite beach destinations in Thailand. I’ve been there multiple times over the years and still can’t get over the stunning white-sand beaches and high-rising limestone cliffs.
There are so many things to do in Ao Nang, from island hopping to hiking or simply beach bumming!
In this guide, I’ll share all the best things to do in Ao Nang Krabi, including advice on how to get there, the best places to stay, and other helpful tips.
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Read more about Ao Nang:
- Where to stay in Ao Nang?
- Best ways to get to Ao Nang from Krabi Airport
- 8 beaches to visit near Ao Nang
- Krabi 4 day itinerary for first-timers
Best things to do in Ao Nang Krabi
4 Island Tour
The Krabi 4 Island tour is by far the best thing to do in Ao Nang and for good reason!
Just picture yourself swimming in clear blue waters, snorkeling among heaps of colorful fish, and exploring islands with powdery white sand beaches and towering karst cliffs. There’s no better way to spend a vacation!
The Krabi 4 Island tours are very affordable and usually include lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and hotel transfers.
If yu have the budget, you can also book a private boat tour for just you and your group.
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Note that you have to pay a national park fee of 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children to visit the islands which isn’t always included in the tour price.
During the tour, you’ll visit some best islands in the Krabi province like Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Koh Tub, and Koh Mor as well as Phra Nang Beach and Cave on Railay.
Tip: If you want to visit even more islands, I recommend this Krabi 7 Islands and snorkeling tour. You’ll visit all the above islands as well as Koh Ya Wa Sam, Koh Ma Tang Ming, and Koh Raeng. If you’d like, you can also do a 7 Island sunset tour.
Koh Phi Phi Day Trip
With some of the most incredible rock formations, spectacular beaches like the world-famous Maya Bay, and diverse marine life, it’s no wonder why Koh Phi Phi is on most people’s bucket lists.
Since Ao Nang is located only about a 45-minute speedboat ride away, it’s one of the most popular day trips.
The best way to explore the Phi Phi island is to join this guided tour which includes visits to Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and Pileh Lagoon.
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Hotel transfers, lunch, fruits, drinks, snorkeling gear and a tour guide are also included in the price.
Related post: Top 5 Koh Phi Phi day tours
Tiger Cave Temple
Another popular thing to do in Ao Nang is to hike to the Tiger Cave Temple, also known as Wat Tham Suea.
Climbing over 1,200 steep and uneven steps might be challenging for some but the 360-degree view is worth every drop of sweat!
Depending on your level of fitness, it should take anywhere between 30 minutes to one hour to get to the top.
For me personally, the hike took about 45 minutes, including regular breaks in between. Just remember to watch out for the monkeys and to keep your distance as they can sometimes be aggressive (speaking from personal experience!).
Entrance to the temple is free but donations are welcome.
If you want to visit Tiger Cave Temple, you can join this Krabi jungle guided tour which also includes visits to the Krabi Hot Springs and Emerald Pool (mentioned below), or hire a private taxi. Lunch, drinks, and hotel transfers are also included in the tour rate.
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Railay Beach
If you wish to spend more time at the beach, I highly recommend taking a longtail boat from Ao Nang to Railay Beach which costs only 100 baht one-way.
This is one of my all-time favorite beaches due to the soaring limestone cliffs, powdery white sand, and turquoise water!
The most popular thing to do on Railay is to take a rock climbing course and soak in the view from a bird’s eye perspective.
But if you’re not too keen on rock climbing, you can also swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, rent a kayak, explore the walking street which has a bunch of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops, hike to Railay viewpoint and Princess Lagoon, or visit the Diamond Cave.
Related post: How to get to Railay Beach from Ao Nang by boat?
Hong Island
Located about a 45-minute boat ride from Ao Nang, Hong Island is home to a beautiful white-sand beach bordered by rows of limestone cliffs.
The best way to visit Hong Island is to join a guided tour by longtail boat or speedboat. The tour also includes visits to the Hong Lagoon, Pakbia Island, and Lading Island.
Also included in the tour price are hotel transfers, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear. Note that most tours don’t include the national park fee which costs 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children.
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Alternatively, you can take the public longtail boat for 500 baht per person. I chose this option during my last visit and had to wait over an hour for the boat to fill up which is why I recommend booking a tour instead.
Once you get to Hong Island, you can swim, snorkel, hike the short jungle trail, or admire the view from the 360 viewpoint.
Related post: Complete guide to Hong Island Krabi
Emerald Pool
Another place to visit near Ao Nang is the Emerald Pool, a crystal-clear turquoise lake in the middle of the Krabi jungle.
The lake can be accessed through an 800-meter or 1.4-km jungle trail. It’s definitely the perfect place to cool off after hiking to the Tiger Cave Temple.
Entrance to the Emerald Pool costs 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children.
As mentioned above, you can visit the Emerald Pool as part of a guided tour which also includes visits to the Tiger Cave Temple and Krabi Hot Springs.
CHECK PRICE FOR A KRABI JUNGLE TOUR
Krabi Hot Springs
Not too far from the Emerald Pool are the Krabi Hot Springs, a series of cascading streams heated by underground volcanic chambers.
The water temperature hovers around 35-40 degrees Celsius which is said to have therapeutic and soothing properties.
Entrance to the hot springs costs 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children.
Tip: You can visit the hot springs together with the Emerald Pool and Tiger Cave Temple with a guided tour.
Klong Root
One of the most underrated things to do in Ao Nang is to visit Klong Root Mirror Lake.
It’s free to walk around the lake but you can also rent kayaks for 300 baht (or 400 baht with a guide) and admire the reflection of the limestone rocks and vegetation as you glide peacefully over the lake.
Klong Root is located only about a 15-minute drive from Ao Nang and can be reached by motorbike or private taxi.
Kayaking at Ao Thalane
Another fun activity to do in Ao Nang is a kayaking tour of Ao Thalane. The best part is that Ao Thalane isn’t super touristy, making it the perfect place to visit if you want to skip the crowds.
I opted for a half-day kayaking tour in the morning but you can also do the tour in the afternoon or during sunset.
The tour price includes hotel transfers to and from Ao Nang, an English-speaking guide, life jackets, dry bags, water, and fruits.
CHECK PRICE FOR A KAYAKING TOUR OF AO THALANE
The tour usually lasts about 2.5 hours and if you’re lucky you might even spot some wildlife.
Ao Nang Beach
No list of things to do in Ao Nang would be complete without mentioning Ao Nang Beach itself!
While it’s not the most beautiful beach in Thailand, it’s the perfect spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon. They even have fire shows every single night (provided it’s not raining).
If you want to swim, I recommend going to the eastern end, near Golden Beach Resort as the beach is much nicer there.
Pai Plong Beach
If you want to avoid the crowds of Ao Nang Beach, I would suggest doing a short hike along the Monkey Trail to Pai Plong Beach.
The beach is very picturesque with huge limestone cliffs and golden sand. Although this is technically a private beach owned by Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villa, you can enter for free.
You only need to sign in with the security guard and you’re free to enjoy the beach.
The hike takes about 20 minutes from Ao Nang Beach or 30 minutes from the walking street. Just type in “Monkey Trail, Ao Nang” on Google Maps and you should easily locate the trail.
If you don’t want to do the hike, you can instead charter a longtail boat from Ao Nang Beach for about 100 baht one way.
Related post: How to get to Pai Plong Beach in Thailand?
Guan Yin Bodhisattva Mountain Temple
I bet you have never heard about this next attraction in Ao Nang! Guan Yin Bodhisattva Mountain Temple is a somewhat hidden temple and one of the best viewpoints in Ao Nang.
Those willing to climb the 250 steps will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the lush green landscape with multiple layers of mountains.
Since not a lot of people know about this temple, it’s the perfect place to avoid crowds. The temple is located about 3 km from Ao Nang Beach. You can get there by motorbike or Grab taxi.
Tip: The middle stairs are quite steep and narrow but the ones on the far left-hand side are less steep and thus more manageable.
Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill (Dragon Crest Mountain)
For nature lovers and hikers, I highly recommend hiking the Dragon Crest Mountain (Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill Trail) for a panoramic view of Krabi.
After a challenging 2-hour hike, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the limestone cliffs dotting the land and sea.
The trail is easy to follow as there are signs along the way but it does require a moderate level of fitness due to the steep and uneven terrain.
The trailhead is located about a 30-minute drive from Ao Nang. You can get there by motorbike, taxi, or guided tour. The tour includes a morning hike at Dragon Crest followed by an ATV ride and a kayaking trip.
CHECK PRICE FOR A KRABI HIKE AND ATV TOUR
Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill is open daily from 8 a.m to 4 p.m and the entrance fee is 200 baht.
Related post: Guide to hiking the Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill in Krabi
Ao Nang Walking Street
One of the best things to do in Ao Nang at night is to explore the walking street.
Here, you’ll find a huge selection of clothing stores, souvenir shops, night markets, restaurants, and bars lining down the street.
Phra Nang Beach and Cave
My all-time favorite thing to do in Ao Nang is to visit Phra Nang Beach thanks to its gorgeous white sand, giant karst cliffs, crystal-clear water, and scenic viewpoints.
The beach also features two unique caves full of wooden phallic shrines which attract quite a lot of tourists!
Some of the best things to do here include swimming and snorkeling. You can also get a Thai massage right on the beach, rent kayaks to explore the nearby caves or take a rock climbing course.
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Related post: Complete guide to Phra Nang Beach and how to get there
Krabi Night Market
Krabi Town is located about a 30-minute drive from Ao Nang Beach and is famous for its weekend night market.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 p.m to 10 p.m, you’ll find vendors selling everything from clothes to souvenirs, local handicrafts, and Thai dishes at super cheap prices.
You can even watch live music performances and fire shows at the Krabi Night Market.
The best way to get there from Ao Nang is to book a shared minivan for about 150 baht per person. You can book the minivan from pretty much any tour operator along Ao Nang Walking Street.
Alternatively, you can hire a private taxi to take you there.
Tip: If you’re not visiting on a weekend, you can instead go to the Black Crab Night Market which opens daily. It’s smaller than the weekend night market but is less crowded and has more food options.
Krabi Town
As mentioned above, Krabi Town is famous for its night market but it also boasts other fun attractions that are worth visiting.
Some of them include Wat Kaew Korawaram Temple, Krabi Urban Forest Mangrove Walk and Viewpoint, and Khao Khanap Nam Cave.
Related post: Krabi Town: Top things to see and do
Visit the lesser-known beaches near Ao Nang
There are quite a few beaches near Ao Nang that have more of a local vibe compared to Ao Nang Beach or Railay Beach.
Some of them include Nopharat Thara, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek.
Nopparat Thara is located only about a 15-minute walk from Ao Nang Beach and while it’s not the best for swimming, it’s a great spot to watch the sunset. During low tide, you can walk to the neighboring islands of Koh Liao and Koh Khao Sam Nuai.
Klong Muang Beach, on the other hand, is located about 12 km away. The beach is lined with only a couple of hotels and restaurants, so it’s super quiet.
Finally, Tubkaek Beach is located further away and is also very peaceful and quiet.
Related post: 8 Must-visit beaches near Ao Nang
Ao Nang Night Market
If you don’t want to travel all the way to the Krabi Night Market, then I recommend visiting Ao Nang Landmark Night Market instead.
The market is located near Nopparat Thara Beach and is open every evening until late.
You’ll find all the typical Thai food here like pad thai, green curry, mango sticky rice, etc. There are also stalls selling clothes and souvenirs.
The atmosphere is very lively thanks to the live music and fire shows, making it a great thing to do in Ao Nang at night.
While Ao Nang Landmark Night Market is the biggest one, there are also a few other night markets/food centers along the walking street (my personal favorite is found near Pop In Hostel) and along the main road between Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara (find the location on Google Maps here).
Tonsai Beach
Another fun thing to do in Ao Nang is to visit Tonsai Beach. Situated on the Railay peninsula, Tonsai features a stunning white-sand beach bordered by rows of palm trees and jagged cliffs.
If you’re already in Railay, you can get to Tonsai Beach on foot (during low tide only). Alternatively, you can hire a longtail boat or hike the jungle trail that connects Tonsai to Railay East.
If you’re coming from Ao Nang, just ask the boat to drop you off at Tonsai (you might need to pay extra if the boat isn’t full).
Where to Stay in Ao Nang?
There’s a huge range of hotels in Ao Nang to choose from. Centara Ao Nang Beach is a great choice if you want to stay near the beach.
Another great option is Ao Nang Cliff Resort. It’s located along Ao Nang Walking Street, within walking distance of restaurants and bars, and features an infinity pool overlooking the ocean and mountain.
Finally, for those traveling on a budget, I recommend Wake Up Ao Nang, Seaworld Guesthouse, J Mansion, Buri Tara Resort, and Pop In Hostel.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN AO NANG
Related post: Best places to stay in Ao Nang Krabi
How to get to Ao Nang?
To get to Ao Nang, you first have to travel to Krabi. Direct flights are available from Bangkok and Chiang Mai as well as from Malaysia and Singapore.
Plane tickets are quite cheap since the route is serviced by low-cost airlines such as Air Asia.
Once you get to Krabi Airport, you can then take a private taxi or shared mini-van (shuttle bus).
I go into more detail about the best ways to travel from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang here.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Ao Nang is from November to March when the weather is mostly sunny and dry. This is also the peak season, so there will be more tourists, plus hotel prices might be higher. Be sure to book your hotels well in advance if you’re visiting during these months.
If you don’t mind the occasional rain, I recommend visiting during the shoulder months of April/May or September/October.
I hope you found this guide to the best things to do in Ao Nang helpful. If you have any questions, let me know in the comment sections below.
Read more about Thailand:
- Guide to visiting the best islands in Krabi
- 15 Must-visit beaches in Krabi Thailand
- Guide to getting from Krabi to the Phi Phi Islands
- Northern Thailand itinerary for first-time visitors
2 comments
Hi Steph. A very comprehensive article but just a comment on your final recommendation about visiting in the shoulder seasons (based on my experience of living in Ao Nang from April to October): September/October is much better than April/May for off-season visits. April can be very hot and May very wet, but September/October enjoys lower temperatures and you still get plenty of sunny days during those months. It’s actually my favourite time of the year in Ao Nang because there are far fewer tourists than in the high season.
Hi David. Thank you for your comment. My recent trip to Thailand was in May and I agree that it can be very hot but it doesn’t matter that much in Ao Nang since most people visiting will probably be spending their time swimming at the beach. So April/May is still good, in my opinion :)