Located in Southern Thailand and situated on the shore of the Andaman Sea is an area of Thailand that many adventurers dream of. Littered in tall limestone karst formations, tropical beaches, and beautiful Wats, Krabi province is a favorite of many.
Things to do in Krabi Thailand
There are 154 islands in Krabi province which are well visited throughout the year.
The most famous of these islands is Ko Phi Phi which is where much of the movie The Beach with Leonardo Di Caprio was filmed.
My personal favorite island in this province is Ko Lanta which will be explored in a later post regarding islands. There are so many different activities to do in Krabi and I will definitely have future posts focusing on this province.
Rock Climbing in Krabi
My personal favorite island in this province is Ko Lanta which will be explored in a later post regarding islands. There are so many different activities to do in Krabi and I will definitely have future posts focusing on this province.
Krabi is a popular destination for rock climbers. Visitors will see the tall limestone cliffs speckled with rock climbers, and in large groups sitting around a table drinking a cold beer and sharing tales of their daily adventures.
Rock climbing tours, private guides, and equipment can be rented from most hotel lobbies and throughout Krabi, Ao Nang and Railay Beach.
There are climbing opportunities for beginners, intermediate and advanced climbers. It is not recommended to go rock climbing alone in Krabi. The limestone can be very loose in places and having a friend or guide nearby could save your life.
Krabi Tiger Cave Temple
Just northeast of Krabi Noi, the capital and main town of Krabi Province, sits this spectacular Wat Tham Sua, Tiger cave temple. The foundation of this site dates back to 1975.
It is not easy finding accurate historical information in English and from what I can ascertain, Luang Por (Honorable Father) Jamnian had a vision for a new meditation practice which led him to Krabi.
Luang Por Jamnian led 53 monks and 56 nuns from Wat Sukhonthawat to what is now known as the Tiger Cave Temple.
Prior to 1990, the Temple was named Na Ching Monastery which was changed to “Wat Tham Suea” on August 2, 1990. The temple remains open today as a place of Vipassana meditation.
From the parking lot and past the caves, visitors will find the 1,266 steps leading to the top of the temple. Most steps are approximately 1 foot high, and the trip up and back down can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 or more hours depending on the individual.
This trek is definitely worth it. I recommend heading up right at sunrise before it gets too hot and humid. Some travelers enjoy going at the end of the day to enjoy the sunset from the gorgeous view from the top.
Once making one’s way past the monkeys that hang out around the temple and lower section of the stairs, the visitor is in store for a very rewarding 360-degree view of the forest below as far as the eye can see.
But the outlook is not the only striking site! A large golden Buddha sits proudly at the highest platform and several other deities are arranged throughout the temple. There is also a very large Buddha footprint.
Please be mindful when visiting Tiger Cave Temple. This is a Wat and woman are expected to cover their shoulders and from the knees up.
We were covered while walking through the premises, but I did need to strip to my tank top while climbing and ascending the steps.
Also, like anywhere in else in Thailand where there are a lot of monkeys, please do not feed or tease them.
It is best to keep your food and water enclosed in a backpack, do not make eye contact with monkeys, or show them your teeth, as this can be perceived as a threat and a challenge.
Tiger Cave Temple Dogs
So, we were pretty afraid of the large groups of monkeys at the base of the steps. As my two daughters and I stood there contemplating the safest way to pass, we were visited by the sweetest dog. He stopped to say hello then ran ahead scaring all the monkeys away from the path and waited for us to join.
This cute dog, who we named Spot, escorted us to the top, hung out with us while we enjoyed the sites and rested, then escorted us back down. About ten minutes later he was escorting a new friend up the stairs.
As we came to find out there are many dogs and cats at the temple. Unfortunately, people will dump them there because they know they will be well taken care of.
There is a local, expat man that collects donations at the temple, and via social media, and donates his time to ensuring these animals are healthy and fed. If you are interested in helping them out, you can search for Tiger Cave Temple Dogs on Facebook.
Guided Kayaking Through the Mangroves
There are numerous opportunities for kayaking adventures around Krabi. My favorite experience has been with the operation Sea Kayak Krabi exploring the Andaman Sea in Ao Thalane. We’ve done this trip twice and look forward to returning next year.
We paddled through crystal clear water above many visible fish and crabs along the shores and small outlets along the way. The path leads between the dense forest of mangroves and tall limestone rock formations and is definitely one of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen.
Each trip we have had a different guide and they both have told us about the Flaura and fauna we were seeing, as well as stories from the area and their culture. I don’t think this is a service they offer so please don’t expect to have the same experience if you go.
Sea Kayak Krabi offers several different options. Full day and half day tours with English speaking guides, option for a delicious vegetarian Thai lunch, kayaking lessons, accommodations, message after a long day rowing, personal kayak rentals, and hotel to hotel transfers.
Whew! They offer a lot and are expanding their services all the time. Look them up and support an amazing community of hardworking Thai locals.
Favorite Place to Stay
When I visit south Thailand, I stay in Krabi Province the longest. Ao Nang specifically. This places me in a good location to travel within and beyond Ao Nang. In addition to the activities mentioned above, there is so much more to do and see in Krabi Province and I’ll be talking about those in future posts.
Anyway, this is where I like to splurge. The Ban Sainia Resort in Ao Nang is my absolute favorite! Situated a few minutes from the main strip of Ao Nang and surrounded by tropical trees, flowers, and sounds, the Ban Sainia Resort feels like you are far away from everything.
The traditional Thai style cottages range from single units to family suites and are clean with many amenities included. There are several free shuttles to Ao Nang beach and a tuk-tuk can easily be arranged if you want to go other locations around town. The staff are friendly and attentive, and most are English speaking.
I am not being sponsored by or getting paid by the above businesses that I am recommending. They each offer an amazing and memorable experience and are kind and helpful people making their way through life like the rest of us.
How to Ge to Krabi Province
Air
Krabi has an international airport which makes travelling to Krabi very easy. Domestic flights from Chaing Mai, Bangkok and Phuket are affordable and fast. Transportation from the airport to your accommodation is more than easy to find. You can hail a cab which can be a very chaotic scene due to the multitude of drivers, or you can reserve your transport ahead of time and save yourself some anxiety. That’s what I do.
Rental Car or Private Driver
Visitors can rent their own vehicle in Thailand with the correct paperwork and international driving license. Many visitors rent scooters because they are affordable and available to rent everywhere.
I don’t recommend either of these options unless you have plenty of experience driving on the left side of the road, driving in foreign countries, and experience driving scooters, if that’s your thing.
Hiring a private driver is easy to do throughout Thailand. There are many online services to reserve rides and hiring a driver helps to stimulate the economy and isn’t that much more expensive than public transport.
Public Transport
Travelers can hop a bus to Thailand from just about any location. Two buses leave from Bangkok twice a day for the 12-hour drive to Krabi. Travelling this way does allow the visitor to see more of the countryside, but flying is affordable enough and less than a 90-minute flight from Bangkok. How do you want to use your time? It’s a personal question and I have no judgment 😉
There are also frequently scheduled buses from Surat Thani to the north and Phuket to the west, each taking 2- 3 1/2 hours to reach Krabi.
Boat
Boats travel between Krabi, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta several times a day. Traveling outside of scheduled times or from Phuket, or one of the many other islands, is also an option and can be booked online or from booths located on most popular piers in Southern Thailand. Boat options include Ferrys, speedboats, and longtail boats. Travelers should factor in their experience on the water and the distance to their destination. Ferrys are best for long distances and those with motion sickness. Trust me!
Conclusion
Thanks for reading about my favorite things to do in Krabi Province. Come back soon for more adventures. And as always, I invite you to reach out if you have any questions or just want to share ideas, or your travel stories.
Feel free to email me at cyanne@bestdestinationsthailand.com or leave a comment below. Together, we can share our experiences or just learn from others. The world opens up to those with knowledge.
All the best,
Cyanne
Growing up I didn’t see the attraction of rocks but now I could go to Krabi and stare at those rocks for hours on end, amazing!
Hi Seinna,
Thanks for leaving a comment! Aren’t the huge limestone karsts just amazing? They certainly add dimension to the landscape. If you’ve been to Krabi before, have you hiked Dragon Crest Mountain? It’s a fairly strenuous hike, but the views are amazing!
All the best, Cyanne.