Things to do in Krabi

Boasting fantastic beaches surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, Krabi is one of Thailands most popular provinces among visitors. Located just over 800kms south of Bangkok, Krabi boasts a nature-lovers paradise, with a coastline that is dotted with beautiful tropical islands, superb beaches and coral reefs.

Koh Phi Phi

This island group is made up of two rocky, tree-covered islets: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. Phi Phi Don, the larger islet to the north, is renowned for its fine beaches and coral formations. Above average tourist facilities and accommodation options are available along two beautiful curved bays: Ton Sai Bay and Lodalam Bay. Several shops at Ton Sai can book diving and snorkelling trips around the island or nearby islands including Koh Phi Phi Le, Koh Yung and Koh Mai Phai. Phi Phi islands are just 40kms from Krabi Town, from where the island is easily accessible by ferry.

Koh Lanta Marine National Park

Ko Lanta Yai, the Marine National Parks main island, is home to Chai Leh, better known as sea gypsies. These nomadic people live in small settlements and earn their living from fishing, collecting shells and diving. The sea gypsies retain their own language and beliefs, and spiritual worship remains strong in the community.

The mountains in the northern part and southern tip of the island are covered with virgin rainforests. Several beautiful beaches stretch along the north and the south of the west coast such as Khlong Dao Beach, Khlong Nin Beach, Phra Ae Beach and Khlong Khong Beach. There are coral reefs along some parts of the western side and at Laem Kho Kwang at the northern tip. Saladan pier at the northern tip of the island is where tour operators, shops and banks are situated.

Wat Tham Sua

A visit to the Tiger Cave temple, where Buddhist monks live and worship within a maze of natural caves, is a must during any visit to Krabi Town. Set against the Ao Luk Thanu mountain range in dense overgrown jungle, the temple is the largest in the province. The main attraction is the 1,272-step climb up a limestone peak to view the footprint of Buddha. Once you make it to the top, and be warned that the heat and humidity make this a fairly difficult hike, you are rewarded with stunning vistas of Krabi and the Andaman Sea.

Than Bok Khorani National Park

Than Bok Khorani National Park boasts a diverse range of flora including wild gardenia, apocynaceae and asoka, which frame a stunning emerald-coloured pond, Sa Bok Khorani, after which the park is named. Other attractions include verdant mangrove forests and several limestone mountain caves. The park does not offer any accommodation however and visitors wishing to camp in the park may only do so if they bring their own tents. Note that there is an admission fee for entry to the park.

Shell Fossil Cemetery

This huge slab of rock has evolved from shell fossils dating from up to 35 million years ago. Once a large freshwater swamp populated by millions of snails, the dead snails gradually formed a layer of fossils, which is now about 40cms thick. The shell graveyard is located about 17kms from Krabi Town, at Ban Laem Pho cape. The Shell Fossil Cemetery has become one of Krabis top three sights in recent years.

Wat Klong Tom

This temple and museum, located about a kilometre from Klong Tom district tourist offices, contains ceramic and stone decorative arts, stone tools, metal coins, bronze implements and beads dating back more than 5,000 years, which were dug from excavations made in the area.