Top Ten Things to do in Krabi

This is a list of our favorite things to do in Krabi and Aonang. Many of these are the free simple things that anyone can do with no advance booking or cost. Actually, we have 13, but the Top 13 doesn't sound quite as good:)

Just click the Read Full article link below for more details on these and lots more.

All these things to do can be done on any day of the year. Some can even be more enjoyable in the rainy season you just have to be prepared and flexible.

At Krabitrek we try to inspect all the tours and attractions regularly to ensure that our descriptions are up to date and accurate. We use reliable operators and listen to any feedback and just try to offer the sort of service we would want if we were visiting.

1. Island Hopping and snorkelling.

The 4 Islands (AKA Poda Islands), Hong Islands and the Phi Phi Islands all lie within Krabi Province and are possible for day trips from Krabi Town and the Ao Nang area. The 4 Islands are the closest, Hong Island a bit further up the coast and the Phi Phi Islands about 1 hour by speedboat. The 4 Islands and the Hong Islands are small uninhabited Islands, Phi Phi is a group of small and slightly larger Islands with the main Island of Phi Phi Don having lots of resorts and hotels and being a very popular destination in its own right.

The first thing most people think of when they hear the name Krabi is the coastline. Krabi's amazing Andaman coastline is really unlike anything you will see anywhere else and is almost completely unspoilt by industry or tourism. There are dozens of Islands and miles and miles of the most amazing beaches that, even now that Krabi has become a major tourist destination, are largely untouched.

The mainland beaches are great but for the real crystal clear water, you need to get out to the Islands.

For most, Koh Tup, Koh Gai, Koh Mor and Koh Poda, which together, make up the Island part of the famous 4 Island tour are the easiest, quickest and most economical way to get a true taste of what is on offer. They are beautiful but also very popular and in high season, can become a little crowded particularly on Thai public holiday weekends. The water is very clear on a calm day and there are usually lots of small fish even in the shallows. 

Then there is Koh Hong, famous for its hidden lagoon and amazing beaches. Near to Koh Hong are Koh Lading, Koh Pakbia and Koh Daeng. The water is just as clear at the Hong islands and on some days the snorkelling is even better. As part of Hong Island beach is sheltered, the snorkelling can be good even if the water is a bit rough or on cloudy and rainy days.

Then, there is the Phi Phi Island group.

Phi Phi is the largest of the Island tourist destinations. In the last two decades its gone from being a remote group of tropical Islands to being one of the top destinations in Asia. There are now dozens of large multi-national hotels and resorts and daily visits from Phuket, Koh Lanta as well as Krabi all wanting to get a glimpse of the sights that astounded the world when the film "The Beach" came out. Bamboo Island is nearby and on the Phi Phi Island by speedboat itinerary and this Island is ringed by spectacular white sand beaches and clear turquoise water, is always a big favorite.As a result of the popularity there are times when the famous Maya Bay is almost standing room only. Although some complain, this popularity is inevitable and despite this, it's still well worth seeing.

I have read in various reviews about Krabi that the sea is not as clear on the mainland as it was 10 or 15 years ago, but the truth is, the water clarity on the mainland beaches is entirely dependent on the weather and tide conditions. Being on the mainland, when there are waves, it does disturb the sea floor. I go to most of the local mainland beaches on most weeks and on a few days of the year when the sea is perfectly calm, the water is just as sparkling and visibility is great. It's just a matter of luck. For almost guaranteed crystal clear water, you just have to visit the Islands, on any day where there are no big waves, the water is as clear as it has ever been.

We just took a trip ourselves to check out the Phi Phi Islands. We took the speedboat day trip with our kids. The sky was a bit hazy but we had a great day. The beach at Maya Bay was quite crowded even though its low season, but its still worth a short stop just for the experience of being there. The highlight was the snorkeling, really crystal clear water and lots and lots of fish. There are some new pictures in our photo gallery, but here is one that shows just how many fish you'll see at the Phi Phi Islands. These pics were taken at Nui Bay on Phi Phi Don Island. While we don't gurantee that you will see this many fish as it does depend on the conditions on the day, each time I have been to any of the Islands, I have seen a lot of fish!

The coral reefs around Krabi have suffered considerably from the latest El Niino event. Coral bleaching is caused by the increase in water temperature that occurs naturally during these events. Reefs thoughout the world have been affected and it does give the appearance of the sea bed looking rather dead. This is far from the case though, most of the coral is still very much alive and is just waiting for the temperatures to return to normal. After the last severe El Nino event in 2010 it took a couple of years for much of it to start looking colorful again so, hopefully, the sea floor in the Andaman Sea will recover as quickly this time.

A factor we do have control over though is the damage that is caused by human interraction, its really important not to touch the coral, step on or break bits off, even if it appears  lifeless, please be careful to avoid stepping on it or banging against it. It is actually a criminal offence to take any coral out of the sea and any coral found in luggage will be confiscated and you could even be fined.

All of the tours we offer have a pickup service from all Aonang, Krabi and surrounding area hotels. Some of the tours do charge a small surcharge for pickup from hotels outside the main Aonang Hotel area. 

Another option is to charter your own longtail or speedboat for the day, if you have a group of 4 or more people, then a longtail can be economical and gives you more freedom to set your itinerary.

2. Rent a Bike and Get Lost!

No, seriously, I really do mean it. Getting lost in Krabi can be the most amazing experience, even after more than a decade here, I still find views that make my jaw drop.
Hire a jeep, motorbike or bicycle and take some small roads, get off the beaten track and just cruise, or jump in a songthew and see where you end up. With the limestone Karstes sticking vertically out of the ground, there are views and vistas just waiting to be discovered around every corner. 

For safety, please do remember to wear a helmet, take it at a slow speed, and just be sensible. (Helmets are a legal requirement in Thailand, they don't enforce it very often in the Aonang area but if you go to Krabi Town, then there are periodic Police checks and if you are not wearing a helmet, they will fine you (about 400thb). Accidents for happen, so, just in case, its best to make sure your travel insurance covers you for riding a motorbike, some insurance policies limit the engine size to 125cc. 

But riding around Krabi is a great experience, if you follow the coast road along to Klong Muang and TubKaek beaches, then you can stop anywhere and walk down to the beach and find yourself on a picture postcard beach with not a single footprint, even in high season.

Inland is even better. There are thousands of small dirt roads disappearing into the rubber and palm plantations just begging to be explored. In many cases, they will just dwindle to nothing, but really, bumping along under a canopy of rubber trees, not knowing what to expect is just liberating. If you do meet anyone, probably a rubber cutter or group of palm nut cutters, they are bound to be incredibly friendly. And don't worry, you can't really get dangerously lost, mobile telephone signal covers the whole area and all of the tarmac roads end up back at the main roads in the end. If you have a phone equipped with GPS, then use our map which shows your position in relation to all the attractions. Go slow though, smaller roads do have potholes, sandy bits and even the odd elephant crossing, but so many photo opportunities.

If on a bike, you don't need a powerful dirt bike, the humble 125cc moped is the perfect transport, they are easy to ride, just twist-and-go, economical (a full tank of fuel for 100thb or so). Everyone rides them, even the rubber cutters working up in the most remote and difficult to get to places use them. If you get a puncture, you can always find a repair place within a short distance and breakdowns are almost unheard of. If you ever did break down, run out of petrol or get a puncture, people are very helpful (they've all been in your situation themselves) just explain the problem (easy with a bit of sign language) and they'll almost always offer to help.

If you are with your partner on a honeymoon, then I cannot think of anything much more romantic than riding together through empty roads in this amazing scenery discovering new places. On a hot afternoon there really is nothing better than feeling the cooling wind through your hair.

Bicycles are available for rent in several places in and around the AoNang area. There are lots of great roads and tracks for bike riding and cycling has become a really popular activity for Thais and expats, you can find routes easily and the bike rent shops will be able to show you places. For road cycling, Krabi is great, its like being in the mountains but without the hills! Early moring is really the best time and you will always see groups of Thai cyclists on the roads between about 6:am to 7:30am. 

Whether you choose to cycle or motorbike, its best to take a waterproof along, there are some very heavy short lasting downpours and if you get caught, you can get very wet, very quick.

Car, jeep and minivan rental is also relatively cheap with a price for a small self-drive saloon car ranging up from about 900thb per day. Another option is to rent a car and driver for the day, prices depend more on the destinations than the amount of time so if you have an idea of the places you would like to go, we can give you a price.

Songthaew go along most routes in and around Aonang and Krabi, they are simple pickup trucks with covered bench seating in the back. If you see one, you can wave to it and it will stop, you can then check on which route they are going and the price. Many of the tour companies also use Songthew for short distance transport, but they usually have their logos on the side and are a bit less flashy than the public ones. They move along quite slowly, so allow plenty of time, but the open sides of the trucks give you a great view of Krabi as you pass and the wind in your hair keeps you cool.

There are a wide choice of motorbikes for rent in Aonang from the easiest to ride, "twist and go" type of mopeds, to motorcross bikes and even bigger bikes for the more experienced riders. The locals all use the classic 125cc mopeds to ride around the country lanes and even the roughest of dirt tracks, they are light, easy to control and very durable. Get a puncture and there will almost certainly be a place to mend it nearby at a relatively cheap price. It happens to every one, so just flag someone down and they will be able to tell you where the nearest place is.

The beautiful roads of Krabi

Everyone arriving in Aonang will have driven along the main Krabi to Aonang road at some point. This road weaves between the mountains and is a very popular place for stopping and taking some pictures. However nice it is though, the view is rather marred by the spaghetti of electric lines and the ever increasing building that is part and parcel of Krabi's ever increasing popularity. For far better views (and photos) just get off the main road in any direction and you'll find deserted roads with views far better.

One beautiful road is the road along to the Thalane Bay Kayak center. The road winds right along the side of the coast. The beaches are  more occupied by fishermen and locals collecting crabs than tourists. Its not so great for swimming but the view across Thalane Bay is amazing.
Also, remember that almost every single beach in Krabi is National Park and Public Property.  You will not see a sign saying private beach anywhere and although there may be a few areas in front of hotels on Klong Muang which have markers to show that rocks have been cleared, anyone is free to swim there. 

Then there is Phanom Bencha National Park, its about 30 minutes from Aonang along small local roads. The park is home to the highest mountain in Krabi and also has a wonderful waterfall called Huay Tho. Entrance is only 100thb for non-Thai Nationals and is well worth it. The park is incredibly well maintained with beautiful forests and some truly epic trees! The waterfall is about a ten minute walk from the main entrance along a wide easy to walk pathway. There are several levels to the waterfall with each having its own natural pool. The bottom is the perfect place for kids to have a splash in the cool water surrounded by real forest. In dry season (January to May), there is less water so the waterfall is less impressive, but the park itself is just a really nice place to spend some time. Park staff are friendly and helpful and the place really is kept spotlessly clean. They do have some bungalows and even tents for rent ranging in price from about 400thb (tent) up to 1200thb for a two room bungalow. So, if you like to have some time in real peace and quiet it might be an idea. The park never gets crowded with just a handful of small groups of Thai families and foreign tour groups visiting each day. Take a look on our facebook page for some recent pictures. The Park is nearby to our favorite elephant camp (the elephant camp is not an official part of the Park). 

Phanom Bencha National Park is a really perfect place to visit on a rented motorbike, the roads are local and quiet (although watch out for the holes!) if you need directions just drop us an email and we'll be happy to help.

There are also many places that we haven't even explored yet. You will see signposts, in English, in various places to caves that are not on the tourist trail. Just follow them and see what you find (and please let us know if you find anything good!). This is the real beauty of Krabi, that there is so much more than what most people see.

3. Visit a Temple

Wat Tham Sua also known as Tiger Cave Temple is the most famous Temple in Krabi. The atmosphere, not to mention the view from the top, is just out of this world. Allow plenty of time though, for a start there are the 1237 steps to reach the mountain top, so you need to let your heart rate drop to double figures to get the best of it and really appreciate the place. But it's not just about the views or marveling at how they got the building materials up there, or the tribe of monkeys, really it is a place to just stop and NOT think. Just find a quiet place to sit and soak it in. I'm not that much of a spiritual person, but even I can't help but feeling mentally reenergized after a couple of hours just sitting in this this magical place.
The steps up to the temple are uneven and some sections are quite hard work but the handrail is there the full way and is solid. Even if you are short on time (or breath :) its still well worth the effort as the views even just a fraction of the way up are fantastic.
At ground level there is also plenty to see,  with some great caves that go deep into the mountain and pathways that go through some real original jungle sections with some truly monumental trees. So, if you don't have time or are not feeling up to the climb to the top, Tiger Cave Temple is still a great palce to visit. If you are on a group tour please keep an eye on the time, the guides are quite strict about leaving on time.

There are also dozens of monkeys all around the temple, they can get a bit cheeky and light fingered, so make sure you keep all food out of sight. They even try and open zips, so make sure your valuables (and your drinking water) is secure. 

But there are literally dozens of other temples that are worth a visit from the spectacular new white Temple in the center of Krabi Town right down to the smallest local temple that is home to just a few dedicated monks.

The Temples here are generally free to roam about at your will. As long as you are respectful in the way you dress and behave (keep the volume down and keep legs and shoulders covered), then everyone is welcome. So, if you see a temple anywhere, just stop, wander around and get a feeling for the culture. No temples will charge an entrance fee but some of the smaller temples are on very small budgets so, any donations, no matter how small are welcomed. Tiger Cave Temple do require ladies to cover legs, so bring a sarong, if you forget they will rent one to you for 20thb. (When walking up the steps, shorts are fine, but please cover up again at the Temple area at the top. 

4. Krabi Markets

Krabi Walking Street / Night Market

Krabi Walking Street is perhaps the best cultural and foodie experience in Krabi.  Krabi Walking Street, is a night market with lots of clothes, handicrafts and souvenirs, but even if you're not into shopping its worth a visit just for the huge variety of food. There is everything from spicy salads to bamboo cocktails, chocolate pancakes, sushi, somtam, kebabs,fried fish, oysters, as well as the standard BBQ chicken and all at very reasonable prices. If you feel like being adventurous, there is even a stall offering frog and insect snacks! Just wander around and let your nose guide you.Then while you sit down to eat, enjoy a wide selection of on stage entertainment. The entertainment might be, pop music, break dancing toddlers to 70 year old kareoke singers (quite likely both) plus occasional puppet shows and a spot of Thai dancing. For the kids there is usually a bouncy castle and a couple of places where they can do some painting or batique. The atmosphere is really nice and there are several bars and restaurants around to just sit and watch the world go by. The Krabi Walking street is open on Friday, saturday and sunday nights from about 6:00pm to about 10:00pm. If you want a seat in view of the stage, you might have to wait a bit.

Krabi Morning Market

At the other end of the day in the early morning, If you do have your own transport in Krabi, then set your alarm for 5.00 am (or earlier if you can, yes, it is worth it!) You'll find Krabi Market right off the main road in the centre of Krabi town. The market sells mainly seafood, fruit and vegetables but is such a vibrant hive of activity that it is well worth the visit. You'll get to see a variety of fish, seafood and vegetables nothing like you have seen before. Everyone is incredibly friendly and even if you don't speak a word of thai, you'll end up with a few extra friends by the time you leave. The best time of day for this is just as the sun comes up. There is also an area in the centre of the market with take away food and snacks and some benches to sit. Try some of the sticky rice sweets. You'll see them wrapped up into small banana-leaf parcels. They are cheap and delicious, my favorite is khnom sai sai, this is sticky rice with a coconut filling. (khnom pronounced 'kar nom' by the way, is the thai word for any sort of snack). The market is open from the early hours of the morning until about 10:30am, best time is sunrise when its a real hive of activity. For photographers, the sun comes in from the side of the market creating incredible lighting and shadows for some epic pictures of real Thailand life.

If you want to give yourself an extra incentive, just ask your resort restaurant and many will be happy to cook a fish for you for a small charge, so you can buy your own at the market and then enjoy it for your evening meal. (Please check with your hotel first that they will be able to do this for you.)

Krabi Second Hand clothes Market

If you need to pick up a few bits of cheap clothing for the next stage of your travels then perhaps the second hand clothes market might be good. The market is saturday afternoons only and the location is in Krabi Town near the Eagle traffic lights. There are usually dozens of stalls offering a complete range of mostly second hand clothes, jackets, bags, jeans, t-shirts, shoes and trainers. Price for a shirt can be 20thb - 100thb, trainers 100thb - 250thb. Lots of good branded stuff mixed in with a lots of less desireable items...

Aonang Food Markets

There are also normal food markets every day in Aonang, they do move about a bit though and in different places each day of the week. Just ask your hotel and they will tell you, or send us an email and we will be happy to help. Markets in Aonang are mostly afternoon markets open from about midday to about 7:00pm. The markets have a good selection of fruit and vegetables, meat and fish and on most days you can also pick up some delicious curry pastes.

5. Thara Park

On most weekday evenings and a Sunday afternoon, this is where the Thai people go for Pai Tio. Pai Tio is a national institution, basically it means 'wandering around aimlessly for fun'. And this is exactly what you will see people doing. The park is by the river and although its nothing spectacular, its just a really pleasant place to sit on the grass, have a picnic perhaps or eat an ice-cream. If you have young kids, then there is a children's park with the normal swings, slides and climbing frames that you would find in any kids playground. It's reasonably well maintained, clean and safe. One thing that is amazing is to watch Thai kids play with each other. I have two children, we quite often go here to let them play and even though they don't know anyone, they all play together. The older kids really do seem to like looking after the younger ones, where else in the world would you see an 8 year old boy help a 3 year old girl he's never met before up a climbing frame without being bribed or threatened into it?
Please remember that anywhere with children, it's essential that you supervise them at all times.

6. Go Hiking

There are a few National Parks within easy reach of Krabi and Ao Nang where you really can experience what real rainforest is like. One is Phanom Bencha National Park. There is a waterfall here and a jungle walk. It's well maintained and quite spectacular during rainy season although does dry up considerably at dry times of year. There is an entrance fee of 200thb per Non-thai adult (Thais 20thb)

One other is at the very end of the road at TubKaek beach called Khao Hon Nak. Just keep driving away from Ao Nang past the Krabi Amari Vogue resort and you'll come to the end of the road. There are a few parking spaces and a footpath that winds right up the mountain to the very top of one of the Karstes. The views from up there are truly wonderful. I go regularly, and its never been busy, sometimes only a handful of people the whole way and can be completely alone at the top. You have to allow plenty of time, about two to three hours to get up and two to get down. But it is definitely worth it. Just to put it in context, I and my husband are not particularly fit in our 40's and the first time we went we had to carry our kids up most of the way, the second time, aged 3 and 4, the kids walked 90% of it on their own in both directions. Take plenty of water though. There are also signs for a waterfall half way up, but I have to admit, we have not ever visited. That's on our plans for a weekend soon. Parts of the walk have worked on in early 2017, some steps have been put over the steepest section, and paths improved.

Update January 2020, although it was a bit hazy, the view was still fantastic. It took us about 1.5 hours up and a bit less on the way down. You now have to sign a book at the bottom and then sign out on your way out, but there is still no charge! Check out our facebook page for some pictures. 

 

7. Kayak

Kayaking anywhere is just good fun. It's what messing about on the water is all about. Amongst the mangrove forests in Krabi there is an extra dimension though, there are dozens of small inlets that weave around. The sound, the sights and the wildlife that you will see as you paddle along in your kayak just make it truly magical. There are small caves, some which you can kayak straight into, and then there are the monkeys. You will often be trailed by a whole gang of these curious creatures. They'll point at you and laugh at you and perhaps even jump on your kayak for a hitch. They are not dangerous, just after a free meal or a bit of fruit, but I would be careful about keeping your belongings close to you at all times. The groups of monkeys do have a large area to roam however, so, its just luck whether they happen to be in your area.

This is really the reverse experience of a zoo, it's an education. Even on a rainy day, this is great fun.
Krabitrek has some great deals on Kayaking in Krabi. 
The best time for kayaking at Thalane Bay is at a mid to high tide time. This is when more of the smaller routes are accessible but the caves still visible. But really, it's only at the lowest of low tides when it's not worth going at all.

We just made an inspection of the kayaking trip at Bor Thor and it really is a fantastic place and a well run trip. The caves are great and really intereting to see the cave paintings.The countryside in this area is unspoilt and great to see. It was also a really nice lunch.

There is also a BBQ on the beach and sunset kayak in the mangroves at Thalane Bay. This is a really nice trip, the kayaking begins at about 4:30pm for about an hour and a half kayaking through the mangroves and then a short trip to a really nice quiet and unspoilt beach for a BBQ.The table is set up right on the beach next to a small resort. (On rainy days, they do have tables under cover).

If considering any kayaking please do remember to check the tides. You can find our tide tool on all the tour pages, just select the date and it shows you water height and tide times for every day of 2016. Thalane Bay is particularly affected by the tides. At very low tides, the water level in the mangroves gets quite low, so it can be difficult to get down some of the channels, on really low days, you might have to get out and push, it's still a beautiful place to be, but can get a bit muddy.

Thalane Bay Kayak Tour

 

Bor Thor Kayaking

The other main mangrove kayaking option in Krabi is at Bor Thor. About an hour north by minivan from Aonang and Krabi, you arrive at the pier at Bor Thor. The pier gves entry to the river along which you will kayak. Its close to the sea so the water level is tiday, its nicest at a mid tide time, when the water is above the mangrove roots but low enough to be able to paddle around inside some of the caves.  You start by kayaking along the river to an entrance point into the mangroves. The nature is really fabulous along the way before arriving at the main caves. These caves are famous in the area as they have various cave paintings. Get out of the kayak and wander through the caves crammed with stalagtites and stalagamites. After a 30 mintues stay, its back in the kayak and cruise back around the mangroves and up the river. There are also a coulpe of beautiful lagoons that are entered through cave tunnels under the mountains. Please check the tide time tables and try to go on a day with a mid to high tide time while you will be kayaking.

 

Bor Thor Kayak Tour

Hong Island Sea Kayak

 

8. Eat

You might have been to a few Thai restaurants at home, you might have even tried cooking Thai food yourself. But, the ingredients here make the food taste how it should taste. In fact, perhaps if you do have a favorite Thai Restaurant at home, then this is exactly what you shouldn't do, it will never taste quite as good again. But really, there are so many food options here. The restaurants along the beach road are the most expensive, some of them do have good food, but this is not quite real Thai food. The real stuff is to be found in the restaurants that are a bit away from the beach areas. 

For breakfast I would recommend Khanom Jean, this is a yellow sauce that goes with white rice noodles, this is served with a plate of fresh salad and herb leaves. Traditionally it's really an all day food but all the good shops, make it very early in the morning and have sold out by about 10:00 or 11:00 am. The absolute best Khanom Jean shop in Krabi (if not in the world, no exaggeration!), is one on the main road between Ao Nang and Krabi about 100 metres after the PTT petrol station on the right as you head towards Krabi. You'll see just an old wooden building, with an awning and a few tables, and a crowd of cars and motorbikes parked at the front. This place may not look like much but it is amazing. They also have a couple of other sauces, a non-spicy peanut one, which my kids love, and a really spicy one which is worth a taste. They also have BBQ'd pork and next door also sells the best fried chicken that you can buy. And the price, well, normally for myself, my husband and two children, eating a plate each and a piece of fried chicken and some bbq pork, 200thb (yes, for all of us!)

They also have thai coffee, tea and soft drinks.

There are dozens of equally amazing food sensations to be experienced here. When ordering off a menu at a restaurant, if you would like it not spicy, then just say "my pet" (ok, not really spelt like this but honestly, say these words and your food won't be spicy. It's also very easy to remember!). If you want to be polite, then if you are a man say "my pet kap" and a woman should say "my pet kar".

For restaurants, then if you are looking for authentic Thai food, Krabi Town is the place to go. If you would like a recommendation, drop us a line and we'll be happy to offer some suggestions. We can also, arrange transport and even make reservations at some of the more upmarket restaurants for you.

If you require Halal food in Krabi, its really no problem, there is a high percentage of Muslims in Krabi so Halal food is very easy to find. All the tours that we offer can provide Halal food or vegetarian food on request.

Thailand is also a great place for fruit lovers. At all times of the year there is great fruit, sometimes its pineapples or watermelon, sometimes Rambutan or Longan or mangoes or even Durian. You can usually easily see which fruit is in season as there will be pickup trucks parked at the side of the road full of a particular fruit, these are often the best places to buy from as you can be sure that its locally grown and probably cheap. In Krabi Town there is a good fruit market that is open in the evenings. There are also day markets on every day of the week in various places around Aonang. They do change location and days quite regulalrly, so if you would like to know which market is open on which day, just email us and ask. All the markets have a few fruit stalls, its also a good place to pickup a few curry pastes or ingredients to take home with you.

Check out our restaurants information page for details on a small selection of our favorites.
Another great option is to take a Thai Cooking course. You get to visit the market, buy the ingredients, learn what to do with them, and then get to eat the results. This is one Krabi Activity that you can actually take home with you. 

9. Elephant Trek

At Krabitrek, we love all animals. We will not offer any activity or trip from any operator where we do not trust that animals are cared for.

An Elephant Trek is one of the oldest tours or activities in Krabi that has been offered and is considered by some to be a bit touristy or cliche and some worry that the elephants are not well cared for. But, I have now come to realize that actually, supporting this industry can be actually good for elephants. For one thing, the elephants in the trekking establishments that we deal with are very well cared for, they have good food, and are loved by their owners. They have a nice walk through the jungle a few times a day and a bath in the river, which they seem to enjoy. But more than this, the more that people, get to know elephants, the more the love for them is spread around the world and this can only be a good thing. Not every place is good and we do visit and check. At Krabitrek we are real animal lovers and will not send any customers to any elephant camp that we do not feel treat their animals well. 

We have just added a new trip to our site with Elephant Bathing! This is a great experience for anyone. You get a rare chance to get right up and close to an elephant, scrub its back, tickle its tummy and get well and truly soaked. The elephant camp offers full and half day activities and this special Trek with elephant bath option. It has limited availability and is popular, so please book in advance. They are a small place with only a handful of locally owned elephants. The mahoots seem to really love their animals and the location, on the edg of the National Park is perfactly suited to them. The bathing experience is unique, you get to see just how intelligent and sensitive they are.

A ride on an elephant is an experience. I remember the first time my father and mother in law visited from England for the first time, a farmer and his wife from rural England. We took them everywhere, showed them dream tropical Islands, It may be short, but, it still might be the closest you will ever get to an elephant, and they really are the most astonishing creatures when you get close up. The balance and poise with which they place every step even on slippy, steep slopes is incredible. So, I do have to include this in the top ten things to do in Krabi.

Elephant no riding Care program

Elephant Trek with With Bathing with elephants.

 

10. Adrenalin!

Krabi is not all about sitting back and admiring the view. If you like some action, then there is rock climbing at Railay Beach, a place where climbing enthusiasts have been coming for decades for the made-for-the-job cliffs, fantastic views and great beach. Or if that seems a bit tame, there is deep water solo, a sport where you climb a cliff as high as you can and then just jump (the cliff just happens to be hanging over deep water).

Then there is the white water rafting, cycling, ATV riding, and even climbing through the tree tops getting a monkey's-eye-view of the world. There are so many things to do in Krabi.

My family just took the rafting trip a couple of weeks ago and it really is great fun. The guides are just so good at making it fun while keeping it safe.

There is now a new ATV camp near to Aonang. They will pick up at each hour during the day, they offer 40 minute and 1 hour rides through the local countryside. The views are not quite so spectacular and the riding is not quite so challenging as at the Rafting camp area in PhangNa, but its a great way to spend a bit of time on a rainy day in Krabi.

White Water Rafting and ATV trips

Rock Climbing Courses

Krabi ATV Experience

 

 

11. Massage

If, like me, you just love massage, then there are literally dozens of massage shops in Aonang. They all offer much the same range of oil massages, feet massages and also thai massage. The standard of massage does vary from place to place, in my experience, the oil massages are all quite similar and very relaxing. For proper thai massage, it varies a lot on the individual masseur on the day, some are really good but some don't quiet have a really high level of expertise. If you are really looking for the real thing, then there are some real experts who will come to your villa or hotel, the price is higher, but for the massage connoiseur its worth it. Just send us an email if you are interested.

12. Scuba Diving

People come from all over the world to scuba dive in the Andaman. Its a combination of perfect temperature clear water, great marine life and relatively low price that makes it a great place to dive whether for the first time or as an expert. Learning to dive is quite quick and inexpensive with a first lesson in a local resort swimming pool and then after that at some of the coral reefs around Koh Phi Phi or the local Islands. Its really quite easy to master and as an experience, seeing your first underwater scene it very hard to beat. 

For scuba diving in Krabi, we recommend allowing yourself enough to time to check out the local options when you arrive. There are dive shops in Aonang and Railey and they all offer trips on different days at slightly different prices. Most will need you to visit the shop for equipment fitting before a course, so its best to just shop around and find one that offers what you are looking for and where you have a good feeling.

13. Relaxing

Saving the best till last, the absolute best thing you can do in Krabi is simply to relax. Go to the beach, take a walk or just sit by the swimming pool. 

 

There's more!

I could go on with this list, I still haven't even got to the  Emerald Pool, the hot springs, the bird singing contests, the food fairs, the festivals etc etc etc. But really, the best way to find out about these things is to discover them for yourself, one short holiday is not going to do this amazing place justice, so please, come, get a taste and then start planning your next trip.

We are always happy to answer questions about anything to do with a trip to Krabi, so, if you need to know where to get the sweetest mango or the hottest chilli, just ask.