Ao Nang is a famous beach town in Krabi, which is part of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and the center of tourism. The city is located 17 km from Krabi Town and about 28 km from Krabi Airport. If you're planning a trip there, this detailed Ao Nang travel guide with Ao Nang travel tips will help you discover the city and its best things to do.
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Ao Nang is spread out along the beach road on the Andaman Coast for 6 kilometers. The scenery here is really beautiful with mountains between the beaches. On one side of the beach there’s a limestone mountain separating Ao Nang Beach and Railay Beach. A small hilly cape on another side of the beach separates Ao Nang Beach and Noppharat Thara Beach.
Many tourists come to sunbathe and exercise on the beach. However, depending on the season, the water here might not be so clear. The right end of Ao Nang Beach is a sunset viewpoint where amazing sunsets can be enjoyed. The sea near Ao Nang has more than 80 small islands with interesting rock formations. Some of the islands have strange shapes like boots, junk boats, bird heads, and others.
Ao Nang is the location where many resorts, restaurants, and tour companies offering various tours to the islands of the Andaman Sea can be found.
One of the main reasons making Ao Nang such a popular area for tourists is its convenient location and the fact that Ao Nang is one of the best island-hopping departure points in all of Southern Thailand. From here you can go to Railay Beach and many islands such as Thale Waek (Separated Sea), Koh Phi Phi, Koh Poda, James Bond Island, Koh Hong, etc.
There are many restaurants along Ao Nang Beach offering various cuisines to choose from such as Seafood, Western food, Thai food, Isan food and others.
Things to do in Ao Nang
Ao Nang city itself has little attractions, but the town is a perfect starting point for visiting all the attractions in Krabi Province, so there are plenty of things to do in Ao Nang.
Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi is a small archipelago of six islands in Southern Thailand. Koh Phi Phi islands are widely considered to be amongst the most beautiful islands in the world.
Koh Phi Phi Ley is the second largest island of the archipelago formed by a ring of steep limestone hills surrounding two shallow bays, Maya Bay and Loh Samah. Maya Bay is the location that was used for filming Leonardo DiCaprio's movie 'The Beach'. The bay features an amazing blue lagoon and a white sandy beach.
Visiting Koh Phi Phi from Ao Nang is easy as there are many boat tour companies offering day trips on this route. As other inclusions normally differ, compare Koh Phi Phi tours and choose the one that suits your preferences the best.
You can also visit Koh Phi Phi independently by simply booking a ferry ticket to Koh Phi Phi.
Island Hopping near Ao Nang
Island-hopping is the most popular of the things to do in Ao Nang, as there are many picturesque small islands in the sea that are usually visited as part of a 4-island day tour, a 7-island day tour, or in a combination with a visit to Koh Phi Phi.
The islands that are usually visited on an island-hopping day trip from Ao Nang.
Koh Gai (Chicken Island)
The name of the island comes from the unusual shape of the island, as its many small rock formations make the shape of the island look like a chicken. The sea around Koh Gai has many beautiful corals and is an ideal place for snorkeling and capturing beautiful photos.
Koh Tup & Koh Mor
Koh Tup, along with Koh Mor, are two small islands that get connected by a white sandbar at low tide.
Koh Poda
Koh Poda is a small island with beautiful white sand beaches and clear water. It is an ideal place for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling.
The islands listed above are a group of islands that can be seen on the horizon from the beach, and they are all normally visited on most of the 4 islands day trips from Ao Nang. Such a tour is taking you to explore Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Koh Tub, and Koh Mor, and also stopping at the beautiful Phra Nang Cave Beach at Railay.
To further expand your island-hopping experience, you can visit 3 more Andaman Sea islands on a 7-island day trip from Ao Nang. Additional islands that are normally visited during such a tour are Koh Ma Tan Ming, Koh Ya Wa Sam, and Koh Rang Nok.
Koh Ma Tan Ming
Koh Ma Tan Ming, the rock island in front of Koh Poda, is an island where you can swim and snorkel.
Koh Ya Wa Sam
Koh Ya Wa Sam is a perfect island for snorkeling, as beneath the surface of the island you can explore the vibrant coral gardens contrasting with the azure backdrop.
Koh Rang Nok
Koh Rang Nok is a small island near Phra Nang Beach in Railay, where the famous Princess Cave is located.
Another island group that is often visited from Ao Nang is Hong Islands, located east of Koh Yao Noi. As these islands are far away from the above mentioned, they are normally visited separately on the special Hong Islands day trip.
Koh Hong
Koh Hong is a natural paradise with a hidden treasure. This island is considered to be among the most beautiful in Krabi, famous for its gorgeous view, clear white sand, beautiful corals, and varieties of colorful tropical fish.
The island's interior is home to a large lagoon, where you can find yourself at one with nature. The entrance to the lagoon is through a dramatic cliff passage.
Koh Pak Bia
Koh Pak Bia is the best place for snorkeling, swimming, and taking some photos. This island is famous for spectacular views of the nearby islands.
Koh Lao Lading
Koh Lao Lading is a small limestone island with high cliffs and sandy sheltered beaches.
Koh Daeng
Koh Daeng is a small red limestone rock island with perfectly clear water and coral reefs. You can see many colorful fish here even from the boat.
Another popular island destination for a day trip from Ao Nang is the famous James Bond Island, which is usually visited together with the floating village and includes a kayaking experience. You can choose a James Bond Island Sightseeing Tour by Longtail Boat.
Koh Tapu (James Bond Island)
The small island Koh Tapu was named James Bond Island after the famous movie "The Man with the Golden Gun", which was filmed in this area. This is a great place to take some beautiful photos.
Koh Panyee (Floating Village)
Koh Panyee, or Koh Panyi, is an island with an extraordinary Muslim fishing village, which is a small community on the sea with a unique culture and way of life.
There are many other interesting small islands in the Andaman Sea that are not part of the standard island-hopping day trips. To visit them in addition to the most usual stops you normally choose a private island hopping tour. Some of the other islands that are worth mentioning are below.
Koh Nok
Koh Nok is a small, peaceful island situated northeast of Koh Yao Yai. Koh Nok is a tranquil tropical hideaway situated away from tourist crowds, which is an ideal place to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing in privacy.
Koh Si
The sea around Koh Si has many underwater reefs and caves and is likely to be a better spot for snorkeling than other islands in the area because of its many beautiful coral species.
Phra Nang Cave
Located in the Railay Beach area, the famous Phra Nang Cave, also known as the “Phallus Shrine”, in a cave is famous for the beauty of stalactites and stalagmites. It has been worshiped by the locals since ancient times.
Phra Nang Beach in the Railay area, which is renowned for its stunning limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and the famous Phra Nang Cave, is the place where many of island-hopping tours, such as this Premium 4-Island Day Trip by Longtail Boat, make a stop before coming back to Ao Nang. Here you can explore the cave, swim in the inviting waters, or just relax on the pristine beach.
Phra Nang Cave can also be visited independently by taking a longtail boat from Ao Nang to Railay.
Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
Tiger Cave Temple, or Wat Tham Suea, is a Buddhist temple located northeast of Krabi Town. The temple is well known for the tiger paw prints in the cave and a tall Buddha statue, which sits on the summit offering spectacular views. There is a stairway with 1237 steps to the top of the hill.
Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot)
Emerald Pool, or Sa Morakot, is an astonishingly hued and large natural pool that is filled with pure spring water.
Hot Spring Waterfall
Hot Spring Waterfall is a serene haven for relaxation nestled in a shaded rainforest. Here you can immerse yourself in thermal spring pools of natural 37-40°C warm water enriched with natural mineral salts, perfect for soothing tired muscles.
Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool, and Hot Spring Waterfall are normally visited together on a combined day trip from Ao Nang.
If you rent a private transportation in Ao Nang, all these three places can be visited independently.
Railay Beach
Located just south of Ao Nang Beach, Railay (or Rai Leh) Beach is a small peninsula with four beaches. Though the area is on the peninsula, Railay feels like an island because it is accessible only by boat. From Ao Nang, you can reach Railay by taking a boat that costs 100 THB per person.
Rock climbing is the most popular thing to do in Railay Beach, and it's a perfect place to learn it by taking a rock climbing course at Railay Beach.
Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary
Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary is the place where you can spend quality time feeding and bathing rescued elephants at an ethically run sanctuary in Krabi. Here you can learn about the history of elephants in Thailand, their behavior, what they eat, and their individual stories.
Krabi Elephant Shelter and Krabi Elephant Care House are the other two elephant sanctuaries that can be visited for meeting elephants in Krabi.
Muay Thai Fights
Ao Nang city is one of the places where you can find boxing stadiums to watch real fights of Muay Thai, which is the Thai national sport. Explore the best places to watch Muay Thai in Krabi, Ao Nang.
Ao Nang Landmark Stadium is a new Muay Thai venue in Krabi. If you would like to see this astonishing sport live, this is the place to come in Krabi.
Ao Nang Krabi Stadium is a well-known Muay Thai competition hall in Krabi. The competition here is the authentic local Muay Thai, without any performance components. Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium was originally located in Krabi Town but, from 2000, has been operating in the Ao Nang area and is one of the largest boxing stadiums in Southern Thailand.
Krabi International Boxing Stadium is Krabi’s newest Muay Thai venue, located in Ao Nang. With international standards and large capacity, the stadium attracts both international and Thai professional fighters, serving up some of the best fight nights in Southern Thailand.
Massage in Ao Nang
Like everywhere in Thailand, finding a place to get a massage in Ao Nang is easy. You will find plenty of cheap massage parlors and luxury spas - just choose the most suitable for your taste and budget.
Normally you can get a significant discount by pre-booking your spa experience online. To get the best deal for your visit, check an extended list of vouchers at Top Krabi Spa & Massages.
Let's Relax Spa is one of the most popular spas in Ao Nang, offering premium quality at great rates. By booking your spa visit online, you get discounted access to one of the best spas in the city that provide top-class services without breaking the bank.
Thai Food Cooking Class
In case you like not only eating but also cooking by yourself, Ao Nang is a good place for taking a Thai food cooking class.
Learn how to prepare and cook traditional Thai food during an Authentic Thai Cooking Class. Awaken your culinary creativity, explore the world of Thai flavors, and enjoy a lot of healthy Thai food!
Ao Thalane Mangrove Forest
Ao Thalane Mangrove Forest is a hidden gem in Krabi with calm, lush mangrove forests, striking canyons, caves, and tranquil lagoons, all enveloped by breathtaking mountain views. In this natural paradise, you can spot wildlife such as iguanas, kingfishers, herons, crab-eating macaques, and a variety of other bird species and monkeys in their undisturbed habitat.
To visit it, you can join the Kayak Adventure through Ao Thalane Mangrove Forest, which is an eco-friendly activity allowing you to experience the untouched beauty of Ao Thalane without disturbing the environment.
Where to stay in Ao Nang
Ao Nang is the most popular place to stay in Krabi, as here you can find many restaurants and places to stay as well as book your tours to the islands in the Andaman Sea. There are more than 400 hotels in the Ao Nang beach area, so you will definitely find something for yourself here. Our list of 15 Best Hotels in Ao Nang might help you choose the right one.
For an exceptional stay in Krabi, choose one of the best Krabi resorts with private pool villas.
To get the best deal on accommodation, make sure to compare hotel deals on Booking.com with often better special offers on Agoda.
How to get to Ao Nang, Krabi
From Bangkok and other popular destinations in Thailand, you can get to Ao Nang in Krabi by plane, bus, or private taxi.
Flights to Krabi
Krabi International Airport (KBV) is served by a number of domestic (from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui) and international (from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar, Russia, and a few other countries seasonally) flights. The airport is located about 28 km from Ao Nang.
Domestic flights to Krabi Airport can be found here:
Flights from Chiang Mai to Krabi
Flights from Koh Samui to Krabi
International flights to Krabi Airport can be found here:
Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Krabi
Flights from Singapore to Krabi
There is an airport bus running from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang. Airport bus fare is 150 baht per person. The trip from the airport to Ao Nang takes about 45 minutes.
The most comfortable and worry-free way to get from the airport to your hotel is by pre-booked private Krabi Airport transfer.
Bus to Krabi
There are regular buses departing from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal to Krabi. Bus schedules can be found, and tickets can be booked here:
There are buses running to Krabi from Surat Thani and from Phuket Airport. Minivans also cover these routes, and they are usually faster. Bus schedules can be found, and tickets can be booked here:
From Krabi Bus Terminal, you can reach Ao Nang by taking a songtaew that departs every 15 minutes. The fare is about 60 THB per person.
From Krabi Town
From Krabi Town you can reach Ao Nang by songtaew as well. The fare is about 50 THB per person.
Other transportation options
More transportation options for a trip to Krabi can be found, and transport tickets can be booked with the help of this search form.
Getting around Ao Nang
By Tuk Tuk
Popular areas in the town, like Noppharat Thara Beach, McDonald’s Ao Nang, and hotels in Soi Ao Nang, from Ao Nang Beach can be reached by tuk-tuk. A tuk-tuk can take 3-4 people, and normally it costs about 20-50 THB per person, depending on the distance. From Ao Nang Beach to McDonald’s or Noppharat Thara Beach, expect to pay 20 THB per person.
By Motorbike
Another way to get around Ao Nang and visit nearby locations such as Krabi Town, Noppharat Thara Beach, and Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) is by rented motorbike. The motorbike rental price is about 150-250 THB/day.
By Private Car
Otherwise, you can use Krabi Private Car Charter and explore the area in comfort with an experienced driver.
By Boat Tour
There are many speedboats and longtail boats available for charter at Ao Nang. For visiting the most famous attractions in Krabi, you can join one of the tours that can also be booked online or charter a boat and arrange one-day trip by yourself. The most popular tours from Ao Nang are listed below.
4 Islands Tour
The tour of the 4 islands is the most popular tour in Krabi. The 4 iconic islands consist of Koh Poda, Koh Gai (Chicken Island), Koh Tub, Koh Mor and most probably include Tham Phra Nang Beach as well.
James Bond Island Tour
James Bond Island is one of the most iconic destinations. The island is located in Phang Nga Bay National Park and can be visited by joining this tour: Tour of James Bond Island.
Koh Hong Tour
Koh Hong Island is located in the northern part of Krabi Province. The island is only one hour by boat from Ao Nang Beach. It's a hidden lagoon that is famous for its gorgeous view, clear white sand, beautiful corals, and varieties of colorful tropical fish. For more information about this tour, check Tour of Koh Hong.
Weather in Ao Nang
Ao Nang, like the rest of Krabi province, has only two seasons - the wet and the dry. Weather conditions are at their best in Krabi province from November to March, when a cooling wind keeps the heat at bay and humidity levels are low here. From March to May, the temperature rises as the cooling wind departs and the humidity rises.
In April, monsoonal weather usually arrives, which is expected to last until October. Peak rainfall levels are usually experienced in September and October. Outside of these months, the rain can often come in a short, heavy shower, usually in the afternoon.
Ao Nang has similar weather conditions with other West Coast destinations throughout the year, as they all experience the impact of the Andaman Sea. Temperatures and weather conditions in these locations might differ a bit in the short term, but in the long term it's not notable, so you can easily combine a visit to Ao Nang with other nearby destinations like Phuket or other beaches and islands in Krabi province.
Destinations after Ao Nang
Phuket is the largest and most popular island in Thailand, Koh Phi Phi islands are widely considered to be amongst the most beautiful islands in the world, Koh Lanta is an island with a much more laid-back atmosphere, while Koh Samui lets you experience the other coast of southern Thailand.
Tips
In the Thai language, the word “Ao” means “the bay”. The names of the islands usually start with the word "Koh", which actually means “the island”.
