Just after returning from a fun filled trip to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, we managed to snag some good deals on flights from Singapore to Krabi, in southern Thailand. Krabi is one of the most relaxing and beautiful places on Earth and hence a very popular tourist destination. It is known for its steep, limestone karsts, dense mangrove forests, and more than a hundred offshore islands with white sand beaches and clear emerald waters.
We wanted a relaxing holiday with some days set aside for activities, sightseeing and also time to do nothing but chill in a nice beach resort.
Where to stay in Krabi?
There are a few locations in Krabi where we could potentially choose to stay or based ourselves in. Railay Beach, Ao Nang Beach, Klong Muang Beach, Tubkaek Beach and Krabi Town itself.
For a beach and seaside holiday with good access and day trips to the attractive offshore islands in the Andaman Sea off Krabi, the seaside town of Ao Nang would be the best place to stay instead of Krabi Town. Ao Nang Beach is one of the places where visitors could board the long-tail boats to offshore islands like Tup, Poda and Railay Peninsula.
In terms of places for a relaxing stay in a beachside resort, we were considering the quieter Klong Muang Beach and/or Tubkaek Beach. We ruled out Railay Beach or one of the offshore islands as we wanted a place that is easily accessible.
We stayed 3 nights at the Pakasai Resort and Spa in Ao Nang and 4 nights at the Nakamanda Resort and Spa at Klong Muang Beach.
Our trip was in March, which was off the peak season of December, January and February. March and April is the hot but dry season in Krabi before the start of the the rainy monsoon season which is in May. Travelling during the shoulder season, we managed to get good prices for our hotel stays and yet enjoyed some fabulous weather. It is prudent to book early during the peak seasons to get the good hotels.
Here is our 8 Days/7 Nights itinerary.
Day 1 (21 March 2018)
This is the day we travelled from home to Krabi, arriving at Krabi Airport at about 3 PM. From the airport, it took us 40 minutes to travel by airport taxi to our hotel in Ao Nang.
We had dinner at the Ao Nang Seafood Street and took a walk along Ao Nang Beach Road. Ao Nang Beach is one of the most “happening place” in Krabi. The main road running along Ao Nang Beach is lined with shops, restaurants and tour desks.
“Ladyboys” performing at one of the fancy restaurants at Ao Nang.
Trip Report: Ao Nang Seafood Street for drinks and dinner by the beach, with views of the stunning Krabi sunsets.
Day 2 (22 March 2018)
At Phra Nang Beach, Railay Peninsula.
A must do when visiting Krabi is to take a long-tail boat “taxi” from Ao Nang to Railay and spent the day exploring the beaches of Railay Peninsula, especially Phra Nang Beach.
Trip report: Day trip to Railay Peninsula in Krabi from Ao Nang.
After spending a relaxing day at the beaches of Railay Peninsula, we went back to our hotel in Ao Nang to freshen up before heading out to enjoy the Krabi sunset from Nopparat Thara Beach, about 15 minutes’ walk from our hotel in Ao Nang. A good place for dinner is the Potjawan’s Restaurant located along Nopparat Thara Beach.
Trip report: Evening at Nopparat Thara Beach and seafood dinner at Potjawan.
Day 3 (23 March 2018)
Ao Thalane or Thalane Bay has some of Thailand’s most beautiful mangrove forests with limestone cliffs, caves and amazingly shaped karsts. Located about 29 km from Ao Nang and 20 km from Krabi town, the easiest way to enjoy a leisurely day of kayaking would be to sign up for a half-day (or full-day) tour for about 500 to 700 THB per person. This includes hotel pickup from Ao Nang or Krabi town, kayak and equipment rental, life-vests, use of a waterproof bag, bottle of water, guide and some refreshments.
Kayaking in Ao Thalane, Krabi
We spent the morning enjoying the pool at the Pakasai Resort and Spa before going for the kayaking trip in the afternoon.
Trip report: Kayaking in Ao Thalene.
Day 4 (24 March 2018)
This is the day we shifted from Pakasai Resort and Spa in Ao Nang to the Nakamanda Resort and Spa at Klong Muang Beach. We spent the morning enjoying the facilities at Pakasai and had lunch in Ao Nang. Getting from Ao Nang to Klong Muang by taxi took less than an hour.
Enjoying the pool at Pakasai Resort and Spa.
Hotel review: Our stay at Pakasai Resort and Spa.
Nakamanda Resort and Spa is a small luxury hotel located on a beautiful private cove in the unspoilt Klong Muang area in Krabi, Thailand. This was our “home away from home” for the next 4 nights of our 8 days Krabi vacation.
Day 5 (25 March 2018)
Long-tail boats at Koh La Ding or La Ding Island.
We visited the Hong Islands by private long-tail boat from Klong Muang Beach. The Hong Islands are a small group of tropical Islands located just off the shores of Klong Muang Beach. It is hence faster and cheaper to go to Hong Island from Klong Muang Beach than from Ao Nang Beach.
Trip report: Day trip to Pak Bia, Lading and Hong Islands by private long-tail boat from Klong Muang Beach.
Day 6 to Day 8 (26 to 28 March 2018)
We spent the next two days chilling out and enjoying the facilities of the Nakamanda Resort and Spa at Klong Muang Beach.
Evening scene at Klong Muang Beach, next to Nakamanda Resort.
Compared to Ao Nang, Klong Muang is more secluded, quieter with lesser shopping, dining and nightlife and is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. We enjoyed mornings and evenings by the beach, massage services at the hotel’s Naga Spa and lounging by the hotel pool or within our villa in this small luxury hotel.
Hotel Review: Our stay at Nakamanda Resort and Spa at Klong Muang Beach, Krabi.
Trip report: Our evenings at Klong Muang Beach in Krabi (including places for dinners).
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