Railay Beach
Accessible only by boat and enclosed by towering limestone cliffs — one of Thailand's most celebrated beaches, with east and west sides offering different experiences.
Railay West has the best beach. Railay East is marshy at low tide. Arrive by longtail from Ao Nang (15 minutes). Stay overnight to experience it without day-tripper crowds.
Ao Nang Beach
Krabi's main tourist beach — a bustling strip with restaurants, shops, and longtail boat services to the islands. Convenient but not the most scenic.
Good as a base rather than a beach destination. Use it as a launching point for island and beach-hopping day trips.
Phra Nang Cave Beach
Widely regarded as one of Thailand's top beaches — a narrow strip of white sand flanked by karst cliffs and a sacred cave. Accessible by longtail from Railay.
Crowded with day-trippers between 10 am and 3 pm. Visit early morning or late afternoon for a more peaceful experience.
Tonsai Beach
A rocky beach beloved by rock climbers and budget travellers — basic bungalow accommodation, good snorkelling, and a relaxed bohemian vibe.
The beach is unusable at low tide due to sharp rocks. Good for swimming at high tide. Best accessed by longtail from Railay.
Klong Muang Beach
A quiet, upscale beach north of Ao Nang backed by luxury resorts and almost no tourist development.
Not walkable from Ao Nang — you need a taxi or scooter. One of Krabi's best beaches for a relaxing, crowd-free day.
Nam Mao Beach
A small, little-known beach north of Krabi town — locals-only feel, calm water, and mangroves.
Worth visiting if you have your own transport and want to escape the tourist circuit entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this page helpful?
Senior Travel Writer · Bangkok · 12+ years in Thailand
James has lived in Bangkok since 2014 and has visited all 77 Thai provinces. He specialises in destination guides, itinerary planning, and transport logistics. Before moving to Thailand, he worked as a travel journalist in Hong Kong and Singapore. He speaks conversational Thai and is a certified PADI divemaster.
Our editorial standards