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If you’re trying to work out the best things to do in Krabi, look no further. In this article, we’re going to share the best 16 things to do in Krabi in 2025.
Researching your trip can be both fun and time-consuming. We have written this article to provide a one-stop guide to help you plan your trip to Krabi. The aim is to make sure that you don’t miss any of the best things to do in the area. We have also included some hidden gems so that you can pull together the perfect itinerary for you.
For each recommended activity, we have included important details such as prices, opening times, transport details, and more. We hope that this comprehensive article will reduce your research time and help make your trip planning more enjoyable.
In this article, we are drawing on first-hand experience and travel research. We have explored Krabi many times over the years, so we have a lot of experience, advice, and tips to help you plan the perfect trip. If you find this article helpful and informative, we strongly recommend that you peruse our website. We have plenty of articles about Krabi—each one is written to help inspire, inform, and equip you.
HOW TO GET AROUND IN KRABI – Find out The Best Ways to Travel Around the Krabi Area
LOOKING FOR AN ITINERARY? Don’t miss this 3 day In-depth step-by-step Krabi Itinerary
GET EQUIPPED FOR YOUR TRIP – Everything you need to know before you go to Krabi
Map of the Best Things to Do in Krabi
What Are the Best Tours in the Krabi Area?
One of the cheapest ways to explore Krabi is to rent a motorbike and explore independently. Find out everything you need to know about motorbike rental in Krabi. Alternatively, you could rent a car and use it to explore the area. Some activities are best booked as a tour or trip. You can book tours and trips online in advance. In this area, you can get excellent prices by booking on the Klook platform.
Here are some fantastic tours and trips in the area:
ADVENTURE TOUR – Tiger Temple Cave, Emerald Pool & Hot Spring Trip
KAYAKING TRIP – Adventurous Kayaking trip at Ao Thalane
ISLAND HOPPING TRIP – 4 Islands – Island Hopping Trip
Can You Book Tours and Trips Locally?
Another way to book trips and tours in Krabi is to use a local travel agent. There are plenty of travel agents situated around Krabi Town and Ao Nang. This is the best way to book the cheapest tours and trips because you can shop around and bargain with local travel agents who have connections and can get you the best prices. If you do book a tour or trip with a local travel agent, you will need to pay for your trip upfront, and then they will give you a receipt to show that you are booked onto the trip.
Most tours and trips include hotel pickup, and you will be given a pickup time. We recommend that you leave your phone number with your booking and also take a contact number for the travel agent when you make your booking. The whole process can feel a little disorganized and unnerving; however, the system seems to work very well, so don’t worry. Once you have paid and been given your confirmation, you should be picked up, and the whole process generally runs very smoothly.
1. Take an Island Hopping Trip
FIND OUT MORE – Full guide to Island Hopping in Krabi
If you are planning a visit to Krabi, we strongly recommend that you include an island hopping trip in your itinerary. The islands in the Krabi Bay area are particularly interesting, and the island hopping trip is a beautiful, fun, and enjoyable experience. What’s more, island hopping in Krabi is particularly good value for money (compared to other destinations in Thailand). You can take a shared island hopping trip for as little as 800 baht per person (£16 or $20). This includes a visit to four islands, hotel pickup and drop off, drinking water, fresh fruit, and lunch. The cheapest and best way to arrange an island hopping trip in Krabi is to book with a local tour operator in Ao Nang Town or Krabi Town.
There are plenty of local tour companies that can help you book your trip, and you only need to book one or two days in advance. It is also possible to book your island hopping trip online in advance. We recommend Klook for great prices in this area. You can easily find trips ranging between 1,000 baht – 1,500 baht (£20 – £30 or $25 – $35). Don’t assume that paying more means you get more. The island hopping trip takes around 8 hours and stops at 4 beautiful islands. Some locations are fantastic for snorkeling, while others are better for relaxing on the beach. We recommend packing well, including swimming gear, a towel, sun cream, sunglasses, a water bottle, and a dry change of clothes. If you have a dry sack, this can be a great way to keep your valuables safe and dry.
2. Sea Kayaking at Railay Beach
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the stunning and unique coastline is to rent a sea kayak and explore Railay Beach. The coastline in this area is characterized by panoramic steep cliffs and jungle-covered mountains. It really is a marvelous destination for a kayaking adventure. It is fairly easy to get to Railay Beach if you are staying in Ao Nang Town. You can take shared taxi boats from several different pickup locations, and there is a standard fixed price of 100 baht per person each way. It is not possible to pre-book tickets; you will need to turn up at a taxi boat pickup location, pay for your ticket, and then wait for the boat to fill up, which takes around 20 or 30 minutes.
The boat journey to Railay is beautiful, taking around 20 minutes. They generally use traditional longtail boats, so remember to have a camera ready when you get to Railay Beach. You can rent sea kayaks (there is a rental shop next to the Railay Bay Resort & Spa). It costs 250 baht to rent a double kayak for 1 hour (around £5 or $6). Bring plenty of cash with you; you will need to pay for your boat tickets and kayak rental in cash. There are also several shops, cafes, and restaurants situated on Railay Beach. There are also several stunning hotels and resorts in this area, so you can actually stay in the Railay Beach area if you want to make the most of your time here.
FIND OUT MORE – Step-by-step Guide How to Get to Tonsai and Railay Beach
3. Visit Princess Cave
If you are exploring the Railay Beach area, you can also take a visit to the stunning iconic Princess Cave, which is located a short walk from Railay East Beach (in fact, you can walk between all of the beaches in this area). Princess Cave is situated on the stunning and remote Phra Nang Beach. The caves on this beach are genuinely very beautiful and impressive, embedded at the base of the large limestone cliffs.
If you explore a little way into these caves, you can then turn back and get amazing views of the bay. This is also a fantastic location for photography. This area is also fantastic for families, especially if you are looking for a secluded location. It is free of charge to visit the Princess Cave; you only need to pay for your boat trip to and from Railay Beach.
4. Trek to the Top of Tiger Cave Temple
Check out our FULL GUIDE on Tiger Cave Temple
If you’re looking for an active and adventurous thing to do in Krabi, then we highly recommend a visit to the iconic Tiger Cave Temple. Tiger Cave Temple is free of charge to visit, and there is a free car park situated at the bottom. You can start trekking at 6 am. The temple itself is situated at the bottom of the hill, and you can actually explore the cave and temple before trekking to the top of a stunning hill for an amazing view over the Krabi province. Be prepared for a very active and challenging hike, a steep set of steps that takes around one or two hours, depending on your pace and stop time.
The facilities in this area are fairly basic; there is a public toilet at the bottom and halfway up the mountain, but there are no places to buy water or top up a water bottle, so bring plenty of water with you. Visiting the Tiger Cave Temple is one of the most enjoyable and impressive activities in the area; however, a reasonable level of stamina and fitness is required for this activity. We do not recommend this for families with young children due to the steep steps and drops in some locations. There is a strong set of metal handrails all the way up the mountain. The view from the top is genuinely stunning and well worth the sweaty walk.
5. Go to the Sunrise Viewpoint
Find out more about the Amazing Sunrise Viewpoint in Krabi
If you’re spending a few days in Krabi, we strongly recommend taking an early start so that you can visit the stunning Din Daeng Doi Sunrise viewpoint. This beautiful viewpoint is situated a 20-minute drive from Ao Nang Town. The best way to get here is to have your own transport (car rental or a motorbike rental). The Din Daeng Doi Sunrise viewpoint has a spectacular view over the stunning mountains and valleys. The sunrise is around 6 am in Thailand, so you will need to get an early start if you want to see the sunrise. You need to buy an entry ticket to visit the Din Daeng Doi viewpoint. This costs 50 baht for adults (just over £1 or $1.20) and 20 baht for kids (£0.40 or $0.50). There is a small cafe situated at the sunrise viewpoint, and there are also benches and a viewing terrace.
6. Visit an Elephant Sanctuary
If you have ever dreamed of seeing a real elephant up close, then you can visit the Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary. This is a small ethical elephant sanctuary. They do not allow elephant riding, and they do not use hooks to control the elephants. You can bathe the elephants for 2,300 baht per person (roughly £46 or $50). What’s more, you can also feed the elephants—a basket of bananas costs 200 baht (around £4 or $5). You need to pre-book a visit to this sanctuary. The best way to reserve a slot is to drop them an email at rsv@aesaonang.com
TOP TIP: The Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary is relatively ethical with a no-riding policy. However, it is very close to the less-ethical Ao Nang Elephant Park, where they do allow riding. Don’t get confused by these two different venues. We have marked the ethical Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary on the map.
7. Explore a Mangrove Forest
If you love adventure, nature, and wildlife, you will love Krabi. Krabi is a stunning area with a tropical climate and a variety of natural habitats in close proximity. For example, you can find many areas with beautiful mangrove forests, small freshwater rivers, and coastal inlets which have a mixture of fresh and saltwater, creating a very unique ecosystem.
If you’re looking for a more tranquil and beautiful mangrove forest close to Ao Nang, then we highly recommend taking a visit to the Thapom Klong Song Nam Forest Park. They have a beautiful walkway through the mangrove forest where you can see small freshwater rivers and mangrove forests. There is even an area where you can swim in the beautiful water; it only costs 20 baht to enter (around £0.50 or $0.60). This area has a similar charm and beauty to the emerald pool; however, it is much cheaper and closer to Krabi. So, if you do not have time to visit the emerald pool, Thapom Klong Song Nam Forest Park is a fantastic alternative.
8. Kayak Around the Inland Waterways
Check out our FULL GUIDE to Kayaking in Krabi
We have already mentioned sea kayaking in the Railay Beach area; however, you can also experience some very beautiful and stunning inland kayaking in the Krabi area. One of the best places to kayak is the Klong Root Clear Water Canal. Kayak rental costs 300 baht for an unlimited amount of time. You can kayak for around 1 km, and the scenery is absolutely stunning at this location. If possible, we recommend visiting early; Klong Root opens at 7 am. At this time, it is calm and peaceful, and you’re likely to have the place to yourself.
Top Tip: Klong Root is only a five-minute drive from the Din Daeng Doi Sunrise viewpoint, so you could see the sunrise and then go directly to Klong Root, arriving when it opens at 7:00 a.m. At this time, it is particularly calm and beautiful.
9. Stay in a Unique Luxury Beach Resort
If you’re planning to travel all the way to Thailand, then why not splash out on a remarkable hotel to perfect your trip? Accommodation in Thailand is surprisingly affordable, and your money really does go a long way. So, if you have ever dreamed of staying in a luxurious resort, then Thailand might be one of your best options. Krabi has many amazing luxury beach hotels and resorts; you can even find resorts that offer options with a private pool dedicated purely to you and your family. There are also some superlative hotels in the Railay Beach area. Staying in a luxury resort in Krabi may well be one of the best things you do on your trip.
10. Take a Dip at the Emerald Pool
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to the Emerald Pool Krabi
One of our favorite activities in Krabi is visiting the stunning Emerald Pool, which is situated around 70 kilometers to the east of Krabi Town. The journey takes around 1.5 hours each way. A visit to the Emerald Pool is likely to take up a significant portion of your day, so it is important to work out whether you have time for this in your itinerary. If you do take a visit to the Emerald Pool, you can also visit the Krabi hot spring nearby.
So, is it worth visiting the Emerald Pool? In our opinion, it is definitely worth visiting the Emerald Pool if you have at least 3 days in Krabi. When you arrive at the Emerald Pool, there is a car park; from here, you can walk to the entrance and purchase an entry ticket. You then need to walk around 1 km through a beautiful mangrove forest to reach the Emerald Pool. It is possible to swim at the Emerald Pool; the water is relatively shallow, clear, and reasonably warm, and this is a very beautiful spot for wild swimming. You can also walk a further 600 meters to visit the iconic and beautiful blue pool (the trail closes at 3:30 pm, so arrive in plenty of time).
The most affordable and convenient way to get to the Emerald Pool is to either use a rented motorbike (200 baht per day) or drive a rented car (1,000 baht per day). A taxi is likely to be very expensive. Another affordable option is to book a tour that includes the Emerald Pool.
11. Trek to the Princess Lagoon
Learn more in our In-depth guide to Princess Lagoon
If you are looking for challenging, adventurous, and intrepid things to do in Krabi, then we strongly recommend taking a trek to the Princess Lagoon, which is situated between Railay East Beach and Phra Nang Cave Beach. The Princess Lagoon is a beautiful secluded lagoon situated in a deep basin, surrounded by jungle-covered cliffs in every direction.
The only way to get to the Princess Lagoon is to undertake an extremely steep and challenging trek up a jungle trail covered in roots and rocks. Although the distance is relatively short, this is one of the most challenging tracks in the area due to the sheer steepness of the trail. Thick rope most of the way along the trail helps you pull yourself up, and there are plenty of roots and rocks to hold on to. The terrain can be pretty muddy, and we would not recommend attempting this trek during or after a rainstorm.
The trek to Princess Lagoon takes around one to two hours, and the descent to the lagoon is relatively challenging and potentially dangerous, with several mini cliffs where you need to climb carefully down using the rope. Only attempt this track with good footwear; we recommend trainers with good grip and never push yourself beyond your limits. Princess Lagoon is very beautiful, and it is worth seeing. Be prepared to get very sweaty and muddy; pack a small daypack with plenty of water and some snacks.
12. Visit the Krabi Hot Spring
FULL GUIDE – Krabi Hot Spring
If you’re planning to visit the iconic Emerald Pool, we also recommend stopping by the Krabi hot spring. The Krabi hot spring is only 10 minutes from the Emerald Pool (we recommend visiting the hot spring after the Emerald Pool because the hot spring is open later!). The Krabi hot spring is a geothermal hot spring with a small hot waterfall where you can sit in pools as warm geothermal water flows over you, taking in the beautiful jungle scenery. The facilities at the Krabi Hot Springs include public toilet changing rooms and a fresh water shower. It costs 200 baht for adults (around £4 or $5) and 100 baht for kids (around £2 or $2.50). The Krabi hot spring is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
13. Go Climbing at Tonsai Beach
Krabi is one of those destinations that is packed with natural beauty and epic adventure. This area is also world-famous for rock climbing. One of the best places to climb in Krabi is the beautiful Tonsai Beach (next to Railay Beach). There is an impressive overhang where you can practice bouldering (this overhang is to the east side of the beach close to the Tonsai Bay Resort). Alternatively, there are some steeper climbing routes leading up the cliffs to the east side of Tonsai Beach. If you are hoping to go climbing at Tonsai Beach, you don’t need to travel with your climbing gear; you can rent climbing gear from the rock shop situated on Tonsai Beach. They also offer guided climbing trips. The prices are as follows: Half-day climb 1,200 baht for beginners (around £24 or $30), and Full-day beginner 2,400 baht (around £48 or $60).
Find out more about Tonsai Beach
14. Get a Thai Massage
If all this talk of trekking and climbing makes you feel tired, then you may be excited to learn that Krabi is an amazing place to experience an authentic Thai massage. There are plenty of small massage spas situated around Krabi Town and Ao Nang Town. Massage is a significant and lovely part of Thai culture, and Thai massages are generally very affordable. You can find massages starting for around 250 baht for 1 hour (roughly £5 or $6).
However, some spas in this area charge a lot more; this is particularly the case in the main tourist areas, for example, along the beachfront and around the Landmark Night Market area. Thai massages are very relaxing, but they can be pretty intense at times; they involve a lot of firm manipulation and stretching that aims to release tension from your body and increase circulation. However, if you are looking for a more relaxing and serene massage experience, you could ask for an oil massage and request a softer and more relaxing massage.
15. Visit a Local Night Market
Night markets are a delightful and wonderful part of Thai culture. No visit to Thailand is complete without experiencing a night market. The great news is that there are several night markets situated around Krabi and Ao Nang. Night markets in this area are a little more expensive and a little more touristy than other destinations in Thailand; however, they are still a lot of fun and have a great atmosphere.
Night markets have a huge range of stalls selling a wide variety of food, including Thai classics (Tom Yam, pad kra Pao, Pad Thai, Khao Soi, and Papaya Salad). You can often find more westernized treats such as kebabs, pizza, fried chicken, and treats like brownies. Most dishes range between 10 baht – 15 baht (£2 – £3 or $3 – $4). If you’re staying in Ao Nang, check out the Landmark Night Market. It is a little touristy and expensive, but there is plenty of epic food to choose from and a fun atmosphere.
16. Get a Drink at the Jungle Tree House Cafe
Learn more – don’t miss our dedicated guide to the Jungle Tree House Cafe
Last but not least, we highly recommend that you check out the Jungle Treehouse Cafe in Krabi (Baan Ton Mai). This is genuinely a hidden gem in the area and well worth a visit. The Jungle Treehouse Cafe is a surprising hidden gem with canopy walkways, a large jungle treehouse, and plenty of areas where you can relax and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. There is a jungle river with seating by the river so you can enjoy a drink as you take in the scenery. Alternatively, you can find seating in the treehouse along the canopy walkways and other platforms and terraces around the cafe.
They have a very tempting selection of drinks which typically cost around 10 – 15 baht (£2 – £3 or $2.50 – $3.50). The Jungle Tree House Cafe also has a tempting selection of cakes and treats; we were particularly impressed with the fruit and toast platter, which includes a wide variety of fresh tropical fruit, ice cream, fresh cream, and thick butter-fried toast. They also offer a wide variety of local delicacies, including seafood curries and Thai food platters. There are a few things you need to consider; remember to bring mosquito repellent and be careful walking through the garden; we spotted several golden orb-weaver spiders hanging from webs in the gardens. The treehouse and canopy walkways are not suitable for families with young kids.
