Discover the best things to do in Ao Nang. From island hopping and limestone cliffs to sunset dinners by the sea, this lively town is the ideal base to explore Thailand’s most stunning coastline.
Ao Nang is one of the most popular places in the province of Krabi in Thailand. Some years ago, it was very popular among backpackers, but now it is quite crowded with tourists from all over the world, mainly thanks to charter flights.
This doesn’t mean that it’s not worth spending a few days in this corner of Thailand. It should also be remembered that Ao Nang is one of the starting points to visit the beautiful Koh Phi Phi Don (here is the travel guide to Phi Phi).
When is the best time, and how to get to Ao Nang
Like in most of Southeast Asia, the best time to visit is during the dry season, which usually starts in late November and lasts until March. This is when there are fewer chances of rain and the water is usually crystal clear, which makes it a perfect time for diving and snorkeling. Just expect higher prices and bigger crowds around Christmas and New Year.
If you want quieter beaches and better prices, April and early May can work, but it can get very hot. During the summer months, it can rain quite a lot, but the prices will be much lower.
I generally don’t recommend traveling in Asia during summer, with the only exception being Indonesia, especially the islands located below the equator, like Java and Komodo in Flores, for example.
Getting to Ao Nang is quite simple. From the airport, located in Krabi and about 40 minutes away, taxis and minivans can take you directly to your hotel. The cheapest solution is shared minivans. You can look for some cheap flights to Krabi using Trip.
Once you arrive in Ao Nang, you can easily walk around the main street and enjoy the Thai food, or take one of the long-tail boats to reach the nearby islands. Shops and restaurants are everywhere along the main road.
Where to stay
Since it’s a very popular destination, you’ll find plenty of options, from budget hostels to 5-star hotels. I stayed at the Deevana Krabi, a nice 4-star resort with very reasonable prices and two pools. The bungalows are well maintained, and wandering the small internal lanes gives the impression of a property that’s looked after. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Ao Nang Beach, which means it’s a very quiet area. You won’t hear the noise of the long-tail boats or the traffic.
In any case, you’ll find many options on Trip as well, which often has better deals in Asia than Booking.
Things to do
Thailand is famous for its beautiful beaches and numerous islands (about 1400) with crystal clear water. The main beach of Ao Nang is not amazing, as often happens in places where mass tourism has taken over. But it is still the ideal starting point for excursions to the nearby islands.
Joining a half-day cruise with Krabi Sunset Cruises
If you come to Ao Nang, I really encourage you to join a day or multi-day island hopping tour. The coastline here is surrounded by limestone cliffs and dozens of small islands, each with its own character. Some have white sand beaches and turquoise waters, while others hide caves, snorkeling spots, or quiet stretches where you can escape the crowds.
A single day trip already gives you a taste of this variety, but if you have more time, spending a couple of days lets you experience sunsets on different islands and enjoy them at a slower pace. It’s one of the best ways to understand why this part of Thailand is so famous. You can find plenty of options on this website.
If your time and budget are limited, I recommend the afternoon tour because, on your way back in the evening, you can swim with the bioluminescent plankton, a unique experience.
A visit to Railay Beach
Since Rai Leh (Railay) is a peninsula surrounded by the sea, it’s impossible to get there from Ao Nang on foot. Instead, you’ll have to take a long-tail boat. The price depends mainly on the time of day and the number of people. Each boat can accommodate up to 8 people; if it is full, the cost per person is slightly lower.
In the evening and early morning, prices are much higher. Railay is a very nice beach, which can be very crowded during the day. I recommend visiting places that are very popular, like Railay, early in the morning, just as I did in Phi Phi Island: I woke up at 5 am to get there before anybody else. It was tiring, but it was worth it.
Enjoying Thai food
I’m not scared of trying new local food. But even if you are picky, I’m sure you’ll love Thai cuisine.
It’s always difficult to say which is the best cuisine in the world, and maybe there is no answer, but personally, Thai is in my top 3, along with Jordan and Italy. Many dishes are spicy, and it is good to specify if you don’t want them too spicy.
Another aspect of Thai cuisine is that it’s very cheap, and even in very touristy places, you can find Pad Thai and Papaya Salad for about 2 or 3 euros.
Getting a Thai massage
Thai massage has a fascinating history dating back over 2,500 years. Buddhist monks developed it to help people relieve aches and pains during long meditation sessions. Over time, it blended Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine elements, creating a unique healing art.
Today, Thai massage combines stretching, pressure points, and energy balancing to promote well-being. Don’t miss this chance to pamper yourself and connect with Thai traditions!
Final Thoughts
Ao Nang might not be the quietest corner of Thailand, but it is one of the easiest and most practical bases if you want to explore Krabi. The mix of longtail boats lined up on the beach, limestone cliffs glowing at sunset, and the constant buzz of shops and restaurants gives it a lively atmosphere.
What makes it truly worth visiting, in my opinion, is the access it gives you to the islands and hidden beaches around the coast. You can spend the day hopping between turquoise lagoons and caves, then come back in the evening for a relaxed dinner by the sea. It is not the place for complete solitude, but if you embrace the energy and use it as your gateway to the surrounding beauty, Ao Nang can be a very rewarding stop on your Thailand trip.
Here is another article about Thailand: Things to do in Ayutthaya, near Bangkok. Here are more pictures I took in Krabi. Here you can find my El Nido travel guide, a beautiful place in the Philippines.
