Ao Nang is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. Find out what to do and what to see in this nice place.
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 worldwide, 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 even more crowded and beautiful Koh Phi Phi Don (here is the travel guide to Phi Phi).
How to get to Ao Nang and how to get around
Getting to Ao Nang is quite simple. From the airport, located in Krabi and about 40 minutes away, several 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 Momondo.
Once you arrive in Ao Nang, you can easily walk around the main road 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 in Ao Nang
Being a popular destination, there is no shortage of hotels and guest houses suitable for all budgets. During my trip to Ao Nang, I chose the Deevana Krabi Resort, a beautiful 4-star resort with more than affordable prices. It has two swimming pools, and the entire resort is new. The apartments are very well cared for, and the impression you get when walking inside the resort is of a well-maintained structure.
The resort is located about 5 minutes from Ao Nang beach and is very quiet. You won’t hear the noise of long-tail boats or cars.
Breakfast is abundant, and the staff is very kind. In addition, each room has a beach kit with towels and flip-flops. If I return to Ao Nang I would certainly stay again at the Deevana Krabi Resort.
Things to do in Ao Nang
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
After visiting several places where you can join an island hopping tour, such as El Nido in the Philippines, I realized that if you want to enjoy the experience, it’s better to avoid the cheapest tours. This allows you to avoid the crowd, the boat service is better, and the experience, in general, is completely different.
For the excursion to the islands around Ao Nang, I booked a tour with Krabi Sunset Cruises, a company run by a couple of nice Australian guys.
You can choose to join the morning tour or the afternoon tour. I recommend the afternoon tour because, on your way back in the evening, you can swim with the bio-luminescent plankton, a unique experience that, unfortunately, is very difficult to photograph…
The tour includes visiting 4 islands (Poda, Chicken, Si, and Ta Ming), and you can use their Kayak or Paddle Board for free. In addition, non-alcoholic drinks are free of charge. The tour is not exactly low-cost, but I highly recommend it!
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 the day and the number of people. Each boat can accommodate up to 8 people; if it is full, the price 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 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.
Eating a lot of Thai food
I’m not scared of trying new local food. But even if you are picky, I’m sure you won’t be indifferent to 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 it 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.
Thai massage is brilliant for your body and mind, especially after days of exploring. It eases muscle tension and leaves you feeling relaxed and ready to dive back into your Thai adventures. It’s like giving yourself a gift of well-being amidst the beauty of Thailand. So, don’t miss this chance to pamper yourself and connect with Thai traditions!
Finally, don’t forget to do what you came to Asia for: relax!
Here is another article about Thailand: Things to do in Ayutthaya, near Bangkok. Here are more pictures I took in Krabi.
