Ao Nang in Krabi and Railay Beach

Part of the Krabi and Railay Beach travel guide — see every topic in All Krabi and Railay Beach Guides.

Ao Nang is the main beach town on the Krabi coast, about 20 km west of Krabi Town. It is busy and easy, with hotels, restaurants, shops and travel desks along the seafront road. Most island tours and boats to Railay leave from here. The beach looks out to limestone islands, and the sunsets are good. This guide explains what Ao Nang offers and how to use it as a base.

The beach and seafront

Ao Nang Beach is a long curve of sand with a paved walkway behind it. Longtail boats park at the southern end, where you buy tickets to Railay and the islands. The water is often shallow and not very clear, so many people use Ao Nang as a base and swim on the islands. At the south end of the beach, a path along the cliff leads to a small, quiet cove. In the evening the walkway fills with people watching the sunset, and food stalls open along the road.

Nopparat Thara beach

Just north of Ao Nang is Nopparat Thara, a long, quieter beach lined with casuarina trees. It is part of Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. At low tide the sea pulls back a long way, and you can walk out across the sand to small islands. There is a park office and a pier for boats to Railay and Phi Phi. It is a good place for a picnic, a long walk or a quiet sunset away from the crowds of Ao Nang.

Where to stay

Ao Nang has hotels for every budget. The seafront has the busiest spots, close to boats and restaurants. Hotels on the hill roads behind the town are quieter and often have pools and views, but you will need a tuk-tuk or Grab to go down. Klong Muang and Tubkaek, about 20 minutes north, have large resorts on calmer, emptier beaches. Ao Nang is a good base for day trips. If you want to wake up next to cliffs and quiet sand, stay a night or two on Railay as well.

From Krabi airport

Krabi International Airport is on the mainland between Krabi Town and the coast. Ao Nang is about 25 to 30 km away, about 40 minutes by car. A shuttle bus runs from the airport to Krabi Town and Ao Nang in the daytime. Shared minivans and taxis wait outside arrivals, and Grab also works. To reach Phuket, buses and minivans take about three hours by road. In the dry season, ferries also link Ao Nang with Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Phuket.

Ao Nang at a glance

More in Krabi & Railay Beach

All 7 Krabi & Railay Beach guides·Thailand tourist maps

Featured Videos