Krabi is not as wild as Ko Phangan, not as touristy as Phuket and not as kitschy as Pattaya. It’s the perfect place for adventurous spirits and laidback travelers to get in a little island time. Here are the top 8 things to do in Krabi.
1. Take this Krabi Sunset Cruise
Chances are you’re going to get on a boat in Thailand. Do yourself a favor and choose the right boat. Plenty of tour companies rip off unsuspecting Westerners with cheap tours, bad food and subpar snorkeling destinations.
This boat tour is unlike any other in the region. It may cost you a few bucks more, but trust me it’s worth every penny. Without a doubt, this was my favorite day in Thailand.
2. Rock Climb at Railay Beach
Railay Beach is one of the world’s top climbing destinations. There are over 700 routes for first-timers and experts. I wrote a full post about my experience and the school I booked with.
3. Climb up the Tiger Cave Temple
If you’re really in the mood for a trek, take a trip to the Tiger Cave Temple (full post in the link), but be prepared for a strenuous journey. The temple dates back to the 70s and is one of the most worshipped sites in the whole province.
4. Go to the Krabi Night Market
The Krabi night market (full post in the link) is one of the coolest things to do in town. Every weekend, the city sets up bright yellow tents behind the Vogue Department Store. You’ll find everything from Pad Thai to coconut pancakes. Plus they’ve got games, shops and entertainment.
5. Get a Thai Massage
You’re here to relax, right? Do it the Thai way with a traditional Thai massage. Along the main street in Ao Nang there are plenty of massage chairs and parlors at affordable prices. The best place we found is called the Massage Corner. It is off a side road just around the corner from our hotel. Best part, they were open until 11 pm.
6. Try Scuba Diving
If you have the time and the money, scuba diving is one of the coolest things to do in Krabi. They’ve got whale sharks, manta rays and all types of aquatic life just off the coast. It may not be up to Ko Tao standards, but there are world-class diving schools in Ao Nang where you can take scuba lessons and get scuba certified in just a few days. Yes, I really saw this jellyfish – and that was only from snorkeling!
7. Play Jenga at the Why Not Bar
The Why Not Bar is perhaps the most chill bar on the planet. Backpackers who have been hanging out on the island for a while often alternate between the Why Not Bar and the nearby Last Bar, but I prefer this one. They’ve got reasonably priced drinks, Jenga, good tunes, a pool table and plenty of space to dance. Yes, I’ll admit this is cockroach heaven, but so is most of the island.
8. Find the Princess Cave full of penises
Of all the things to do in Krabi, this may very well be the strangest. On Phra Nang Beach there is a cave full of penises (actually there are two), and yes, I recommend you go there. If not for the penises go for the beach, it’s one of the coolest in Railay and totally worth the monkey struggle to get there.
Got some favorite things to do in Krabi that I missed? Let me know in the comments below.
