After exploring the rich cultural heritage of Thailand, all you want to do is go island hopping. And Krabi gives you the perfect opportunity to do just that. Krabi is the main town in Krabi province, located on the west coast of southern Thailand. I spent 4 days in Krabi and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. In this post, I’ll be sharing with you the best Krabi itinerary explaining what to do in Krabi in 4 days.
Where To Stay In Krabi
Before discussing the Krabi itinerary, let’s first check out the accommodation options in Krabi. Here are some of my personal recommendations-
- In Klong Muang – Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra. Check out the property here.
- In Ao Nang – Pakasai Resort. Check out the property here.
- In Railay – Railay Village Resort. Check out the property here.
- In Krabi Town – Family Tree Hotel. Check out the property here.
Krabi Itinerary – 4 Days In Krabi
There’s a lot to see in Krabi – be it the picturesque islands or the buzzing Krabi town. So here’s a day by day description of the Krabi itinerary explaining the best things to do in Krabi.
Krabi Itinerary Day 1:
Take a Day Trip From Krabi To Phi Phi Island By Speedboat
Start your Krabi itinerary by taking a relaxing day trip from Krabi to Phi Phi island by speedboat. The day trip also involves visiting several other surrounding islands and beaches which are equally as beautiful as Phi Phi island.
First, you are transferred from your hotel to the Nopparat Thara Pier at Ao Nang beach. Here, you meet the boat crew who explain you the do’s and don’ts of the trip.
Hop on a speedboat and start your journey cruising towards the Phi Phi islands.
Visit the beautiful Bamboo island and relax at the beach which is probably one of the best in my opinion. Enjoy swimming and snorkelling in the lovely warm waters.
Meet your monkey friends at Monkey Beach. It is touristy but worth it with the stunning jungle backdrop.
Visit a large limestone cave called the Viking Cave where you can see ancient paintings and nests of the swift bird. Apparently, the bird’s nest forms the main ingredient in Chinese soup, so it’s extremely valuable and a kilo costs somewhere between 3000-4000 USD!!
Swim and Snorkel in the clear blue waters of the Pileh lagoon (Pileh bay) exploring the exquisite marine life.
Get to see the world-famous Maya Bay along the way but don’t expect to stop there as it’s been indefinitely closed by the Thai government. This has been done in order to conserve the coral reefs & help them replenish themselves from the damage inflicted by overtourism.
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at Arida restaurant in the Phi Phi Cliff Beach resort at Koh Phi Phi Don. For vegetarians, there’s a vegetarian buffet available as well. You can shop for some local merchandise from the big store at the Cliff Beach resort.
Get your feet to taste a bit of the white sand and walk along the island path of Ton Sai at Phi Phi soaking in the mesmerising views of the Phi Phi island.
Snorkel in the waters of Ya Wa Sam island and enjoy watching coral reefs with the highest biodiversity of species. And finally head back to Ao Nang beach.
A full day speedboat trip is the perfect way to explore the popular Phi Phi islands. The tour includes your lunch, fruits, soft drinks, life jacket, snorkelling equipment, an English speaking guide, insurance & hotel transfers.
—-> You can book your Phi Phi islands full day speedboat trip here.
If you don’t prefer a day trip but want to travel from Krabi to Phi Phi by ferry, then click here to see the ferry schedules and book a ferry to Phi Phi island according to your convenience.
Watch The Sunset At The Ao Nang Beach
Post the day trip, Ao Nang beach is the perfect spot to witness a glorious sunset.
See the sun melt into the sky painting it in the loveliest of shades as you walk around and explore the Ao Nang beach. It can get a bit busy but then it’s lively vibe will have you wanting more.
Explore The Ao Nang Night Market
Wondering what to do in Krabi at night? Well, don’t worry because there’s plenty to do! Enjoy a relaxed vibe with some local food, drinks and music at the Ao Nang night market.
There are food stalls for you to relish tasty Thai food and sip a drink. There’s limited vegetarian food on offer with cheesy french fries being my favourite. Do try the fresh fruits, coconut water and smoothies.
The ambience is pleasant with music playing throughout the market. And good deals on local Chang/Tiger beer make the music even more enjoyable. You’ll find a few vendors selling souvenirs as well.
Enjoy The Nightlife At Ao Nang
Head to the Soi RCA aka the Party Street and drink the night away at the 12 bars that the street hosts. Socialise with the locals and enjoy your beers and cocktails in this neon-lit street.
It’s not a hip, loud place with people going bonkers. It’s a street with bars playing mellow music where you can savour your drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. Exploring the unique bars and their ambience is another activity you can do in Krabi at night.
Krabi Itinerary Day 2:
Take a Day Trip From Krabi To Phang Nga Bay Exploring James Bond And Hong Islands
Get ready to go island hopping from Krabi to two blockbuster islands – Hong and James Bond as you set out from Krabi to Phang Nga Bay on a speedboat. It’s an 8 hour day trip so basically, you’ll be chilling at these islands the whole day.
Your day trip begins with a transfer from your hotel in Krabi to Ao Thalane pier where your driver-guide awaits you. It’s sort of an exclusive day trip as they generally allow only 7-8 people on a speedboat.
Start your journey and enjoy cruising in the sea passing by hundreds of rocky limestone outcrops.
Stop at the picturesque Khao Phing Kan or the James Bond island for an hour and a half.
Explore the island and it’s stunning natural caves.
Take a dip in the waters and swim or like me, just give a stereotypical pose with the James Bond island in the background.
Don’t forget to check out a line of shops on the island to buy some cheap souvenirs from.
Head to Thalu island where you have a guided kayaking option (if booked accordingly).
Have a sumptuous buffet lunch at a muslim fishing village called the Panyee island (Koh Panyee). You have a vegetarian buffet option as well (mail your preference to the tour company a day prior to the tour).
Get to terms with the local culture and shop at the stores inside your lunch complex at Panyee.
Visit the Hong Island lagoon and admire the breathtaking views around you. Take a dip in the shallow warm waters and swim in the lagoon. Since it’s less visited, you might have the lagoon all to yourself.
Stop at the absolutely smashing Hong island for about 4 hours and get to see sights like these!
The island makes for a picture postcard view as the surrounding rocky outcrop almost guards the beach.
Sand at the beach is white and soft & water’s a pristine blue with turquoise shades visible from a distance. Hong Island’s my favourite destination in the Krabi itinerary
Swim, snorkel and kayak to your heart’s content in the clear waters of Hong island. There’s washrooms, a cafe and even a small walking trail behind the beach if you’re feeling adventurous.
See the sun cast a beautiful shadow on the idyllic Hong island. Finally, head back to Ao Thalane Pier in the evening to end the day trip.
You rarely get a day trip that gives you a combined Hong island & a James Bond island tour by speedboat. And that’s the reason why this day trip is included in my ultimate Krabi itinerary.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at both the islands and highly recommend this island hopping day trip.
—-> Click here to book your full day trip from Krabi to James Bond and Hong islands.
Experience The Magical Sunset At Klong Muang Beach
After getting transferred to your hotel, ask your hotel reception to arrange a taxi for you to Klong Muang beach. It’s right opposite the luxurious Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf And Spa Resort.
The best part is that not many people know about this hidden gem in Krabi. And how can I say that? Because I went there twice to enjoy the most stunning sunset and there wasn’t a single soul on the entire beach. The beach is clean, peaceful, and a perfect relaxation spot after your day trip.
Small waves gently hitting the shore with soft white sands and a sunset that resembles a painting are reasons enough to visit this tranquil place. Enjoy strolling along the beach and relish the most surreal looking sunset view in front of your eyes.
Do Some Street Shopping At Klong Muang
The night market at Klong Muang is the right place for some retail therapy. Klong Muang has cute little stores for you to buy some quality stuff for cheap. Here you can buy things like clothes, hats, handbags, wallets, watches, sarongs, souvenirs etc at a reasonably low price.
Remember the golden rule of bargaining politely with a smile. It works at all the outlets. Street shopping is one of the most exciting and fun things to do in Krabi at night.
Have a Meal At Little Jamaica
After you’re done with all the walking along the beach and the night market, park your tired legs at this place called “Little Jamaica”. It’s situated bang opposite Pelican Centara Bay Hotel. You also have access to the place from the Klong Muang beach.
Little Jamaica is a reggae bar with a Caribbean swagger and authenticity to it. The bar is made of recycled material and all it’s staff members can be seen in stylish dreadlocks. The place not only has great seafood but plenty of vegetarian options right from club sandwiches to authentic Thai food.
You also have the option to do hookah over here, sitting near the campfire. Do visit this place and have a meal here if you’re in Krabi.
Krabi Itinerary Day 3:
Climb 1237 Stairs To Get To The Tiger Cave Temple
Yes, you read that right. Your third day in the Krabi itinerary begins with a 1,237 step stairway to the summit of the temple.
Tiger Cave temple, also known as Wat Tham Suea, is a Buddhist temple.
It is famous for the golden Buddha statue at the summit and the tiger paw prints in the caves as it’s name suggests.
- Remember to carry water with you as you’ll need it during the climb with the sun getting a bit harsh. Carrying an energy bar or bananas won’t hurt either.
- Also, wear comfortable sports shoes for the climb. Women need to cover their knees and shoulders so dress appropriately.
- Post completion of your climb, at the top you’ll see a golden Buddha statue along with panoramic views of Krabi rainforests. It’s worth the climb just for the views. It takes 50-60 minutes on an average to climb up the stairs and 20 minutes to walk back down.
- You’ll encounter plenty of monkeys so stay aware and don’t put your items – food or other valuables on display. There are caves around the temple where you can see tiger paw prints on stone.
- Entry to the temple is free.
- Try coming here early morning around 9:30-10am, as there’s less crowd and climbing’s easier when the sun isn’t too harsh.
- It’s economical to take a round-trip minivan to the temple compared to a private taxi as the latter’s more expensive.
Go On a Krabi Sunset Cruise
The Krabi Sunset Cruise was by far my best offbeat day trip experience in the Krabi itinerary and one that I can’t recommend enough!
In this day trip, you enjoy a ripper of a sunset and explore several islands off the coast of Railay in a “Pirates of the Caribbean” style Pirate ship.
You are picked from the departure points at both Ao Nang (Phra Nang Inn Hotel by Vacation Village) and Railay (Railay beach).
After which, it’s an absolute party. The two guides for the trip – Charlie and Michael are absolute sweethearts. They introduce themselves to you personally and make you feel comfortable on the cruise irrespective of your age or nationality.
You are provided complimentary water, soft drinks, lemonade, juices, coffee, hot chocolate on board. You pay for the beer, wine, cocktails and other alcoholic drinks (which again are pretty cheap). There’s a separate washroom behind the bar as well.
You don’t have to worry if you can’t swim or snorkel as the guides along with their crew provide all the personal assistance and safety equipment to ensure you have a good time.
Enjoy swimming and snorkelling at various points in Ya Wa Sam island, Poda island, Chicken island, Si and Ta Ming islands. They stop at the best spots near islands for you to explore the amazing marine life.
You also have 4 stand up paddle-boards and 2 person kayaks available on the ship.
Witness the majestic sun setting over the Andaman sea. Don’t forget to get your pictures clicked with Pirate attire and props. They email you the pictures and videos post the trip. After experiencing a surreal sunset, you enjoy a Thai style buffet. Vegetarian options are available on request at the time of booking.
They even give you complimentary drinks for jumping from the deck of the ship or doing a backflip (*wink wink*).
The Krabi Sunset Cruise ends with you getting a chance to experience bioluminescence underwater. In this, you get to swim in the waters next to Pranang Beach after dark as the ship crew throws light on the spots where you can witness bioluminescence.
Post this you’re dropped back to the departure points at Railay and Ao Nang.
The Krabi Sunset Cruise without a doubt is the best experience you can have in Krabi. Hence it occupies a spot in my ultimate Krabi itinerary.
—-> Click here to book your Krabi Sunset Cruise day trip.
Get a Relaxing Thai Massage At Massage Corner
You deserve a rejuvenating Thai massage after all the morning hiking and afternoon underwater exploits. So get one guilt-free at Massage Corner. They are the best spa and massage centre in Ao Nang, providing premium quality services with many massage packages to choose from.
Address: 155/17 Moo 3, Khlong Hang Road, Ao Nang, Krabi Town 81000, Thailand
Have a Royal Vegetarian/Vegan Dinner At Govinda’s Restaurant
If you want to enjoy top quality vegetarian/vegan Indian food, then head to Govinda’s restaurant. The staff is warm and friendly. And the vegetarian buffet dinner they have is one of the best in Krabi.
Tasty food with lots of variety, authentic and fresh ingredients, amazing decor, clean and extremely well-maintained restaurant and a Jain style food menu (without any onion and garlic) are some of the highlights of this place. Do try their vegetarian lasagna. It packs some delightful flavours!
Address: 32/24 Moo 2, Second Floor, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi 81180 Thailand.
Landmark: Opposite Anyavee Ban Ao Nang Resort.
Krabi Itinerary Day 4:
Get a Full Day Thai Spa And Massage Treatment At Wareerak Hot Springs Retreat
Imagine getting a massage in the middle of a rainforest that’s so good that it actually puts you to sleep. The Thai Spa & Massage treatment at the Wareerak Hot Spring Retreat does exactly that and more.
You are picked up from your hotel by the tour operator Trip Store Krabi. And post a 1 hour 30 minute comfortable minivan journey, you finally reach the Wareerak Hot Spring Retreat.
The staff serves you a welcome drink and gives a brief summary of the things included in the treatment. You’re given loose comfortable clothing to change into and then made to do a few warm-up exercises to get the blood circulation going.
Then begins your treatment which involves yoga, body scrub, hydrotherapy, neck & shoulder massage, herbal shower and full body Thai massage.
The Hot Spring Pools help you relax and drain all the tiredness and soreness from your body.
Post the herbal shower you head for lunch in a cute little cottage in the middle of a forest. They serve you an authentic Thai style buffet lunch. Vegetarian options are available on request. All the food and drinks are made from organic ingredients grown within the local garden itself.
An interesting Thai handicraft session follows, in which they teach you to make flowers and bouquets out of tree leaves.
The last part of the treatment is a 1-hour full body Thai massage in a small hut. The masseurs are skillful and literally put you to sleep with their healing touch. The massage revitalizes you and the peaceful ambience only adds to the whole experience.
The Thai Spa and treatment at the Wareerak Hot Springs Retreat is an offbeat activity and a must-do in your Krabi itinerary. The centre has both – the half day and the full day options available but I’d recommend the full day option to enjoy a more wholesome experience.
Enjoy a Stoll Around Krabi Town
Krabi town is the perfect union of old world charm and modernity. The riverside adds a dash of elegance to the place which can be enjoyed through leisurely walks during sunset. You get to experience the real town culture while coming across fancy bars, restaurants and cafes.
Walk into any of the bars and restaurants that you fancy and enjoy a few drinks with delectable food.
Conclusion
So that is my ultimate Krabi itinerary giving you a detailed description of what to do in Krabi in 4 days. I had a blast vacationing in Krabi and I’m sure you will too!
If you have any questions or doubts regarding the itinerary, then feel free to ask me in the comments and I’ll be happy to help.
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2 comments
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