Krabi Province, Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for German tourists, which, apart from the low prices, is mainly due to the beautiful nature and the great variety. National parks, big cities, dream beaches, parties, culture... Thailand offers something for every taste. The province of Krabi is particularly well known. With its varied nature, it is one of the most beautiful regions in the country.

Krabi is located in the south of Thailand on the headland towards Malaysia, which is barely 200 kilometers wide and lies between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The province extends in the west over about 4,700 square kilometers on the mainland. But also some islands in the Andaman Sea belong to Krabi - among them the famous Phi Phi Islands.

Due to its fame, the province of Krabi is very popular with international tourists. Nevertheless, there are still some insider tips in the region, where the almost deserted nature is pleasantly peaceful. The travel time also makes a big difference.

Climate and best time to travel in Krabi

If you are looking for such tranquillity, it is best to travel to Krabi away from the high season. Most tourists come to Thailand around Christmas and New Year's Eve. This is when mass tourism reigns supreme and a lot of events invite you to lively parties. Those seeking peace and quiet, on the other hand, get their money's worth between February and April, when Krabi still has a dry season with temperatures of up to 35 degrees. This is perfect for a classic beach holiday.

It is somewhat cooler and therefore more pleasant for an active holiday during the rainy season. From June to October, the temperature is around 25 degrees and it rains once or several times a day, but usually only for a few minutes. Many tourists even find these rain showers a pleasant way to cool down in between.

However, there are two exceptions: the months of May and November are very rainy in Krabi and therefore not suitable for a visit to the "Land of Smiles". In addition, the storms turn the sea into dangerous floods, so that it is neither inviting for swimming nor should it be crossed by boat.

So when is the best time to travel to Krabi depends very much on the individual case. Depending on how the holiday is to be arranged, different periods are possible. If you want a colourful mix of culture, beach holidays, parties, hiking and sightseeing, the months of February and March are recommended. By then, the tourist crowds are already gone, but the climate still almost guarantees good weather.

Photography in Krabi

As with any trip, a camera should not be missing from your luggage. With it, you can capture the sights and special moments and keep them as a souvenir. In Krabi province, too, there are numerous highlights that can later be prepared as souvenirs, for example in the form of a collage with the best shots. In this way, you can take a piece of Thailand home with you.

However, a few rules should be observed for the individual photo hotspots:

• Anyone taking photographs in Thailand, for example at or in a temple, should in any case respect the special significance for the locals as a spiritual place. It is often not permitted to use the flash.
• Completely different rules apply when it comes to safety: you should (not only) always keep an eye on your photo equipment to protect it from cheeky monkeys. The animals are often not at all shy in the tourist regions and like to steal all kinds of objects.
• On and in the water or on the long boats, the camera should be adequately protected from moisture. A waterproof camera bag or a special wet bag is best suited for this purpose and also offers space for other utensils such as a wallet or mobile phone.

Krabi as a Global Low-Carbon Ecological Scenic Spot

The word mass tourism initially seems daunting to many travel enthusiasts. After all, they want to explore the country in its untouched beauty. Although many visitors do come to Krabi during the high season, classic mass tourism with all its negative consequences need not be feared here.

While in other popular regions mountains of rubbish pile up or the local flora and fauna disappear more and more, in Krabi great importance is attached to cleanliness and nature conservation.

In 2018, the province was even named a "Global Low-Carbon Ecological Scenic Spot" - an award for responsible tourism. So be it the colourful underwater worlds off the coasts, the white sandy beaches, the unique limestone formations or the national parks with their dense primeval forests: All this still shines in its original beauty in Krabi. This is probably the main reason why Krabi is one of the most popular travel destinations in Thailand.

However, this also means certain cutbacks for visitors: Some excursion destinations, such as Maya Bay on the island of Koh Phi Phi, are temporarily closed to tourists. In addition, there are of course strict rules for dealing with nature. Unfortunately, experience shows that not all visitors abide by them.

Anyone travelling to Krabi should therefore have a healthy respect for the local plants, animals and people. Then, many years from now, the province will still be the beautiful and diverse destination it is today.

Places of interest in Krabi Province

Many visitors come to Thailand for a classic beach holiday and are mainly attracted by the favourable price-performance ratio. So if you are looking for beautiful beaches, you will definitely find them in Krabi. However, the region has much more to offer. The most important sights are:

City of Krabi: The thriving metropolis on the Krabi River

Thecentre of the province of Krabi is the city of the same name, which in turn lies at the mouth of the so-called Krabi River. With just about 28,900 inhabitants, it is not really a large city. Nevertheless, the town is known as a thriving metropolis, which is particularly lively in the high season and offers numerous bars, clubs and other opportunities for going out. The Wat Kaew temple is one of the many cultural sights in the city of Krabi.

But there is also plenty to do in Krabi during the day, for example at the markets with local specialities. Not far away, the limestone cliffs of Khao Kanab Nam rise up into the sky and the river meanders right through the town around the right-angled streets and three-storey buildings.

Krabi is thus considered the epitome of a "typical" city for Thailand. A little further inland, where the buildings are fewer, mangrove forests line the banks of the Krabi River, over which bald eagles can sometimes be seen. The town is ideally situated as a starting point for excursions in the region.

Excursion to the famous "Tiger Cave" cave system

Worth seeing is the so-called "Tiger Cave", which is only a few kilometres from the town of Krabi. Strictly speaking, it is the so-called "Tiger Cave Temple", because for many centuries monks have turned the underground system into an impressive temple complex. "Wat Tham Sua" is the Thai name for the temple, which has numerous statues and relics and thus allows visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Accordingly, contrary to the frequent assumption, the "Tiger Cave" is not an opportunity to see live tigers. Real (free-living) tigers no longer exist in Krabi today. Instead, the name derives from a legend:

In 1975, a Thai monk is said to have heard the roar of a tiger while meditating in a cave. He did not see it, but a short time later he found paw prints on the floor. These have since faded, but the name "Tiger Cave" has remained ever since. Apart from the temple and the caves themselves, the highlight of the "Tiger Cave" are the 1,237 steps that lead up to the highest limestone peak of the temple and offer a fatastic view over the surrounding rainforest to the islands off the coast of Krabi.

Bathing in the natural water pool called "Emerald Pool

Among the most famous sights in Krabi province are the Sa Morakot springs in the Khao Nor Chu Chi forest. However, there is also a simpler nickname for these, which tourists like to use: Emerald Pool. The natural pool owes this name to its turquoise colour. The water here is so clear that the bottom is visible when bathing. In addition, the natural pool is located in the middle of a forest clearing, so that the sun can shine through the trees.

But the Emerald Pool is not the only possibility for a wet cool-down in the national park around Sa Morakot. Instead, there are other natural bathing places here:

• the so-called Crystal Pool, which is known for its crystal clear water
• the so-called Blue Pool with its deep blue colour.

On the way to these natural water basins, you will also pass exciting caves, numerous streams as well as the untouched primeval forest. Despite its fame as a tourist attraction, the national park is amazingly clean and captivating in its pristine beauty.

Bathing in the hot springs of Klong Thom

At around 70 kilometres, the hot springs of Klong Thom aremuch further away from the city of Krabi. They are a popular destination for people who have problems with their joints - or simply sore muscles from all the hiking.

The naturally formed hot springs are considered beneficial for health complaints such as rheumatism, muscle tension, joint pain or simply offer some relaxation and wellness. They have a pleasant temperature of 35 to 40 degrees Celsius and are a great destination, especially in the low season. Then there is much less going on here and the air and sea water temperatures are less high, so the "bathtub in the forest" is particularly inviting.

Koh Kai Island - better known as Chicken Island

Theisland of Koh Kai in Krabialso enjoys international fame. It also has an English nickname, "Chicken Island". However, this does not mean that numerous chickens live on Koh Kai and run around freely. Instead, the name comes from a rock formation that rises on the island and resembles a rooster. This rock is probably the most popular souvenir photo in Krabi province.

The island is also considered an ideal diving area, as it is surrounded by one of the most beautiful coral reefs in Thailand. If you want, you can also make a detour to Koh Gai, the so-called "Tub Island". At low tide, the two islands are connected by a sandbank.

The Shell Graveyard on the Beach by Susan Hoi

Many tourists come to Krabi province forthe beaches alone. A very special natural spectacle can be found at Susan Hoi beach. It stretches for around 200 metres and is world-famous for the large number of fossils that are washed up here. For this reason, it is commonly referred to as the "Krabi Shell Cemetary".

If you want, you can search among the sand for special shells or fossils of prehistoric snails, for example - and you are very likely to find them. Some of these finds are said to be up to 40 million years old. Susan Hoi is also a popular beach for bathers and active holidaymakers. The latter prefer to hike in the mangrove forests that adjoin the sandy beach and can visit a Chinese temple only a short distance away.

The islands of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta off the coast

Koh Phi Phi, probably one of the most famous islands in the world, is located in the province of Krabi. It became famous through the film "The Beach", for which it served as a backdrop. Typical for Koh Phi Phi are the unique limestone formations, which rise like arrowheads on the island and out of the water. The sights include several special places:

• the - partly closed - Maya Bay
• The Viking Cave
• the so-called Monkey Beach
• the Long Beach

A little further southeast is the island of Koh Lanta. It is overshadowed by its famous sister, but is at least as worth seeing. Here, too, the limestone rocks above and below the water have created a unique natural landscape. This is why Koh Lanta has become a popular spot for divers and snorkellers.

On land, the island offers peace and quiet above all, because the tourist crowds tend to move to Koh Phi Phi. Instead, on Koh Lanta the mangrove forests are still almost untouched and the sandy beaches are almost deserted in the low season.

The following beaches are ideal for relaxing:

• the Klong Khong Beach
• the Phra Ae beach
• the Kantiang Bay

Meanwhile, those who want to hike will get their money's worth in the primeval forests and should pay a visit to the Khlong Chak waterfall.

The most beautiful beaches in Krabi province

Those who come to Krabi for the beaches do not necessarily have to go to one of the islands. The mainland of the province is also known for its beaches with Caribbean flair. In principle, you can swim almost anywhere. Nevertheless, there are of course some beaches and small islands that are particularly worth seeing - for a variety of reasons. In addition to the beaches already mentioned, the following are particularly worth visiting.

Ao Nang Beach

Due to its proximity to the city of Krabi, Ao Nang Beach is particularly busy. It is said to be the most beautiful bathing beach within a radius of 20 kilometres and can be reached easily from land and water. Those who wish can stay longer and spend the night in one of the resorts near the beach.

In the evening hours, the lively beach transforms into a popular meeting place for party-hungry tourists from all over the world, who gather in the bars, clubs and restaurants. So if you're looking to party or make international friends, Ao Nang Beach is the place to be.

Ton Sai Beach

Ton Sai Beach is still considered an insider's tip, but is now already well-known, especially among climbers. This is due to the high limestone cliffs and unique rock formations that rise up around the water here. But even those who simply want to swim will find what they are looking for in Ton Sai Beach. There are fine sandy beaches with numerous palm trees and crystal-clear water.

Nopparat Thara Beach

Nopparat Thara Beach is located in a nature reserve, but may still be used for bathing. It is important to show consideration for nature and not to leave any rubbish behind. As a result, the coastline has remained one of the cleanest in Thailand to this day and offers the best conditions for swimming. The fine sandy beach slopes gently into the sea and is surrounded by pine forests, which provide sufficient shade.

Pilae Beach

Although this beach is located on an island - Hong Island - it is not on one of the well-known and correspondingly busy islands of Krabi. Instead, there is no accommodation here and only a few tourists find their way to the island. Pilae Beach therefore offers peace and quiet in front of a beautiful backdrop of white sandy beaches and high limestone cliffs. In addition, snorkellers and divers get their money's worth from the colourful underwater world.

Railay Beach

Thebeach on the Railay peninsula is the hub of the climbing scene in Thailand. This is especially the case in Rai Leh Bay, where the high limestone walls rise up and attract classic climbers as well as free climbers. The best way to reach the bay is by longtail boat. If you don't want to climb yourself, you can simply watch the artists on the rock walls and relax in the sun. The most beautiful section is in the western part of the bay, where the sand is particularly fine.

Klong Muang

Klong Muang beach is located in the south of the village of the same name. It is one of the lesser-known beaches of Krabi, so there are hardly any tourists here. Nevertheless, it is considered a real insider tip, because there are hardly any stones in the water or on the beaches. Instead, numerous trees provide pleasant shade and the water is very clear.

Ao Nam Mao Beach

A very special sight is offered at Ao Nam Mao Beach, which is located in the immediate vicinity of Ao Nang - one of the most popular tourist resorts in Krabi. Nevertheless, the beach itself is not very crowded, especially in the back areas. So if you are looking for peace and quiet, you should make the journey. There, the mangroves reach into the water and offer numerous shady spots as well as privacy.

Pakbia Island

Another of Krabi's lesser-known islands is Pakbia Island. The small island offers one of the most beautiful beaches in the province and is perfect for both swimming and snorkelling. This is mainly due to the fine sand and the crystal clear water.

Krabi Province - a Diverse Destination

All in all, the province of Krabi in Thailand is a varied destination with numerous sights and idyllic beaches. The region is also characterised by bizarre limestone rock formations, which provide a unique backdrop. This sets Krabi apart from other Thai islands and regions and has made it one of the most popular destinations for travellers from all over the world.