Karbi Town is approximately 814 kilometers from Bangkok. The bay has over 80 islands scattered around which are all a short distance away from one another. During low tide it’s possible to wade through the crystal clear waters to neighboring islands.

The many tiny offshore islands with beautiful un-spoilt beaches and bays are one of the main tourist attractions of Karbi. The Krabi River flows through the town and opens into the bay to the Andaman Sea; other rivers from the mountains in the province also join the sea here. Most visitors go on one of the island tours taking in Chicken Island and the famous James Bond Island.

Krabi province is located at the shore to the Andaman Sea the province is divided into 8 districts (Amphoe) Mueang Krabi. Khao Phanom, Koh Lanta, Khlong Thom, Ao Luek, Plai Phraya, Lam Thap and Nuea Khlong, which are further subdivided into communes (tambon) and villages (muban). Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang. To the west is Phuket without any land boundary.

Krabi Province offers some of the most attractive scenery in southern Thailand, the stunning limestone cliffs fronting on to white sand beaches contain many caves (hongs), most having beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Tham Chao Le and Tham Phi Hua To caves are both in the Ao Luek district; contain prehistoric rock painting depicting humans and animals as well as geometrical shapes.

Koh Phi Phi Lee is perhaps the most famous of the 130 islands belonging to the province as it was the set of the movie (The Beach). Other islands include, Koh Phi Phi Don, part of the Phi Phi Islands, and Koh Lanta a larger island to the south. The coast of the province was badly damaged by the tsunami on December 26th 2004.

Lang Rong Rien Cave in 1986 archaeologists found 40,000 year old human artifacts, stone tools and pottery as well as bones. It’s one of the oldest traces of human occupation in all South East Asia. The caves of Krabi are also one of the main sources of the edible nests (Swiftlet) which is used to create birds nest soup.

Wat Tham Sua Tiger Cave is a beautiful collection of small temples (Wats) and natural cave dwellings. It’s still used by local monks and each cave (hong) is the home of beautiful Buddhist shrines and monuments.

Ao Nang Beach is the most developed beach in the area a central point of the coastal province of Krabi Thailand. The town consists chiefly of a main street, which is dominated by restaurants, pubs, shops and other venues aimed at tourists.

Ao Nang Beach is also the main departure point for tour boats and ferries to the nearby resort of Railay (or Rai Leh) which cannot be accessed by road. There are also hundreds of long tail boats (water taxis) which offer access to the other beaches on the mainland and to the nearby Islands.

Ao Nang also has a number of scuba diving centers, most of which offer basic diving courses. On The islands outside Ao Nang are relatively easy to access and un-crowded compared to many of the diving sites around the Phi Phi Islands.

Rock climbing is another activity widely available through centers in Ao Nang. Although most of the climbs are actually in the areas around the Railay, Tonsai and Phra Nang beaches. The mainland beaches of Laem Phra Nang are cut off by mountains. By boat from Krabi the trip takes about 45 minutes.

The majestic looking limestone cliffs rising straight from calm clear waters of the sea, and the long beach that runs the whole length of the resort is a great attraction. The shallow coast line is safe for children to play in the waves making it idea for families. Pai Plong is easily accessible on foot when the tide is low.

Railay (or Rai Leh) Beach is one of Krabi's most unique areas. Its pure white sand and shallow clear water is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world excellent accommodation is available which gives an added attraction to this beach. There are plenty of rock formations that can be found in this area, caves with stalactites and stalagmites are spectacular attractions.

The Beach a small peninsula, located between the city of Krabi and Ao Nang. It's divided into two sections, east Hat Railay and west Hat Railay is only accessible by boat due to the high limestone cliffs cutting off the mainland access. The cliffs attract rock climbers from all over the world. The area is also popular with tourists due to its beautiful beaches and quiet relaxing atmosphere.

Railay Beach provides excellent opportunities for rock climbing enthusiasts. Facilities include supplies of climbing gear and training for novices is also available, the spectacular views of the surrounding areas from the top of the cliffs is a rewarding experience after the hardship and strain you take to climb the hillside.

Tham Pranang Beach possesses some of the best Scuba diving sites in the world, with certified instruction courses offered on site. In addition, some of the most sought after rock climbing sites are found in this vicinity, making it a perfect area for an adventure vacation. Hat Tham Pranang can be reached from town via longtail boat from the Chao Fah Jetty.

Hat Pranang Beach is a long and beautiful stretch of beach is located just south of Hat Noppharat Thara. This stretch of beach is rapidly developing. The broad white sand beach with crystal clear water and a back drop of striking limestone cliffs is quite stunning.

In the bay there are a total of 83 small islands which can be explored by tour boats arranged by many of the guesthouses. Unlike Hat Noppharat Thara, Hat Pranang is a full service beach offering a wide variety of recreational water sports. This entire area offers excellent Scuba diving, with both coral reefs and a wide variety of marine wildlife.

Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park covers an area of 387 square kilometers. Which includes the near by islands of Nong Thale sub district, Ao Nang sub district, Sai Thai sub district and Pak Nam sub district of Mueang Krabi.

It was expanded to cover the 75 million year shell cemetery and near by islands in the area of Nong Thale sub district. Mueang Krabi, which has an area for the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Palace area are excluded from this national park.

The national park consists of a land area on the coast and islands. Such as Ao Nammao mountain area, Ao Nang Hang Nak forest and other islands. The geological form of this area is the high mountains laid along in a northwest southeast direction the coastal area is high mountains, the western side has a deeper slope.

Most of plants are iron wood, rubber, shorea and low level trees such as chanpha, rattans, banyans and many kinds of vines. Mangrove forests can be found in the dry canal and Yan Saba canal. Phru forest is the society of dominant plants which found the dense samet trees in the Nhoparatanatara beach area. Other found plants are shorea, jambolan plum, cogon grass, etc.

Wild animals that can be found in the park, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and other aquatic animals with no spine, such as sea slug. The important one in the group is thorn coral, cub surface coral, leaf coral and tree coral, etc.

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park comprises of the Khao Phanom Bencha Mountain which is 1,397 meters above sea level. It provides a watershed area for the surrounding areas of Krabi Province and then flows to Andaman Sea.

The moist evergreen forest and fauna in the park consists of Hopea odorata, Dipterocarpus alatus, lagerstronemia cupida, Malacca teak, Michelia champaca, Parkia speciosa, Baccarea sapida. Ground fauna found are palms, genus Calamus or Daemonothops, greenia wightiana and bamboos.

There are a number of wild animals that live in the park. Such as serows, wild pigs, panthers, clouded leopards, black bears, mouse deers, langurs, gibbons, Stump tailed monkeys, Asiatic wild dog, squirrel, iorises, white rumped shama, hornbills, pheasants and red jungle fowls.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park is the 62nd national park of Thailand and covers an area of 134 square kilometers. It includes Koh Rok, Koh Mai Ngam Tai, Koh Ta La Beng, Koh Lanta Yai, Koh Ngai, Koh Tu Kon Lima, Koh Rok Nok, Koh Rok Nai, Koh Hin Dang and the nearby islands of Koh Klang district, Koh Lanta Noi district and Koh Lanta Yai sub district of Koh Lanta.

The over all geographical features are the complexity of mountains and rather deep slopes. The plain area would be found only in the beach areas in the southern part. The height of this mountain range is from 100 meters above sea level to a height of 488 meters at the peak of the mountain.

The park has a lot of fertile forest resources and varieties of vegetation. The rainforest covers an area of 19.42 square kilometers of Lanta Yai Island along with the Lanta Mountain. The beach forest covers the small area between connecting area of beach and the rainforest of Ngami Island. Important plants are Bengal Almond, Derris indicia and Beach mooring glory.

Mangrove forests can be found on Mai Ngam Island, South Mai Ngam Island and Ngu Island. These islands are not big and most of area is covered with the mangrove forest. Mangrove trees are tall all at the same height the average is about 5 meters.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park has many different wild animals, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and is abundant with different types of coral around the coral reefs.

Than Bok Khorani National Park is a rainforest situated in a valley in the midst of mountains. The streams that flow through the area disappear into the limestone rocks underneath the mountains, on their journey to the sea. The source of the streams is Nam Phut Cave and Ao Mai Dam Mountain (Black Tree Bay Mountain). The park was established on 30th September 1998.

The park covers an area of 104 square kilometers including a group of 23 islands off the coast of Krabi, Chong Lat Tai Island, Ka Rot Island, Pak Ka Island, Lao Bile Island (Hong Island). The landscape is dominated by a series of impressive mountains the tall limestone towers protruding out of the landscape is typical karsts topography. Sinken holes in the rock lead the way to underground streams, and numerous mountain caves is the source and watershed for the Ao Luek District.

The main plant communities are rainforest, mangrove forest, and freshwater swamp forest. The rain forest is found on the steep mountain ranges, Hopea spp, Lagerstroemia, Dipterocarpus alatus, Intsia palembanica and Terminalia wallichiana being the dominant trees. The undergrowth is characterised by Salacca, Rattan and bamboo. The park is home to a large variety of wild animals.

National Parks Thailand

Krabi International Airport (KBV) is 15 kilometers from Krabi city centre, 40 kilometers from Ao Nang and 23 kilometers from Had Yao. Thai Airways operates daily direct flights from Bangkok, Air Asia from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Tiger Airways flies direct from Singapore nearly every day of the week. One Two Go Airlines operates daily flights to Krabi from Don Muang Airport Bangkok.

Air conditioned Airport Bus services fares are 90 Baht to Krabi and 150 Baht to Ao Nang. The bus service meets all incoming flights and most outgoing flights. Songthaews to Krabi town is 40 baht from the road outside the airport.

Shuttle buses run between Krabi airport and Phuket airport several times a day. There are also regular buses that make the 2 hour journey. Air Conditioned Buses also depart from the east coast with connections to ferries to Koh Samui and onward.

Krabi has no train station. There are multiple daily trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani. The most comfortable are the overnight trains that arrive in Surat Thani early in the morning. There are many bus connections from Surat Thani to Krabi.

VIP Air Conditioned Buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal Bangkok to Krabi at 07:20 a.m. The journey takes about 12 hours. First class at 19:00 and regular buses depart at 07:30, 19:00, 19:30, and 21:00. For further information Tel + 66 (0) 2 435 1199 or visit transport services Thailand.

Ferries depart to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Jum and Koh Lanta daily. Most depart in the morning. Tickets can be purchased at the dock or from tourist offices and most hotels. The normal passenger ferry does not start from the center of town anymore. The new passenger port about 3 kilometers outside Krabi. Free taxi transfer to the pier should be included in the price of your ticket.

If your boat starts from the old piers in the center of town (Chao Fah pier or Phi Phi pier) you are most likely on a more expensive and longer tourist boat ride. Also, make sure that when you arrive at the airport the taxi driver takes you to the correct pier. Only ever buy the ticket you need. Prices will often get cheaper the closer you get to your next destination.

Air Rail and Bus Time Tables

Krabi town is far cheaper than any of Krabi's tourist destinations and resorts. Its reflected in the price of food and drinks especially. There are two night markets in Krabi town that are worth a look, also a vogue department store where real items can be found cheaper than in Ao Nang.

Check out the Tesco Lotus Shopping Mall which is near the airport. Prices are cheap and there are western fast food outlets available there. Such as, KFC, MacDonald's, Pizza, MK Restaurants, Dunking Donuts and Diary Queen. The Hotpot Buffet Restaurant on the 2nd floor is value for money at 139 Baht for all you can eat.

At night there is a charming night market close to the promenade next to the piers. The food is good and cheap with Muslim influences. From time to time the town organizes shows on a small stage next to the market.

An even better market can be found on Maharat Soi 10 in the centre of town. This market has plenty of fresh fruit and lots of authentic cooked food. Only a few places have menus, just point and enjoy. This market does not sell alcohol.

Nightlife in and around Krabi varies from discos and clubs in many of the resorts. To Thai and International restaurants that can be around the town and hotels. On the mainland beaches and islands there are many different types of pubs and bars.

Krabi world renown for scuba diving and rock climbing the province also has much to offer in leisure and sporting activities. For the fit and adventurous kayaking, white water rafting plus many different water sports.

Major hotels in Krabi provide a host of leisure facilities, such as spa and massage, fitness centers to name a few. There are several golf courses plus a driving range the national parks are idea for trekking adventures, the list is endless.

Accommodation ranges from inexpensive bungalows and guesthouses, popular with backpackers, climbers and divers. To the renowned jet set resort of Rayavadee and island family bungalow resorts with all the modern facilities. The three main areas of Railay consist of West Railay, East Railay and Tonsai, with Tonsai catering more to climbers.