Krabi Province is administratively divided into eight districts (Amphoe): Amphoe Muang (Krabi town), Khao Panom, Klong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luk, and Lam Thap, and Nhua Klong.

Boundaries

• North: Connects with Phang-Nga and Surat Thani Provinces.
• South: Connects with Trang Province and the Andaman Sea
• East: Connects with Trang and Nakorn Si Thammarat Province
• West: Connects with Phang-Nga province and the Andaman Sea. 

CLIMATE:

Krabi is typically dominated by tropical monsoon, allowing just the two seasons of the province. The hot season commences in January and terminates in April. The rainy season is from May to December. Temperatures range between 16.9 and 37.3 degrees Celsius.
The best time for visiting Krabi is after the end of monsoonal season which starts from December until April when the sky became brightly blue and the weather is excellent.

BEACHES:

Lying along the Andaman coast, Krabi offers several striking beaches, making them the ideal place for swimming and sunbathing in the tranquil atmosphere. Each beach possesses its original beauty and offers the basic facilities for tourists. These are the principal beaches of which the charm is incontestable.

Hat Noppharat Thara is located eighteen kilometers northwest of Krabi in the boundary of Hat Noppharat Thara National Marine Park. The beach is praised for its breathtaking scenery. Its name means "the Nine Gemmed Streams", given by Field Marshal Sarit, one of Thailand's Prime Ministers who found the remarkable beauty of the beach. In the old days, this area used to be the hidden shelter for pirates due to its dozens of caves and cliffs covering the beach. 

Hat Noppharat Thara is easily accessible. Songtaews (local minibus) are available every fifteen minutes from town. The beach can be also reached by boat from the tourist pier in Krabi.

Ao Nang Beach is a palm-fringed beach, fronted by accommodation, guesthouse, dive shops and restaurants. The accommodations on the beach offer the picturesque panorama of mountains and sea. Despite the rapid growth of tourism, the beach itself is still quite striking. It is the ideal place for sunbathing and sunbathing.

Pranang Beach is a long and beautiful stretch of sand, located just the south of Hat Noppharat Thara. The beach is visited for its and its clear and clean waters. The Soaring limestone islands and cliffs create the picturesque backdrop. Hat Pranang is a full service beach, providing a wide variety of water sports, accommodations, and restaurants. Additionally, the abundant coral reefs and a wide variety of marine life make Hat Pranang excellent for scuba diving. 

Tham Pranang Beach is one of the most popular destinations for travelers for its secluded atmosphere. The beach is composed of white fine sand and transparent waters as well as its stunning jagged karsts. Its extreme pristine nature lures a great deal of visitors a year. Nearby, the inner and outer Pranang Caves as well as Pranang Lagoon are located, offering the incredibly spectacular view. 

Rai Lay Beach is divided into two sections, East Rai Lay Beach and Western Rai Lay Beach. West Rai Lay offers more fascinating view with its towering limestone cliffs and densely unspoiled jungle which conceals wondrous stalactites and stalagmites in caves; its water is clean and clear. Although it has less to offer in terms of facilities, its quiet and peaceful surroundings can compensate for that. Across the peninsular form West Rai Lay beach locates East Rai Lay Beach. 

ISLANDS:

More than 130 islands of Krabi offer their incontestable beauty with their unique landscape. Among those, the most well-known is the incomparable Phi Phi Island; others are second to none for its natural beauty. The islands do not offer only beaches and sea, the sheer precipices together with green and lush mountains on the island crate caves, lagoon as well as mangrove forest, offering the opportunity to explore more Krabi.

Phi Phi Island is by far the main attraction to Krabi, divided into two islets, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le, located in the area of a national park, 34 km southeast of Phuket. It is famous for its magnificent beauty; the water is turquoise blue clear with white wonderful sand. Its virgin nature and its tranquil environment always attract hundreds of visitors a day. On Phi Phi Don Island, the larger of the two, you can appreciate the incredibly picturesque panorama with the idyllic tropical beaches lining its southern and eastern shores.

Lanta Island is another paradise of isolation among its scenically natural beauty, situated not far from the mainland. Most of Lanta wonderful beaches line along the western coast, offering secluded atmosphere and striking scenery such as Klong Dao, Pra Ae, Klong Koang, Laem Tong, Kantiang, and Klong Jark beaches. Additionally, Lanta possesses the world popular diving and snorkeling sites with their abundant coral and marine lives such as Koh Ha and Koh Rok.

Garos Island is off the eastern tip of Laem Sak in Krabi mainland. On the island the archeological curiosity is found; ancient painting of men and animals are on the cliff walls facing the bay.

Talu Island got its name due to its wondrous rock formation. At the center of the island springs up a 45-meter-high hill, punctured by a 30 meter hole; Talu in Thai means to pass through. Talu Island is home to a large number of swifts which provide the precious swallow bird's nests used in Chinese delicacy, Bird's Nest Soup.

Daeng Island is 25-meter-long stretch of fine sand. The island offers the soaring limestone cliffs which majestically sandwich the broad sandy passage passing through them.

Hong Island is visited for its impressive beaches and some splendid deep and shallow water coral beds, located at the edge of the Than Bokkhorani National Park. The island also possesses several caves which are home to swifts whose nests are popularly used in Chinese cuisine. The beach is accessible via boat from Ao Pranang.

Poda Island is situated to the south of Ao Nang, 8 kilometers from the main land. The island is noted for its white sandy beach and its crystal clear water. The beach is fringed by the formidable coral reefs; it is then the ideal place for snorkeling and fishing. Not affected by the monsoon, the island can be visited all year round. Just 25 minutes from Ao Nang, Poda Island is easily reached by hired boat.

NATURAL WONDERS:

Khao Khanap Nam is the twin hills straddling the river of Krabi town, considered as the symbol of the town for its wondrous formation. The site can be visited by renting a boat from Chao Fah Pier in town; it takes only 15 minutes. Around the area of Khao Khanap Nam, you can also climb up to the caves rich in spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. The skeletons of the early settlers used to be found here, believed to have been cut off by a sudden inundation, but the remains are all gone. In addition, its fertile mangrove forest with its dormant water is great for canoeing. Not far from the twin hills, there situates the community of local people, called Koh Klang. On the islet, there stands the museum displaying ancient utensils, handicrafts, and way of life of people living there.

Wat Tham Sua also known as "tiger cave" is only 3 kilometers from Krabi. The cave is reputed for the tiger prints captured in stone and its surrounding dense forest which is home to ancient, enormous trees. The legend has it that there used to be a big fierce tiger living inside the cave; thus its name. This cave is served at the same time as the temple due to its archeological significance; many artifacts have been found in the area, including tools, pottery, and the mold of the Buddha's footprint. Many other caves can be visited around the area. In addition, you can climb up along the trail through the lush jungle until reaching the viewpoint at the top of the hill.

Tham Sadet is located 7 kilometers from the town on Highway No.4034. The cave houses the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. In 1909, the future Kign Rama VI visited the cave, originating its title "Sadet Cave", "sadet" indicates the presence of royalty.

Than Bokkhorani National Park sprawls over the total area of 121 square kilometers, composed of limestone cliffs, dense jungle, mangrove forest and islands. The Park is teemed with a various species of trees. With its abundance and variety of forest types, the Park is a good place for eco-education; there are also two trails available for natural study. In the area, there are attractive sites for visiting and relaxing in this verdant land.

Khao Phanom Benja Natonal Park is the only one terrestrial National Park in Krabi Province, covering the area of Amphoe Ao Luk and Amphoe Khao Phanom. The Park is covered with the densely abundant jungle and complicated high mountains stretching in north to south direction. The highest peak is Pha Nom Benja Mount which is 1,397 meters high. The Park offers the magnificent scenery composed of streams, falls, and caves; wild animals can be found here also. Within the Park, you can visit its naturally beautiful attractions.

Khao Pra-Bang Kram Wildlife Sanctuary is the plain forest, characterized by the Emerald Pool which consists of three pools of hot spring; its water color is like emerald. The average temperature of the water is between 30-50° C. The surrounding area is teemed with green and lush verdure, providing the relaxing atmosphere. The Park is also a home to hundreds of species of birds, so this is a good place for bird watching lovers. There are natural attractions to visit within the Park as well.

Wat Klong Tom Museum is created from the finds of the archeological excavations in the area, particularly at Khuan Luk Pat. The museum is located at kilometer 69.5 on Phetchkasem Highway, near the district office of Klong Tom. This museum possesses a varied collection of artifacts dating back for thousands of years, including stone and ceramic ornaments in animal shapes, and religious beads. To get to the museum, there are public bus services available.

Susan Hoi (Fossil Shell Beach) used to be a freshwater swamp, home to a kind of snail. Over millions of years, with weather changes, swamp disappeared, and emerged a slab flecked with fossilized snail shells. It was forty centimeters thick, resting on ten centimeters of lignite below which is the subsoil. Susan Hoi is located at Lam Pho, 19 kilometers west of Krabi.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS:

The Setting Adrift of the Chao Le Boats
May 2001, Krabi

This festival takes place on Kho Lanta during the full moon night of the sixth and eleventh lunar months. This is a traditional ceremony performed by Sea Gypsies, or "Chao Le," who gather on the beach near Ban Saladan Village. Here they dance their famous "ram rong ngeng" around the boats to be set adrift in the belief that they will bring prosperity and happiness as well as cast away all evils with the vessel. Ceremonies feature cheerful singing and dancing.

Andaman Sea Festival - This is a tourist festival taking place in November and celebrating the opening of the tourist season in Krabi. In the festive day, there are water sport competitions, cultural shows and etc.

ACTIVITIES:

Snorkeling and diving - Snorkeling and diving seem to be the most popular activities in Krabi due to its proximity to some of the world best dive sites in Andaman Sea. Snorkeling and diving shops are all available on Krabi mainland and on the developed beaches like Ao Nang Beach, Pranang Beach and so on. The most popular dive site is the incomparable Phi Phi Island which possesses the charming underwater world full with multi-colored corals and various marine lives.

Rock climbing - Rock climbing has recently boosted in Krabi among those who love thrilling outdoor sport, and Krabi offers proper setting for this kind of sport due to its jagged cliffs, especially at Pranang Beach and Railay Beach. Rock climbing absolutely evokes your adrenaline rush and challenges your dauntlessness. However, although it seems to be scaring, but it is certainly safe since climbers are instructed on safety rules first.

Canoeing and kayaking - Canoeing is the best way to explore and to be close to the natural beauty of Krabi. The canoe trips in Hong (or rooms in Thai) are highlighted. Hong is lagoons hidden in the cave which can be entered at a low-tide of water. Passing through a tunnel of a cave, you will feel like escaping into the lost world inside, and the unbelievably picturesque sight of white sandy beach fringed by the aquamarine water appears before you. Ao Nang Bay is one of the good points for canoeing and kayaking.

Mountain biking - This is also the best way to explore Krabi closely and healthily all at once. The terrain is spectacular and the scenery is remarkably magnificent.

Entertainments - Nightlife in Krabi cannot compete with its neighbor, Phuket. There are no pubs, ago-go bars or raging discos, but rather a simply open-air pub&restaurants and cafes on the side walk, offering some beers, soft drinks and quite delicious food. As Krabi is an action and adventure province, nightlife is thus not its specialty.

By Car

From Bangkok: Take Route 4, passing Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khirikhan, Chumphon, Ranong, and Phangnga Provinces before reaching Krabi a total distance of 946 kilometers. An alternate route is to take Route 4 to Chumphon and then turn onto Route 41. This leads through Lang Suan and Chaiya Districts of Chumphon to Wieng Sa District of Surat Thani from there follow Route 4035, passing Ao Luk District of Krabi, back onto Route 4, and down to Krabi Town. This shortcut is just 814 kilometers, and is followed by the bus services.

From Phuket Take Route 402 to Route 4 and pass Tambon Kok Kloy of Takua Thung District in Phang-nga Thap Pud District, Phang-nga and enter Ao Luk District of Krabi the total distance is 185 kilometers. Regarding bus transport from Phuket, contact, Tel.(076)211480.

By Bus

Buses leave Bangkok for Krabi daily in the evening. The journey takes about 12 hours. The fare for 24 seats air-conditioned bus is 655 Baht, and 446 and 421 Baht for 40 seat air-conditioned bus and 234 Baht for non air-conditioned bus. Contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Borommaratchonnani Road) at Tel. (02) 435-1199, 435-5061 (air-conditioned bus) and (02) 4345557 (non air-conditioned bus).

By Train

From Bangkok Railway Station take the train to one of the following stations: Trang, Phun Pin in Surat Thani Province, or Thung Song in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. From any of these places a bus may be taken onward to Krabi. Regarding train schedules and costs, contact Bangkok Railway Station, Tel. (02)223-7010, 223-7020

By Air

Krabi can be reached by air from Bangkok by Thai Airways and PB Air and from Phuket by air Andaman.

This article is written and copyrighted by 
Royal Exclusive Travel Co., Ltd