Ao Nang is a beautiful beach town in the Krabi province of Southern Thailand. It’s full of resorts, fun bars and restaurants, and endless boat tours to experience! Many travelers skip out on Ao Nang completely and head strait to the islands… But we’re here to tell you it’s totally worth a visit! Here are some fun tips for your trip, things to do around Ao Nang, and even how to get to nearby Railay Beach.
Getting to Ao Nang Thailand
Krabi Airport: The easiest way to get to Ao Nang is to fly directly into Krabi Airport. There are flights all day from domestic airports within Thailand as well as internationally from Singapore, Malaysia, & even Dubai! Make sure to check out Skyscanner when travel planning to find the best deals on flights.
From the airport, you can pay for a private transfer or jump in a shared mini-van which will be less expensive. Yet, be prepared to make stops along the way and drop off other travelers if you choose this option. The many desks for these shuttles are located where you exit from arrivals.
Koh Phi Phi & The Islands: When traveling to Ao Nang Beach from the islands we recommend booking a speedboat that arrives directly into Nopparat Thara Pier. This will save you a ton of time as opposed to taking the slow ferry. Always check on 12Go in Thailand for the best ferry connections and companies!
From Nopparat Thara Pier it’s a 30 minute walk or quick 5-10 minute tuk tuk ride to get to the center of town. Obviously, the tuk tuk taxi is the way to go if you have a lot of bags.
About Ao Nang Beach
Ao Nang is a long and gorgeous stretch of sand on the Andaman Sea. On a clear day, there will be light waves rolling in that make it perfect for swimming or floating in the water.
On the left end of the beach you’ll find limestone cliffs towering above the ocean. Just around the corner is the famous Railay Beach and the traditional longtail boats jet in and out of Ao Nang taking passengers back and forth.
Above the beach is the main road that runs along the coast. Here there is bars and restaurants offering every kind of food under the sun. Aside from traditional Thai dishes, you’ll see plenty of international treats and a ton of Indian food!
One thing to note is that Ao Nang Beach in Thailand has very dramatic tides. It’s not a bad idea to double check the tide times and go to the beach during high tide. Still, at low tide the ocean retreats quite far out and is great for long walks.
→ What’s Thai Food? 40 Delicious Dishes & Drinks You Must Try!
Where to Stay in Ao Nang Thailand
Krabi Resort
Krabi Resort has a great location on the far right side of Ao Nang Beach. One of the main draws is it’s actually one of the only hotels that is directly on the water! It’s also tucked away from the commotion of town, while still being walking distance to everything.
When booking your stay at Krabi Resort definitely opt for one of the Tropical Pool Villas. If it’s in your budget, there is nothing better than having a private pool. However, the only problem is you may never want to leave it!
→ Krabi Resort: What’s it Like Staying in a Tropical Pool Villa?
Pakasai Resort
Looking for something different on your trip to Ao Nang Thailand? Pakasai is a unique eco-hotel set back from the beach. The chalets and rooftop pool provide a romantic setting travelers will love. We even saw monkeys and different species of birds in the trees from our balcony!
Krabi Tipa
Krabi Tipa is an affordable hotel centrally located in the main part of town. The rooms are spacious and the large property is ideal for families traveling to Ao Nang. The pool at the top of the resort has an incredible views and really made our visit!
Exploring Around Ao Nang Thailand
Now that we’ve told you about the main beach of Ao Nang, you should know it is quite a bit bigger than just that! If you head all the way to the left side of the beach you’ll find the famous Last Fisherman Bar. This is a great spot for sunset drinks or some food on the water.
Just past that is the Monkey Trail! The pathway is made up of wooden steps and bridges and is less than 1km long. It will take you through the forest to the Pai Plong Beach and give you a chance to see real live macaques.
On the opposite side of Ao Nang (right side of beach) there is another great beach to experience. Hat Noppharat Thara is lined with seaside restaurants and relaxing cafes which will be a great change up from the busy Ao Nang Beach.
Getting From Ao Nang to Railay Beach
Going from Ao Nang to Railay Beach couldn’t be easier! You’ll just have to jump in a longtail boat and take the 20 minute ride over. With its location right around the corner from Ao Nang, you really have no excuse not to see both.
There are boats running back and forth throughout the entire day. So whether you’re heading there for a couple nights or just on a day trip, it will be simple to get there.
During our visit tickets were 100 Baht one way and could be purchased from the one of the several boat stands. While many people head to the popular Ao Nam Mao Pier, there is actually 3 different beaches in Railay to visit. Don’t miss out on Tonsai Beach and the wild Phra Nang Cave!
→ Railay Beach Thailand: 12 Top Tips and Best Things to Do
Jump Off to the Islands From Ao Nang
You should also know that Ao Nang Beach is the jump off for some of the best islands in Krabi. Hong and Chicken Island are best to be seen on a day trip as they don’t have accommodations. There are also many tour operators that can take you on a 4 Island Tour” where you can spend the entire day out on the water sightseeing.
Others such as the Phi Phi Islands and Koh Jum are destinations you’ll want to spend a few days on if possible. One of our favorite islands in all of Thailand is Koh Lanta! It’s got more of a local vibe than other touristy places in Krabi, and an opportunity to truly relax and get out into nature.
As we mentioned above, when looking for different island hopping routes it’s always best to check 12Go first. However, if you are planning to visit Koh Lanta it is actually connected by a small car ferry.
Sunset & Nightlife at Ao Nang Beach
The fun bar scene makes Ao Nang a popular place for backpackers and the younger party crowd at night. Some of the best budget places to stay are actually hostels right on the main road.
The abundance of bars and restaurants also creates the best atmosphere for sunset lovers. Personally, we love grabbing a cold beer at 7-11 and walking the beach ourselves. Make sure to stick around after the sun goes down, too. There is a nightly fire show that is so much fun!
In our opinion, Krabi is an exciting place to stay for a couple of nights before heading to the islands. We definitely prefer Ao Nang Beach over Krabi Town if you have the option!
Have any questions about Ao Nang Thailand or want to share your own experience in this part of Krabi? Let us know in the comments below.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Thailand Travel Planning
Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we found flights from Bangkok to Phuket for $12 USD, and Thailand to Vietnam for less than $50!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Transportation: While traveling through Thailand 12Go is where we find all our ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! You can find everything from island hopping speed boats to the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over Phuket! You can find everything from a James Bond island luxury sunset cruise, to Phuket Old Town 15-taster food adventure, and 5-hour island tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
I love sunsets and this place is apparently perfect for them. The photos are beautiful 🙂
Author
Thank you! Such a beautiful sunsets in this part of Thailand (-: