Overview

Krabi (กระบี่), the gem of the Andaman Sea, is abundant with picturesque landscapes. Only the pictures of stunning limestone cliffs, beautiful beaches, refreshing waterfalls, breathtaking inland and sea caves, riveting underwater, spectacular islands such as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and plentiful activities continually invite those who have never visited as well as those who have been to come back.
It is a home to several National Parks with over 130 surrounding islands waiting to be explored. A profusion of activities that can be done is never ending from lazy days on the beach, climbing the rocks, trekking, fishing, diving with the colourful schools of fish. Whether it is a honeymoon, retirement, adventure or anything in between, Krabi has everything on offer. Transport and facilities are no troublesome. They are available almost at every hour of the day. Dining in Krabi is a galore, ranging from street restaurants to fine dining. There is a wide choice of accommodations to serve all preferences.

Krabi Town (เมืองกระบี่) is located 15 km from Krabi Airport and the transit point to the beaches and islands of the region. The closest beach is about a 30 minute drive from the Airport. The city has developed from a sleepy town to a much livelier one in recent years, with more hotels and nightspots popping up, and offering a variety of restaurants, clubs and dive shops. From the town’s Chao Fah pier regular passenger boats and speedboats connect to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Jum and longtail-boats are available to bring travelers to nearby beaches or to explore smaller islands in the area. It is also a good base to discover the temples, caves, waterfalls amongst other attractions in the area and shops 
and markets invite for bargain hunting.

Ao Nang (อ่าวนาง)

Located 20 km from Krabi Town / Airport, it has emerged to become a very popular tourist destination with a wide range of accommodations ranging from simple rooms to 4 stars luxury hotels. Very popular for families due to both location, development and easy access to numerous water-based activities and land sightseeing, Ao Nang is as well home to numerous restaurants, dive shops, travel agencies, tailor shops, bars and shopping opportunities along the bay. Canoes and kayaks can be rented here to explore the coastline. Ao Nang is also the starting point for the longtail-boats to Railay Bay and nearby islands.

Nopparattara Beach (หาดนพรัตน์ธารา) Nopparattara Beach just 3 kilomters around the corner from Ao Nang, is a long beach yet still rather undeveloped, with only a few resorts and bars. Attractive because of its natural setting, this is where local youngsters and families gather at sunset and at weekends. Savour some local Muslim snacks at the beach stalls, or fill yoursef with seafood in the local restaurants at the very end of the beach, near the Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park headquarters. At low tide, walk out together with millions of small crabs on the sandy pathways to the small islands near the beach.

Railay Bay (อ่าวไร่เลย์). Located on the Southern tip of the Ao Nang Bay, it can only be reached by boat. The destination is split into two distinct areas, Railay West and Railay East. Longtail-boats from Ao Nang arrive at Railay West (which is a protected cove) very known for its turquoise blue waters and powdery white sandy beach. Most of the up market hotels are located on the West shore. Railay East is more of a mangrove forest with limited access to the sea and not suitable for swimming. It offers, beside more budget accommodation, more nightlife, entertainment and restaurants. Railay main attraction, aside of the beach is cliff climbing.

Phi Phi Island (เกาะพีพี), Amongst the most beautiful islands in the world, consist of two main islands: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le Island. They are located 40 km from Krabi as well as Phuket and can be reached from both by a 2 hour boat trip.

Phi Phi Don Island covers a total area of 28 square kilometers: 8 km in length and 3.5 km at its broadest point. This is the largest of the Phi Phi islands, and offers some of the most arresting scenery available anywhere in the world. At the north end is Cape Tong (Leam Tong), where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village. These sea gipsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia and lived on the islands long before tourism arrived. There are two long beaches next to the main town - the two curving bays of Ton Sai and Loh Dalam.

Phi Phi Le Island is 6.6 square kilometers in total area: 3 km in length and 1 km at its broadest point. The second largest of the Phi Phi Island chain, Phi Phi Le is extremely beautiful, and pristine. The island is entirely limestone and steep cliffs rising from the sea very nearly ring it. surrounding waters average about 20 meters in depth, reaching 34 meters at the deepest point off the island's southern tip. Phi Phi Le has several beautiful bays: Pileh Bay (Ao Pileh), Maya, and Loh Samah. Maya Bay is one of Phi Phi's number one tourist attractions, being that is was the setting for the film "The Beach" starring Leo Di Caprio. On Phi Phi Le's northeast is the famous Wiking Cave. It is a place much revered by the local people who still come there to collect the swift's nests used to make Bird' nest Soup, a Chinese delicacy.

Koh Lanta (เกาะลันตา), located 2 hours south of Krabi Town has developed into a major tourist destination, offering accommodations from simple bungalows to 5 star resorts. Restaurants, bars, shops and other facilities are readily available. Banks, travel agencies and tour companies can be found at Sala Dan, the major town, which is the drop-of point of the ferries from Lanta Noi and Krabi. 

The main beaches are located on the West coast of the Island of Lanta Yai. Phra Ae beach and Long beach in the Northwest and Khlong Kong and Khlong Ning going South from there. It is worthwhile to explore the different areas of the island, even if the main attractions are its beaches and romantic sunsets. Above all, the shallow sandy beaches extending into the sea make Koh Lanta very safe destination and perfect for family vacations.

Source: Krabi-info.com