Krabi Overview

Overview

Locally known as the location of the Graveyard of Shells (fossil beds near the sea) Krabi also has nice beaches and an interesting botanical garden. The beaches in Krabi (Raylee Beach, Aonang Beach) are crowded in winter as are the beautiful nearby Phi Phi Islands (Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh) located about 40 mi/60 km off the coast that are currently (and unfortunately) being overdeveloped for tourism. Easily accessible by boat from Krabi the Phi Phis have almost deserted white-sand beaches and green cliffs jutting from the water.

Phi Phi Don is a popular hangout for the yachting crowd but it's still an enjoyable place to hang out with good food and cheap bungalows but these are becoming less affordable for the travellers wishing to budget it seems the interest is for package tours. Have a water-buffalo steak while there and dive the reefs although some have been destroyed there are some unspoiled areas remaining. Phi Phi Leh has some interesting caves worth exploring. The caves many of which contain ancient paintings are home to sea swallows. Local people climb to the tops of these huge caves on spindly bamboo poles to harvest the birds nests that are used in bird's-nest soup.

Krabi is 40 mi/65 km northeast of Phuket. Krabi is beginning to accommodate more visitors each year raising fears that it will be another Phuket.

This small town 814 kms. from Bangkok is a pleasant place to spend a few days sight-seeing before heading out to one of the local beaches or islands. Surrounded by spectacular limestione karst scenery and mangrove and monsoon forest it offers the nature lover a huge choice of day trips. Visit any of the forest parks such as Koa Benja National Park with its caves and waterfalls or Nam Tok Hoay Toe where you can swim in the pools at this 11 level waterfall. Or take a day trip out to the nearby Pha Nga bay to see strangely shaped mountains rising out of the sea above traditional Muslim fishing villages on stilts.

History seekers will not be disappointed either with a large number of old wats (temples) in the area including the famous Tiger cave Temple. See day trip links for further information Krabi Town itself offers the visitor a vast range of accommodation and eating options and shopping needs; from the colourful local markets to modern department stores like Vogue, plus everything in between. It is the best place to base yourself to visit this truly beautiful part of Thailand.