Krabi is the capital of Krabi Province, located near the Andaman coast in the south of Thailand. Many tourists plan on visiting Krabi to see the limestone karsts, the mangrove forest or the nearby Phi Phi islands. We visited Krabi in June 2017 and below you can read some of the things we have done during our time here.
Tiger Cave Temple
The Tiger Cave Temple was founded in 1975 and was named by a monk who used to meditate inside of the cave. During his meditation, he witnessed tigers roaming around the cave. According to another legend a huge tiger used to live inside the cave. Hence the name “Tiger Cave Temple”.
The temple is very unique, because it is located on top of a steep mountain. You have to climb a stairway with 1,237 steps to reach the summit, at a hight of 278 meters. Some of these steps are more than 30 centimeters high. Because of the intense climb, the hot and humid weather and the “sometimes” aggressive monkeys, the Tiger Cave Temple is not for everyone.
However, once you reach the top you will be rewarded with a large golden Buddha statue and one of the most impressive views of Krabi town. The Tiger Cave Temple is a must-visit if you don’t mind to sweat for it.
Wat Kaew Korawaram
If the Tiger Cave Temple is not for you, check out Wat Kaew Korawaram in the middle of Krabi town. Because of its location, you will probably pass by this temple at least once during you stay in Krabi. It isn’t as impressive as the Tiger Cave, but the Wat Kaew Korawaram is definitely one of a kind.
Wat Kaew Korawaram is one of the biggest temples in Krabi and instead of a typical golden design, this temple is painted almost completely white and blue.
Emerald Pool & Blue Pool
About 60KM from Krabi town and a bit over an hour drive you will find the Emerald Pool and the Blue Pool, located in the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve. The park has an entrance fee of 200 baht (6 USD) and it can be pretty busy at peak hours. However, if you are looking for something unique and would like to swim in something other than the ocean, the Emerald Pool in the Thai jungle is definitely worth a visit.
After a refreshing dive into the Emerald Pool, continue walking for about 600m to reach the Blue Pool. You are not allowed to swim in the Blue Pool because of the hot temperature and the quicksand, but it is an impressive sight to see. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to walk all the way to the Blue Pool when we were there, because of the breeding birds. So make sure you check if the Blue Pool is open to public before you go there, so you won’t get disappointed. Also don’t forget to bring water, towels and mosquito spray.
Hot Springs
Near the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve you will find natural jacuzzi’s with fresh running spring water at a pleasant 35-42C. Although unproven, it is said that the mineral salts contained in the hot spring water are good for your skin. What I can say for sure though, is that it is a very unique experience to relax in hot spring water up to your chin. The hot springs are located in a forest, so it is advisable to bring some mosquito spray.
Beaches
From Krabi town it is about a 30 minute drive to Ao Nang. The drive itself is very beautiful and probably one of the nicest scooter trips we have done in Asia. Ao Nang is a vibrant tourist centre with a relaxed atmosphere. Next the the small town you will find the Ao Nang Beach. Perhaps not the most picturesque beach, but definitely a great place for a walk. Ao Nang Beach is especially nice when the tide is low, because at this time you can walk to nearby islands or pick up stranded sea stars.
From Ao Nang beach you can take a long-tail boat to one of the surrounding beaches. These beaches can only be reached by boat. A trip to the stunning island Ko Poda only takes 25 minutes and within 10 minutes you are at Railay Beach, known for spectaculair rock climbing opportunities on the limestone cliffs. So if Ao Nang Beach is not satisfying your needs, just hop-on a long tail boat and enjoy your day somewhere else.
Visit the surrounding islands
If you are looking for something completely different you can visit one of the surrounding islands. You can go to Koh Lanta, Phi Phi or Ko Poda, or you can join a 4-island tour, that will stop-over at Tup island, Railay, Chicken Island and Poda.
Check out the below video for a short impression of our time in Krabi:
