Spotlight on Krabi, Thailand

With rugged limestone karts rising out of azure waters and golden sandy beaches, the province of Krabi is a truly scenic spot in the southwest coast of Thailand, which provides a natural adventure playground for active couples and families. From dense mangroves and jungles teeming with wildlife to sheer limestone cliffs, grottoes, and cascading waterfalls, Krabi is a tropical paradise with its populous national parks and natural limestone scenery that dominates the entire region.

There’s no optimal month to visit but December to April brings the popular dry season where you can expect plenty of sunshine and calmer waters. There are two rainy seasons, from April to May, and October to November.

From the popular beach of Ao Nang and the stunning sunsets of Phra Nang Beach to the beachfront cafés of Railay Beach East and the rock-climbing cliffs of Tonsai Beach, one thing you will notice about the beaches of Krabi is that they are pristine. Local pride for the environment abounds here, and most beach resorts participate in daily beach cleaning. In particular, Railay Beach is world famous for its white sands and turquoise blue waters. During the New Moon, if you’re lucky you might be able to swim with the bioluminescent plankton for an otherworldly, magical experience.

It is Krabi’s coastal caves that create the main playground for adventure. Steeped in local folklore, some of them even host interior lagoons. Take guided kayaking or canoeing trips out into local caves such as Diamond Cave, with its dramatic stalactites and stalagmites and occasional ancient rock paintings adorning the walls. Why not go island hopping on a private long-tail boat and visit picture-perfect islands? Their names will bring a smile, such as Chicken Island, Koh Poda, Tub Island, or the islands of Koh Rok. Railay Peninsula, which is only accessible by boat, is a huge draw for rock climbing, with the gigantic karst peaks providing a natural climbing wall for both novice and experienced climbers.

Let the occasional resident cheeky monkey join your journey, with a hike up the 1260 steep steps to Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple). If you’re reasonably fit, you can comfortably reach the temple in under an hour. And it’s worth it - you’ll be rewarded with golden Buddha statues and spectacular ocean views.

Krabi’s jungles offer oodles of fun. Take a jungle trek at dusk to discover luminescent wildlife and colourful tropical birds, or enjoy a therapeutic soak in steaming, thermal hot springs, and waterfalls. Head into the forested mountains of Khao Khanap Nam Mountain and paddle through the mangrove forests of Ao Thalane (Thalane Bay) or Ao Luek Noi (Devil’s Valley) by kayak.

Within the lowland rainforest of Kao Prak Bang National Park, you’ll find a secret tree-lined path leading to the large natural lagoon of Sra Nam Pud (Blue Pool), where crystalline mineral water provides a cooling break from your jungle trek. Take your Harry Potter, ET, or Aladdin fans to Tree Top Adventure Park Krabi, where you can fly brooms, magic carpets, and bicycles high above the tree canopy. As you go deeper into Krabi, you’ll be amazed at just how many natural beauty spots you discover along the way.

Nestled under a limestone cliff on the edge of beautiful Phranang Beach, you can dine in a unique and romantic cave restaurant. The Grotto is an exclusive and elegant experience for guests of Rayavadee Resort, where you can enjoy leisurely lunches or a sumptuous sunset barbecue with wonderful views.

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