Krabi, Thailand

Krabi is all about limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and slowing down. We came for beaches and boat days and loved the quiet coves, dramatic scenery, and laid-back vibes. Even with rainy weather, island hopping, coastal walks, and fresh seafood made Krabi an unforgettable, easygoing escape that we would gladly revisit.

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Hong Island + Four Islands Day Trip

The main reason we came to Krabi was simple: sun, sea, and time on the water. With so many island tours to choose from, deciding where to go—and how—was surprisingly difficult. Ultimately, we wanted a mix of scenery while avoiding crowds as much as possible (a tall order in Krabi), so we booked a private speedboat tour to Hong Island and the Four Islands (Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island, and Phranang Cave Beach) with Railay Eco Tour. While it was more expensive than necessary, the boat itself was comfortable, spacious, and covered—an unexpected blessing considering the rainy weather—and significantly faster than a traditional longtail boat.

Despite the less-than-ideal weather, we made the most of the day. We were picked up at Railay East Pier, just steps from our hotel, and quickly sped off to our first stop: Hong Bay. Surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs, the bay was calm, beautiful, and largely private—perfect for swimming and easing into the day.

Next was Hong Island’s main beach. The rain continued, but we still managed a swim and tackled the short hike (about eight minutes each way) up to the viewpoint at the top of the island. The panoramic views over the Andaman Sea were absolutely worth the effort, even under cloudy skies.

From there, we headed to Koh Poda for a picnic lunch. The meal itself was serviceable but not the best (we definitely don’t recommend whatever pink milk is), though the setting more than made up for it. The massive rock formation rising out of the sea just offshore creates an incredibly scenic backdrop. Thankfully, the boat crew redeemed the lunch with fresh, delicious fruit served between stops as we cruised along.

Our next stop was Tup Island, best known for the narrow sandbar that appears at low tide connecting two small islands. We enjoyed walking through the shallow water around the island, watching boats come and go, and spotting some surprisingly interesting birdlife.

The final stop of the day—though not the one we expected—was Chicken Island, famous for its chicken-head-shaped rock formation. Instead of going ashore, we anchored just off the rocky coastline for snorkeling. At first, the snorkeling was decent but nothing special. Then, suddenly, swarms of fish appeared out of nowhere. We quickly realized the crew had been tossing fruit and rinds into the water to attract them. While we’re not entirely sure this is best practice from an environmental standpoint, it certainly made for an exciting (and occasionally alarming) snorkeling experience, complete with the occasional fish nibble.

If you’re doing the math, you’ll notice that at this point we’d visited only three of the four advertised islands. We had expected to end the day at Phranang Cave Beach, but instead, the crew dropped us back at Railay East Pier. Their explanation was that since we were staying on Railay, the final stop wasn’t necessary (since Phranang Cave is on that peninsula). While understandable, it was still frustrating—especially given the cost of a full-day private tour. We would have much preferred spending extra time at one of the other islands rather than ending early.

That said, even with the rain and the slightly abrupt ending, it was still a fun day on the water. If you’re visiting Krabi, we absolutely recommend doing some kind of island-hopping tour—it’s one of the best ways to experience the region’s dramatic scenery.

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Exploring Railay

One of the main reasons we chose to stay in Railay was its reputation for beautiful beaches, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Unfortunately, it rained for most of our time in Krabi, but we did catch one clear morning that gave us the chance to properly explore the peninsula.

Railay Beach itself is stunning, framed by towering limestone cliffs that create an almost surreal atmosphere. It genuinely feels like stepping into Jurassic Park—which makes sense, given that parts of Jurassic World were filmed in the area.

Nearby, Phranang Cave Beach is equally impressive and features a dramatic, slightly eerie cave at one end of the sand. The beach is also a popular rock-climbing spot, so you’ll often see climbers—both locals and visitors—scaling the cliffs above, which adds to the sense of scale and energy in the area.

From Phranang Cave Beach, it’s possible to walk along a good portion of the peninsula’s coastline. We followed the sandy path as far as we could, eventually reaching a narrow, secluded beach that ended up being the highlight of our time in Krabi—perhaps helped by the fact that it coincided with the best weather we experienced there. Wading into the calm water and swimming through quiet coves, with massive rock formations rising out of the sea behind us, felt incredibly peaceful. The only downside was timing: while we were there, the tide came in, and the sandy route we’d taken out turned into knee-deep water by the time we headed back to our hotel. Still, the walk back featured several stalactite formations that made the journey more interesting.

If you find yourself in Railay on a rainy day, there are still plenty of ways to fill your time. The main village has a surprising number of bars, cafés, and spas, making it easy to duck out of the rain. While more developed than we expected, Railay still manages to maintain a laid-back, casual vibe that fits the setting perfectly.

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Where to Eat

• Mangrove Restaurant: Located in the heart of Railay village, Mangrove is a good, laid-back spot. The spring rolls here were excellent, and the passion fruit mojitos were genuinely delicious. The drunken noodles were fine, but not a standout compared to other dishes.

• The Heart Restaurant: More expensive than most options in Railay, The Heart felt like a splurge—but one we were happy to make. We were craving super fresh seafood while staying on the coast, and this delivered. The tiger prawns, grilled in front of us and priced by the pound, were fantastic. The mango sticky rice for dessert was also a highlight.

• Kohinoor Indian Restaurant & Pizza: We didn’t expect to find good Indian food in Railay—especially at a restaurant that also serves pizza—but Kohinoor pleasantly surprised us. The chicken curry with rice was the standout dish. Like most places in Railay, it has a relaxed indoor/outdoor setup and a very casual vibe.

• Tew Lay Bar: We came to Tew Lay Bar primarily for the drinks and the views, and neither disappointed. The bar is perfectly positioned along the coast, offering sweeping views of Railay’s limestone cliffs that really drive home the Jurassic Park–like scenery. The food was a pleasant surprise as well—portions are smaller, but the pad see ew with chicken was very good.

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Where to Stay: Bhu Nga Thani Resort & Villas

When choosing where to stay in Railay, we wanted something that felt like a beach resort without fully committing to a luxury splurge. Bhu Nga Thani Resort & Villas ended up being a perfect fit. While it isn’t directly on the beach, it still offers beautiful views of the surrounding cliffs and water, along with a convenient location just steps from Railay village and many of the area’s restaurants and bars. There were several things we appreciated about the hotel:

• Pool Bar: The pool bar was a highlight of our stay, thanks to excellent happy hour deals, genuinely good cocktails, a friendly bartender, and scenic views of the limestone cliffs from the pool. The only downside was that the pool water was very cold—something we noticed at nearly every hotel we stayed at in Thailand. When the pool got a little too chilly, the hotel restaurant’s happy hour was an easy and enjoyable alternative.

• Breakfast: Our room rate came with daily breakfast (mimosas included), and the spread exceeded expectations. Most of the offerings were self-serve, but there was also an omelet and eggs Benedict station along with a rotating selection of other treats. We definitely took advantage—fueling up each morning gave us more time to explore and enjoy the scenery without needing to track down an early meal.

• The Rooms: The rooms were spacious, comfortable, and well-appointed, with balconies and lovely views of the sea and surrounding Krabi landscape. They were a great place to unwind after long days of exploring—and a welcome refuge when the rain rolled in.

• Wildlife: Even if the hotel staff didn’t fully share our enthusiasm, we loved the wildlife around the property. Monkeys regularly passed by just outside our door, which was endlessly entertaining and felt wildly different from anything we’d experience back home. We also encountered a friendly resident cat and even a praying mantis hanging out just outside our room—small moments that made the stay feel even more memorable.

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Other Tips & Tricks

• Getting Around: Railay truly feels like an escape—there are no cars on the peninsula, and it’s only accessible by boat. We only left Railay for our island-hopping day tour, but if you plan to venture elsewhere, you’ll need to arrange transport via the longtail boats that regularly run between Railay and the mainland.

• Carry Cash: Even more so than in Chiang Mai, cash is essential in Railay. Currency exchange options are limited and don’t offer great rates, so it’s best to exchange money in Chiang Mai or Bangkok before arriving in Krabi. Most places we visited accepted cash only, and those that did take credit cards almost always added a surcharge.

Happy traveling!

Kitrina & Jordan