Hey travelers! My name is Austin Divine, better known on Instagram as @mrdivine. In this article, I will be sharing my experiences and time in the Krabi province of southern Thailand – a truly beautiful part of the world.
I first came to Thailand 15 years ago when I was in high school. I came here with a group of kids and we stayed in a small community in northern Thailand. We lived with a Thai family in their home for two weeks, while assisting the locals to build a small community center and basketball court.
This was my first visit to Thailand and I fell in love with the country! Ever since then I have been coming back. Fast forward to 2021 where I am now living in Bangkok and have been based here for almost three years.
Why Krabi Should be on your Bucket List
Throughout all of my Thailand travels, I have visited Krabi about five times. In my opinion, it’s one of the most stunning parts of the country. Krabi is well known for its incredible jungle landscapes, huge limestone mountains and endless gorgeous islands. Some of the most popular places are Koh Phi Phi (and Koh Phi Phi Lee), Railay Beach and Koh Hong.
On my most recent trip to Krabi, I was actually invited there by the local government and Thai Tourism Board to come and help document all of the amazing places and activities on offer in the region. The idea is to use this content to promote Krabi as a travel destination to other travelers.
With so much on offer, each day in Krabi is unique. Some days I would explore the rainforests and other days I would relax on the beach – but most of my time would be spent island hopping! I love visiting the nearby islands, they are epic! There are 200+ islands spread throughout Krabi.
Visiting Krabi is always an amazing experience. I remember the first time I landed here: I was staring out the window with my jaw on the floor! The landscape towers over you with huge mountain cliffs, limestone karsts and lush jungle spread out in all directions. Krabi is a must-visit location as it offers friendly locals, good food and some seriously stunning views.
6 Best Things To Do in Krabi
My favorite thing to do in Krabi is to rent a motorbike and explore the area. Personally, when I travel, I’m always chasing that feeling of freedom. Riding a motorbike down winding jungle roads, with no idea of where you are heading next – that is what I love! But epic motorbike rides are just the beginning in Krabi. Here is my list of the best things to do in Krabi:
1. Visit Railay Beach & Phra Nang Cave Beach
Railay beach is one of the most iconic beaches in Thailand. Despite being connected to the mainland, this beach is only accessible by boat. Railay gets busy during peak times – so I recommend coming early in the morning. You have probably seen photos of this place on Instagram as it’s popular. The nearby Phra Nang Cave Beach is also worth checking out.
2. Take a Trip to Koh Phi Phi & Koh Phi Phi Lee
Now everyone has heard of Koh Phi Phi, but what they probably don’t know is that Koh Phi Phi has two islands. There is the main island where all the hotels and tourists stay, and then there is a second island known as Koh Phi Phi Lee (pronounced “Ley”). You can’t stay overnight here but still take a boat trip to enjoy the most magical island you have ever seen!
Personally, I have never seen anything like Koh Phi Phi Lee! Part of this island has been closed down for the past two years (to help protect the environment) but you should definitely plan to visit as it will reopen soon.
3. Hike up the Amazing Dragon Crest (Khuan Sai)
A roughly two hour hike through the rainforest of a national park. Dragon Crest is a bit of a push but you are surrounded by lush jungle and the views at the top are unbeatable! Also, at the bottom there is a beautiful waterfall where you can hang out and cool off by going for a swim after your hike.
4. Go on an Island Hopping Tour of the Krabi Province
Book a private boat tour and go explore some of the surrounding islands in Krabi. Since there are so many islands, you will need to research which ones you want to visit. A good place to start would be Koh Hong and then have the driver take you to some lesser known islands in the area. Some other islands I can recommend are Koh Phak Bia, Koh Kai and Koh Poda.
5. See the Wat Bang Thong Buddhist Temple
Wat Bang Thong is one of the coolest temples I have seen in all of Thailand. It’s located about an hour’s drive from the main tourist areas. I suggest going early in the morning before the crowds arrive. The temple actually resembles a Hindu temple but it’s still buddhist in nature. A fantastic place to take a motorbike ride and snap up some incredible photos.
6. Rent a Motorbike and Get Lost in Krabi
As mentioned before, this is my favorite thing to do in Krabi. The sense of freedom you get is unparalleled. Renting a motorbike and creating your own adventure is what travel is all about! Get lost down the jungle dirt roads and enjoy the freedom of adventure. Who knows what you will find!
My Best Experience Ever in Krabi
My favorite experience ever in Krabi was when I visited an island near to Koh Phi Phi called Bamboo Island. This island has some of the most pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear blue waters in the world!
Usually a paradisiacal place like this would be filled with tourists but during the height of the pandemic here in Thailand I was lucky enough to be invited. I was the only one on the island except for the park rangers. It was one of those once in a lifetime experiences and I was constantly pinching myself. I highly recommend visiting Bamboo Island if you get the chance.
Accommodation Options in Krabi
Krabi has a massive range of accommodation options. Choosing a place will all depend on the location you want to stay at and the budget you have. It’s not hard to find something comfortable in Krabi. Since Krabi is so large, I would recommend staying at a few places – don’t limit yourself to just one resort or hostel. Move around and get a feel for different areas.
One place I recommend is The Tubkaak. This is a super amazing luxury resort located on the beach. I also suggest checking out Pimalai Resort and Spa in Koh Lanta which was rated the number one resort in all of Thailand! Neither of these places are the most ‘budget friendly’ options by any means, but if you have the budget then I recommend them.
Need to Know Before you Go
- June to October is the rainy season – try to avoid these months.
- Thailand continues to struggle with eco-friendly travel. The best thing you can do is be conscious of what you are using and consuming. Try to use a refillable water bottle, don’t eat takeaway foods and in general wherever you go leave the place a little bit better than you found it.
- Stay in locally owned hotels and accommodation, and try to avoid the big name hotel/resort chains. It’s so important to help the local Thai community and make a difference by supporting them financially, rather than sending more money to the big corporations.
- Try to avoid the main tourist areas as much as possible. The main island of Koh Phi Phi is quite touristy as well as Ao Nang Beach. If you can find accommodation somewhere else then I highly recommend doing so! Krabi Town isn’t the greatest place to stay either. You can get closer to the beach without actually staying in a super touristy area.
