How To Escape The Tourist Crowds In Krabi

Sitting in the Andaman Sea between the tourist hotspots of Phuket and Surat Thani, Krabi province is a prime spot for out-of-towners heading from one coast of Thailand to the other. Relax on Maya Bay beach, hike the Dragon Crest Mountain, and shop for handmade gifts at the market – and with our help, do it all without the crowds.

Discover other less-visited spots, with our Local Insider leading the way, on TRIPS by Culture Trip’s epic 10-day small-group adventure around southern Thailand.

Plan it right

Tonsai Bay is one of Krabi’s many incredible beaches

If you’re heading to Krabi in the middle of peak season, there’s little you can do in terms of avoiding the crowds. However, arriving at a quieter time is a great way to ensure that you’re not fighting for a table or a spot on the beach. While rainy season might not sound so appealing, it’s often not quite as bad as it sounds. It’s a gamble for sure – some days will be as dry as a bone, yet on others a torrent of water will come down for hours – but it’s one that might be worth taking as the beaches will be emptier, the markets and restaurants less crowded, and the prices much more reasonable.

The whole point of Krabi is to get away from it all – and other people

Hong Island, 15 minutes from Krabi by speedboat (or 40 minutes by long-tail boat), is an archipelago of several small islands in the Than Bok Khorani National Park, characterised by white-sand beaches, limestone cliffs and a secluded turquoise lagoon. The shallow water is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking among shoals of tropical fish – and there isn’t a single human settlement here. It’s one of the many off-the-beaten-track destinations featured on our southern Thailand trip, along with Koh Yao Yai, a larger island situated halfway between Krabi and Phuket – perfect for switching off and relaxing in a tranquil, secluded setting.

Timing is everything

The Emerald Pool sits in the middle of the forest

Krabi has plenty of things to do, so if you’re planning to visit the Emerald Pool, then going during the day when locals are working or at school will give you a better chance of finding some space. When it comes to attractions such as Maya Bay, you’ll need to come very early if you want to avoid sharing the beach with a lot of people and boats. Some companies specialise in early-morning tours of Maya Bay, when it’s quieter, so ask around if this is something you’re keen to do.

Head off the beaten track

From Tub Kaek beach, you get to look out across Phang-Nga Bay

While places such as Maya Bay and Ao Nang Beach are beautiful, and popular for a reason, there are plenty of other visually stunning, less-crowded destinations such as Tub Kaek. Similarly, you might have more joy when it comes to food if you do a little research. A restaurant may have a five-star rating on TripAdvisor, but you’ve got to consider the fact that this will attract more tourists and may not be the locals’ choice – and who do you think knows best when it comes to Thai food?

Stay where tourists don’t

Stay one step ahead of the tourist pack and you’ll enjoy secluded spots like this

Booking a hotel in the heart of Ao Nang will only result in you being surrounded by tourists and all they bring – loud music, street hawkers and a less-than-peaceful atmosphere. Staying in a more secluded area is better if avoiding fellow tourists is something you’re passionate about. Instead of Ao Nang Beach, consider a homestay, or hotel in the Ao Thalane, Klong Muang or Tub Kaek areas if you’re after peace and quiet, or even Krabi Town if you want something that’s both lively and authentic. Each is much less popular than Ao Nang but still has plenty to do, from trekking to kayaking through mangrove forests. All of these places are still only a short journey to bustling Ao Nang, but staying in them will make it feel like a completely different experience.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.