Top Things to Do in Ao Nang, Thailand

For an idyllic day of island-hopping, one of the best ways to get around is via a private longtail boat. Head down to the beach and you’ll find plenty of boats available for hire immediately – you just have to agree beforehand on which islands you want to visit and on a fixed day rate. Before you set off, make sure you have a picnic lunch, your snorkel gear and some cash for entry into the National Marine Parks.

If you’re feeling a little adventurous, why not explore lush mangrove forests at the secluded Tha Lane Bay? Situated about 20km (12mi) outside of Krabi town, this family-friendly excursion takes you through hidden lagoons, quiet canyons and stunning karst formations as you paddle through tranquil waters. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for herons and kingfishers as well as the elusive crab-eating macaques.

For some light trekking, you’ll want to hit up Monkey Trail, a stretch of dirt and wood path that takes you to some of the most scenic spots on the island. As the name suggests, Monkey Trail is populated with cheeky primates, often seen lounging along the path or chilling in the trees with their babies. While the trek takes just 30 minutes to complete in a loop, it is rocky and uneven in parts, so be careful.

From high-end resorts to makeshift shacks along the beach, massage services are a dime a dozen in Ao Nang. Aonang Haven offers the best of both worlds – professional service standards and a clean, relaxing environment at prices that won’t break the bank. After a day of strenuous activity, let their professional therapists ease those tension knots away with an invigorating massage. For those who spent a little too much time in the sun, they also have special treatments to soothe sunburned skin.

About a 30-minute drive from Ao Nang, this impressive temple is one of the star attractions in Krabi. As the actual temple is tucked within a warren of limestone caves, you’ll need to hike up a cliff to get access. It takes a gruelling 1,237 steps to get to the top but at the summit, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Andaman Sea, expansive rainforests and majestic limestone cliff formations.

This serene beach – accessible by a 15-minute boat ride – is popular with day-trippers and rock-climbing enthusiasts alike. The towering karsts offer a crisscrossing network of routes for climbers and boulderers, each with its own challenges and difficulty level. If it’s your first time, no sweat – Real Rocks Climbing School is a local school known for their professional standards and multi-day courses for beginners. Before you know it, you’ll be scrambling up those rocks with ease.

If you’re craving a break from the Ao Nang crowds, make your way to this picturesque spot about an hour away by car. Here, you’ll find a series of naturally hollowed-out stone “bathtubs” in the jungle where fresh thermal spring water bubbles forth. The mineral-rich water hovers at a temperature between 35C and 42C (95F and 107F) and is said to alleviate ailments such as rheumatism and sciatica. After a therapeutic soak, you can take a dip in the cool river below.

What better way to soak up the sights and sounds of Krabi than with a wander through this bustling night market? Set up near the 7/11 store beyond the boxing stadium in Ao Nang, this is where you can feast on Thai street food favourites such as barbecued meats, pad thai and steamed shellfish. Wash it all down with a fruit shake. Besides food, the market also hawks a wide variety of clothing, electronics and other tchotchkes.

Round up the little ones and head to this adventure park in the heart of Ao Nang. Apart from side-by-side ziplines, the park also offers a series of cross rope bridges, dangling cables and other obstacle courses, ranging from easy to extreme. All the guides are professionally trained, so just relax and enjoy the wind in your face as you whiz high above the forest floor.

Get acquainted with gentle giants at the Aonang Elephant Sanctuary. It’s a retirement home for five senior elephants that have been rescued from elephant riding camps or the logging industry. During your time here, you can help feed or bathe the elephants or simply bask in their Zen-like company. There’s absolutely no riding allowed in the sanctuary; they take extra care to ensure the creatures are not stressed out by the presence of visitors.