Getting ready for your first trip to Ao Nang, Thailand? If so, you must know everything about this place. It is known to be the prime resort town in Krabi. Here, we will guide you about Ao Nang and the places on this beautiful beach along with what are the popular things to do in Ao Nang, Thailand. It is one of the most developed holiday destinations in the entire province of Krabi. It has a great choice of international and local dining choices, a lot of convenience stores, and shops, a large number of bars where you can party or relax till late at night. There are also large numbers of hotels, ranging from affordable to expensive, that can offer you comfortable accommodation as per your budget and taste.
Ao Nang Thailand was earlier known as Ao Phra Nang as a method to pay homage to the local goddess who is believed to be the wife of a fisherman who was missing at the sea and she lived the rest of her life in a cave waiting for her husband. These days, the local boatmen and fishermen left offerings in the cave, called Phra Nang cave, in the form of male genitalia carved out of the wood for a safe passage.
Best Time to Visit Ao Nang Thailand
Most of the tourists visit Ao Nang from November to April and most of them come during the holidays like New Year, Chinese New Year, and Christmas so if you plan to experience a bustling Ao Nang then visit the place during these months. From May to October, you can expect rainy weather, fewer tourists, and cheap accommodation.
How to reach Ao Nang Thailand
Ao Nang is a busy area in Thailand’s Krabi Province and has been having many tourists and visitors since around the 1980s. The small town of Ao Nang is about 20 km away from Krabi Town. Travelers can take a bus there which costs nearly 60 bhat. The Krabi International Airport is nearly 25 km and you can take a taxi to Ao Nand for booking a private minibus for a large group of people.
Where to stay in Ao Nang Thailand
Ao Nang Phu Petra Resort Krabi is one of the famous hotels to stay which is situated in the southern part of Ao Nang Beach and offers a luxury stay, Holiday Inn Resort Krabi is another famous hotel situated on the same beach but is more expensive when compared to Petra Resort, Centara Anda Dhevi Resort and Spa also offers comfortable lodging for a reasonable price.
Things to do in Ao Nang, Thailand
Ao Nang offers large numbers of attractions and activities. The activities that you can do when you are in Ao Nang are mentioned below. Have a look at the list.
- Rock climbing– One of the best things to do in Ao Nang is rock climbing. Ao Nang was initially known for rock climbing and this activity is still popular and widely available in Ao Nang, the instructors will assist you to have a wonderful experience no matter how much experience you have in rock climbing. Most of the rock climbing takes place around Tonsai, Railay beaches, and Phra Nang. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
- Indulge in water sports– Ao Nang is also popular for its several water-related activities including scuba diving where you have to just take a short driving course and training before they take you to the deep ocean, snorkeling where you can enjoy diving with minimum equipment in shallow to witness and interact with coral reefs and experience the marine lifestyle, windsurfing is also available for those who have received training prior to that.
- Enjoy a boat tour- With so many islands nearby, tourists can enjoy a boat tour to visit these islands and the nearby beaches. They can even get to watch different aquatic and wildlife. Take a boat tour to Phra Nang Cave where the shrine of local goddess exists and offering of wooden penises are made for fertility and protection at the sea, it will be an interesting thing to watch.
Though the cliffs, beaches, and other such activities are the main attraction of Ao Nang, there are many mosques and temples to visit along with several viewpoints which provides a calming experience for travelers who are in search of this type of attraction. However, make sure you dress modestly before you visit these religious places.
- Visit West Railay Beach- Visiting Railay Beach is one of the important things to do in Ao Nang, Thailand which you must nor miss. It is one of the beautiful beaches in this area with so many cool things to do within close proximity. West Railay shares a bay with Ton Sai Beach around the corner and is best for sunbathing, kayaking, and enjoying the beautiful backdrop of cliffs. 10 to 20 small bars and cafes are situated next to the beach so that you are covered for drinks and lunch. West Railay Beach is a great place to base yourself for the day as most of the adventures on this list are in a similar area. Also, it is home to a few of the most attractive viewpoints in Ao Nang.
- Scuba diving and snorkeling- It would be an act of shame to visit Southern Thailand and not spend some time admiring the world under the surface. Scuba diving in Ao Nang is one of the best options for passing your time, and there are a lot of dive companies that can either get you the certification or take you out for some exciting drives of you are qualified. If you are unsure about scuba diving, then collect a snorkel and a mask and go swimming. It is one of the relaxing things to do in Ao Nang, Thailand.
- Enjoy Krabi Island Hoping- Most of the people visit Thailand to see the beautiful beaches and islands- though there are many beautiful temples also. And, taking a tour of the islands is also one of the top things to do in Thailand. However, if you are not interested in choosing all day Krabi tours then, hop on a shared boat and then visit one of the islands near Krabi. Here, you can enjoy the soft white sands and turquoise seas for which Thailand beaches are famous. You will find ticket booths at each side of the main strip. It would be great to arrive at the spot early as boats leave once full. And sometimes, it can take a long time.
- Koh Poda- Covered with beautiful palm trees and surrounded by bright white sand Poda Island is regarded as the best island in Krabi. Popular for attractive snorkeling, Koh Poda Beach is idyllic with strong aquamarine water filled with stunning fluorescent fish. If you want it crowded, juts walk along the beach to a calm place where you can relax in your own paradise. The island has a kiosk where you can satisfy your thirst or feed a howling stomach. Though Koh Poda island is popular with day travelers, it is possible to stay on this island overnight at the Poda Island Resort. Once the boats have gone you will have the entire Koh Poda without ant noise, vehicle, and only restricted electricity.