With so many activities that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy, Krabi has framed itself as a laid-back resort destination where the emphasis falls on comfort and relaxation instead of on high-energy parties. The natural landscape is accentuated by limestone outcroppings known as karsts that pop up all over the countryside. With abundant plant life and beautiful coral reefs, there's plenty to explore while you're staying here.

Exploring the archipelago
One of the most remarkable ways to experience the limestone rock formations and spectacular beaches is to take a daytrip from one island to another. Many tour guides offer organised daytrips to the highlights of the archipelago, which are worth it and a chance to break away from the crowds of the mainland resort. For the more independent explorer, sea kayaks can be rented for trips out to some of the nearest small islands. A boat day trip to Phi Phi is a must too!

Than Bok Khoranie National Park
If you have a tent and would like a place to set up camp, consider heading out to Than Bok Khorani National Park, a secluded place with no concrete accommodation but an abundance of plant species culminating in a very picturesque pond surrounded by gardenias and apocynaceae. The park also boasts several limestone caves and some lovely mangrove forests. Many visit on a day trip from Phuket.

Rock climbing
Many rock climbing outfitters in Krabi also give lessons at various skill levels to help you improve your rock climbing abilities. The limestone cliffs and unique stone formations have helped Krabi carve out a global reputation among rock climbing circles. Ton Sai is the first stop for most climbers, as it’s the most frequented climbed spot in the area. Other climbing outings to more secluded areas are easily arranged with the help of climbing outfitters.

Koh Lanta Marine National Park
The sea gypsies, or Chai Leh, still live and work on the island of Koh Lanta—now a marine national park. For centuries they have practiced their own form of spirit worship and spoken their own distinct language. This island also has the region's standard fare of beautiful beaches, unique rock formations and stunning coral reefs for exploration. Some of the rainforest on this island is virtually untouched and remains protected. Visitors can rent bungalows and stay a while. It’s also connected to Phi Phi island by ferry.

Shell Fossil Cemetery
Thirty five million years ago, the site of Ban Laem Pho Cape was an enormous freshwater swamp that hosted millions of small snails. The remains of these creatures formed a fossilised composite that has grown almost 16 inches thick. This huge slab has become one of Krabi's most popular attractions and can be reached via a 10-mile drive from the town of Krabi.

Krabi nightlife
Ao Nang Beach resort area is the primary tourist hub of Krabi, with Krabi Town itself not offering a whole lot to out-of-towners except for a glimpse of everyday life for the locals. While not quite as exciting as Phuket, in the resort area you'll find bars and restaurants whose doors remain open past midnight, though you'll be hard-pressed to find any exhilarating parties or discotheques. Instead, this is a more family-oriented holiday spot with some nice restaurants and a relaxed, quiet atmosphere.

Scuba diving
The official diving season in Krabi is from November to March, though the conditions are hospitable all year round and divers are here at every time of the year. Snorkelling is also a great way to get a view of the coral reefs. Diving companies on the mainland can get you certified as a diver and will also arrange diving trips out to all of the best reefs in the surrounding area. The diving at Phi Phi is especially good.

Biking
Bikes can be rented in the Ao Nang resort area, and a cycling loop that heads out of town guides cyclist through the limestone rock formations that dot the landscape. The road curves through old villages and groves of coconut trees, and riders can stretch this spectacular route into as much as 15 or 20 miles of biking.

Railay Beach
Railay Beach may be the region's most unique coastal area, with its crescent shaped coastline that's cut off from the mainland by huge outcroppings of rock. Only accessible by boat, you can charter a vessel to drop you off for a daytrip to Phra Nang, a sacred enshrined cave, or for an overnight stay in one of the resorts that lay claim to these peaceful beaches. Even the beaches at Phuket don’t even compete!

Daytrip to Wat Tham Seua
Wat Tham Seua is the largest temple in Krabi, and its name means Tiger Cave Temple. It's literally tucked into the limestone cliffs of Ao Luk Thanu mountain range, and the Buddhist monks that live and worship here do so in the caves themselves. The highlight of this temple is 'Buddha's footprint', located at the summit of a 1,272-step climb, a point that affords wonderful views of the countryside spreading in every direction.

Author: Andy Burrows

Located roughly 800 kilometers south of Bangkok and 65 kilometers northeast of Phuket, Krabi is one of the Thailand's most enchanting destinations. Sprawling over an area of about 4705 square kilometers, Krabi is a province, placed on the Strait of Malacca, and is bordered by Surathani and Phang Nga to the north, the Andaman Sea to the south and the west, and Nakorn Si Thammarat and Trang provinces to the east.

With its unbeatable natural scenery, mysterious caves, lush green forested hills, rubber and palm plantations, unspoilt beaches, and well-organized infrastructure system, Krabi has now become one of the most sought after destinations in the world.

Many of the visitors, especially the Scandivians, touring Thailand spend majority of their times in Krabi. During the winter as well as Christmas, many westerners including Europeans flock here to escape from the extremely cold climate of their home country, since Krabi maintains its mild sunny weather even during the coldest months.

Krabi boasts of some of the best beaches in Thailand. No matter you want to relax, or to engage in a number of fun-filled as well as adventure activities, or just to take a stroll to savor the incredibility of the surroundings, Krabi's beaches render all that a visitor would really want to have.

Most popular among the beaches in the destination are Ao Nang Beach, which is a paradise for enjoying such water sport activities as scuba diving, trekking, and kayaking; Railay Beach, which serves as an excellent spot for wannabee rock climbers.

Pra Nang Beach, which is a great destination for snorkeling and canoeing; Klong Muang Beach - a perfect destination to take a moonlight stroll as well as to enjoy excellent dining; and Nopparat Thara Beach, a scenic beach fringed with casuarina trees, which is popular among picnickers. In deed, with these incredible beaches, Krabi is a mecca of water sport activities. Apart from these, Krabi is home to more than 200 islands, Phi Phi Don Island, Phi Phi Lay Island, Koh Taleng Beng, Koh Lanta Yai, and Mu Koh Hah being the prominent.

However, attractions in Krabi are not just restricted to its beaches and islands. But, before discussing about other attractions in the region, it is important that you should have clear idea on each district of the region. The province of Krabi is made up of eight amphoes or districts including Amphoe Mueang, Khao Phanom, Ko Lanta, Nuea Khlong, Ao Luk, Lam Thap, Khlong Thom, and Plai Phraya, each of which comes with an array of sights.

Amphoe Mueang is home to such incredible attractions as Khao Khanap Nam, 100 meters high hill that rise from the water; Tham Sua, otherwise known as Tiger Cave; Tham Sadet, which is a gorgeous cave with unique stalagmites and stalactites; and Fossil Shell Beach.

Most popular among the attractions in Amphoe Khao Phanom is Kho Phanom Bencha National Park, occupying an area of about 50 square kilometers and covering some regions of Amphoe Ao Luk, Amphoe Khao Phanom, and Amphoe Muang. Some of the highlights of the park are Namtok Huai To, Namtok Huai Sa-de, and Namtok Khlong Haeng.

Perhaps the first attraction that comes into your mind when you hear about Amphoe Ko Lanta is Mu Ko Lanta National Park, which consists of several islands. Ko Lanta Yai is the park's main island. Included in the attractions of Amphoe Ao Luk is Than Bokkhorani National Park, which is about 45 kilometers from the downtown Krabi. Few among the attractions in Amphoe Khlong Thorn are Wat Khlong Thorn Museum, Namtok Hin Phoeng, Thung Teao, and Namtok Ron.

In short, no matter you are a history buff, spiritual traveler, sightseer, or adventure lover, Krabi has something for everyone. Understanding the tremendous increase in the number of travelers year after year, a large number of accommodation options have been developed here, of which many of them are five star and three star facilities.

An array of options is also available for budget conscious travelers. Just browse through the internet and you can easily find a number of choices, from which you select an option according to your taste and budget. Many of the hotels provide facilities to make bookings online. All you have to do is to inform them your likes and preferences, and rest they will take care.