Wonderful Thailand is rich in amazing natural and man-made attractions. But it would not be so popular if it weren’t for its excellent opportunities for beach recreation and all related water activities. The best beaches in the country are located in the south of the Andaman coast, in Krabi Province, which includes both the mainland and numerous islands. Perhaps the most famous resort and the beach of the same name on the “mainland” is Ao Nang.
The small village of Ao Nang is located about 17 km west of the provincial capital, Krabi Town, and 30 km southwest of Krabi Airport.
Krabi Airport receives international flights, so Ao Nang can become the first point of your trip to Thailand.
Ao Nang Beach
It stretches for almost one and a half kilometers and is conventionally divided into two parts. The fact is that the wider southeastern part is cleaner, calmer, suitable for sunbathing and swimming, and here you can rent a sunbed. The very center of the beach is “occupied” by long-tail boats and speedboats, so it is dirtier and unsafe for swimming. Nearby are the ticket offices of agencies that take tourists to neighboring beaches and nearby islands.
| Description | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Location and Type | Resort beach area in Krabi, Thailand |
| Beach Parameters | 1.4 km shoreline with coarse yellow sand |
| Sea and Swimming | Shallow waters with significant tidal variations |
| On-site Facilities | Full infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, and shops |
| Marine Transport | Active longtail boat hub for island transfers |
| Leisure and Recreation | Ideal for kayaking, sunsets, and island hopping |
| Arrival and Distance | Located 25 km from Krabi International Airport |
| Navigation Data | GPS: 8.0331° N, 98.8315° E |
In the northwest, quite close to the water, there is a continuous row of cafés and restaurants. Their owners are rather indifferent to the condition of the sandy strip along the sea. So this is not the best place for swimming.
Video from Ao Nang Beach:
At the northern edge of the beach, a small but not very pleasant stream flows into the sea. According to eyewitnesses, locals use it as a drainage ditch.
Description of Ao Nang Beach:
- covered with coarse brownish-yellow sand, in some areas with fragments of shells,
- the entrance to the sea is gentle, and according to some tourists, too gentle,
- the water is murky, even in the swimmable southeastern part,
- as a rule, swimming is possible only in the first half of the day, because after lunch the low tide begins.
The panorama of the beach is simply breathtaking: picturesque sheer cliffs, lush vegetation. The local sunsets are an amazing sight! Along the beach there is a comfortable walking path lined with restaurants, cafés, souvenir stalls and numerous massage salons.
Hotels on Ao Nang Beach
All accommodation information is relevant for 2018. The total number of hotels, guesthouses, villas and other lodging options in close proximity to the beach is about 130. And if you search within a radius of up to 2 km — a distance you can walk — the number of options increases by 2.5 times. In total, the resort offers more than 600 accommodation options.
Ao Nang is a completely tourist-oriented place, but quite affordable for any traveler. Especially for someone who will look for accommodation in advance, monitor offers from booking systems, and not miss discounts.
By the way, many booking systems allow you to reserve a hotel without prepayment and do not charge a penalty for cancellation. So if you find a better option, decide to change your route, or stay more/less nights in Ao Nang, you will not suffer financial losses.
The map shows that the main road 4203 approaches the coast at a right angle approximately in the center of the beach, runs parallel to it for a few hundred meters, and then sharply turns away again. Since most hotels and infrastructure are located along it, there are not many accommodations directly on the beach.
A significant portion of lodging consists of 1*, 2*, and 3* hotels. In high season you can book a room from 350 baht/night for two — a little over 10 dollars. However, you should not rely on star ratings: the price range within one category is very wide. The quality of accommodation in the Ao Nang Beach area is rated as good or better by most guests. For example, many praise the well-located 2* guesthouse J. Mansion.
A well-maintained footpath leads there — comfortable, but with an “attraction” in the form of cheeky monkeys that skillfully rob passers-by. To avoid paying tribute to these locals, you must be extra careful and hold on tightly to your valuables. And you will need valuables — that is, your passport: although all beaches in Thailand are public, there is a guard post at the end of the path whose job is to check documents.
Infrastructure: Restaurants and Cafés
No tourist will go hungry in Ao Nang. Quite the opposite — you will have to restrain yourself from indulging in some appetizing dish of delicious Thai cuisine. There are countless places to eat. Prices are rather high, and you will have to look for a cheaper place. But that’s how it is — if you call yourself a tourist, expect tourist prices. Prices for salads and Thai dishes with rice start at 50 baht (about 1.5 USD), coffee — from 40 baht (a little over 1 USD).
Ao Nang is popular among tourists from Russia, so many places offer menus in Russian and generally cater to Western, including Russian, tastes. For example, pizza is sold at almost every corner. Is it good or bad? Neither: on one hand, national flavor is lost; on the other hand, dishes adapted for Europeans reduce the risk of stomach issues from unfamiliar food.
How to choose a place with a good price/quality ratio? The same way as everywhere: where there are many people, the food is tastier and the prices are reasonable. Another rule of thumb: food prices go up the closer you get to the beach.
The famous Thai massage can be tried in one of the many parlors; the price starts from 200 baht (6 USD). There are opportunities for souvenir shopping, but stalls with nice prices should be looked for away from the beach.
Transportation
The village is small, but you cannot explore it entirely on foot. At your service are songthaews (pickup trucks used as shared taxis) — 20 baht within Ao Nang and to Nopparat Thara; and tuk-tuks (three-wheeled motorcycle taxis) — 100 baht per trip for one person or 50 baht per person.
Excursions
Of course, what is a Thai holiday without water activities! In fact, there are two options: kayak rental — 150 baht/hour, and … renting a boat with a boatman — from 100 baht/person one way.
One of the most popular and inexpensive excursions is to the Railay Peninsula, known for its fantastically beautiful landscapes and clear waters. The trip takes only 10 minutes, but you cannot get there by land — towering cliffs and jungle block the way.
Ao Nang Beach on the Map
Getting here is very easy. There is regular bus service from the airport — it costs 150 baht (about 4.5 USD). Tickets are sold at the counter at the airport exit. From the bus station you can take a songthaew for about 100 baht (3.3 USD). Of course, you can take a taxi or order a hotel transfer. But it’s 3–4 times more expensive.
How to Get from Phuket to Ao Nang
If the desire to visit Ao Nang hits you while you’re in Phuket or on any other island of the province — no problem. You can get from Phuket by bus or take a ferry: near Ao Nang — in Nopparat Thara — there is a pier. Buses leave from Phuket Town, Phuket Airport, and Patong, Kata, and Karon beaches. The cost starts from 350 baht (11 USD), but the trip will take at least 3.5 hours.
A ticket from Phuket (Rassada Pier) to Nopparat Thara costs about 600 baht (around 17.5 USD), but the sea trip is much more pleasant and takes no more than 2.5 hours. Instead of a slow ferry, you can order a speedboat, but the price will increase at least threefold.
A ferry ticket from Koh Lanta costs about 500 baht (just over 14 USD), and from Phi-Phi — about 400 baht (around 12 USD).
Overall, Ao Nang is suitable for staying, enjoying sunsets in one of the beachfront cafés, and pleasant evening walks. It is also a great starting point for excursions to numerous paradise spots in the province. But the beach itself may leave mixed emotions, especially after visiting Railay or the Phi-Phi Islands.
