Going to be in the Krabi area for only about 2.5/ 3 nights days in early November. I have an early flight departing KBV at the end of our stay - 8:00a or so -- and from my research it appears I shouldn't stay in Railay therefore, as originally planned, b/c it'll be very difficult (or maybe impossible?) to find a longtail to take us over to Ao Nang / catch a taxi to the airport. 

 

Assuming I'm right about departing Railay being a bad idea at 5a on our departure date... are there any beautiful beaches you'd recommend we look for hotels on in or around the Krabi area, that wouldn't require a boat ride? Looking for a place with clear waters / a good area for swimming; Ao Nang obviously has a lot of hotels to choose from, but I've also read it's super packed and the beaches aren't very clear / good for swimming.  (Is that true?)

 

Thank you in advance - I appreciate any tips/recommendations you might have! 

Ao Nang is totally packed with tourists. Try Klong Muang Beach or Tubkaek Beach both north of Ao Nang, but maybe also not easy to find a taxi there.

Simple.. stay in Ao Nang... Lots of boats to take you on day trips to other beaches. Then, leave to the airport in the morning from Ao Nang. 

Every hotel at Railay beach provides boat transfer to Ao Nang.

Ao Nang beach itself is not that good really, too many longtail boats there.

 

Klong Muang Beach further north is nice, all the best hotels are there such as Dusit Thani and Sofitel.

Nothing wrong with Ao Nang if you are a single man traveller.

16 minutes ago, terminatorchiangmai said:

Nothing wrong with Ao Nang if you are a single man traveller.

Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it so much as I had "baggage"

4 hours ago, kwak250 said:

Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it so much as I had "baggage"

Koh Lanta. Although the ferry doesn't start until 6.00am, so an overnight in Krabi would be necessary.

 

Why on earth did you book a flight requiring you to be up that early, if it's a holiday?

Thanks everyone, really helpful and much appreciated. Going to check out pricing / logistics for Klong Muang Beach or Tubkaek Beach, and if those don't strike my fancy (or perhaps even if they do), we'll just plan to do Ao Nang after all but hop a boat to Railay for a day of lazy beach time. Thanks!