Looking for beaches in Krabi, Phuket, and/or Phang-Nga not yet overdeveloped (if possible!)

[stargazer9999]

Hello.  I originally this message last week on the Krabi forum but didn't receive any replies.  I've done more research since then and my family and I are now also considering Phuket as a destination.  I just don't know how over-developed all of these areas are now.  I haven't been to Phuket in twenty years.  Below is the original post.  I appreciate any thoughts on this via a message here or a PM.

 

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Hi.  I’m trying to get information and possibly recommendations for visiting Krabi in 2024.  I usually vacation in Chumphon when the pollution season strikes the north.  Next year I plan to extend that trip by three weeks and I was thinking of spending the time in Krabi and/or Phang-Nha.  I

 

The beach we stay at in Chumphon is 2 kilometers long and has many decent restaurant choices within walking distance.  It’s also has a good sized beach width even at low tide.  Many beaches like in Pattaya don’t have much of a beach to boast about.  It’s mainly a beach for locals but more foreigners have been visiting in the last few years.  Most people only transit through Chumphon on their way to Ko Tao so it’s not too touristy which is what we like.  In fact, I like most areas south of Hua Hin heading towards Chumphon.

 

Ideally, we could find something similar in Krabi or Phang-Nga but perhaps not.  Things we like on our beach:  jet skis are outlawed, no buildings are more than 2 stories, there are nice views of the beach while driving down the road (not blocked by hotels), there are many reasonably priced restaurants available including decent western food, it’s safe for kids, and it’s not too noisy at night but there are places to go for a beer if you want.

 

Ao Nang seems to be mentioned a lot on this forum but the Google Street view doesn’t look too pretty.  Are there better choices?  Is it all an overdeveloped mess like most Thai islands?  Are there nature hikes outside of national parks?  I’m sure we can find a suitable resort but I’m concerned about the general environment driving around the area.  If there’s not a lot of free nature locations to be found and it’s really just a big tourist hustle we might opt to remain on the east coast where things are mellower.

 

Any thoughts on any of this are appreciated.  Thanks!

 

[bignok]

Klong Muang in Krabi is a very nice beach. Nai Yang on Phuket near airport is good and quiet. I like both areas.

 

Nai Yang has better food though. I found 60 baht Khao Soi and 25 baht coffee.

 

 

[stargazer9999]

Thanks bignok.  This helps me a lot on my planning.

 

Is Nai Yang noisy because of the airport?

 

[bignok]

Just now, stargazer9999 said:

Thanks bignok.  This helps me a lot on my planning.

 

Is Nai Yang noisy because of the airport?

 

Not really. I didn't notice any issues. I think they fly in from a different angle and flights stop at night.

 

I stayed there twice. Good food there. Beach is nice. Not many farangs. Few massage shops. 

 

If you don't need bargirls stay there. 

 

 

[stargazer9999]

It's me, my Thai wife, and two toddlers so we're more interested in nature, food, and hopefully some peace and quiet.  We definitely don't want a busy noisy beach scene.

 

[simon43]

Go further north from Nai Yang beach to the very long Mai Khao beach. Golden sand and very quiet, but it's better to only paddle in the sea because there are some strong currents offshore.

[London Lowf]

Plus 1 for Nai Yang - a quiet town compared to the more hectic Patong/Karon/Kata/Kamala. I ride there two or three times a week from Kamala for beach time.

 

The beach is very long with a National Park at each end - there is a bit of tourist hustle in the central area (beach loungers, bars and restaurants) but it is all relatively laid back. The beach is sheltered by a reef and so is very calm all year round and the slope into the water is very gentle no matter what point in the tide and so it is very safe for kids.

 

The planes are currently approaching over the sea and so you don't hear them from the beach - during the southwest monsoon wet season (approximately May to November) they take off over the sea and you do ocassionaly notice them, but not intrusive.

 

But..... the big bonus is that, because of the reef, there are no noisy jetskis or parasailing power boats. There are some longtails but they don't seem to move much. Also, the beachside bars bars do not blast music out like on some of the other beaches.

 

The next town down, Nai Thon, is even quieter and there are no loungers or jetskis allowed on the beach. The slope into the surf is much steeper though, especially at high tide, and so not as child friendly.

 

Neither location suffers from the horrendous traffic congestion of much of the rest of Phuket.

 

 

Edited December 6, 2023 by London Lowf

[JackGats]

Overdevelopment is one thing. Plastic is another thing. "Secluded beaches", "hidden gems" says Lonely Planet. So you set off on your motorbike. When you get there you can't believe what you see.

[gearbox]

Pak Meng and the surrounding beaches, south of Ko Lanta, however no western food there and very few foreigners.

[London Lowf]

31 minutes ago, JackGats said:

Overdevelopment is one thing. Plastic is another thing. "Secluded beaches", "hidden gems" says Lonely Planet. So you set off on your motorbike. When you get there you can't believe what you see.

 

Agreed up to a point - come here during the off-season in June and July and it is a real shock and will make you wonder if all that recycling that we do back home is any more than virtue signalling.

 

Only up to a point because the beaches do get cleaned up by the local authorities, beach traders and volunteers once the winds and tides change in the approach to high season. I'm not sure what they do with it all, probably bury it somewhere for the next generation to deal with.

 

(I bought an ice cream, a tin of tuna and a bottle of water in the Seven today and the server asked me three times if I wanted a bag. I despair!)