hi we are a having a family holiday next month and will be based in Ao Nang for about 5 days. Haven't been down there for 10 plus years. Can anyone give me an up date on things to do or not to do. Thinking of taking long tails to Railay, Chicken island and possibly Hong island. many thanks for any comments

Ao Nang is far, far busier than when you last visited, as it has expanded greatly.

Do you want to spend three whole days on noisy long-tail boats and fighting with the masses on Railay and Hong Island?

Huay Toh waterfall, Klong Son Nam, Bor Tor caves, Krabi river tour are just a few of the things you can do without fighting in the Mainland Chinese scrum that has become the norm in Thailand's tourist areas.

If you are going afloat - go early (it takes them hours to get the tourists collected and sorted for these trips) and go private (2,200THB boat rental for a private longtail 4 island trip) - don't forget that the exorbitant 400 THB/per head National Park fee has to be added on top.

Krabi/Ao Nang is still a good area to visit as there are many attractions inland away from the masses who mostly don't leave the beach area. There are also far nicer beaches North of Ao Nang but you need transport (Moto will cost 250THB per day) Taxis are still very expensive and not very reliable in this region.

The sea being part of a National Park still means that (thank goodness) we are free of deck-chairs, hawkers, jet-skis and banana boats on beaches here but it is  getting very busy (and noisy) in Ao Nang town. Food is better and cheaper in Krabi Town.

Send me a pm if you need more info.

G

1 hour ago, PaoloR said:

Ao Nang is far, far busier than when you last visited, as it has expanded greatly.

Do you want to spend three whole days on noisy long-tail boats and fighting with the masses on Railay and Hong Island?

Huay Toh waterfall, Klong Son Nam, Bor Tor caves, Krabi river tour are just a few of the things you can do without fighting in the Mainland Chinese scrum that has become the norm in Thailand's tourist areas.

If you are going afloat - go early (it takes them hours to get the tourists collected and sorted for these trips) and go private (2,200THB boat rental for a private longtail 4 island trip) - don't forget that the exorbitant 400 THB/per head National Park fee has to be added on top.

Krabi/Ao Nang is still a good area to visit as there are many attractions inland away from the masses who mostly don't leave the beach area. There are also far nicer beaches North of Ao Nang but you need transport (Moto will cost 250THB per day) Taxis are still very expensive and not very reliable in this region.

The sea being part of a National Park still means that (thank goodness) we are free of deck-chairs, hawkers, jet-skis and banana boats on beaches here but it is  getting very busy (and noisy) in Ao Nang town. Food is better and cheaper in Krabi Town.

Send me a pm if you need more info.

Glad I saw your post as I too am driving down from Korat on Monday stopping one night en route. I booked two nights in Au nang some weeks ago but had been loathe to book more due to the continuing bad weather and now just realised it's Chinese New Year! I did want to do some snorkelling and swimming via a long tail boat as I did ten years ago,but note the big hike in price you mentioned. Sounds like two nights might be enough? having my own transport I wanted to explore more of the Andaman area ,maybe revisiting Karon in Phuket after six years (hope for the best fear for the worse!) but also maybe Ko lanta where I've never been . Any expanded information and tips you have ,especially seeing as I have stumbled on Chinese New Year ,would be much appreciated . Swimming and snorkelling / outdoor sights etc are my particular interest,certainly not temples. Hope it stops raining!

3 hours ago, PaoloR said:

Huay Toh waterfall, Klong Son Nam, Bor Tor caves, Krabi river tour

+ Tiger cave temple and jungle walk next to it.

 

+ Tub Kaek view point (take food and water) 2 hours up and one hour down.