Ao Nang Beach

Once a sleepy fishing village, Ao Nang is now a central hub for tourists heading to popular destinations like Railay Beach, the Hong Islands, and Phuket. Conveniently located near Krabi Town, Ao Nang offers a range of outdoor activities—from kayaking to rock climbing—as well as affordable accommodation and a variety of restaurants. Many tours to the area’s islands also set out from Ao Nang.

• Ao Nang’s beach is free to visit.

• You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas on site.

• There are several bars and restaurants located along the beach that serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks.

• Ao Nang has a medical center, pharmacies and shops selling general supplies—amenities that may be hard to find on some of the smaller islands nearby.

Ao Nang is located just 11 miles (18 kilometers) from Krabi Town; take Highway 4034 west to Highway 4204 south, then head west again on Highway 4203. A taxi ride or drive from Krabi takes approximately 35 minutes. You can also take one of the many white songthaews (open-air buses) used by locals. Ao Nang beach is located on the edge of town, along Highway 4203, which curves through the town.

Ao Nang beach is enjoyable all year round. The area is warm, with average temperatures of around 80°F (27°C). The best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from November through March. September and October are the wettest months, with frequent rains.

After enjoying Ao Nang’s beautiful beach, take advantage of the town’s location, and head out on a tour of the nearby islands. You can take a day trip on a long tail boat to the Phra Nang Cave, Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Poda Island to do some swimming and snorkeling; or head to the Hong Islands to enjoy rain forests, hidden lagoons, and white-sand beaches. Other options include romantic sunset cruises.

Yes, you can swim at Ao Nang Beach, but certain spots are better than others. The main beach isn’t great for swimming since long-tail boats depart from here. Head over to the eastern end, where there aren’t longtail boats, and it’s much calmer for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.

Yes, Ao Nang Beach can get crowded. Ao Nang town is set up for tourists, with many restaurants and tattoo shops. It draws international tourists, so beware of that. If you want something less crowded, head to Pai Plong Beach. But it’s difficult to access, so it's not great for kids.

There are several ways to get to Ao Nang Beach from Krabi Town. You can take a ferry or a longtail boat along the water. You can also take a bus (which takes about 2 hours), drive, or take a taxi (which only takes about 15 minutes).

Yes, Ao Nang Beach and the town have nightlife. The town is full of bars and restaurants where flowing cocktails until late into the night. Partiers come from all over the world. Consider Railay Beach or Krabi Town if you’re not into the nightlife scene or want a more peaceful vibe.

Yes, Ao Nang Beach is family-friendly. There are plenty of places to relax in the sand and plenty of restaurants nearby for when you need a break from the sun. You can also take the family to the Monkey Trail, where you’ll likely see monkeys at the start.

It depends. Some love the nightlife and business of Ao Nang Beach. But it’s not the prettiest beach in Thailand by far, and swimming from the main beach isn’t great, either. However, it is a great spot to access other nearby islands, like Tup Island or Chicken Island.