This post was last updated on February 18th, 2020 at 01:20 pm
Together with Railay Beach, Ao Nang is one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. It is near Krabi Town in Krabi province. Don’t expect a deserted tropical beach; you’ll be disappointed because Ao Nang is quite developed. However, that can be explained by the beautiful surroundings with turquoise water and the limestone rocks that rise from the water.
The Wonderful Landscape of Ao Nang
At Ao Nang, you have to look past the uncontrolled and somewhat ugly developments because it is a beach located in a beautiful karst landscape. It is an easy beach to visit so it does not go unnoticed by tourists and developers.
TIP – With a long-tail boat from Railay Beach it is only a 15-minute boat ride to Ao Nang.
Backpackers Paradise
In Ao Nang, you are certainly not alone. But if you forget all that and you focus on the beaches, surrounded by headlands that are connected by narrow strips of golden sand, bordering on clear turquoise water, then you will feel like you’re on cloud nine.
Ao Nang is just 22 kilometers (13.6 miles) from Krabi and is also called Ao Phra Nang. It is especially popular with backpackers and travelers on a smaller budget. In contrast to Railay, the beach here is a lot more spacious and there are more choices of bars, restaurants, shops, and accommodations.
Islands and Beaches Near Ao Nang
If you want to enjoy a dip in the clear water, you can easily make a trip to the small local islands that you see on the horizon. Adjacent to this beach you have Hat Nopparat Thara, a beautiful beach, part of which is protected by a National Marine Park.
If you ask us this beach is even more beautiful than Ao Nang. In the west, you also have Hat Ton Son which is a quieter beach and accessible via a long-tail boat.
Where to Stay in Ao Nang
The town itself is quite small but quite energetic due to all developments. Due to rapid developments, there is a lot of competition and the price/quality ratio of accommodations is particularly good. It is not as cheap as Krabi itself, but it is cleaner, sunnier, and not unimportant, there is a beach.
Here are some of our favorite places to spend the night in Ao Nang:
How to Get to Ao Nang
There is much to do in Ao Nang. You can dive here, book mangrove tours, snorkel, and kitesurf. This makes it a fairly easy to reach location. Krabi Airport is just a 40-minute drive and Railay Beach is only a 15-minute long-tail boat ride away. It is, therefore, busy here all year round.
Book Transport Tickets to Ao Nang Online
It’s possible to plan your entire trip via 12GoAsia. It is a website we’ve used many times, where you can easily check all current prices and possible routes online. Click here to find an example for Krabi to Ao Nang.