Krabi Sightseeing by Land and by Boat
Krabi’s sights split cleanly into the ones you climb to and the ones you float past. Half of them need legs and a temple dress code, and the other half need a boat seat and a life jacket. Sorting by land and sea tells you what to pack for each day.
By land
Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea). About 9 km northeast of Krabi Town, this forest monastery has a famous summit climb of about 1,260 steep concrete steps, with risers up to 30 cm tall, rising roughly 278 m to a golden stupa and a seated golden Buddha. Most people need 30 to 60 minutes going up. Shoulders and knees must be covered and wraps are available at the base. Monkeys on the lower steps can be aggressive, so keep food and plastic bags out of sight. Go at first light for cooler air, and bring plenty of water. Entry to the grounds is free, and donations are welcome. You can book a Tiger Cave transfer on Viator if you do not want to arrange a ride.
Wat Kaew Korawaram. The white hillside temple in Krabi Town is an easy stop on a morning in the old centre.
Chao Fah Park. The riverside promenade is free, with the bronze Mud Crab and Sea Eagle sculptures framed by the twin peaks of Khao Khanab Nam. It is a pleasant place to end the day.
By sea
Khao Khanab Nam and the Krabi River. A longtail up the river runs between the twin karst towers that guard the town, with caves in the cliffs. It is the calmest boat trip in the province.
Phra Nang Beach and Princess Cave. Railay is boat-only, with the shared longtail from Ao Nang at ฿100 per person each way and more after dark. Walk the cliff path to the beach and the cave shrine, where local fishermen leave offerings to the sea princess Chao Mae Phra Nang for safe voyages. Ao Nam Mao is the sheltered fallback pier in rough seas.
Diamond Cave. On Railay, the lit boardwalk costs ฿100 for adults and ฿50 for children.
Hong Islands viewpoint. A steep staircase on the island climbs to a platform with views over limestone islets. The Than Bok Khorani national park fee is payable at the landing. See Hong Islands tours on GetYourGuide to match the trip to your dates.
Seasons
The monsoon runs from May to October. Boats are cancelled, so the land list carries those days. Wear a life jacket on every crossing. Visa-exempt stays run up to 30 days, and the TDAC arrival card is completed online within 3 days before arrival, at the official TDAC site . Read more at the Tourism Authority of Thailand .
For more, see the Krabi walking tours page and the five-day Krabi itinerary .
Tip: put Tiger Cave on a morning of clear weather and the river boat on the day after, when your legs are done.