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3-Day Krabi Beach Plan
Ao Nang · Railay · 4 Islands

If you're coming to Krabi purely for the beaches and don't want to drive long distances, this is a 3-day plan that sticks entirely to the Ao Nang coast. Day one stays around Ao Nang and the beaches nearby, day two takes a longtail across to Railay and Phra Nang Cave, and day three is the 4 Islands tour — the highlight of Krabi. You get around mostly by longtail boat and songthaew, so you can do the whole thing without renting a car.

⛵ Longtail boats only🏖️ Railay–Phra Nang🐠 4 Islands tour
3-Day Krabi Beach Plan Ao Nang · Railay · 4 Islands

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Ao Nang is the easiest base for beach-focused Krabi, because Railay Beach, Phra Nang Cave and the 4 Islands departure point are all close together. From Ao Nang beach it's just a few minutes by longtail. This plan runs 3 days and 2 nights at an unhurried pace, with time to just lie on the sand too. If you only have 2 days, drop whichever day you like.

Read this before you go

Longtails at Ao Nang charge per person and leave once the boat fills up. A round trip to Railay runs about 100 THB per leg per person during the day; at night in high season it climbs to 150 THB. The beaches at Railay and Phra Nang have no pier, so you wade ashore — wear shoes you don't mind getting wet.

Day 1 — Settle into Ao Nang + sunset

Use the first day to ease in: explore Ao Nang, try the Monkey Trail over to a quieter beach, then cap it with sunset on the sand and the night market.

Day 1

Ao Nang and nearby beaches

Afternoon
Check in around Ao Nang, drop your bags and stroll the beachfront stripMost hotels are within walking distance of the beach. If you're hauling heavy bags, ask your hotel to help with pickup.
15:30
Walk the Monkey Trail from the end of Ao Nang beach over to Pai Plong BeachThe path hugs the cliff through forest and there are plenty of monkeys — keep food and water bottles out of sight. Pai Plong is much quieter than Ao Nang.
17:30
Head back to watch sunset at Ao Nang beach — there's a fire show most eveningsThe beachfront fire show is free to watch; tip if you feel like it.
19:00
Dinner at Ao Nang Landmark Night MarketOpen daily 16:00–23:00 and busiest after 6pm. Grilled seafood, pad thai, southern curries, desserts and a live-music corner, all at friendly prices.

If you'd rather sit down than do the market

Around Ao Nang there are spots reviewers mention often, like Family Restaurant (Soi 6) for affordable Thai food and seafood, and Azzurra, a long-running Italian place that makes its own pasta and has a sea view — good for a relaxed evening sit-down.

🎟️

Book the activities in your Krabi trip ahead

Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.

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Day 2 — Railay, Phra Nang Cave and the viewpoint

Today is the rock-and-beach highlight: cross to the Railay peninsula, which cars can't reach — longtail only. It's an easy walk from West Railay to Phra Nang Cave, and if you're up for it, climb to the viewpoint to look down on the hidden lagoon.

Day 2

Crossing to the Railay peninsula

08:30
Buy longtail tickets at the booth on Ao Nang beach (near Phra Nang Inn) and cross to West RailayThe ride is about 10–15 minutes, roughly 100 THB per person, and the boat leaves when it's full. Go early before it gets crowded.
09:00
Stroll West Railay — white sand and clear water — then cut across the path to Phra Nang BeachIt's about a 10-minute walk from West Railay to Phra Nang, passing Phra Nang Cave with its shrine of carved phalluses tied to local belief.
10:30
Relax on Phra Nang Beach — many people rate it the prettiest in KrabiFrom 10:00–15:00 the tour boats pour in and the beach gets packed. For quiet, arrive before 10am.
13:00
Lunch around East Railay, where restaurants and bars line the pathEast Railay is a muddy, shallow shore — not for swimming — but it has more restaurants than the other side.
14:30
Climb the trail to Railay Viewpoint and on down to Princess Lagoon (if you're up for it)The trail is steep, almost vertical. The viewpoint takes about 15–20 minutes; the lagoon descent is even steeper. Wear sneakers or go barefoot — no flip-flops — and avoid it after rain. The lagoon only has water at high tide.
17:00
Take a longtail back to Ao Nang before darkDaytime boats run until about 6pm. After dark the price jumps to 150 THB per person and you'll wait longer.

About the tides

Check the day's tide chart before you go, because Princess Lagoon only fills with that nice water at high tide, and wading ashore at West Railay is easier when the tide is in.

Day 3 — The 4 Islands tour, Krabi's highlight

Go all in on the final day with the 4 Islands tour, which hits Chicken Island, Poda Island, Talay Waek and Phra Nang Beach all in one trip. You can pick a longtail (slower but more atmospheric and cheaper) or a speedboat. Most tours include pickup and drop-off at hotels in the Ao Nang area.

Day 3

A full-day 4 Islands tour

08:30
Hotel pickup around Ao Nang and transfer to the boat at the beachStandard tours include pickup and drop-off for hotels in the Ao Nang area. If you're staying further out (Klong Muang, Tubkaak), there may be an extra charge.
09:30
Chicken Island and Talay Waek (the Separated Sea) — a sandbar linking the islands that surfaces at low tideYou can only walk across Talay Waek at low tide; the guide times the visit to catch it.
11:30
Snorkel over coral and fish at a spot near the islandsTours usually include mask, life jacket, fruit and drinking water. Check what's provided before you book.
12:30
Land on Poda Island for lunch on the beach — white sand and clear waterPoda is a great beach for photos, with a limestone karst rising out of the sea as a backdrop.
14:30
Swing by Phra Nang Beach again for a view from the water before heading backHalf-day afternoon tours finish earlier; full-day tours give you more time to linger on each island.
16:00
Back at the hotel, shower up, then close out the trip with dinner on Ao Nang beachThe national park fee for Hat Noppharat Thara–Phi Phi Islands is collected separately, around 200 THB per adult (100 THB per child) — keep some cash handy.

Rough budget per person (excluding accommodation)

  • Round-trip boat to Railay — about 200 THB (100 THB per leg)
  • Group longtail 4 Islands tour — from around 650–900 THB depending on the operator and whether transfers are included
  • National park fee — 200 THB per adult (paid on the day of the 4 Islands tour)
  • Food for 3 days — night market 100–200 THB a meal; sit-down seafood runs higher
  • Songthaew / getting around town — budget 100–200 THB a day if you need to head into Krabi town

Straight talk

The cheapest 4 Islands tours you'll see are usually big groups on a packed boat. If you want a more relaxed feel, look at a private or small-group longtail tour — it costs more but you're not fighting for space. And at peak times Phra Nang Beach and Talay Waek really do get crowded, so if you hate the crush, pick an early-morning or late-afternoon tour.

If you have extra time

Add-on trip

Phi Phi Islands

If you can add a day, a Phi Phi tour leaves from Ao Nang too — good for anyone who wants Maya Bay and clear water.

For adventurers

Railay rock climbing

Railay is Thailand's limestone-climbing mecca, with half-day and full-day intro courses for beginners.

Near Ao Nang

Hat Noppharat Thara

A long beach that's quieter than Ao Nang, just a short way past it — good for an aimless evening stroll.

See hotels around Ao Nang within walking distance of the beach and the boat launch

Top 10 Krabi Hotels →

FAQ

How do you get to Railay from Ao Nang, and how much is it?

Only by longtail from Ao Nang beach, since cars can't reach Railay. Buy a ticket at the beachfront booth; the ride takes 10–15 minutes and costs about 100 THB per person per leg during the day. Boats leave once full. At night in high season it climbs to around 150 THB. Railay has no pier, so you wade ashore.

Which islands does the Krabi 4 Islands tour visit, and roughly what does it cost?

It goes to Chicken Island, Poda Island, Talay Waek and Phra Nang Beach. A group longtail tour starts around 650–900 THB per person, including pickup and drop-off at Ao Nang-area hotels, snorkel gear, fruit and drinking water. A private longtail tour costs more — into the low thousands and up — and you also pay the national park fee of around 200 THB per adult separately.

Do you need to rent a car for a beach plan like this in Krabi?

No. This plan runs mainly on longtails and songthaews. Most Ao Nang-area hotels are within walking distance of the beach and the boat launch, and the 4 Islands tour includes hotel transfers. If you want to head further out of Ao Nang — into Krabi town, for example — just take a songthaew or taxi occasionally.

Are Railay Viewpoint and Princess Lagoon worth the climb?

It depends on your fitness. The trail is steep, almost vertical, with ropes to hold. The viewpoint is about 15–20 minutes up and the view is well worth it. The descent to Princess Lagoon is steeper and more slippery, so wear sneakers, avoid it after rain, and note the lagoon only has nice water at high tide. If you've got small kids or feel unsure, stop at the viewpoint.

When is Phra Nang Beach least crowded during the day?

Before 10am and after 3pm are much quieter, because from 10:00–15:00 the tour boats arrive together and the beach gets packed. For empty-beach photos, cross to Railay early, right when the boats start running.

Related

🗺️ Krabi Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Krabi Hotels🏖️ Railay Beach Guide⛵ Krabi 4 Islands Tour

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