| Relaxed and unhurried, Ao Nang, is surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Towering Majestic cliffs, swaying palms, an expanse of pure white sand and
offshore, a vista weirdly shaped islands providing a wonderful seascape.
Perfect is how this place has been described. Despite fairly rapid
development over the last few years, there are no large shopping
centres, no large leisure facilities, no high rise resort hotels,
because Ao Nang is a place for sea, sun and sand. But you will find
find most of the accommodation, shops and restaurants all within
easy walking distance of each other and a beach which just beckons
to sit and relax. |
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If you feel the need to explore, simply hop on a boat to another
beach, it's easy. As the water-taxi "terminus," Ao Nang, makes an
ideal base for short trips to the nearby islands and beaches.
Go snorkeling, sightseeing, fishing, or simply sit on the beach, watch
the boats come and go, surrounded by that amazing view. |
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Go island/Beach Hopping.
After Krabi Town, Ao Nang is the main place to catch a local boat
along the coast. Take a taxi boat (around 50 Baht) to Railay or Phra
Nang. Charter a boat for the day and visit an island like Koh Poda,
or Chicken Island (Koh Gai) Better still, take a snorkeling
tour or join a dive boat for the best views below the surface. |
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Take a Local Tour - In the
Jungle
As well as providing an informative way of seeing Krabi's lush interior
with its hot springs, caves and waterfalls, these small scale tours
give an insight into the local lifestyle and often include activities
like kayaking, or elephant trekking. For a short excursion, visit
the Klai Wang Water Garden , just 10 minutes from
Ao Nang and go bamboo rafting or fishing. |
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Have a massage and get pampered..
At the beach. Available at one of the shady
open massage salas (an open sided hut) close to the southern end of
the beach. The local ladies give a traditional Thai massage for around
200 Baht an hour. Or try a rejuvenating treatment at one of the new
open-air spas. |
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Have a sundowner at one of the hotel
bars overlooking the beach and watch the local boats go back and
forth.
Have a wonderful seafood dinner . Fresh prawns,
lobster and fish straight from the Andaman sea. (See Where to Eat)
Go shopping
Shopping of course, is always much better in the evening
when it's cooler and everyone relaxes after a hard day in the sun.
No big department stores, just local shops selling souvenirs and
lots of beach stuff - snorkeling equipment, beach mats, sarongs,
transfer tatoos, T shirts, sun cream, hats, etc., all at very reasonable
prices if you bargain with a smile!! |
Nightlife
The beach road bars provide great people-watching opportunities set
against a background of 70's classics. The Full Moon Bar (which
has moved on slightly from the 70's) sometimes provides live music
from local bands, more often though, talented locals get together
and just jam. Planet Ao Nang provides another good
spot for people watching, accompanied by R & B.
The Irish Rover Bar and Grill, also
located on the beach road, close to the police station, offers draught
Kilkenny, Guinness and good pub food along with pool table and sports
coverage if you need a football fix. JJ's Sportscafe offers T bone steaks, burgers, cocktails and an 80" screen for those
"can't miss" sports events on the beach road.
Tucked away behind the restaurants in the centre of the main beach
road, you'll find a cluster of open-air "bar beers' -
the Ao Nang version of Patong's bar scene. Lots of noise from competing
sound systems. |
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Restaurants
For such a small place, there's a surprisingly good
choice of restaurants with Italians providing much of the local flavour.
Italian Pizzerias, an Italian Ice Cream Parlour (aptly named "La Dolca
Vita,") and restaurants like Azzura Nova - serving
well cooked food at very reasonable prices. For variety you can also
find Chinese, vegetarian, Thai and even a couple of Macdonald's.
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Thai restaurants including northeastern food can
be found all over Ao Nang. Notables - Esan opposite
the Police Station, offers both northern and southern Thai dishes, TonSai, opposite Sabai Mansion, for good green
curry at budget prices.
At the north end of the beach are a few restaurants specialising
in Krabi's excellent seafood. The displays of king prawn, fish and
lobster are tempting and prices are fair (depending on the season)
If you want really fresh seafood, you can select live from the tanks.
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Local Transport
While it's nice to stroll in the evening when it's much cooler,
in the daytime save your energy and the prospect of being fried
in the sun. Instead, go for a "samlor" (a kind
of motorcycle with an open air sidecar) designed specially for transporting
visitors from one end of the beach to the other.
If you want to travel longer distances, local taxis (converted
pick up trucks, covered to protect from the sun) will take you to
Krabi town and other beaches accessible by road. Both samlors and
taxis make regular circuits around Ao Nang and you can catch them
on any part of the road.
Rent a car
Is a great way to discover Krabi's attractions. Simply drive around
and enjoy the amazing roadside scenery. Cars for rent can be hired
from local companies or from offices located within the hotels.
Check insurance and please note careful driving is recommended as
southern Thailand is renowned for its unusual way of driving!
Boat Taxis
If you want to go island hopping (Koh Poda, Koh Gai and Ko Tup are
all just offshore) or, beach hopping ( Railay or Phra Nang around
the next bay) simply take one of the longtail boat taxis from the
centre of Ao Nang Beach.
You'll see the boatmen waiting for customers under the shade of
the trees. Standard rate is around 50 - 80 Baht for the neighbouring
beaches but it depends on where you want to go and if want the boatman
to wait at your destination.
NOTE: Prices of local longtail boats are fixed
so don't bother bargaining unless you are hiring the whole boat.
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Accomodation
As the first holiday resort area in Krabi, Ao Nang has a range of
accommodation from basic bungalows (although these are rapidly being
upgraded) to smart resorts and guesthouses.
Ao Nang's development although rapid, has been so that the resort
remains free of the high rise concrete buildings which have blighted
other places.
A number of hotels have incorporated Thai style features,
are low rise and generally offer good value for money. It can get busy at peak holiday season (eg., Christmas/New
Year) when it's best to book in advance. (krabi hotels)
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AO NANG MAP
click map to enlarge!
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