The Thai show-stoppers

Krabi holidays have easily become some of the most sought-out in Thailand, in part due to the fact that there’s so much to choose from in the ways of beaches, destinations and activities.

There’s the film-worthy Phi Phi Island or the family-friendly Ao Nang, the limestone rock faces that tower like skyscrapers along the coastline, and then of course, the coastlines themselves. Clad in white sand fringed with neon-blue waters, you’ll wonder whether or not you’re dreaming.

Once you’ve set foot on the silky, vanilla-white sands of Krabi and admire the surrounding limestone cliffs, chances are you’ll feel like you’re in paradise and won’t ever want to leave. The good thing is by spending your days soaking up the sunshine on these spectacular stretches of sand, it means you’ll hardly spend a penny.

Krabi’s most accessible beaches are on the mainland and you can hop on the 20 minute, low cost shuttle bus from Krabi Town into its best-known resort, Ao Nang. Although it is relatively small in size, this perfectly formed holiday hotspot has everything you’ll need. The beach stretches around 2-kilometres, so it provides plenty of sunbathing spots, plus, there’s a good collection of restaurants and bars for all the snacks and refreshments you could need.

For a more unique beach spot, a holiday in Krabi wouldn’t be complete without an escape to Railay Beach. Reachable only by boat, this small, yet extraordinary peninsula is well worth the ride. It’s got impressive viewpoints, a uniquely hidden lagoon and of course, the landmark limestone cliffs soaring out of its waters. Due to the fact that there’s no roads, no footpaths and just traditional Thai long tail boats bobbing in the water, you really will feel like you’ve escaped to paradise.

Ao Nang

Ao Nang is one of the most popular resorts for people booking holidays in Krabi, especially among families and watersports lovers. It boasts one of the best beaches in all of Thailand, dusted with white sand and backed by mangrove forests, along with the area’s signature karst rock formations towering high up into the sky.

The resort is clustered around a main street where you’ll find the majority of restaurants, shops and pubs, while down along the beach you’ll see longtail boats bobbing along the coast. Choose to bask under the sun on the sandy shores or expend some energy and enjoy some watersports. On offer here is kayaking and scuba diving, along with scaling the sheer limestone rocks, which has become especially popular with adrenaline junkies.

The Krabi islands

There are quite literally hundreds of islands within the Krabi Province, many of which are completely uninhabited and waiting to be explored. There are frequent boat services that can take you just about anywhere, and the clear blue water that laps against these islands’ white sand shores are epic for snorkeling.

Koh Rok Island is home to Ao Man Sai Beach, one of the best in Thailand and privy to a bed of coral reef just offshore. Bamboo Island is another favourite, part of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and featuring the coral reef garden Hin Klang. Then there’s Poda Island, pint-sized but gorgeous and dominated by a towering, mossy-looking rock face. Cheap Krabi holidays are still achievable while getting the full Thailand experience, you’ll be able to find plenty of excursions and tours around the Krabi Islands, or you can create your own island hopping experience.

Affordable activities in beautiful landscapes

As if Krabi’s landscape couldn’t get any more stunning, the region even has its own offering of parks to throw into the mix. The Thung Theo Forest Natural Park is rife with biodiversity, including rare plant and animal species like the Gurney’s pitta, a bird thought once to be extinct. It’s also the home of the much-loved Crystal Lagoon, a green-watered oasis hidden away by dense foliage.

While a mouthful to say, the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park is another expansive area that allows you to get in touch with Thai nature. It’s a marine national park, meaning it sweeps out to cover islands and coral reefs along Thailand’s western coast. Within it are the Phi Phi Islands, the vaulted Cave Tham Phaya Nak decked with ancient paintings and a number of marine animals including a wide range of dolphin species.

The island Koh Tapu once made its big-screen debut, hence why it is often called James Bond Island. If you’re a diehard 007 fan, take an hour’s boat ride from Ao Nang to this 20-metre tall islet and experience first-hand where the filming took place. Even if you’re never seen the film, this island is definitely worth going to for a picturesque day trip, plus it won’t cost you much either.

Immerse yourself in the Thai culture with a visit to Wat Tham Seua. This Buddhist temple is used by monks as a centre of meditation and worship. Not only can you have a glimpse of their lifestyle, you can also witness the main highlight which is the footprint of Buddha – that’s if you want to take on the challenge of climbing the 1,200 steps up towards it. With no admission fee, your cheap Krabi holidays will stay within budget while still experiencing incredible things.

From climbing heights to life down under, Krabi shoreline provides a diving experience that’s well worth the money. Every day, boats head out to the waters surrounding the islands of KoPodaNai and KoPodaNok, here you can come face to face with more than 200 species of fish amongst 80 different types of coral.

The Beach

If you’ve ever watched Danny Boyle’s 2000 film The Beach, you’ve probably wondered where you can find yourself a similar patch of paradise without the whole cult side of it. Look no further – The Beach was actually filmed on Krabi’s Koh Phi Phi island.

Since its portrayal on the big screen, the islands have become among the hottest spots in Thailand for holidaymakers, especially for watersports like scuba diving and snorkelling, and are easily accessed by ferry boats. The increasing popularity of All Inclusive Thailand holidays here means you can guarantee plenty of comfort as well as action and adventure.