Southern Thailand · Krabi

Krabi travel guide: Railay, the four islands and the Emerald Pool

Krabi is a coast of limestone towers rising from turquoise water and mangrove channels, and TAT has made it the 'Krabi Prototype', its flagship model for sustainable, community-based tourism. Most visitors base themselves at Ao Nang and take longtail boats to Railay and the islands offshore; inland are forest temples, hot springs and a pool of startling green water.

AsiaVela editorial teamUpdated 1 October 20263 min read

Longtail boats pulled up on West Railay beach below towering limestone cliffs — West Railay beach.

Suggested time: 4–5 nights
Where to stay: Ao Nang or Railay
Season and timing: November to April for calm seas; from May to October boat trips may be cancelled in rough weather.

The short answer

Stay four or five nights at Ao Nang or Railay. Spend a day at Railay for the beaches and cliffs, take a longtail trip to the four islands (Poda, Chicken Island, Tup and Phra Nang Cave), climb to the Tiger Cave Temple, and visit the Emerald Pool and Khlong Thom hot springs inland. Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are easy onward hops. Krabi International Airport has direct flights from Bangkok and abroad.

Railay

Reachable only by boat, Railay is a fine-sand beach between limestone cliffs, split by rocks into West Railay, with clear water and sunset views, and East Railay (Nam Mao), a mangrove-mud shore not suitable for swimming, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' directory. East Railay, Ton Sai Bay and the cliffs near Phra Nang Cave are famous for rock climbing.

Climb only with a qualified guide and good equipment. Bring cash; services on the peninsula are limited.

The four islands

The classic longtail trip from Ao Nang visits Poda, Chicken Island and Tup, where a sandbar links the islands at low tide, and Phra Nang Cave beach at Railay. Boats leave in the morning and return mid-afternoon.

The islands are within Hat Nopparat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, which, as the directory notes, covers coral reefs, limestone cliffs, caves and the shell cemetery near Ao Nang. Pay the park fee and never stand on coral.

Phra Nang beach framed by an overhanging limestone cave with a rock island offshore — Phra Nang Cave Beach at Railay.

The long sweep of Ao Nang beach below a limestone headland — Ao Nang beach, Krabi's main base.

Make time for the local food

What to eat and where to look

Southern seafood

Grilled fish, squid and prawns, and spicy southern curries.

Where to look: Restaurants in Ao Nang and Krabi Town.
Fit it into your day: Dinner after a day on the boats.

Southern dishes are often very spicy.

Community seafood lunches

TAT describes fishing villages such as Laem Sak and Ko Klang that offer visits built around local seafood.

Where to look: Community-run tours.
Fit it into your day: Lunch on a village visit.

Book through community groups.

Krabi Town night market food

Grilled snacks, curries over rice and sweets in town.

Where to look: Krabi Town's evening markets.
Fit it into your day: A night away from the beach.

Stalls vary.

Tiger Cave Temple

Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple) is a forest temple and meditation centre among limestone hills. The directory notes a tiger-paw-shaped rock inside the cave and archaeological finds of stone tools, pottery and Buddhist seals.

The steep stairway to the hilltop shrine is a long climb; go early, bring water and dress modestly.

A golden seated Buddha and stupa on the hilltop of the Tiger Cave Temple above the Krabi plain — The hilltop shrine of Wat Tham Suea.

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An experience to consider for this trip

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Poda, Chicken, Tup and Phra Nang; departs from Ao Nang

Krabi four islands by longtail boat

The classic island-hopping day for swimmers and snorkellers. Check whether park fees are included.

Check the experience on Viator ↗

Khao Sok National Park; departs from Krabi

Cheow Lan Lake (Khao Sok) day tour from Krabi

A long day inland to the limestone lake, for travellers without time to stay at Khao Sok.

Check the experience on Viator ↗

Check dates, the final price, meeting point, guide language, inclusions, accessibility and cancellation conditions on Viator. The language of this website is not the language of the guide.

Emerald Pool and Khlong Thom hot springs

Inland, the Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) is a natural pool about 20 by 25 metres whose clear green water, 30 to 35°C, is fed by springs through limestone, as the directory describes; it is about an 800-metre walk from the entrance.

Nearby, TAT highlights Khlong Thom Hot Springs, recognised among the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories in 2023 for its conservation-minded approach. Combine the two in a morning.

A large crab sculpture on the riverfront of Krabi Town with limestone hills behind — The crab sculpture on Krabi Town's riverfront.

The Krabi Prototype

TAT describes community-based experiences under the Krabi Prototype: mangrove kayaking with local guides at Ban Thung Yee Peng, coral restoration near Ko Ngai, and slow visits to fishing villages such as Laem Sak and Ko Klang.

These are good alternatives to crowded island tours, and the money goes to local communities.