Planning an escape to the tranquil, tropical paradise of Koh Lipe? While often seen as a final destination, the lively beach town of Ao Nang in Krabi Province serves as an essential and vibrant gateway, offering a wealth of experiences before you embark on your journey to the Andaman Sea’s hidden gem. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Ao Nang, from enriching activities and diverse culinary delights to practical travel information, ensuring your pre-Koh Lipe adventure is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Discovering Ao Nang: More Than Just a Stopover
Ao Nang, located in Krabi, is a popular spot for travelers, providing a mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. It offers a different landscape, weather, and food to explore, making it a worthwhile destination in its own right.
Things to Do in Ao Nang
Ao Nang boasts a variety of activities to keep visitors engaged, whether for a few days or a longer stay.
- Ya’s Cookery Class: For culinary enthusiasts, Ya’s Thai Cookery School is a must-do. Renowned for even teaching Gordon Ramsay, the hands-on classes cover common Thai ingredients and teach you to prepare dishes like spring rolls, curries, and stir-fries from scratch. You’ll also learn to make curry paste traditionally. Portions are generous, and you receive a recipe book to recreate dishes at home, offering a deep dive into Thai culture.
- Day Trip to Railay Beach: Easily accessible by a 20-minute longtail boat ride from Ao Nang Beach (costing around 100 THB each way), Railay Beach offers a remote, relaxed vibe despite not being a true island. It’s ideal for kayaking, swimming, hiking, and is a premier spot for rock climbing, with beginner-friendly tours available.
- 4-Island Day Trip by Longtail Boat: This highly recommended tour offers a perfect blend of snorkeling, sightseeing, and tropical beach time, complete with traditional Thai lunch and transfers. Key stops include Chicken Island (known for snorkeling and its unique rock formation), Koh Tup (featuring a natural sandbar connecting to Koh Mor at low tide), Koh Poda (for a beachside lunch), and Phra Nang Cave Beach (famous for its limestone cliffs and the Phra Nang Cave). The tour typically costs around £25 per person and offers incredible value.
- Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool, and Hot Springs Tour: This full-day excursion combines jungle exploration, wellness, and culture. It includes a swim in the Emerald Pool, a visit to the Blue Lagoon, a soak in natural hot springs, and a challenging 1,200+ step climb to the Tiger Cave Temple viewpoint for panoramic views. This tour is highly recommended by recent visitors and offers great value at approximately £40 per person.
- Shopping: Ao Nang presents fantastic shopping opportunities, particularly for clothes, bags, shoes, and souvenirs, often at significantly lower prices compared to other parts of Thailand like Koh Samui. The seafront road features shops selling beach dresses, co-ord sets, tropical print shirts, and wicker bags.
- Ethical Animal Experiences: It is crucial to research animal-based attractions thoroughly. Many “elephant sanctuaries” that allow tourist bathing are not considered ethical. Support genuinely ethical sanctuaries that focus on observation, feeding, and care, rather than performances or forced interaction.
Dining and Nightlife in Ao Nang
Ao Nang offers a diverse culinary scene, from street food to sit-down restaurants, with options for various preferences.
- Ao Nang Night Market: The Ao Nang Landmark Street Market, located opposite Nopparat Thara Beach, is a favorite for its wide selection of budget-friendly food. It’s open every night from 4 pm to 11 pm, though activity picks up around 6 pm. You can find Thai, Japanese, Korean, desserts, and drinks. Popular items include grilled potato with garlic butter (฿60) and charcoal-cooked buttered corn on the cob (฿40). Seating areas are available, including “free zones” for those not purchasing drinks from the bar.
- Ao Nang Beach Walk Market: A smaller market located between Ao Nang Beach and Nopparat Thara Beach, with some stalls open from around 9 am. It offers fewer food stalls but a selection of souvenirs and clothing. Food is primarily takeaway-style, with popular options like Thai Roti Pancake (฿60) and rolled ice cream (฿100).
- Recommended Restaurants:
- Kiran Kitchen: Highly recommended for authentic and flavorful Indian cuisine, noted for its tarka dhal and aloo gobi.
- Cafe 8.98 Ao Nang: Praised for its excellent food quality, reasonable prices, and fabulous staff. It’s great for breakfast (from 7 am), offering cooked breakfasts, pastries, and smoothies, and also serves delicious lunch options like vegan burgers and spaghetti bolognese.
- KAZE’ Japanese Restaurant: Offers superb food and service, with a selection of sushi rolls and sashimi. Buffet offers are sometimes available on weekends, providing incredible value.
- Diver’s Inn Steakhouse: A popular European and Thai restaurant known for its generous portion sizes and decent quality, along with a large craft beer selection.
- Rakhang Thai Bistro & Bar: Features a beautiful space, delicious Thai fusion dishes, and European classics. The staff are outstanding, and there’s live music every evening on the outdoor terrace.
- REEVE Beach Club: Offers a lovely beachside setting with a good wine list and tasty Western cuisine, ideal for breakfast or lunch. While not the cheapest, it’s a very pretty location directly on the beach.
- Bars:
- Beach Bar @ Aonang Villa Resort: A peaceful, cute beachside bar perfect for enjoying a gin and tonic at sunset, offering table service and beautiful views.
- The Last Fisherman Bar: A cute beach bar and restaurant, excellent for enjoying a cold beer with your feet in the sand.
Accommodation in Ao Nang
Ao Nang provides a wide range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury resorts, catering to every type of traveler and budget. Location is key, with most amenities concentrated near the seafront.
- Blue Sotel SMART Krabi Aonang Beach [Adults Only]: An adults-only resort located just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. It offers swim-up rooms or deluxe doubles with balconies and stunning views. Features a peaceful rooftop pool and a ground-floor pool. The on-site restaurant offers decent food, though the atmosphere can feel like a cafeteria.
- Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa: One of the few hotels in Ao Nang with a pool directly on the beach, offering an unbeatable location within a short walk to the night market, shops, and restaurants. It suits couples, families, and solo travelers with various room types and two pools, including waterslides for kids. Breakfast is high quality, and service is friendly.
- Aree Tara: Praised for its wonderful staff and spacious, clean, and comfortable rooms. It offers complimentary snacks, a decent-sized bathtub, and a powerful shower. Breakfast, served from 7 am, has a great selection including an excellent omelette station. Located a pleasant 10-12 minute walk from the main strip and beach, with tuk-tuks available for ฿100.
Navigating from Ao Nang to Koh Lipe
While there is no direct year-round boat route from Ao Nang to Koh Lipe, the journey is straightforward with combo ticket options, typically involving a minivan and a speedboat.
Combo Ticket Options:
- Join Van + Join Speedboat (Most Popular & Convenient):
- Ao Nang to Pak Bara Pier (via minivan): This segment takes approximately 5 hours and usually includes hotel pick-up in Ao Nang if booked in advance. Departures are early morning (around 6:00-7:00 AM).
- Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe (via speedboat): The speedboat journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Speedboats typically depart at 11:30 AM or 1:30 PM.
- Total Duration: Approximately 6.5 to 8 hours.
- Cost: Combo tickets range from 1,200–1,400 THB per person and can be booked through travel agencies or online platforms.
- Private Taxi + Speedboat:
- Ao Nang to Pak Bara Pier (via private minivan): This option reduces the travel time to Pak Bara Pier to approximately 4.5 hours.
- Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe (via speedboat): Same speedboat duration of 1.5 to 2 hours, with departures at 11:30 AM or 1:30 PM.
- Total Duration: Around 6.5 to 8 hours.
- Cost: While the combo ticket cost remains similar for the speedboat portion, the private minivan itself is significantly more, ranging from 4,500-5,500 THB.
Important Travel Tips for the Journey:
- Book in Advance: Especially during high season (November to May), it’s advisable to book your tickets at least a day in advance.
- Motion Sickness: If you are prone to motion sickness, bring medication, as the sea can be bumpy.
- Pack Light & Dry Bag: Pack light for ease of travel, and bring a dry bag as some boarding areas may involve splashes.
- National Park Fee: Upon arrival at Koh Lipe, be prepared to pay a National Park Fee of 200 THB + 20 THB entrance fee in cash.
- Floating Piers: Some Koh Lipe arrivals use floating piers, so wearing sandals or waterproof shoes is recommended.
Ensuring a Safe and Respectful Journey in Thailand
Thailand is generally considered safe, with the US State Department recently upgrading its travel advisory for most tourist areas to “Exercise Normal Precautions”. However, vigilance and awareness of local customs are paramount for a safe and enriching experience.
Key Safety Considerations:
- Regional Safety Advisories: While major tourist hubs like Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, and Bangkok are generally safe, increased caution is advised for the southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla due to civil unrest.
- Common Scams: Be aware of prevalent scams, including:
- Tuk-Tuk/Taxi Scams: Drivers refusing meters, overcharging, or detouring to commission-based shops.
- “Attraction Closed” Scam: Scammers falsely claiming sites are closed to divert you to overpriced shops.
- Jet Ski/Scooter Scams: Rental operators overcharging for fabricated damage, or demanding passports as collateral.
- Wrong Change/Money Exchange Scams: Always count your change carefully and use reputable exchange services.
- Road Safety: Thailand has a high number of road traffic accidents, especially involving motorcycles. Always wear a helmet if riding a motorcycle, and ensure you have a valid international driving permit if driving a car or motorcycle, as this can invalidate travel insurance.
- Water Safety: Exercise caution when swimming, particularly during monsoon season (May to October), due to strong riptides and jellyfish. Check credentials and equipment of diving schools.
- Violent Crime & Assaults: While rare for tourists, remain vigilant in tourist areas, especially late at night. Drink spiking and drug-assisted assaults can occur.
- Methanol Poisoning: Be wary of home-brewed or counterfeit alcoholic drinks containing methanol.
- Bank Card Fraud: Use ATMs located within a bank and protect your PIN.
Navigating Local Laws and Cultural Etiquette:
Respecting Thai cultural norms will significantly enhance your travel experience.
- Royal Family: Always speak respectfully about the royal family and avoid actions that could be seen as disrespectful, such as stepping on Thai currency. Criticism of the monarchy is illegal and carries severe penalties.
- The Wai Greeting: Returning the traditional Thai “wai” (palms together, slight bow) when greeted is appreciated.
- Modest Dress: Dress modestly, especially when visiting temples, ensuring shoulders and knees are covered. Remove shoes before entering religious sites and private homes.
- Respectful Gestures: Use both hands when giving or receiving something to show respect. Avoid pointing with your feet or placing them on tables/chairs. Do not point directly at someone; use your whole hand or raise your chin to gesture.
- Composure: Raising your voice or displaying anger is viewed negatively; approach conflicts calmly.
- Smoking & E-cigarettes: It is illegal to smoke in public (fines up to 5,000 THB), and e-cigarettes are illegal, carrying fines or imprisonment.
- Illegal Drugs & Cannabis: Thailand has strict drug laws. While low-strength cannabis is legal, carrying it out of Thailand without export permissions is illegal and can lead to severe penalties.
- Personal ID: Carry your original passport or a copy of its photo page.
Travel Insurance: A Non-Negotiable
Travel insurance is mandatory for entering Thailand, acting as a guarantee to cover unexpected expenses, especially in a world with COVID-19.
- Requirements: Coverage must have a minimum of 10,000 USD for medical expenses, including COVID-19 related treatments and other expenses due to accidents and illness. The policy must be effective from arrival until the end of your journey.
- Local Costs: Note that free medical care is not provided, and costs are typically higher for foreigners.
Conclusion
Ao Nang is far more than just a transit point; it’s a dynamic destination offering a rich tapestry of experiences that perfectly complement your journey to Koh Lipe. By embracing its culinary scene, engaging in its diverse activities, selecting suitable accommodation, and traveling responsibly, you’ll ensure a memorable start to your Thai adventure. With proper planning and adherence to safety guidelines, your transition from the vibrant shores of Ao Nang to the serene beauty of Koh Lipe will be seamless.