Krabi - finding the happy medium
Aug 26, 2014, 9:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 32
Krabi - finding the happy medium
Hi all,
My Girlfriend and I will have 4 nights in the Krabi region the 1st week of December (2014). Snorkeling, kayaking, beaching and a day trip inland are on the agenda. A few questions for the experts:
Is the beach at Ao Nang safe to swim or snorkel, or is it too busy and dirty?
Any authentic local eateries in railay or ton sai? The area seems quieter but we don't want to eat at hotels every night.
Is there another beach village we should be looking at?
We are trying to find the happy medium between walkable evening food/bars and swim able beach front serenity with a budget <5000thb / nt. sea front.
Any pointers are appreciated! Thanks.
My Girlfriend and I will have 4 nights in the Krabi region the 1st week of December (2014). Snorkeling, kayaking, beaching and a day trip inland are on the agenda. A few questions for the experts:
Is the beach at Ao Nang safe to swim or snorkel, or is it too busy and dirty?
Any authentic local eateries in railay or ton sai? The area seems quieter but we don't want to eat at hotels every night.
Is there another beach village we should be looking at?
We are trying to find the happy medium between walkable evening food/bars and swim able beach front serenity with a budget <5000thb / nt. sea front.
Any pointers are appreciated! Thanks.
Aug 26, 2014, 10:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,508
The beach at Ao Nang is very shallow. You want to do your water-sports around the point in Railay. Or, think about Koh Lanta or Khao Lak. There's good cheap food everywhere in Thailand. Don't be afraid of soi-food either.
Last edited by whackyjacky; Aug 27, 2014 at 8:51 am
Aug 27, 2014, 7:16 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 948
Currently in ao nang, arrived yesterday. Plenty of food options along the beach front, have a really good selection of soi food near my hotel, insanely cheap and very tasty.
I haven't had a chance to get out and explore much yet as it has rained quite consistently the last 2 days..
You could always consider staying near the eastern end of ao nang beach front road or the krabi road, that will keep you both within walking distance of just about everything then its only a short trip to Railay for swimming/snorkelling.
I haven't had a chance to get out and explore much yet as it has rained quite consistently the last 2 days..
You could always consider staying near the eastern end of ao nang beach front road or the krabi road, that will keep you both within walking distance of just about everything then its only a short trip to Railay for swimming/snorkelling.
Aug 27, 2014, 7:40 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 32
Thanks for the response whackyjacky.
I will concentrate on West Railay and do some research on Koh Lanta.
Of course now Choeng Mon, Koh Samui is back in consideration. I suppose deciding between these beaches for vacation is one of the best problems someone could have.
I will concentrate on West Railay and do some research on Koh Lanta.
Of course now Choeng Mon, Koh Samui is back in consideration. I suppose deciding between these beaches for vacation is one of the best problems someone could have.
Aug 27, 2014, 8:04 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 32
Thanks for the data Firemansam. I was looking at the AoNang Villa Resort on the southeast end of the Ao Nang, or the Centara if I can adjust my dates to the end of november as rates then fall within my budget. That could be a happy medium if we can kayak around the bend for activities.
Aug 27, 2014, 8:47 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,508
I stayed at Ao Nang Villa maybe 6 or 7 years ago. Great pool. If they've kept it up, it's a nice option. Kinda long kayak to Railay (& back), take a longtail. Watch out for the jellyfish. A French kid ran into one and died this week around there somewhere. IIWY, I'd fly into HKT, rent a car, cross the bridge, and grab a hotel on the beach in Khao Lak.
Last edited by whackyjacky; Aug 27, 2014 at 8:56 am
Sep 8, 2014, 1:35 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
I stayed in Ao Nang once but I did not like it as the place was almost completely full of European people. I have nothing against European people, but I did not feel like I was in Thailand. I might have well been in Spain.
I did have nice views of the ocean, and fun island hopping.
I did have nice views of the ocean, and fun island hopping.
Sep 9, 2014, 1:14 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I stayed in Ao Nang once but I did not like it as the place was almost completely full of European people. I have nothing against European people, but I did not feel like I was in Thailand. I might have well been in Spain.
I did have nice views of the ocean, and fun island hopping.
I did have nice views of the ocean, and fun island hopping.
Sep 11, 2014, 10:16 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,508
I was there 2 weeks later and Ao Nang seemed untouched. I don't remember any of damage at all. It was spared. I took a boat to Phuket town and had to transfer and wait at Phi Phi. It was completely devastated. We had to climb up to a hotel at the top of the hill to buy a bottle of water as it was the only place open. Khao Lak was wiped off the map. Patong was mostly spared as well. I was told the bars on Bangla were open that night. The S end of the beach got the brunt of it and Le Meridien unluckily was built in a valley on a bay facing the wave and it was ugly.
Dec 8, 2014, 1:17 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 32
FWIW I just returned from this trip. Stayed at Ko Yao Noi for a few nights and Railay for another few. Both wonderful places.
The Sand Sea Resort in Railay had a listed price of 3900 baht for a private bungalow 'near' Railay west beach (about 200m walk).
The Sand Sea Resort in Railay had a listed price of 3900 baht for a private bungalow 'near' Railay west beach (about 200m walk).