Ao Nang
Ao Nang is a beach town in Krabi where long-tail boats leave for islands and the limestone coast of Railay.
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Ao Nang is a resort town in Krabi province on the Andaman coast of southern Thailand. It is one of ten subdistricts of Mueang Krabi District and a central point of Krabi's coastline. The town is built mainly around one main street lined with restaurants, pubs, shops and other businesses aimed at tourists. The main beach is used by sunbathers, though only to a certain extent.
Long-tail boats from Ao Nang take visitors to beaches on the mainland, including Railay, and to nearby islands such as Hong and the Phi Phi group. That makes the town a practical base for day trips by boat. The town suits a beach stay with easy boat trips and a commercial main street. The drier months, from November to April, are the usual time to visit.
Ao Nang in five
- Pick your end of the beach before you bookThe central beach road has the restaurants and tour desks, Noppharat Thara is quieter and nearer the national park, and Klong Muang is the upscale, resort-style stretch. Choose by noise and walking distance, not by the star rating.Where to stay in Ao Nang
- Compare the island tours by stops, not namesFour Islands, Hong Islands and Phi Phi days differ in boat type, number of stops and whether park fees are included. Read the itinerary line by line, and ask for the group size.Island tours from Ao Nang
- Take a longtail to Railay, not a transferRailay has no road, and longtails run from the Ao Nang waterfront in a short crossing. Boats depend on the tide and sea, so check the last departure on the day if you are going back the same evening.Ao Nang or Railay
- Check the sea before swimmingAo Nang beach is tidal and the water can be shallow at low tide. In the May to October monsoon, red flags and rip currents mean no swimming, so pick a beach club pool or go to calmer water.
- Book the airport transfer before you landKrabi airport is a drive inland and there is no train. Pre-booked minivans and metered or fixed-fare taxis are the options, so settle the price and drop-off point before getting in.Krabi
Things to do in Ao Nang
See all attractions in Ao Nang
Need to know
- Airport
- Krabi International (KBV), about 30 to 45 minutes by road
- Getting there
- Flights to Krabi, then taxi or minivan; boats from Phuket and Phi Phi
- Getting around
- On foot, songthaews to Krabi town, longtail boats to Railay
- Best base
- Central beach road for choice; Noppharat Thara for quiet
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days with island tours
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry, calmJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Dry, clearFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh34°Low25°Dry, hotMarchRain
Good
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Songkran, hotAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Songkran, hot
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Monsoon startsMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 299 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon starts
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Wet, rough seaJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 232 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, rough sea
- JulyRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°WetJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 240 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°WetAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WettestSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 311 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet, swellOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 363 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, swell
- NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Drying outNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 336 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drying out
- DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Peak seasonDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak season
Average daily high and low in Ao Nang, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ao Nang
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 95%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Ao Nang
07:56 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°24°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed31°24°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu31°23°100%Thursday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri31°23°98%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sat31°23°96%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sun31°24°98%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Mon30°23°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 04:05 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Railayabout 15 to 20 min by longtailCliffs, beaches and climbing, with boats from the Ao Nang waterfront.Read the guide
- Ko Phi-Phiabout 1 to 2 hours by boatDay tours reach the islands; ferries run from Krabi piers.Read the guide
- Ao Phang-Nga Bayabout 1.5 to 2 hours by road and boatKarst islands and canoeing; many tours start from Phuket.Read the guide
Before you go to Ao Nang
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Rules for Ao Nang, checked
- Check whether you need a visa for Thailand, and fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before you arrive.Source
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples such as Wat Tham Sua, and take off your shoes before entering a shrine hall.
- Insulting the monarchy is a crime in Thailand, including in posts and messages online. Avoid jokes about the royal family.
- Dial 191 for police in an emergency.
Plan around Ao Nang
Regions, islands, entry rules and the season map
Read the guideRailayClimbing walls and beaches reached only by boat
Read the guideKrabi TownThe provincial town and its markets
Read the guideAo Phang-Nga Marine ParkKarst bays and sea canoeing north of Krabi
Read the guideBest time to visit ThailandWhich coast is dry in which month
Read the guideAo Nang FAQ
Is Ao Nang a good place to stay in Krabi?
Yes for first visits: it has the most hotels, restaurants and tour desks, and boats to Railay leave from the waterfront. If you want a beach you can swim from at every tide, look at Noppharat Thara or Railay.
How many days do you need in Ao Nang?
Three days cover Railay and one island tour. Five days let you add a second island day, the Emerald Pool and a rest day. Longer stays suit climbers and anyone using Ao Nang as a base for the whole province.
Can you swim at Ao Nang beach?
Yes in the dry season, but the shore is shallow at low tide and the water is not clear. In the May to October monsoon rough seas and red flags often rule out swimming, so plan boat trips or a pool instead.
How do you get from Krabi airport to Ao Nang?
By taxi or pre-booked minivan, around 30 to 45 minutes. Agree the fare and drop-off point before leaving the airport, since the beach road is one way in places and the final stretch is slow at peak times.
Is Ao Nang better than Railay?
Ao Nang is easier, cheaper and has more food; Railay is prettier and quieter but reached only by boat. Many visitors do Ao Nang as the base and Railay for a night or a day. See the full comparison.