Noppharat Thara
Much calmer and more elegant than Ao Nang is the Noppharat Thara next to it, which is known in so many different forms that it is not even worth thinking about (e.g. Nappharat Thara and Napparattara). It is along the same promenade (Road 4203), and there are open-top buses running in both directions, making round-trip rounds at Krabi-Ao Nang-Noppharat Thara bus station, and some of them run elsewhere. It has a fair number of stalls to eat and drink, but the farther from Ao Nang towards the national park and headland, the fewer restaurants and other places there are for tourists and the more authentic the offer.
Noppharat Thara Beach or Hat Noppharat Thara is narrow at the end of Ao Nang, but it is walked diligently in both directions. At its head there are a few stalls where you can get juices and fruit, but the closer you get to the peninsula, the less there is anything on the beach, the promenade or the promenade. The best parts of the beach are the headland, with some of Thailand’s most iconic and pleasant scenery. The only competitor among the main places for its views is Railay, whose views can be viewed at any time within a short boat ride.
If Krabi wants to stay away from the harshest parts of Ao Nang’s core and is not interested in steaks, pizzas, tentacles and western pop on their holiday, Noppharat Thara is a much better area to stay.
The port of Noppharat Thara is not very close to many places to stay, but it is a popular place to go to Koh Phi-Ph, Koh Lanta and also Phuket, where a visit is quite expensive. It is also easy to get to Noppharat Thara Harbor from Ao Nang or the city of Krabi, and it is not necessary to look for a hotel near the port for those going to the islands.
Railay
Paradise-like Railay, like the Noppharat Thara Peninsula, is a place that is definitely worth a visit on a Krabi vacation. This area is special in many ways, and one of its specialties is that although it is connected to the mainland, it can only be reached along waterways. The shortest journey there is from Ao Nang and only a little longer from Noppharat Thara, from where you can get there quickly and cheaply. From the city of Krabi you can get to Railay in about 50 minutes and 300 baht back and forth, door to door and so that you can stay on the island all day if you want (around 10 am to 5 pm) but you can only stay there for a couple of hours.
In addition to its stunning scenery, Railay’s beaches are fine and are among the busiest in the area. Their scenery is stunning, but the resorts and hotels near them are fine and affordable. Dining is also more expensive than in the town of Krabi, and you can really only walk around the peninsula on foot. Perhaps the biggest reason to go there is rock climbing, which can be practiced in many different places and which Railay can be practiced by both beginners and experienced enthusiasts in the field.
You can stay in Railay, although its accommodation can be quite expensive. The peninsula is best enjoyed by those who want to climb, and also families who want to spend a peaceful, noise-free beach holiday will enjoy themselves here as well. There are many different possibilities, but Railay easily spends more money than other parts of Krabi and moving elsewhere takes more time and is more cumbersome. At its best, it’s a day trip destination for most, and the peninsula isn’t suppressively hot even at noon, and there are plenty of shady spots.
One more affordable place on the peninsula than other concentrations is Ton Sai, which also has a passing nightlife. There is a pier and it is the shortest distance from both Ao Nang and Noppharat Thara.
Ao Luek
Few spend the night at Ao Luek, also known in many places as Aoluek, Ao Luk or Aoluk. It is a paradise for its pastimes, where families and adventurous young adults thrive. It is possible to get there from the main street of the city of Krabi very cheaply by open platform bus, but if you go there, it is worth scheduling the departure until the morning, because after 1 pm there are quite a few open platform buses. However, you can get there at any time in just over half an hour by taxi, and self-employed travelers can also well spend a few nights there.