Why Is Ao Nang Famed for its Coastal Allure – Top Beaches for Fun in the Sand, Sun and Surf!

The resort town of Ao Nang in southern Thailand’s Krabi Province is sure to draw the interest of the discerning leisure seeker. This scenic destination is rightfully renowned for the marvellous beaches to be found along the coastline; at these sandy expanses, you will notice tranquil turquoise waters and rocky karst cliffs. Naturally, it will be a captivating experience to enjoy leisure on these alluring and enchanting shorelines and some of the well-known beaches in Ao Nang are described below.

Railay Beach 

Unquestionably, the enticing Railay Beach would be included on a list of the most entrancing beaches in Thailand. Here, you will encounter jagged limestone cliffs, shimmering clear waters and soft white sands creating a captivating sight for the visitor. You would find that Railay’s western side happens to be more popular amongst visitors due to its backdrop of picturesque limestone cliffs. This part of the beach is also ideal for water activities like swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. Meanwhile, Railay East is less suitable for swimming but enjoys great popularity amongst rock climbers. You may additionally make your way up to the nearby viewpoint and take in the spectacular views. 

Photo by Evan Krause on Unsplash

Ao Nang Beach 

Ao Nang Beach may be regarded as an easily accessible beach with numerous bars, restaurants and hotels to be found in its vicinity. It is also renowned as a marvellous location at which to admire a beautiful sunset. Whilst the principal area along the shore will be rather busy with numerous longtail boats taking tourists island hopping, you could enjoy seclusion and tranquillity at its eastern section. Here, you could buy a snack and a drink from a nearby food stall or restaurant and enjoy them on the idyllic sands. A hotel near Ao Nang Beach to consider from which you could easily visit this coastal hotspot is Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort. 

Phra Nang Beach 

Another fine beach in this locality is Phra Nang Beach which boasts an array of attractive attributes that would captivate visitors; these include azure waters, soft white sands, appealing viewpoints, beach caves and several enjoyable activities like kayaking and rock climbing. Another noteworthy feature here is the intriguing Princess Cave where you would find some unusual shrines. You may also rent a kayak and paddle out to the limestone structures to be found amidst the ocean waters. If your beach activities have given you an appetite, you could buy inexpensive Thai food at a nearby food stall. 

Nopparat Thara Beach 

The distinctive Nopparat Thara Beach happens to be one of Ao Nang’s most extensive stretches of beach; numerous locals regularly arrive here to enjoy a pleasant picnic. The lofty trees lining this beach provide excellent shade and you would also find many places where you could sit down and take in the splendid views. There are some interesting night markets nearby as well where you could buy some tasty street foods. Although this beach may not be one of the best for swimming, it would be an outstanding place to enjoy the sunset as it is rarely crowded. 

Tonsai Beach 

Your tour of Ao Nang’s outstanding beaches wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the captivating Tonsai Beach. One of the allures of this shoreline is that it hasn’t experienced too much tourism-oriented development. You can experience marvellous views at this coastal spot, while you will often encounter rock climbers ascending the impressive limestone cliffs as well as backpackers at the local reggae bars. You could reach this beach by chartering a longtail boat or walking to it at the time of low tide. Another possibility would be hiking to it through a lush jungle trail which will take you around half an hour and add to the sense of adventure!