For those who don’t wish to shy away from people and Krabi’s vibrancy, Ao Nang is the place to be. 20 minutes away by car from Krabi Town, Ao Nang Beach also serves as the access points to the beautiful Railay Beach and the various small islands via longtail boats or speedboats. The Nopparat Thara Beach is also located right next to Ao Nang, where visitors can partake in activities that include visiting the catfish farm or going on a mangrove tour.

The bulk of the development and activities in Ao Nang are centred around the main road between the two beaches.There you can find popular restaurants, cafes and the Ao Nang Street Market, a night market that gives the ones in Bangkok a run for their money. There is also the Catalunya Walking Street in Ao Nang, which is an open-air mall best for browsing on foot. You can also watch some muay thai and boxing action at the Ao Nang Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium (Raja Two), where fights are held on Mondays and Fridays. After watching some (possibly) bone-shattering fighting, you might want to explore the nightlife of the town, and there’s no better place to start than Ao Nang Center Point, a three-storey complex and one of the first developments in Ao Nang, and locals recommend that it’s good to start with the tried and tested classics, though new bars and clubs have opened up.

Though the activities on land can be exciting, if you want to get off and head straight to the crystal blue waters, Ao Nang Beach is also in proximity to various small islands in the Andaman Sea, often protected habitats for reefs and local marine wildlife. Whether you want to visit Railay Beach (all four beaches at Railay, in fact) or Koh Poda or the Tup and Chicken Islands, Ao Nang is often the starting location for all snorkeling and diving trips.