Top 15 Things To Do In Krabi For The Adventure-Seekers

Located on the southern end of Thailand on the Andaman Sea, Krabi is perhaps best recognised by its large and extravagant limestone karsts and cliff formations. It is, and remains, a highlight for many travellers.

Known perennially as the climbing mecca, this natural paradise is teeming with wildlife, marine biodiversity, dense mangroves, cascading waterfalls and coral beaches. With a great deal of outdoor activities available, there is bound to be one that suits your appetite for adventure. Whether you are a novice looking to expand into adventurous terrain or an experienced traveller, there are a good number of things to do there - you can also hire guided group tours and coaches to get you started.

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Here is our guide to the top 15 things to do in Krabi, especially if you love the adrenaline rush!

To kick things off, there is a reason why Krabi and its tiny islets along its coastline are on every climber’s bucket list. Known as the climbing mecca, Krabi offers millions of bouldering and high wall climbing routes for climbers of all skill levels. Climbing is one of the top things to try on the islands here.

New to climbing? Sign up with a rock climbing school! They will provide you with all the gear you need as well as qualified guides who will belay you, ensuring that you have a fulfilling and safe climbing experience. As most of the climbing is set up on Railay or Ton Sai beach (15 minutes from the Ao Nang pier), you would have to travel there from Ao Nang on a longtail boat.

The sense of satisfaction you feel topping a route will quickly turn into awe as you get to soak in the breathtaking views of towering limestone overhangs and the vast sea. Climb on!

Combining abseiling and rock climbing is common for many backpackers and adventurous travellers in Krabi.

After climbing up craggy rock formations, pocketed caves and hanging stalactites, abseiling is another thrilling way of taking in the jaw-dropping views of the beach and lush forestry. Have a fear of heights? Abseiling is where you get to confront these fears head-on. Most tours offer abseiling from the Railay Viewpoint.

A 10-metre abseil 150 metres above sea level, the stunning views of the Andaman Sea and pristine white-sand beaches are not to be missed!

What better way to cool off from an afternoon of climbing and abseiling than to kayak through some of Krabi’s dense mangroves?

Some of the best places to rent a kayak in Krabi include Thalene Bay, Bor Thor Village and Railay Beach. If you are feeling brave, try kayaking along the local coastline and under the majestic limestone karsts. This is also where you will get to observe wildlife up close. You can easily spot kingfishers, monkeys and crabs among other wildlife species.

Kayaking is eco-conscious, affordable and the only way you can possibly coast through some of the mangroves, caves and canyons to catch glimpses of beautiful lapping waves against the natural rock formations. It is one of the more popular things to do in Krabi, seeing that there are over 200 islets off its coastline.

Another popular water sport to explore in Krabi would be stand-up paddleboarding. Unlike traditional surfing, it involves you standing on what looks like a surfboard and using a paddle to propel yourself through the waters.

An activity that is much less physically exacting, stand-up paddleboarding is readily available at most beaches in Krabi. Paddleboarding is the perfect activity for calm waters. If you get the chance to try your hand at this sport, it is well worth the time to get up close and personal with the rock formations and stalactites that you would have usually admired from shore.

If you are up for a challenge, hiking up to either the Railay East or West Viewpoint can be an exhilarating experience.

The climb is arguably tedious, with only natural vines leading up a near vertical wall of rocks and mud. Multiple paths lead up to the viewpoints. At the start, much of the hiking is climbing over tree roots and rocks. After which, you will have to hoist yourself up the rocks with the ropes and natural vines.

The climb requires a significant amount of physical strength and ability, but the panoramic views of Railay and Ton Sai beach are well worth it.

Is hiking up to the viewpoint one of the things planned in your itinerary for Krabi? Travellers are recommended to wear appropriate shoes and leave early enough for the hike so that they can get back before the sun sets.

Up for a joyride? White-water rafting is a sure-fire way to get your adrenaline rushing.

You can sign up for white-water rafting in the Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary in Krabi. The rafting itself is offered at the Songpraek River.

Never tried white-water rafting? Fret not, the activity is suitable for both amateurs and experienced rafters. For each different level of difficulty, an experienced guide will be with you. White-water rafting is a fantastic way to get a look at Krabi’s dense forests - a change of scenery from the vast open seas.

Get your heart pumping by racing down the fast-paced rapids!

Krabi is the province to be in for all water babies!

If you are into marine life, Krabi’s coastal clear waters give you unparalleled views of colourful schools of fish and intricate coral formations.

There are a wide number of islands and offshore open-sea snorkelling options available for those with an interest in marine biodiversity. Some of the best islands to snorkel at are Hong Islands and Phi Phi Islands. Phi Phi is known for a wide range of snorkelling spots: Ao Maya, Hin Kiang, Ao Lo Sama and Lohsmaha Bay.

An easier way to squeeze in some snorkelling would be to book an island-hopping tour. Not only will you get to snorkel, but you can also tan, swim and have lunch at the various spots.

Why not take it a step further and try scuba-diving?

On top of guided tours, Krabi has an abundance of shallow sites for those who are new to scuba-diving. Experienced divers can explore underwater caves and get a chance to spot leopard sharks, barracuda, and even sholes of groupers.

As Krabi is home to a number of national marine parks, scuba-diving is a fantastic way of observing diverse sea life.

Enjoy a change of scenery when you immerse yourself in a ziplining adventure in Ao Nang, Krabi.

Located in the heart of Ao Nang, a zipline adventure offers a variety of adventurous activities and games that are suited for all ages. The zipline adventure park is a foolproof way to ignite a spark for adventure in your children if you are travelling with your family.

Flying foxes, rope bridges, tarzan swings and long zip lines across the dense mangrove forests of Krabi are just some of the games you can expect in a zipline adventure park. Be sure to make time for a treetop zipline adventure on your list of things to do in Krabi!

Many of us tend to forget that many of the outdoor activities are best experienced in sunny weather and clear skies. However, when travelling in the tropics, travellers should expect some light rainfall even during dry weather season.

If it happens to rain during your trip to Krabi, going ATV riding should be in your plan! You get to ride on an all-terrain vehicle through the jungles of Krabi, and a little bit of rain only makes the ride much more exciting. Along the trails, your guide will bring you to several viewpoints; waterfalls, dense jungles and lakes! This is also a great chance for you to snap up good photo-taking opportunities.

The rain will lead to you getting muddied, so wearing covered shoes is a good idea!

Sometimes, good old hiking trails do the trick of getting your blood pumping and endorphins rushing! Aside from the Railay East and West viewpoints, there is the Ngorn Nak Mountain Trail you absolutely have to try if you are near Ao Nang beach.

Approximately 3.7 kilometres and 500 metres above sea level, the hike up (and down) is strenuous. However, the hike can be fully rewarding with the breathtaking views of limestone cliffs, lush green forestry and islands nearby.

Adventure does not always come at the cost of serenity - and hiking up the Ngorn Nak Mountain Trail does just that by giving you the best of both worlds.

Krabi is well known for its impressive and unique ecosystem of limestone formations, in the form of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as collapsed caverns and caves. You can find them on the coastline and inland.

Some of the caves you might consider exploring:

● Diamond Cave, north end of Railay East Beach

● Tham Phra Nang Nok (Princess Cave), on Phra Nang Beach

● Tham Phi Hua To, by boat from Bor Thor Jetty

● Monkey Cave, near Phang-Nga

The caves are a great option for adventurous travellers who have a keen interest in cave formations and their historic significance. Kayaking tours are an environmentally-friendly method of observing these natural ecosystems.

Local guides are recommended if you are looking to explore deeper into the caves. Is cave exploration on your list of adventurous things to do in Krabi?

As common as it gets, island-hopping is one of the prime things to do when in Krabi. Known to have approximately 200 islands surrounding its coastline, island-hopping tours are a great way to experience and soak in their sublime beaches. In fact, James Bond Island is one of the more popular ones to visit - ever since Leonardo DiCaprio’s act in The Beach was filmed there!

Normally, local tour groups offer a range of options varying in length, number of islands and activities included when you sign up for a tour with them. If you are feeling adventurous, skip the longtail boats and opt for a full day open-sea kayaking tour.

The added benefit of kayaking is the ability to paddle through caves, which otherwise would not be possible with a boat. Travellers can also pick between mangroves and canyons (Ao Thalene) to open sea options (Hong Islands, Railay and Bor Thor).

Take a break from the vast sea views and immerse yourself in the tranquillity that comes with trekking through Krabi’s dense and rich forestry.

Somewhere in the rainforest, weary travellers can take a dip at Klong Thom Hot Springs. The rocks are cut into smooth grooves for people to sit in and enjoy the hot springs that flow from underground volcanic chambers. Nearby, the Emerald Pool is a favourite for its clear green natural springs pool water. You will be surprised at how clear the water is!

1,237 steps stand between you and the Golden Buddha Statue that sits atop the hill. Not for the faint-hearted, the steps are uneven and steep in places.

Challenging as it may be, the hike up the Tiger Cave Temple is a promising one. You will be rewarded with a panoramic view over limestone rocks and rainforests. If you are not afraid of heights, this vertigo-inducing hike up is sure to get your adrenaline rushing.

The best times to hike up to the Tiger Cave Temple are in the early mornings and late afternoons.

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What are you waiting for? Krabi is the perfect playground for all you adrenaline seekers out there! Land or sea, there are endless number of things to do there that are just up the adventure alleyway. Come to Krabi once, and you will definitely be back again.