Krabi activities and sports
Krabi has a wide range of activities and sports to suit every age and lifestyle: most of them are outdoor pursuits such as diving, rock climbing, swimming, snorkelling, sea-kayaking and golf. You can also explore the region on a jungle trek, a bicycle tour or on the back of an elephant. You’ll also find spectator sports like Thai boxing and takraw, a skillful game that involves keeping a wicker ball up in the air - it’s harder than it sounds!
Rock climbing is the one activity that has made Krabi world famous and there are more than adozen schools offering beginner to advanced courses. The limestone cliffs and faces on the many karst formations in the area are covered in first class routes, with more 600 identified and ‘bolted’ so far ranging from beginner 5a to extreme 8c. Getting started isn’t difficult and it can be enjoyed by all, while experts will be able to teem up with local guides for equipment use and an introduction to the routes. More on rock climbing in Krabi.
Diving is another extremely popular sport in Krabi and elsewhere in Thailand and the islands within this province, including the world famous Koh Phi Phi offers some spectacular reef diving and snorkelling. There are several dive centres in Ao Nang that offer OpenWater 1 PADI courses, as was advanced courses and dive trips to the many reefs and occasional wrecks in the area. All of them meet international standards for safety. More on diving in Krabi.
Sea kayaking is another key activity in Krabi and popular because it’s an ideal way of exploring the many small karst islands jutting out of the coastline and getting closer to the caves and lagoons within them. Often kayaks can go where others can’t and there are several companies offering daily tours. More on kayaking in Krabi.
If you’re a fitness fanatic, there are a few hotels in Krabi with their own gym and tennis courts; except during the peak tourist season, these can usually be used by outside guests for a small fee. Otherwise, there are two basically-equipped gyms open to the public in Krabi Town and Ao Nang. Many people like to change their normal routine to include a jog along the beach at low tide, or perhaps some outdoor yoga.
Golf can be played on Krabi’s single course, the Pakasai Country Club, located around 35km from the beach areas and 10km from the airport, in Neua Klong District. A few companies offer golf package tours, often with a stop off at other places of interest, or the driving range in Krabi Town along the way. With green and caddy fees, a round here comes to about 1000 Baht - including equipment hire. For serious golfers, the world-class greens of Phuket are a short, two-hour drive away.
Walkers will find Krabi’s cool, green interior a boon for trekking. The National Park at Huay Toh has some particularly good trails, leading through the forest and up to a seven-tiered waterfall. There are also nature trails at Khao Phra-Bang Khram nature reserve, Tharnbok Khoranee National Park and along Tha Pom mangrove river. All of these park areas have delightful, clean swimming holes, so you can take a refreshing dip after your exercise.
Big game fishing is another popular activity in Krabi. Your guides and boat captain will be local villagers, who know the best places to find the fish: a catch is so assured, that the companies even advertise their tours as ‘No Fish, No Pay!’. Day excursions are the norm, but you can also charter a boat to go out before dawn, or at night. Of course, you can keep whatever you catch and many local restaurants will be happy to grill your fresh barracuda, or giant white snapper for a small charge.
If you’ve fallen in love with Thai cuisine, then you can learn how to prepare it at home with one of the many hands-on cookery courses. Most will be able to answer questions about ingredient substitution and offer helpful advice on how to ‘translate’ the dishes to a western setting. Other cultural activities include learning the Thai language; there are beginners’ courses designed for tourists available in Ao Nang.
Finally, one of the best passive activities in Krabi is indulging in a Thai massage or treatment at one of the many spas. These tend to be set outdoors in tropical gardens, where you can overload your senses with beautiful sights, sounds and fragrances, while your body is thoroughly pampered.
