This laid-back beach town on Thailand's Andaman coast has limestone cliffs, clear waters, and long-tail boats connecting to Railay Beach and nearby islands.
Ban Ao Nang sits between limestone cliffs and the Andaman Sea in Thailand's Krabi Province. You can swim at the 2-kilometer beach, take a long-tail boat to the white sands of Railay, or browse handmade crafts at the evening market near the mosque. From the main pier, boats depart hourly to Phi Phi and Hong islands, both less than 45 minutes away.
Getting Around Ban Ao Nang
The main beach road runs for 2 kilometers, with hotels and restaurants on both sides. Walking takes you to most places within 15-20 minutes. Tuk-tuks charge 50-100 baht for trips within town, while motorcycle taxis cost 30-60 baht. Local shops rent scooters for 250-350 baht per day, depending on the model. Traffic moves slowly from 5 PM to 8 PM when tour buses return from day trips.
Accommodation Costs and Options
Hotels in Ban Ao Nang cost between €80-150 per night as of 2023, with prices rising 30% during December-February. Rooms come with air conditioning, WiFi (typically 20-50 Mbps), and satellite TV with 40+ channels. Beachfront hotels have swimming pools and sun decks facing the sea. Most properties along the beach road put you within 200-300 meters of restaurants and the water.
Beach Activities and Island Tours
The main beach has shallow waters (1-2 meters deep) from November to April, with waves under 0.5 meters. Long-tail boats line up every 50 meters along the shore, charging 100-150 baht per person to Tonsai and Railay beaches. Four-island tours cost 1,200-1,500 baht and take you to Chicken Island's rock formations, the sandbar at Tup Island, the coral reefs of Poda Island, and the cave paintings at Phranang. Tours run from 9 AM to 3 PM and include lunch, masks, and fins.
Local Food Scene
Street vendors and small restaurants fill both sides of the main road. You'll find som tam (green papaya salad) for 60-80 baht, khao man gai (chicken rice) for 50-70 baht, and moo ping (grilled pork skewers) for 10-15 baht each. The night market by the mosque runs from 4 PM to 10 PM with 50+ stalls. Fresh seafood costs 300-600 baht per kilogram depending on the type, while grilled chicken satay goes for 10 baht per stick and mango sticky rice for 60-80 baht. Restaurants on side streets charge 80-120 baht for main dishes, compared to 150-200 baht at beachfront venues.
