One of the main reasons that tourists take long holidays in strange lands thousands of miles away from home is to escape the same old scenes and explore new environments.

Most tourist spots appear exotic to tourists’ eyes when seen for the first time. However, only a few destinations, in particular beach destinations, offer more than the usual palm-fringed postcard backdrop. Perhaps this is why more and more tourists have been drawn to Krabi over the last few years. This land is not only exotic, with the requisite palm trees, azure waters and white sand, it is also scenically eccentric --- it is a whole other world. If it had to be described in the form of a cheap sci-fi movie title, it would be called “Land of the Outcrops”. The place is truly awe-inspiring.

Krabi province may have emerged as the newly discovered and promoted destination on the Andaman coast of Thailand, but in fact, its attractions have been recognized internationally for more than a decade. Testament to this fact is Phi Phi Island, touted for its picturesque concealed lagoons, palm-fringed half-moon bays, and rich coral reefs. In the past, many tourists might have come to Phi Phi via Phuket but they seemed to only stop there. Because of this, more than 100 small islands and sea outcrops surrounding Krabi have been left virtually unspoiled by the outsiders. Even with the advent of Krabi Airport 2 years ago, these natural appeals remain pristine because of its naturally protective geography and an effort towards sustainable development by the locals.

A Unique Landscape

Perhaps the most talked-about beach is Pranang, which features a white sandy beach and a stalactite cave to explore. The beach is linked to east Railay and west Railay by a small passage. East Railay features some overhanging limestone outcrops, a favorite site for rock climbers from all over the world, while the western beach is more serene and ideal for sunbathing and swimming. These beaches can get a bit crowded during the peak season from November to February, when the monsoon recedes and the silt settles down, increasing visibility in the world under the water.

Krabi Adventures

One thing that makes Krabi stand out from other beach destinations is its diverse geography and the density of rare natural attractions. Krabi offers plenty of activities for every type of visitor from beach bunnies to die-hard adventurers.

Apart from dipping your toes at the seashore and soaking up the sun, the most popular activity is rock climbing at Railay beach. Many people opt for Ta Lane, Bor Tor or Hong Island for a sea kayak trip - each site offers different surroundings, from stunning coves to prehistoric caves. For jungle explorers, a trek or a short trip in one of Krabi’s national parks such as Khao Panom Benja National Park or Khao Pra-Bang Karm Wildlife Restriction Area in Klong Tom District might scratch your itchy feet. These offer lush green forests, waterfalls, hot springs, stalactite caves with prehistoric paintings, rare birds and all sorts of crawling and slithering creatures – keep your eyes open.

Island Retreats

In spite of their apparent isolation, the longest island trip (except Phi Phi), takes only 30 minutes by a speedboat or about 1 hour by a longtail boat. The nearest group of islands is Koh Tub, Koh Mor and Koh Kai. The three islands are connected loosely by a T-shaped white sandy beach and adorned with limestone outcrops, fluffy white sandy beaches, placid crystal clear water, colorful – and friendly -- fish and shallow undersea coral reefs. Another island in the neighborhood is Koh Poda, which has a long white beach and is good for some casual snorkeling.