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Ao Nang

Transportation in Ao Nang Beach

Ferry & speedboat crossings
Swimmers in turquoise shallows off a white-sand beach facing a limestone karst island under blue sky

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Destination overview

Ao Nang Information

Ao Nang is the gateway to Krabi.

Tourists sunbathing and swimming on a narrow tropical sandbar with turquoise sea and a drinks price sign
Schedules & prices

Departures from Ao Nang

The first 8 of 36 departures leaving Ao Nang today — pick one to choose your date and book.

See all 36 departures from Ao Nang
Schedules & prices

Arrivals in Ao Nang

The first 8 of 39 services arriving in Ao Nang today — pick one to choose your date and book.

See all 39 arrivals in Ao Nang
Popular stations & vehicles

Piers

Ao Nam Mao Pier.

The Ultimate Gateway: Ao Nam Mao Pier, Adjacent to Ao Nang Situated near the picturesque Ao Nang, Ao Nam Mao Pier serves...

Nopparat Thara Pier

Nopparat Thara Pier: Boat Departures from Ao Nang Nopparat Thara Pier (ท่าเรือนพรัตน์ธารา) sits at the northern end of Nopparat...

Wang Sai Pier

Wang Sai Pier: Your Gateway to Phi Phi Islands and Beyond Located near the vibrant coastal town of Ao Nang, Wang Sai Pier...
About Ao Nang

Getting to Ao Nang

Ao Nang: your gateway to Krabi and the Andaman islands

Ao Nang Beach differs from the other beaches in Thailand, it is not going to offer you a typically beautiful view or space to just swim and get a suntan. So, what is the attraction when visiting Ao Nang? You can find cheap hotels and connections to other beaches like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Phuket and the popular Railay peninsula just 15 minutes from Krabi beach. It is the most popular beach in the province and like other towns in Thailand, you can find low-cost accommodations, be delighted by the local food in many fantastic restaurants, contact a travel agency and plan your tour, get souvenirs in the shops, find easy transportation and of course tons of activities for your pleasure.

Ao Nang is the favorite place for many backpackers because of the many climbing opportunities and it is also ideal as a starting point for excursions to popular beaches since it allows one to have access to them. However, today it is focused on a more familiar audience.

Things to do around Ao Nang

Maybe you won’t have picturesque sightseeing, but Ao Nang gives you plenty of things to do while exploring Krabi and its surroundings. Among them, kayaking is one of the favourites, also you can learn scuba diving in one of the many centres that the beach offers you and if you have an adventuristic spirit, rent a bicycle or a motorcycle and make a journey through the western part of the Ao Nang area and arrive at Nopphara Thara beach or make day trips to visit islands such as Koh Hong, Koh Kai or Koh Poda. Rent a motorcycle for around 150 – 200 per day, and it’s the cheapest way to move around the beach.

Because the town is compact, most travellers walk between their hotel, the restaurants along the main strip and the beachfront. Longtail boats leaving from the sand handle the short hops that roads can’t reach, which is why the Railay peninsula stays so easy to visit even on a half-day plan.

How to get to Ao Nang

Ao Nang sits on the Andaman coast of Krabi province, so most journeys arrive either overland from the mainland or by boat from the surrounding islands. Krabi is the natural entry point for travellers flying in or coming by road from other parts of southern Thailand, and the final leg to the beach is short.

On this page you can compare every scheduled service we sell to and from Ao Nang in one search. Enter your date, check the options from several operators and the other companies listed below, and book the seats directly — there are 92 routes bookable routes in total, with fares from ฿400.

Ports, piers and pick-up points

Boats for the islands use the piers on and around the Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara shoreline, while road services generally use hotel or town-centre pick-up points in the Ao Nang area. Your exact departure point, along with any pick-up window, is shown on the ticket for the service you select — piers can differ between operators and between seasons, so it is worth reading that line before travel day.

Popular routes to and from Ao Nang

Ao Nang connects to Koh Jum, Koh Kradan, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Koh Mook, Koh Ngai and 8 more destinations. That spread makes it a practical first or last stop on an Andaman island route, whether you are heading south towards the Trang islands and the Malaysian border or staying close to Krabi.

Most of these routes run in both directions, so you can plan a return leg back to Ao Nang from the same island page.

Operators serving Ao Nang

Services from Ao Nang are run by several local companies, including Andaman Wave Master, Ao Nang Travel and Tour Co.,Ltd. and Bundhaya Speed Boat. Each operator sets its own departure points, luggage rules and onward transfer arrangements, and those details appear with the individual service when you search.

Where more than one company covers the same island, comparing them side by side is usually the quickest way to find a departure that fits your day rather than one that leaves you waiting at the pier.

Practical travel information

A few things worth knowing before you book Ao Nang travel:

  • Book ahead in high season. The island routes fill up during peak months, and popular sailings can sell out days in advance.
  • Allow time for pick-ups. Where a service includes a transfer to the pier, the pick-up happens well before the stated departure.
  • Travel light where you can. Boats and minivans have limited luggage space, and some operators apply their own baggage conditions.
  • Check the season. Andaman weather affects sailings, and schedules on some island routes change between the dry and monsoon months.
  • Keep your ticket to hand. The confirmation shows your operator, departure point and any conditions that apply to changes or cancellations.

Fares, departure times and journey lengths vary by operator and by date, so the figures shown in your search results are the ones that apply to your trip.

Book your Ao Nang trip

Whether you are arriving in Krabi for a few nights of climbing and kayaking or using Ao Nang as the launch point for a longer island run, you can compare all 92 routes routes, operators and departure times in one place. Pick your date, choose the service that suits your plans, and confirm your seats in a few steps. Search availability to see today’s options from Ao Nang.

Highlights

Tourists wading in shallow turquoise water on a tropical beach below limestone karst cliffs, framed by tree branches

On Day of Excursions

Ao Nang is famous for their travel agencies, who offer you excursions for one day to 4 islands because of the easy access to the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. Among them, you can find Chicken Beach and Tub Islands (which consists of two islands that are joined with a corridor of white sands when the bay is low). You will also find the famous Railay peninsula, known for its peculiar Phra Nang cave, in which we find phallic figures in honour of the fertility goddess, the peninsula has an incredible view of Krabi, and is ideal for sunbathing, if you are interested in visiting Railay, you can take a longtail boat, it cost around 100 baht and the journey is 15 minutes short. Another famous excursion is Koh Phi Phi Island, famous by the film ¨The Beach¨ if you go there make sure to visit Maya Beach which is exactly the location of the movie.
Ao Nang Khao Ngon Nak Park

Khao Ngon Nak Park

If you are all for hiking, Khao Ngon Nak Park is the perfect option for you, it is just 30 minutes from Ao Nang Beach, rent a motorcycle and go there for an energetic day and take in the spectacular views. Khao Ngon Nak, best known as Dragon Crest Mountain has a height of 565 meters from the sea level, maybe on the way it could be tough but at the top of the mountain you will have a view of 360 degrees which is worth all the effort, you will see all of the Krabi beach and Ao Nang beach, this viewpoint is very suitable for all you “Instagramers” out there. The entry is free which makes Khao Ngon Nak a cheap plan for the day. Have fun enjoying all the nature, just don’t forget your glasses, sunscreen and of course your sense of adventure.
Ao Nang Shellfish Beach

Shellfish Beach

Or also known as a Shell Fossil Beach, it maybe is not one of the interesting attractions for the habitats of the beach, and probably you’ll understand why, at first sight, it looks like concrete slabs but if you look closely you will discover a rock of shells which was formed from 40 million years ago and these shelly limestones could be around 40 centimetres of thickness. It’s one of three sites in the world where you can find this geological miracle also Shellfish beach is located in Ban Laem Pho in Krabi, in the vicinity of Hat Noppharat Thara and the entry cost 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. We promise you that you will be amazed.
Two kayakers paddle a green kayak across turquoise water off a tree-lined beach below limestone cliffs

Discover While Kayaking

Do you have an adventuristic spirit? Then kayaking is for you. It’s one of the main activities in Ao Nang and is ideal for discovering the Krabi province. Start your day early and take the tour that goes to Ao Thalane, a small village in the center of Krabi where you will be fascinated by its natural beauty. The bay is surrounded by mangroves, also you can get to explore the caves and discover their prehistoric paintings which are more than 3000 years old. Go to a travel agency and get ready for this all-inclusive experience, don’t miss this chance and take your time to relax and immerse yourself in the incredible ecosystem all around.
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where is the pier that my ferry departing from?

Phuket Ferry :

We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents; we are happy to help.

 

Ferry Samui :

FWe understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.

 

Bali Ferry :

We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Departure Point Information page for the most comprehensive information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.

What are the tourist seasons ?

Phuket Ferry :

Phuket really just has two seasons, which are known as "high season" and "low season" (or "green season"). During the low season months (May- September), boat numbers are reduced. During the high season (October - April), boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options.

 

Ferry Samui :

There are three distinct weather seasons on the tropical island of Koh Samui: the dry season (December until February), the hot season (March until August) and the rainy season (September until November).

 

Bali Ferry :

Bali actually has a variety of tourist periods, notably around the Balinese New Year, 15 December - 15 January, and 1 June - 30 September. During these high traffic periods, boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options. The quieter periods are between 16 January - 30 April and 1 October - 14 December historically.

Will bad weather affect my travels?

Ferries are large and can usually operate in the rain, except in extremely bad weather. During storms or strong winds, the journey may take a little longer than usual.

Speedboats are more likely to be canceled than ferries. If a trip is canceled due to bad weather, you can choose to receive a refund or reschedule. Please note that refunds for bad weather are only issued if the ferry operator cancels the trip.

On rough days, we recommend bringing motion sickness medication and taking it about 20 minutes before boarding if you are prone to seasickness. Boat staff may also provide Dramamine upon request, but you will need to remain indoors during rough conditions. On sunny and calm days, the sun deck is open for passengers to enjoy the weather.

What's the boarding process on the day of my trip?

At the pier named on your ticket, look for the staff of the ferry operator listed on your ticket as well. Please present your e-ticket (QR code) from your phone or other device—they’ll provide you with a sticker and/or boarding pass and direct you to your boat. Most piers have staff available to help load your luggage. In Koh Samui, staff are usually stationed at booths near the boarding area; at other locations, they’re typically near the boats, wearing their company uniforms.

 

 

When will I receive my ticket confirmation?

After completing your online booking, your reservation will remain in “Pending” status until it is processed. Once confirmed, we will send your e-ticket via email. The process is usually very quick.

On the day of travel, please present your e-ticket to the ferry staff at the relevant booking counter. If you do not receive your confirmation within 24 hours, contact us immediately.

What are the baggage allowances?

Your ferry e-ticket includes ferry transport, baggage fees, and handling. The free baggage allowance per person is 20–25 kg, depending on the operator. If your baggage exceeds this limit, you can pay the extra fee directly to the ferry operator in cash.

To check the baggage allowance for your specific trip, please refer to the trip details for your selected route.

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