Anyone currently in Krabi? Weather and hotel insights needed
Replies: 10 - Last Post: Oct 16, 2012 11:06 PM Last Post By: bokka1
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Anyone currently in Krabi? Weather and hotel insights needed
Hi there,Hubby and I are currently holed up on Koh Samui and have to admit the water and weather right now at Chaweng are great. Have had hardly any rain and the partying crowds seem to have left. (Yes, the Chaweng strip is still ghastly but we avoid it for the most part).
Have another 2 weeks down this way and are considering heading over to Krabi to check out something different (it's our third time in the Southern Thai beach area, but never been to Krabi), but we're concerned that the weather might not be so great, and we're also having a tough time finding a good-sounding mid-range hotel on the beach that isn't either surrounded by construction/remodeling noise and/or a bunch of nightclubs.
From our research, Ao Nang seems like our best option - we prefer proximity to some shops/minimarkets and a bit of restaurant choice outside the resort, but aren't into clubs/bars, and we like it quiet.
MAIN QUESTION: Are the beaches here swimmable? Also, if you're currently in Krabi, what's the "real" weather been like? For example, online weather shows thunderstorms daily in Samui but we've honestly had little/no rain, and what comes seems to come overnight, or maybe for 10 minutes in the afternoon.
We're looking for something on the beach ideally, with a good pool as well, but again - we don't want to be super remote, we don't rent motorbikes, and we'd want walking distance to some amenities from time to time (market, ATM, etc.)
Does what we're looking for exist in Krabi, or should we stay put on Samui? Thanks for any insights!
Edited by: doglovermol
1
You might as well stay on Samui. One bit of sand is as good as another, and you seem happy where you are, so why change?finding a good-sounding mid-range hotel on the beach that isn't either surrounded by construction/remodeling noise
Well, it is low season, and that's when they do renovations.
and/or a bunch of nightclubs
If you want upmarket, like Ao Nang, they're hard to avoid. It's why I avoid beaches with trendy resorts on them.
Beaches without noisy bars are available, but don't usually come with the amenities that you want.
3
Thanks for the insights, folks! Very helpful - as the sun continues to shine and the turquoise water beckons, we're leaning toward just staying on Samui and chilling out.All good points above #1, and #2, we've heard town is better, too - perhaps next visit. We're wanting beach right now, as we head to Nepal at the end of the month for 2 months and then India for 3-4...enjoying the coastal beauty while we have it!
Cheers!
4
#2 Sorry Al, but I can't agree that Krabi Town is better than Railay.The problem with most posts about "Krabi" is that they are usually talking about beaches in the Krabi area, and not the town, which doesn't have a beach you can stay on.
5
@4 My point was that having spent time on one island and the beaches was that there was not that much point moving to another island if you were happy where you were and if you were to do so then go somewhere different and enjoy Krabi town and what it has to offer in the evening and visit the beaches by day. I agree that if what you are looking for is a beach holiday I would not recommend Krabi6
Ao Nang is very nice and the beach is definitely swimmable.I stayed at Ao Nang Villa which is a bit more pricey but it is near to everything.
If you head down that way go look at hotels near to it as there are quite a few that is nice and fits your bill.
7
Thanks everyone - looks like we're staying put on Samui but appreciate all of the insights. We've been visiting some of the night markets around the island and have really enjoyed that (the 50 baht cocktails don't hurt either). The Sunday night market in Lamai is especially nice, as the local Thais seems to outnumber the tourists, which is a welcome change! :-)We would like to at some point check out the karst landscapes of the Krabi area, and the town sounds interesting, so maybe next year. Just got some rain this morning/today in Samui, which was much welcomed, as the algae had moved in from the reef and was taking over the swimming areas. Hopeful it's moved out now a bit and we can get our beautiful turquoise water back.
Cheers!
8
You won't regret going to Krabi, the beaches around the place are great and the landscape is much more beautiful than Samui.Krabi Town has a great weekend night market with very cheap food and drinks.
Where in Chaweng are you staying now?
9
Hi Bokka1, thanks for the Krabi insights but staying put for now and enjoying the weather here. Rain finally came and washed away all the icky seaweed, so the water is turquoise again! :-)Enjoyed the night markets here in Bo Phut (Friday) and Lamai (Sunday) so check those out if you haven't. Lamai has more Thais and seemed less touristy - both very fun with 50baht cocktails if you so enjoy.
Cheers.
