Ao Nang Beach, Krabi - Where to Stay for Nightlife, Beaches and Diving?
Replies: 8 - Last Post: Feb 17, 2008 11:11 PM Last Post By: miumiumiu
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Ao Nang Beach, Krabi - Where to Stay for Nightlife, Beaches and Diving?
The title says it all. I'll be in Krabi area for a week in mid-Feb. I'll be with 2 other buddies and we'd like to stay in a resort that has a great beach and is close to the nightlife and beaches. Also, and of tertiary importance, is proximity to wherever most dive boats depart from (if there is indeed a central marina or dock).I'm a very experienced diver and the other two don't dive, so I'd like to get some good dives in while not taking too much time out of the day (so, shorter boat rides are better), and I know that I'm not seeing the best diving in Thailand or SEA.
The primary purpose of our trip to Krabi is to party and have a good time, adventure during the days and plenty of Sangsom and fun during the evenings/nights.
We're willing to shell out the bucks to stay at a top notch resort. I'm thinking about 200-300USD/night - which I know is quite a few bht, but we're trying to live it up since we hardly get any time off of work.
Recommendations are appreciated. Specific resorts you can name are great, but even a general area of Ao Nang Beach would help.
I found this page of resort/hotel listings,
http://www.hoteltravel.com/thailand/krabi/ao_nang_map.htm
but I have no idea what part of Ao Nang fits the bill for us.
Thanks in advance!
1
Finding an absolute beachfront room/bungalow/whatever around Ao Nang/Railay is next to impossible. But have a look at Railay Village Resort. You'll see the layout - restaurant/bar/pool out front and all the bungalows set back from the beach. This is common on West Railay. Anyway it otherwise seems like a good choice for you. NB "20 January 2007 (Soft opening after renovation)". Dive operators do beach pickups there and there is pretty good snorkelling around the small islands to the south - easy daytrip.More Railay Beach options here
2
Thanks for the info. So, do you think it's better to stay by the party and take a short trip to other beaches, or vice versa? I'm thinking that we'll appreciate being nearby when we decide to stumble home from the bars, so my inclination is to stay at Ao Nang Beach rather than West Railay. Is West Railay really dead at night, or just a notch down from Ao Nang?Also, where should we stay? I looked up places on the beach and came up with this one,
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi
It seems pretty nice:
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/krabi/centara_grand_beach_resort_villas.html#P4
Thanks for the help. I hope to get this squared away this week.
3
The link to the Centara you provided tells me more about what you're looking for. Noting the location and your priorities/budget yes it looks like a good choice (less longtail boats down that end of the beach). I was going to try to convince you to stick with Railay West, but now I'm back to Ao Nang for you. I personally prefer Railay West because it has a better swimming beach and is less commercialised (things being relative). But if nightlife and abundance of touring/diving/snorkelling outlets are priorities, Ao Nang has the edge. A longtail ride to Railay West is only 40 baht/5min. anyway for daytimes (and then take the "cave" walk to Ao Phra Nang - the best beach).4
Thanks for your reply. So, as far as Ao Nang is concerned, do you recommend staying at that end of the beach, or the other end at Krabi Resort?5
Have to agree with 4 for you. I stayed on West Railey beach and my friends stayed on Ao Nang. Slightly annoying having to leave at 11 on a couple of nights, but good accommodation/ beach all on your doorstep/ patio!6
Well, as it turns out my buddy in Thailand is friends with the owner of Centara, so that's where we'll be staying!Next question, which diver operator should I use? This is high season and I think I should contact a shop ahead of time. I want to go with the shop that caters to experienced divers and photographers. I definitely don't want to be on a cattle boat or with OW/AOW divers who are doing easy/shallow dives and short BT.
Thanks for the help so far folks!
8
Tipa Resort is having a exclusive promotion for this March, 2008 with KD.For dive operator, you can call up this dive shop . They do cater for underwater photographer as far as I know.
Maybe you can check them out. No obligation
Hope to see you there.
Edited by: miumiumiu
