Ordered from nearest — out to see the real thing
Sorted from closest to furthest, with an honest note on which is half a day, a full day, or a trip that's worth an overnight.
If you only make one trip out to sea, make it this one. The Four-Island tour is Krabi's most classic sea trip, leaving from Ao Nang or Nopparat Thara beach and looping four famous stops for shallow swimming and photos — Phra Nang Beach, Chicken Island (with its chicken-head-shaped rock), Tup and Mor islands joined by the Separated Sea (Thalay Waek), a sandbar that surfaces at low tide, and Poda Island with its white sand and clear water.
You can choose a longtail (slower, more local in feel, cheaper) or a speedboat (faster, fitting in more stops in the same time), and there are both half-day and full-day tours with lunch. Honestly, in high season every island gets very busy — take the earliest tour to catch the sea while it's still quiet and the light is good. For more, read our full Krabi island-hopping guide.
Tired of the beach sun and craving cool shade? The Khlong Thom forest, southeast of Krabi, is the answer — about an hour's drive from Ao Nang and you're in shady, primary rainforest. The highlight is the Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot), a clear, jade-green pool deep in the forest that you can wade and swim in; the water is refreshingly cool.
A further ~30-minute walk into the forest reaches the Blue Pool (Sa Nam Phut), a beautiful sapphire spring you can look at but not swim in, as it's a fragile spring. Honestly, the Blue Pool closes from time to time, especially in the rainy season, so check with the park first. Then stop at the nearby Khlong Thom Hot Springs — a tiered, warm-water stream that cascades into pools you can soak in. The two pair neatly into a half-day to full-day trip. For the full picture, read our Emerald Pool and hot springs guide.
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If you want an island that's quieter than Ao Nang, with beaches long enough to never finish walking, Ko Lanta is the answer. It's a large island in the south of Krabi province, about 65–70 km from town, easy-going and unhurried, with a string of west-coast beaches — Khlong Dao, Pra Ae (Long Beach), Khlong Nin — running down to Mu Ko Lanta National Park at the southern tip.
The highlights are sitting back for a beachside sunset, wandering Lanta Old Town (an old seaside community), or using Lanta as a base for diving at Ko Rok and Ko Ha. Honestly, you can do it as a day return, but it's tiring and not great value: you drive south and cross one stretch by vehicle ferry, about 2 hours each way. If you have the time, we'd suggest staying at least one night to get the most out of the island.
Phi Phi is the Andaman's legendary island, sitting midway between Krabi and Phuket, and an easy day trip from Krabi. The highlight is Maya Bay, the white-sand cove ringed by cliffs made famous by the film The Beach, along with the jade-green Pileh Lagoon, snorkelling spots full of coral and fish, and Tonsai Bay, the island's main village.
From Krabi you take a ferry from Ao Nang or Chao Fah pier in about 1.5–2 hours, or join a speedboat tour that's faster and stops at several points. Honestly, Maya Bay gets very busy and has an entry quota, so take the earliest boat to beat the tour rush. If you're torn between going from Krabi or Phuket, read our Phi Phi from Krabi guide and compare it with island-hopping from Phuket.
Want to see a side of Krabi that isn't the sea? Khao Phanom Bencha is the province's highest mountain (~1,397 m), about 20 km from town, around 40 minutes by car. The moment you enter the park the air turns cool and humid — it's primary rainforest full of tall trees, birds and butterflies.
The highlight is the multi-tiered Huai To waterfall, where you can swim in some pools, plus a nature trail through the forest. Honestly, this one suits people who like quiet nature and want to escape the beach crowds — it isn't a place for anyone chasing the sea. Some sections of the path get slippery, especially in the rainy season, so wear grippy shoes. It pairs well with the Emerald Pool and hot springs in one day, as they're on the same side of town.
If you want a change of scene from Krabi to a bigger city on the west coast, Phuket is about 160–180 km away, roughly 3 hours each way by car, minivan or bus, because the road loops around Phang Nga Bay. It feels different from Krabi — a large island-city that has everything: beaches, malls, food and nightlife.
The highlight is Phuket Old Town, a district of pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, coffee shops, cafés and street art, easy to wander and photograph, plus the west-coast beaches like Patong, Kata and Karon. Honestly, a day return is tiring, as 6 hours go on the road, so if you want to do Phuket properly, stay at least one night. For the full picture, see our Phuket travel guide.