Why Krabi Is a Good Choice for a Beach Break from Dubai
Krabi, on Thailand’s Andaman coast, is known for one thing above all: limestone. Sheer karst cliffs rise straight out of the sea, frame the beaches and scatter the bay with small islands. Direct flights from Dubai take around six hours, and Thailand is three hours ahead of UAE time, so a Krabi holiday package from Dubai works for a short beach break with only a little adjustment on arrival.
Ao Nang, Railay and the islands
Ao Nang is Krabi’s main resort beach, a relaxed strip of restaurants, cafés and shops facing the bay, and the departure point for boats to the islands. Fifteen minutes away by longtail boat, Railay is a peninsula cut off from the mainland by cliffs and reachable only by sea. It is famous for rock climbing and for Phra Nang Cave Beach, named after a princess spirit whose shrine sits in the cave.
Offshore lie the islands of the classic Krabi boat trip. Poda Island is uninhabited, with white sand and a tall karst standing just off the beach. Chicken Island takes its name from a rock formation that looks like a chicken’s head and neck, and Tup Island is linked to its neighbour by a sandbar that appears at low tide. The waters around them are clear and shallow enough for snorkelling straight off the beach.
Time at leisure
Two free days leave room to choose your own pace. Some travellers settle into the beach and the pool, others take a longtail boat to Railay for the afternoon, browse the Ao Nang night market or book an optional excursion such as an elephant sanctuary visit.
Planning your Krabi trip
This Krabi beach holiday suits couples, friends and families who want sea, sand and scenery rather than a packed sightseeing schedule, with flights, transfers and the island day already arranged. The coast has a tropical climate, so pack light clothing, reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes for rocky shorelines. The trip runs over the UAE National Day break and works at other times of year too. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the Visa Info section before you book.
Take a look at the full itinerary and inclusions on this page, then send us an enquiry to check availability on this departure.