Scuba Diving in Krabi

Krabi is an adventure seekers paradise! Scuba Diving sites around the twin islands of Phi Phi are among the most famous dive locations anywhere in the world! Dive operators are dotted all over the province and can help you take you first leap into discovering the underwater beauty of Krabi!

The remarkable variety of dive sites that are concentrated in such a small area, particularly off Phi Phi Don Island, is what makes this area unique, as do the amazing limestone cliffs that rise dramatically out of the sea and plunge equally dramatically straight down underwater. The opportunity to relax on exquisite beaches, explore the numerous coves and bays, whilst enjoying some colorful and enticing scuba diving or snorkeling in this marine park environment, is one not to be missed.

Learn to Dive in Krabi

Krabi is a great place to learn to dive as there are a number of first-rate dive shops offering affordable scuba accreditation (usually with PADI) all the way from absolute beginner up to master instructor.

In many hotels you can 'try a dive' in your pool, or dive shops offer 1 day 'try a dive' trips. Many people go on to take the PADI Open Water Diver course which is a 4 day course that combines some theory with practical experience (around 6 dives). Once complete you can join a dive under the supervision of a Dive master.

Dive Trips

Day trips and overnight excursions can easily be arranged through the multitude of dive shops around Krabi year-round, with late October to mid May being peak season. Snorkeling and diving equipment is easily acquired at most places.

Dive Areas

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are pinnacles that rise up 70m from the sea bed and barely break the surface, sightings of whale sharks and manta rays are common (not suitable for beginners).

Koh Rok Nok is quite close to Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, these two stunning islands are in a protected marine park. There are multiple sites around the islands that offer excellent visibility and rich marine life.

The Phi Phi Islands are home to so many sites you could dive there every day for 2 weeks at a different site each dive. You can rent equipment and dive from the beach in some places or even just snorkel.

Bamboo Island is part of the Phi Phi group. Many snorkeling tours visit daily to experience the beautiful coral gardens. Sites tend to be quite shallow which is great for inexperienced divers.

Koh Dam is two islands joined together by a reef. Very close to Railey and Ao Nang, this is a good spot if you don't want to go very far.

Getting Around in Krabi Thailand

Renting cars, bus, taxi, motorbike or boat

Rent a Car

Krabi has a good road network, especially around the national parks and local attractions, so hiring a car and driving yourself is easy. Car Hire is available at most hotel desks or travel agents.

Taxis & Local Busses

Open-air buses, (Songtaews) converted trucks and motorcycle taxis provide a cheap and efficient public transport service throughout the province. Fares vary according to the destination - whether you're running around town, or traveling from Krabi Town to one of the beach resorts. Services are efficient and regular with buses stopping wherever you want to get on or off.

Better still, rent a Songtaew (taxi truck) to drive you round for the day.

Longtail Boats & Ferries

From Krabi Town
Krabi Town, as well as being the provincial capital, is also the main harbor for local boat services.

Ferries operate to the Phi Phi Islands, Jum Island and Lanta Island, catch the boats from Chao Fah Pier (Krabi Town).


Note:
Some services stop during the monsoon season (May-October) and are substituted by a combined bus and long-tail boat system which operates from small harbors along the coast.

If you don't want to use this system, a private transfer is the only choice for certain islands like Lanta Island. The 2 car ferries, which connect the island to the mainland operate from 07:00 to 19:00. Transfer time from Krabi about 2 hours.

Longtail Boats

From Ao Nang/Railay
The coast is also well served by local "longtail" taxi boats. Fast, reliable and inexpensive, these boats depart from Ao Nang Beach (just go to the seafront) to Railay, Phra Nang and Krabi town.

Fares average around 50 - 80 Baht depending on your destination and the time of day (more expensive after sunset) The boats operate regularly between Ao Nang and Railey (they leave when there are enough passengers) and operate year round (subject to weather conditions.)

NOTE: Prices of local long tail boats are fixed so don't bother bargaining unless you are hiring the whole boat. Good Luck!!!

Attraction in Krabi

Located approximately 814 kilometers from Bangkok is Krabi Province, one of most attractive destinations in southern Thailand. Encompassing an area of 4,708 square kilometers, the western border of Krabi is the Andaman Sea, the northern borders are Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, the southern borders are Trang Province and the Andaman Sea and the eastern borders are Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang Provinces. Krabi is an ideal getaway destination teeming with natural attractions including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands and verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.

Krabi's topography is mostly mountains and highlands separated by plains in some parts. Flowing through Krabi City to the Andaman Sea at Pak Nam Sub-district is Maenam Krabi which is 5 kilometers in length. In addition, there are several canals originating from the province's highest mountain range, Khao Phanom Bencha including Khlong Pakasai, Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi. Lush mangrove forests line the canals and the banks of Maenam Krabi particularly before it empties into the Andaman Sea. The provinces sandy soil conditions are suitable for growing various agricultural products, particularly rubber trees, palms, coconuts, cashew nuts and coffee.

Due to the influence of the tropical monsoon, there are only two seasons in Krabi; the hot season from January to April and the rainy season from May to December. Temperatures range between 17 C and 37 C.

Krabi is administratively divided into 8 Amphoes (Districts): Amphoe Mueang, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luek, Lam Thap, and Nuea Khlong. The provinces jurisdiction covers not only in-land districts and sub-districts, but also extends to more than 130 large and small islands including the world famous Phi Phi Islands.

In addition, Krabi is the location of two world class beaches Ao Nang and Hat Rai Le which offer numerous diving trips, restaurants, shops etc. Additional attractions in the province are stunning limestone cliffs and rock formations which make it a heaven for rock climbers and a National Park located approximately 40 kilometers outside of town with lakes, caves and spectacular natural scenery.

History of Krabi

Some archeologists claim that Krabi City is one of the older settlements in the country as there is archaeological evidence indicating that this area had been home to homosapiens during the prehistoric times or between 25,000 - 35,000 B. C. The assumption has been strongly supported by the discovery of stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains in the provinces cliffs and caves.

In 1200 A.D., the area was known as Ban Thai Samo, one of 12 royal cities that had a monkey as the town symbol. During this period of time, Krabi was under the rule of the Kingdom of Ligor, a city better known today as Nakhon Si Thammarat.

During the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910), the community was known as Pakasai Sub-county and remained under the direct jurisdiction of Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

Around 1872, King Rama V elevated Pakasai Sub-county to Krabi Province with the provincial administration office situated at Krabi-yai Sub-county (currently, the office is located near the estuary at Pak Nam Sub-district) and in 1875, ordered the separation of Krabi Province from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

During the present reign, the corps of civil servants, merchants, and the people of Krabi and nearby provinces have collectively organized the construction of a royal residence at Laem Hang Nak Cape which is thirty kilometers west of Krabi Town on the Andaman coast to be presented to His Majesty the King.

Origin of the name Krabi

There are two legends concerning the origin of the name "Krabi". The first is that villagers presented a large ancient sword (or krabi) that was discovered by chance to the governor. Later when a smaller, on discovering a smaller one, it was also presented to the governor. Regarded as sacred and auspicious, the governor decided to keep them in the province. As the process for the establishment of the province was still in progress, the swords were placed crossing each other in Khao Khanap Nam cave. Since then, the crossed swords have remained a part of the provincial seal.

The second legend is that "Krabi" was derived from the name of a local tree known as "Lumphi". The Malay and Chinese merchants mispronunciation of the name to "Ka-lu-bi" or "Kho-lo-bi" finally resulted in "Krabi" (or sword).

Distances from Amphoe Mueang (Town) to Neighboring Districts

Ao Luek 43 kms.
Plai Phraya 66 kms.
Khao Phanom 39 kms.
Khlong Thom 42 kms.
Ko Lanta 103 kms.
Lam Thap 67 kms.
Nuea Khlong17 kms

Cheap Hotel in Krabi : www.roomskrabi.com