Krabi Sports & Outdoors Tips by M0B1US Top 5 Page for this destination

Canoeing around the limestone kharsts and caves

As part of the James Bond Discovery Tour we were treated to an excellent opportunity to canoe around the mangrove swamps and limestone caves of the huges kharsts that pepper the huge bay of Ao Phang-Nga.

Our Longtail Boat docked with a large junk anchored in the shallow water of a sheltered bay. We then boarded canoes in pairs as they came up beside the the junk and spent the next 45 minutes or so being paddled around by our guide who took us to all the points of interest including taking us through the labyrinthine waterways of the mangrove swamps and the limestone caves under the huge kharsts.

Easily the most impressive part of this tour is paddling through the caves that riddle the monolithic kharsts that rise out of the surrounding waters. Depending on the tide, some parts you have to lean right back into the canoe as the stone passes literally inches above your face - definitely not for the claustrophic!

Another added bit of excitement was that near the caves the water was open to the rest of the bay and there were several occasions when our canoe was badly rocked by the wash of passing sea vessels - though I'm sure our guide had things well under control I was still feeling very paranoid about my brand new digital camera!!!

Although there were about forty or so canoes paddling around this area, there were many times that we were on our own exploring a nook here or a cranny there. One fun moment is when our guides got us all crowded into a natural 'atrium' inside one of the kharsts...

The guides were excellent and although tipping is not necessary in Thailand, we certainly made sure he knew we appreciated his efforts!

Equipment: A rubber inflatable 3-man canoe.

A guide/paddler!

A bottle of water and hot face towel upon finishing the canoe trip.

Directions: Ao Phang-Nga Bay

Theme: Kayaking/Canoeing

Rock Climbing - Krabi Style

"The best developed climbing area in Thailand is still Railae which is a Peninsula close to Krabi town in Southern Thailand. During high season Railae is climbers 'United Nations'."

This quote sums Railae beach climbing on Pra Nang Peninsula up nicely.

Many claim the climbing here to be the best in the world, especially during the northern hemisphere winters when most people flock here.

The spectacular limestone karsts afford an amazing climbing experience for beginners and experts alike and over half a dozen climbing companies operate out of the Krabi area alone, including 'Tex Rock' and 'Wee's Rock Climbing School' to name a couple.

For beginners and intermediates, these classes are taken in small groups right on the beach in Railae East and are well worth the experience...

Check out a diary account at:

http://gorp.com/gorp/location/asia/thailand/cli_krab.htm

Equipment: All equipment, harnesses, rope, carabinas etc are provided by whichever climbing company you use...

Address: Railae Beach

Directions: Take a longtail boat from Krabi pier

Theme: Other