We arrived in Ao Nang from Phuket via a 3-hour private taxi transfer. Our driver from the previous day had been superb, so rather than taking the cheaper but less direct option of a bus and ferry transfer, we hired her services to drive us directly to our accommodation around Klong Muang Beach.
Phuket was a tough act to follow and I have to admit, once we arrived at the lodge, I wondered if we would have been better off spending more time in the former, rather than the 3 nights we had allocated to Ao Nang.
Nevertheless, this was supposed to be a relaxing beach holiday, and the town was certainly living up to that expectation. Besides, one of the main reasons we came here was to do an island hopping tour with a picnic on a longtail boat, which turned out to be a spectacular experience!
We spent the first two nights at the accommodation on Klong Muang Beach and although this was my least favourite stay in Thailand, it had its quirks and charms. One great thing about the guesthouse here was its proximity to Klong Muang Beach.
But whatever dreams I had of swimming and frolicking in the sea were quickly thwarted by the presence of numerous jellyfish in and out of the water!
And so, we spent our first evening in Ao Nang leisurely, walking around the town and along the beach, and dining out. We found a cafe we liked and returned to it multiple times for sweet treats after dinner and breakfast too.
The following day was more eventful and we finally got our chance to swim in warm, jellyfish-free waters!
4-Island Sunset Tour with Boat and Beyond…
We booked a 4-Island sunset tour with Boat and Beyond, and they picked us up from the guesthouse to Nopharat Thara Beach, where we boarded the longtail boat to our first stop.
Once we were onboard, we received a detailed briefing of the tour from our friendly guide and some tasty welcome drinks. Next, we sailed on the boat to Railay Beach.
Railay Beach
Railay Beach is a stunning coastal paradise renowned for its dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and powdery white sand. The beach is only accessible only by boat and is quite popular among visitors to Krabi.
The boat docked here for half an hour, giving us the chance to explore the beach and enjoy a swim in the water. In April, water temperatures were high and it felt like swimming in a hot spring, but it wasn’t too uncomfortable.
Also, there were a few jellyfish in the water but it was nothing compared to our last day in Phuket or the numbers on Klong Muang Beach.
Next, we got back onboard and sailed to our next destination – Koh Poda Island.
Koh Poda Island
This island was absolutely gorgeous with crystal clear waters and cooler temperatures. Again, the boat docked here and we hopped off for a swim.
There were only two boats docked when we arrived and they were just about to leave, which meant that the island was sparsely populated. Koh Poda is a popular day trip from Ao Nang and Railay Beach. I thought we would have a packed island but it was pleasantly empty.
After another half an hour here, we set sail to the next destination – Chicken Island.
Snorkelling in Chicken Island
Here we got off the boat to snorkel and admire the rich coral reef beneath. We had a memorable moment here where Mark showcased his Aquaman skills by diving into the reef to grab a snorkel mask that fell off the boat.
Later, we made our way to the last island, where the guide planned to set up our picnic.
Tub Island – Picnic on the Boat
However, I was looking forward to having this picnic on the boat and luckily, the waves calmed down enough for us to do so.
The picnic spread was wonderful; before the trip, we chose the meals we wanted, and although they were cold when served, I thoroughly enjoyed them. There were also lots of fruits, drinks, Thai sweets, and a bottle of sparkling wine on board. It was truly delightful!
At the end of it all, it was a day well spent. We sailed away into a stunning sunset back to Nopharat Thara Beach.
Our stay in Ao Nang (Klong Muang) started quite dull but in the end, it became one of the best highlights of our trip to Thailand. By the third day, we transferred from the Klong Muang Beach area to Ao Nang Beach. This area was much livelier than the former but it also made me appreciate the quietness of the latter.
We spent the rest of our stay enjoying delicious meals and facilities at the hotel. Our room had a private pool, which was pretty cool. The next day, we hopped on a quick and easy flight to Northern Thailand, wrapping up a wonderful week in the south.
Apart from the jellyfish, it all sounds rather wonderful.
Yes, the presence of so many jellyfish in Klong Muang beach was a bummer but I’m glad we were able to visit beaches without a lot of them in the water, both in Phuket and on during this tour 🙂