Pai Plong Beach
Ao Nang's hidden neighbor, a small, quiet sand cove reached by a cliff walkway or a five-minute longtail, backed by jungle and a single resort.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
Check Monsoon Windows
Andaman coast beaches (Phuket, Krabi) have rough seas May–October. Gulf beaches (Samui, Hua Hin) are roughest October–December. Plan your beach trip around these windows for calm water and safe swimming.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Pai Plong Beach
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Pai Plong Beach.
Why go, and how to do it well
Pai Plong is the cove immediately west of Ao Nang, and it is startlingly quiet given that one of Krabi's busiest beaches is a ten-minute walk away. Jungle-covered limestone comes down to the sand at both ends, there is no road in, and the only building on it belongs to the resort that occupies the headland. The result is a short curve of soft sand with far fewer people on it than anything else within walking distance of Ao Nang.
There are two ways in. The pleasant one is the concrete walkway that climbs the cliff from the western end of Ao Nang beach, past a small shrine and through the trees, which takes about ten minutes and is genuinely pretty in itself. The other is a longtail from Ao Nang, which costs a little and takes five. The beach is public even though the resort sits on it, and that is worth knowing, because visitors are occasionally waved off by people who would rather they went elsewhere.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Pai Plong Beach
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Tours that include Pai Plong Beach
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Pai Plong Beach.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Pai Plong Beach, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Pai Plong Beach, round out your day in Krabi with contrasting stops nearby.
Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District
Open in Google MapsMore beaches nearby
All within 1.7 km away of Pai Plong Beach.
Tonsai Beach (Railay)
A sheltered Krabi beach framed by limestone cliffs, popular with rock climbers, snorkelers, and island-hoppers.
Ao Nang Beach
Come for sunset, longtail boats and the fire shows, not for a day of swimming and sunbathing.
Railay West Beach
Postcard sand and limestone cliffs, reachable only by longtail, and worth catching the first boat over.
Railay Beach
Boat-only limestone drama and clean water, best before the longtails arrive and again at low tide.
Tips for Visiting Beaches
Go Early for Empty Sand
Even the busiest beaches are nearly deserted before 9 AM. Sunrise walks on Kata, Chaweng, or Railay are magical — and you'll beat the heat for a morning swim.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Many Thai marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral. Bring reef-safe (mineral/zinc-based) sunscreen from home — it's harder to find and pricier in Thailand.
Explore Beyond the Main Strip
Every popular beach area has quieter alternatives nearby. Rent a scooter and ride 10 minutes from Patong to find Freedom Beach, or head to Phuket's northeast coast for nearly empty shores.
Pai Plong Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pai Plong Beach worth visiting?
Pai Plong Beach holds a 4.0★ rating from 788 Google reviews — a strong rating for beaches in Krabi.
What are the opening hours of Pai Plong Beach?
Pai Plong Beach is open 24 hours a day — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Pai Plong Beach?
The best months to visit Krabi are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – September (rough Andaman seas).
Where is Pai Plong Beach located?
Pai Plong Beach is at Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, in Krabi. Getting around Krabi: Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach); Songthaews in Ao Nang.
Also popular in Krabi
Khaothong Hill
Come for the view over Phang Nga Bay, order simply, and don't expect the food to match the scenery.
Sawasdee Divers Krabi
A highly regarded dive center in Ao Nang offering PADI courses and guided dives to Krabi's Andaman Sea sites.
Hong Island
A cluster of limestone islands north of Ao Nang with a hidden lagoon you enter by longtail or kayak through a gap in the cliffs, a reef beach and a steep viewpoint climb.
Full Moon Bar and Restaurant
Live music bar in Ao Nang with a resident band, beachfront views, and a lively evening atmosphere.
Similar Beaches across Thailand
Long Beach Koh Phi Phi
Take the 100-baht longtail, not the walk, and come in the morning before the tide drops.
Bamboo Beach
A quiet, accessible beach on Koh Lanta's north end, popular for its calm waters and relaxed atmosphere.
Lamai Beach
It's Chaweng's calmer sibling, with long, clean sand, easy swimming, and coconut shacks instead of five-star polish.
Shark Bay
Come for the turtles and soft corals, not the sand, and expect a 200 baht squeeze at the gate.
