Pai Plong Beach
Ao Nang's hidden neighbour: 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.
Tours that include Pai Plong Beach
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Pai Plong Beach.
This placePai Plong Beach: tickets, guides & combos
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See prices
On the waterBoat trips & snorkelling from Krabi
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesDay toursKrabi island-hopping day tours
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesWhy 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 Sep 2026 · How we check places
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, snorkellers, 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
Emerald Pool
Spring-fed jungle swimming in green water, best hit at 8:30am before the heat and the tour buses land.
Wat Tham Suea
Around 1,260 brutal steps to the summit Buddha, and the temple below is worth your time even if you skip them.
Kodam Kitchen branch 1
Curries with real depth, budget prices, and a queue at dinner unless you book ahead.
Krabi Town Night Market
Weekends only, and worth building your Krabi Town plans around if food is the point of your evening.
Similar Beaches across Thailand
Patong Beach
Three kilometres of white sand with jet skis, loungers and Bangla Road behind it, so come for the noise, not the calm.
Thong Nai Pan
Two horseshoe bays on Phangan's northeast corner, calm water, jungle behind, and no party noise.
Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat)
No road in, which is exactly why it stays quiet once the last longtail leaves.
Freedom Beach
Crystal water and soft sand, but you pay 100 baht and earn it on a steep climb back up.
