7 Things to Know Before Travelling to Ao Nang, Thailand

Ao Nang is one of the most popular destinations in Southern Thailand, and a must-visit for many travellers.

With stunning beaches, colourful nightlife and easy access to several islands, Ao Nang sure has a lot to offer, but there are definitely a few things you should be aware of before you make your way to this tourist paradise!

We spent a week there in March 2023 and here are a few things we learned during our trip!

Ao Nang is very tourist-oriented

Ao Nang was our third destination in Thailand.

Having previously visited Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Ao Nang initially shocked us by how tourist oriented it is. If you’re looking for the authentic Thai culture experience, you surely won’t find it here.

The main road that cuts through the small resort town is completely covered in restaurants, tattoo studios and souvenir shops. Hawkers call constantly from the entrances, and the street food that is so characteristic of the country is close to absent.

Also absent from the streets seem to be Thais in general, as most of the locals we saw would be workers from the various businesses. 

One of the main shopping streets by Ao Nang Beach, leading to the Monkey Trail.

It can get very crowded

Being such a popular tourist destination, Ao Nang can get extremely crowded.

This translates mainly in a difficulty in finding a table to eat at night, and some rather large cues for activities during the day. We didn’t have too much trouble when we visited at the beginning of March, so we recommend you visit at the end of high season (November to March) or the early beginning of low season. 

The main beach is not great

Despite being a beach town, you’ll have to go a little ways to find a proper place to swim in Ao Nang. The main beach is also the main departure point for long tail boats heading to the islands, and as such it is quite a hazard to swim there.

If that’s not enough, there is a sewer pipe spilling sewage onto the sand halfway down the beach. Despite all of this, you’ll still see people happily swimming around, but we don’t recommend you join them. 

A not too far away option is Pai Plong Beach, located on the other end of the famous Monkey  Trail. It’s a fantastic, calm beach surrounded by cliffs that rarely gets too crowded, and has a greatly reduced boat traffic.

The only problem is that the path is a collection of half-collapsed wooden planks and steps leading up the cliff and through the jungle, and, while relatively safe, it can be difficult or downright impossible to traverse for small children or people with reduced mobility. 

Alternatively, you can take a boat to the stunning Railay and Tonsai beaches. There you can enjoy walks through nature, rock climbing and relax on some of the most beautiful beaches in the country!

The crowds at the iconic Railay Beach.

There is not much to see, but it’s a great waypoint to several islands

Ao Nang in itself has little to visit, and we didn’t come across any temples, museums or any noteworthy locations during our visit. With that said though, it is the perfect base camp to explore the surrounding islands!

From small, semi-deserted islands such as Poda, Kai and Hong, to world famous locations such as Ko Phi-Phi and Phuket, Ao Nang is one of the best locations in Thailand to start your island-hopping adventure!

One thing to keep in mind is that you can visit multiple islands in a day, or spend a single day on one island and get picked up in the late afternoon. We were not aware of this and ended up stranded a whole day on Ko Poda (an absolutely gorgeous island by the way!).

As most islands are tiny and can be covered in just a few hours, we would have probably opted for the multiple-island tour instead, had we known beforehand. 

Take boats and sea-sickness into account

As we said, island-hopping is one of the main activities available in Ao Nang. Apart from your destination, however, you’ll need to consider which method of transportation you’ll be using to reach said islands. There are three types of boat available:

• Long-tail boats: 

  When travelling to the smaller islands you’ll be on board a long-tail boat, essentially a repurposed fishing vessel propelled by a car or truck engine. To say these boats are shaky is an understatement; If you suffer from any level of sea-sickness, we really recommend you take some medication, you’ll need them even when sailing through calm waters. These boats are also completely open and create a lot of splashes, so be sure to protect any valuables and electronics.

• Speedboats:

  Speedboats are a faster alternative to ferries when travelling over longer distances, although slightly pricier. You do save a lot of time, but for us they were also the worst travel option we’ve picked. If you find long-tail boats to be too much, just wait until you’re being launched from your seat while the boat races through choppy seas, all while your fellow passengers turn green and scream their lungs out. Truly an unforgettable experience. 

• Ferries: 

  Ferries are the most relaxing travel option available when travelling from Ao Nang. While of course only available to cover long distances, using a ferry insures a more (most of the time) sea-sickness friendly journey. Make sure to arrange for pickup at your stay though, as the ferry pier is located outside of town and is not easily reachable on foot. 

It’s an expensive destination compared to most others in the country

Ao Nang was one of the priciest destinations on our list, with Phuket being the most similar in terms of costs. For comparison, a meal at a restaurant could cost easily close to double compared to what we paid in Chiang Mai, and even prices at the 7-Eleven where raised by at least a couple of bucks more. 

Now, the prices where still either relatively low or comparable to what we’re used to back home, so it was not a big issue. Still, it’s something to consider if you’re planning an extended stay.

The incredible island of Koh Poda and its unbelievably clear waters.

It’s a mostly child-friendly destination

If you’re travelling with kids, you can rest assured and include Ao Nang on your itinerary.

When it comes to activities, they will surely love the beaches, spotting monkeys at the beginning of the Monkey Trail and going on day trips to the various islands. In addition, you can appease picky eaters by going to one of the many western restaurants in town. Finally, there is no shortage of family-friendly hotels and resorts, most of which offer swimming pools and activities for children (we especially recommend Sea Seeker Krabi Resort).

With that said, younger children might not be very comfortable going on the boats, which could limit the available activities. Also, as we mentioned before, the Monkey Trail might also be challenging to cross with small children, which limits your access to better beaches. 

As an alternative to Ao Nang, we suggest you book your stay in Railay instead. It is a considerably more expensive destination, but on the plus side it is reachable by ferry, and you’ll have access to much better beaches on foot, and activities in nature that would instead be out of reach from Ao Nang.

All in all, while the town itself is nothing special, Ao Nang makes for a great base camp to explore the rest of the region, and what it lacks in cultural sights it makes up for with stunning nature and memorable activities.

While not an essential for a first-time visit to Thailand, we would recommend you dedicate a few days to check out what this little town has to offer!

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