Before heading to Thailand's Andaman coast, I had to make a decision: islands, or mainland?
It wasn't an easy choice to make, however. Partially because there was a lot I wanted to see, and partially because, well, I'm really bad at making decisions. In the end, I opted to basically just not decide and split my time between Ao Nang/Krabi on the mainland and the island of Koh Lanta.
My decision to stay in Ao Nang was borne from really wanting to visit the nearby Railay peninsula and the beaches I'd heard so much about there. I tacked on a multi-island day tour, too, just for good measure. (More on both of these soon!)
But this still left me with some free time on the mainland.
Instead of just sitting in my hotel room, I decided to go on a slightly different adventure.
My first kayaking experience had taken place just a month or so before, at Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. I was by no means a kayaking pro, but a kayaking tour through some mangroves and into a canyon, culminating in a sunset barbecue on a private beach, sounded like the perfect way to get a unique taste for the Krabi region.
The tour began in the late afternoon when I was picked up from my hotel and transported out to Thalane Bay, where we got a brief introduction to kayaking and began boarding our 2-person boats. I was paired up with a guy from Quebec, who turned out to be a pretty excellent kayaker (and who didn't complain when I frequently put down my paddle to snap photos).
We headed out into Thalane Bay, skirting along some mangrove forests and tall karst cliffs, keeping our eyes peeled for monkeys. The karsts burst out of the water much like they had in Ha Long Bay, though they were even greener here in Thailand, especially when paired with the mangrove trees.
We paddled around the bay, and then into a quiet canyon where even a whisper echoed. Here, at the mouth of the canyon, we finally spotted some monkeys!
After about an hour or so out on the water, we headed back to land and were then driven to a secluded beach to catch the tail-end of a brilliant sunset and chow down on some delicious barbecue. Chicken, prawns, fresh fish… we ate it all beneath the glow of tiki torches as small waves lapped at the sand near our table.
As we licked barbecue sauce off our fingers and went through the usual “questions” that all travelers ask one another (the “where are you from, where are you going” set), we commented more than once on how surprisingly awesome this experience had been.
Yes, Thailand is known for its beautiful beaches. But it should be known for the other natural features that it boasts, too. Thankfully, this tour helped make me aware of the “other” side to this part of Thailand.
Is this an adventure YOU would like to have in Thailand?
[stextbox id=”info” caption=”If You Go…”]
TOUR: Ao Thalane Sunset BBQ Dinner with Krabitrek
WHEN: 3 p.m./3:30 daily, with pick-ups in both Krabi Town and Ao Nang; you'll return around 8 p.m.
WHAT'S INCLUDED: Transports, kayaking gear and guide at Thalane Bay, BBQ dinner on a beach
HOW MUCH: 1000 baht (just under $31 USD)
[/stextbox]*Disclaimer: I received a free kayaking tour from Krabitrek, but, as always, all opinions are my own.
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
I did a similar trip in nearby Phang Nga Bay. This entire part of Thailand is just stunning. And how much fun is Kayaking?! 😉
Kayaking is SO fun! And yeah, the Andaman Coast is amazing! So glad I decided to spend some time there.
Looks like you had a great trip. I have done kayaking in most of the lakes in California. Someday will try in Krabi too! Thanks for these beautiful shots!
Definitely a great trip. It’s inspired me to kayak more closer to home when I can!
Absolutely gorgeous sunset shot! I love kayaking (despite sometimes getting seasick!) so I will definitely keep it in mind when I am in Thailand
The sunset was great!
I second Angela about what an amazing sunset picture. I’ve never gone kayaking before but it’s something I’ve always wanted to try out. I have however gone on boat rides that went through mangroves in Costa Rica 🙂 I’m all for doing the non-typical tourist activities in another country.
Give kayaking a try sometime! It’s really fun!
OMG! Your sunset picture is amazing. I hope you think about kayaking on more of your travels. It is a great break from sitting in a stuffy tour bus or vehicle. I try to kayak when I travel as much as I can and if my budget allows!
I can’t believe it’s taken me until this year to do any kayaking on my travels! I really like it and will definitely try to do more of it in the future!
Thailand has so much to offer, I love a mix of nature and active stuff. Especially with great food and a sunset thrown in there. I am in the same boat as you, I am terrible at making decisions, especially when there are so many awesome spots like there are in Thailand!
Thailand is definitely a country I see myself returning to – there’s SO much to see and do there!
That does sound lovely, especially ending it all with a barbecue! I’ve only visited Thailand once, and spent just two weeks there, and actually hardly any of that time was spent on beaches. There is a surprising amount to do beyond just lounging on a beach, though I definitely will try and fit some time in for that on my next visit!
Yeah, I agree! I spent 3 weeks in Thailand, and only 1 of those was at/near the water!
I went kayaking through the mangroves in Abu Dhabi last month and loved every minute of it. I learned so much about the damage that motor boats and jet skis cause to the surrounding mangroves…and it was just really fun too!
I am currently trying to decide whether to do the mainland or islands in the south of Thailand too…decisions, decisions!
You could do a little of both like I did!
Absolutely stunning! The sunset photo is encouragement enough to try this experience.
Yeah, the sunset was pretty awesome. We actually missed most of it, but even catching the tail-end was worth it.
That looks like a great trip. Beautiful photos.
Thanks, Zoe. It was a lot of fun.
I love kayaking and the water looks nice and calm which always makes it easy. The barbecue at the end sounds like the perfect end to a day of kayaking!
The BBQ was amazing. I would have been happy just with the kayaking, but the beach dinner definitely made it even more special and fun.
This looks incredible. I’m also by no means a kayaking pro, but I do love it, and that water looks beautifully calm and easy to kayak on. And a gorgeous sunset at the end – idyllic!
Yes the water was lovely! Not too difficult at all.
You got some great photos! I love Kayaking, what better way to see the waterways and surrounding
I agree! It was a lot of fun.
Yes, Yes and Yes! That sounds right up my street, I would absolutely love to do something like that – the sunset BBQ sounds dreamy too.
The canyon especially was really cool. And the BBQ was so delicious!
Never thought of taking a kayakking trip in krabi but our post changed my mind. It looks really fun with great things to see.
It was a fun trip, and definitely something a little bit different!