Ao Nang, Thailand

The last leg of our Southeast Asia adventure took place in Ao Nang, a small beachfront town on the southern tip of mainland Thailand. Although quite touristy, this town was the perfect spot to catch some sun on the beach, practice our motorbike skills, and jump around to nearby islands.

Ao Nang Bunk Resort

Unknowingly, we saved the best for last! Ao Nang Bunk Resort was hands down our favorite place we stayed during our trip. Although our private room was beautiful, clean and bug-free, it was hard to not spend our time here outside. The eight rooms at the resort each have their own patio out front, facing a palm tree-lined pool. Around the resort lie small farms, lush trees and towering limestone formations in the distance.

Palm trees behind the pool at Aonang Bunk Resort in Krabi Thailand
Our private room at Aonang Bunk Resort in Ao Nang Thailand
A wide angle shot of the pool at Aonang Bunk Resort in Krabi
The staff here are some of the most friendly people we’ve met on our travels, along with the adorable chef “Momma” who serves tasty authentic Thai food morning, day and night. The only possible drawback of this place is its distance from downtown Ao Nang and/or Krabi, but we looked forward to the 15 minute bike ride into town every day!
The sign on the lawn of Aonang Bunk Resort
Relaxing in the pool at Aonang Bunk Resort in Thailand
A cute directional sign at Anonang Bunk Resort in Ao Nang Thailand
Low tide at Railay Beach with limestone mountains in the background

Railay Beach

Ao Nang is surrounded by beautiful rock formations on all sides. Just around the bend of one of these giant formations lies Railay Beach. So during our first full day in town, we decided to drive down to Ao Nang beach, hop on a longtail boat, and ride over to Railay (it can only be reached by boat!).

A girl drinking a coconut at Railay Beach near Ao Nang Thailand
Huge limestone mountains at Railay Beach in Thailand
The view of the beach from inside Pranang beach in Ao Nang Thailand
Railay is the perfect spot for a day trip: we sprawled out on the beach, swam around in the warm water, walked down “Walking Street” for food, and did a little bit of hiking. Although we couldn’t stay for sunset (last boat back is at 6pm), we made it back to Ao Nang in time to enjoy the colorful horizon.
The sun shining through the clouds near a limestone island at Pranang Beach in Thailand
Many longboats docked at Ao Nang beach as the sun sets over the ocean in Aonang Thailand

A Boat Ride Away from Phi Phi

After a few lazy days at the resort, we decided it was time for another adventure. So we booked a semi-private speedboat with Thalassa Tours for a trip to the Phi Phi islands. The speedboat picked us up once again at Ao Nang beach bright and early.

Eating in Maya Bay Thailand with Thalassa Tours
A view of the water at Maya Bay in Thailand
A monkey sitting down on a beach in Maya Bay Thailand
A girl standing in front of a longboat in the Phi Phi Islands of Thailand
Throughout the day we stopped at several beaches to explore, relax and enjoy a lunch prepared by the crew. We also got to jump off the boat to enjoy some deeper waters offshore to snorkel! Around 5pm we all made our way to Phra Nang beach to watch the sunset as we ate a small dinner. From there, it was a short ride back to Ao Nang. An all day adventure that was worth every penny!
Snorkeling with Thalassa Tours semi-private day trip in the Phi Phi Islands
A girl snorkeling near the Phi Phi Islands with Thalassa Tours
Thalassa Tours speed boat pulling into a bay in the Phi Phi Islands
A guy swimming in a bay with Thalassa Tours in the Phi Phi Islands
A girl swimming in a bay with Thalassa Tours in the Phi Phi Islands
The sun setting behind a limestone island at Phra Nang Beach near Ao Nang Thailand

Last Stop Koh Lanta