Ao Nang Beach

Ao Nang is the beach everyone lands at, and for good reason — it's the launch pad for the islands and the busiest strip on this coast. The sand is fine, the swimming is calm most of the year, and the promenade behind it is wall-to-wall restaurants, dive shops and longtail touts. Don't come for solitude; come for the convenience. Every 4-islands and Phi Phi boat leaves from here, so you can swim in the morning and be on Poda by lunch. Sunsets over the karsts offshore are the real draw.

Highlights