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Most visitors only pass through Ao Nam Mao to catch a boat. The small pier, 10 km east of Ao Nang, serves Railay, the 4 Islands, Hong Island and Phi Phi. The beach itself is a working waterfront rather than a postcard: about 400 m of mixed sand, murky water and a mangrove channel on one side. What draws people is the row of seafood restaurants on stilts, the fishing pier and prices not inflated by tourism.
What to do at Ao Nam Mao
- 1Catch the shuttle to Railay: Shuttle boats cross to Railay East in 10 to 15 minutes. It is the fastest and cheapest way to reach Railay from Krabi Town.
- 2See the Shell Cemetery: Susan Hoi, at Ban Laem Pho, is a layer of fossil shells about 40 cm thick. The Thai foreign ministry dates it to about 40 million years; signs often say 75.
- 3Eat seafood on stilts: A row of seafood restaurants on stilts lines the waterfront. Prices here are not pushed up by tourism the way they are in Ao Nang.
- 4Kayak the mangroves: Kayaking in the nearby mangroves of Ao Thalane is one of the activities offered from Ao Nam Mao. It is a calm half-day away from the beaches.
- 5Stay in a park bungalow: The national park runs bungalows attached to the Susan Hoi sector. They are the closest park accommodation to the bay, alongside a few resorts.
Tours and transfers from Ao Nam Mao
Airport transferFrom US$25Krabi: Airport to Railay Beach Transfer with Boat Ride
- Private transfer to the pier, then the boat to Railay
- Meet and greet and luggage assistance
Best for: Arrivals who want no pier confusion
See prices & availability
From RailayFrom US$134 per groupFrom Railay: Private Longtail Boat Island Hopping Tour
- Three itineraries with 4 or 6 hour options
- Leaves from Railay, so no early transfer from Ao Nang
Best for: Travellers staying on Railay
See prices & availabilityGetting there
Ao Nam Mao is about 20 minutes east of Ao Nang and 10 to 15 km from Krabi Town. If you drive, this is the pier to use: there is secure parking next to it, while parking in Ao Nang is hard unless you arrive very early. From a Railay hotel to the airport, the most practical route is Railay East to Ao Nam Mao, with a taxi waiting at the pier.
Fares and timetables differ between sources. Two operators list the shuttle at 150 THB one way or 250 THB return, cash at the counter, every 30 minutes from 8:00 to 18:00, with returns from Railay East from 8:30 to 18:30. The local reference guide gives 100 THB, hourly departures and one-way tickets only. Charters are quoted at 800 THB one way by one source and from 1,500 THB by another. Check the counter on the day.
The shuttle is a covered speedboat with 30 to 40 seats and a life jacket at each seat; it runs every day, including in the rainy season. Someone is at the pier until about 23:00 most nights. The Shell Cemetery is only visible at low tide and opens at 8:00, closing at 16:30 or 17:00 depending on the source. The park lists no separate entry price for it, so bring cash.
Frequently asked questions
Published fares range from 100 to 150 THB one way. Two operators list 150 THB one way and 250 THB return, paid in cash at the counter before departure.
Boat tripsThe crossing takes 10 to 15 minutes. Boats run from morning to early evening, but sources disagree on whether they leave every 30 minutes or every hour.
Full guideYes, there is secure parking next to the pier, which makes it the better choice if you drive. No parking fee is published.
Railay or Ao NangNot really. The water is murky and one side is a mangrove channel; people come for the pier and the seafood restaurants, not the swimming.
It suits travellers who want the Krabi scenery without Ao Nang's crowds. There are a few resorts and national park bungalows near the Shell Cemetery.
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Last updated September 2026.
