Due to its central location in the Andaman Sea and to its lovely topography and great sporting opportunities, Ao Nang is, at the moment, maybe Thailand’s best all-round beach destination. It is predominately a family and sports destination. Whilst it lacks wild nightlife and young party travellers will bore quickly, it does have a few relaxed bars and two nightclubs.

 

 

 

Many beach destinations get ruined when over-development and over-population result in an unsupportable excess of pollutants. But somewhere along the way there is an optimal state, where there are enough facilities, but a still ecologicaly-sustainable tourist population. Ao Nang is now at this stage and represents, for many people, an ideal compromise between a pristine but boring destination and a fun but polluted one.

 

 

Ao Nang is, along with Chiang Mai, one of Thailand’s two most exciting soft and extreme adventure sports destinations. The home of two of the best beaches on the planet, Railay, is fifteen minutes away by boat.

The town’s location on the eastern coast of Phang Nga bay puts it within easy reach of all the fishing, diving and kayaking sites in the bay. A day-trip to Koh Phi Phi is a better way to visit the place than staying there.

 

 

Ao Nang has numerous spas, beauty shops and massage parlours to offer you a little bit of pampering. Thai full- body massages lasting an hour cost around 250 Baht and, though you may feel that you have been pushed and pulled in improbable directions, you will feel rejuvenated afterwards.

 

 

Ao Nang itself has two idyllic, unspoilt beaches, which are lapped by clear, warm water. Other, pristine beaches are located on a number of outlying islands which can be accessed cheaply and quickly from Ao Nang by local longtail boats.

 

 

 

Thai food is abundant in Ao Nang and is available 24 hours a day. Visit a traditional Thai restaurant, eat at a local market or try one of the many street vendors, who are based on every street corner.

 

 

The smell and taste of the Thai dishes is enhanced by a variety of fresh, local ingredients, just don't forget to ask for non-spicy (mai pet) if you have a delicate, Western palette.

 

 

 

 

For those people who need a break from Thai food, a whole host of Western options are available in Ao Nang; these include traditional English food, Indian Food, Scandinavian food, steaks, pizza and pasta (there are 6 Italian restaurants).

 

 

 

 

Ao Nang offers a wide range of activities and attractions, including snorkelling, kayaking, island-hopping, climbing, diving, spa/massage/beauty, shopping, white water rafting, hiking, kayaking, snorkelling, temple visits, fishing parks, elephant trekking, cooking classes, massage classes, market exploration and pavilion fishing.

 

 

 

 

Here's a photo of most of the mainland beaches within easy reach of Ao Nang : nearest the camera is Phra Nang, then West Railay, then Tonsai, then Ao Nang beach, then (just visible) Nopparat Thara beach.