If you missed out on the island tour during the shore excursion in Phuket, then you must do it in Krabi.
Krabi is not only famous for its cave temples and national parks, but is also the gateway to several exotic and beautiful islands, perfect for diving and snorkeling.
Krabi is a Sport Destination
Unlike Phuket, Krabi lacks the wild and sensual nightlife. It is more laid-back and with its spectacular coastline and white sandy beaches, it is a great destination for swimming and sunbathing. If you are more adventurous, you can go snorkeling, diving or kayaking in the bay. Or you can go fishing or drop by at the floating fishing villages.
If you are done with all these, the mangroves, the tropical forest, rivers and natural hot springs are there waiting for you to explore; if you have the time!
You have so many places to cover over such a short time. Hence, shore excursion for Krabi is best done with the tour packages arranged through Star Cruises Superstar Libra. You will be covered by insurance, will be given priority disembarkation and is guaranteed not to be left behind should you and your tour party arrive late.
How Much is Massage in Krabi?
But if you want a laid-back day in Krabi, then be rejuvenated by their many spas and massage parlors. The rate is cheaper than in Phuket. When I was there, a full-body Thai massage was advertised at 250 Baht (RM27 or US$7.50) for an hour session. But we were there at low peak period and was charged only 200 Baht instead of 250 Baht.
Check out the rate for other massages, waxing and beauty treatment from the photo (below) that I took of the spa that we patronized.
Disembarkation at Krabi
Before I get onto the shore excursion details, it is important to note the following information for disembarkation at Krabi:
- The boats that carry passengers from ship to shore and back, have limited capacity. So, if you plan to do Krabi excursion on your own, please collect your tendering stickers from the Reception Desk. You can do this from 6:00 pm onwards on Sunday, i.e. on the first day when you get on Superstar Libra. Do not forget to state your preferred assembly time.
- Follow the instructions in the tendering sticker info sheet on the assembly venue and time.
- Assembly time is not the departure time. Depending on the tendering operations and readiness of the boat, you may have to wait from between 15 to 30 minutes.
- Last boat to leave for shore is about 3:30 pm and the last boat back to Superstar Libra is at 5:30 pm.
Krabi Tours & Excursions
Depending on when you disembarked, you about five to six hours to explore the many attractions in Krabi. This is tough if you want to spend more time to enjoy these places. Unfortunately, when you are on shore excursions, you only have a 'taste' of some of the things Krabi has to offer. Hence, be very selective of what you want to do and pick the excursion that suits your need.
Star Cruises has arranged a wide selection of tours to meet the needs of its passengers. The followings were available on our tour dates.
Krabi Shore Excursion Information
Shore Excursion Package | Brief Tour Info |
|---|---|
1. Long Tail Boat to Koh Klang Khao at RM179 per pax. Duration about 4 hours | You will be cruising on a long tail boat from Krabi town to Khao Khanap Nam to see the two limestone outcrops that rise from the sea. Then continue to Koh Klang, a fishing island with thousands of acres of mangrove forest. |
2. Tiger Cave Temple at RM96 per pax. Duration about 5 hours | Tiger Cave Temple, a Buddhist temple that is well known for its tiger paw print, is a warren of natural caves. Along the way there will be a photo stop at Khao Khanap Nam. Then shopping for Krabi cake and other local delicacies. Rest of the time free and easy at Ao Nang beach. |
Shore Excursion Package | Brief Tour Info |
|---|---|
3. Botanical Garden & Tiger Cave at RM214 per pax. Duration about 6.5 hours | Visit Thanbok Kharani Botanical Garden that has an underground stream that flows through the cave. Then visit Tiger Cave Temple, stop for lunch at a local restaurant and finally, a short stop at Krabi town. |
4. Phi Phi Island Tour at RM382 pr person. Duration about 5.5 hours. | Now is your chance to see Phi Phi Island that became famous after the movie 'The Beach' starring Leonardo DiCaprio was shot there. You will be taken on a boat ride around Phi Phi island passing through several coves and caves. You can snorkel at Maya Bay before proceeding for lunch at Phi Phi Natural Resort. Then free time for swimming at Bamboo Island. If you join this tour, life jacket and snorkelling gear will be provided. Since you will be out in the sun and you will get wet, you must bring your own towel, clothes for change, sun screen lotion and rubber-soled shoes. |
Shore Excursion Package | Brief Tour Info |
|---|---|
5. Tour Four Islands by Speedboat at RM239 per pax. Duration about 5 hours | You will visit Pranang Beach to explore Princess Caves, then Tup Island, Chicken Island and finally Poda Island. On the island stops, you get a chance to swim, sunbath and snorkel. Life jacket & snorkeling gear will be provided, but not lunch. Don't forget to bring your swimming gear, towel, a set of changing clothes, sunglasses and sun screen lotion. |
6. Visit the farms and temples at RM204 per pax. Duration about 6.5 hours | See the slithering snake & monkey show, then visit giant catfish farm before proceeding to Tiger Cave Temple. Lunch is provided and you also get to enjoy free time at Ao Nang Beach. |
Shore Excursion Package | Brief Tour Info |
|---|---|
7. Elephant Ride & Temple at RM156 per pax. Duration about 4.5 hours | Take a short jungle trek on the elephant, then visit Tiger Cave Temple before free & easy in Krabi town |
8. Thai massage & Temple at RM182 per pax. Duration about 6.5 hours | Enjoy 2 hours of Thai massage, then free & easy at Ao Nang Beach before proceeding to Tiger Cave Temple |
9. Tour Krabi on your own at RM730 per van (12 pax seating capacity). Duration about 6 hours | Get 11 of your friends and do a private tour of Krabi. Do your own research well in advance and discuss with the tour guide (provided in the package) on your proposed itinerary. Package price is for van hire and tour guide fee. Other cost on your own. |
Krabi Shore Excursion too Expensive?
So, you are on a tight budget and all the shore excursion packages offered by Star Cruises are beyond your budget. Don't worry, you can still enjoy Krabi.
Get a few of your friends and take a taxi, which are plenty waiting for passengers at Krabi jetty. Then, head for Ao Nang.
At Ao Nang you can enjoy the typical Thai foods offered by the street hawkers. They are delicious and some are halal.
Or go for foot or body massage, which are cheaper than in Phuket or on Superstar Libra.
Alternatively, just window shop or buy the cheap souvenirs for friends and relatives. I found most of the souvenirs to be cheaper here compared to Patong, Phuket.
Enjoy Krabi as you may not have a chance to come back again. This is the last shore excursion on this cruise, so have fun.
Shore Excursion to Phuket
If you miss my article on Shore Excursion to Phuket, then you must click on the link. You will find many interesting topics, which are as follows:
- Why do shore excursion when you are on a cruise vacation
- Is shore excursion worth doing?
- Should you do shore excursion on your own or join Star Cruises excursion?
- Phuket shore excursion packages offered by Star Cruises Superstar Libra
- What to do & see if you want to explore Phuket on your own
Other Articles on Star Cruises Superstar Libra
Or you can check out my other articles on Star Cruises Superstar Libra:
- Review of Superstar Libra's Penang/Phuket/Krabi vacation cruise. What to do and what not to do for this cruise.
- Activities on Superstar Libra : What are in store during your 4D/3N cruise. Good or bad?
- Not all things are free on Superstar Libra. Check out which activities you have to pay on this cruise.
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