Tonsai and Krabi Information Rock Climbing thailand best season
The search for the ultimate rock climbing Thailand best season leads directly to Krabi’s Dry Season, which officially runs from November to April. For the most comfortable and rewarding experience on Krabi’s iconic limestone karsts, the peak window is December through February. During this time, the weather is consistently dry, humidity is at its lowest, and cooler temperatures (especially compared to the scorching hot season of March/April) make long days on the cliff faces of Railay and Tonsai Beach most enjoyable. While climbing is technically possible year-round—with the region’s famous overhanging routes remaining dry even during the May to October rainy season—the dry, grippy rock and ideal tropical conditions confirm this period as the undisputed rock climbing Thailand best season for visitors of all skill levels.
Krabi province
The area boasts spectacular beaches such as Ao Nang, Railay. and Koh Phi Phi, all offering numerous diving and snorkeling trips, restaurants, shops, accommodation, and fantastic sport climbing. Overhanging limestone cliffs and rock formations make this province heaven for rock climbers.
Climbers often find themselves beginning the day working difficult climbs on the beach then ending the day soloing on local islands, safely dropping into warm turquoise water. Sporty travelers also enjoy sea kayaking, base jumping, fire spinning, and testing their balance on the plentiful slack-lines.
Krabi Town is the provincial capital, located at the mouth of Krabi River as it opens into the Andaman Sea. Krabi Town has a more relaxed-local feel than other tourist destinations in Thailand. However, it can be bustling in high season because it is often a base for those traveling to famous beaches such as Koh Phi Phi, Ao Nang, Railay and Ton Sai, or Koh Lanta. Come for the rock climbing Thailand best season.
How to get here
You have a few options to get to Krabi. You can fly directly from Denmark, Finland, Russia, and China. Also you can fly from Singapore, Kula Lumpur, Phuket, and Bangkok.
If your staying in Phuket you can take the ferry to Ao Nang and Railay West or you can take a bus or minivan from the neighboring cities. Another options is to take the overnight bus from Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur to Krabi town. A good source for information about Asia and Visa Regulations you can find with our friends at Awesome Asia Travel.
From Krabi town you can take a taxi, van, local bus or motorbike-taxi to Ao Nang Beach. There you need to take a water taxi on a local boat know as a Longtail Boat. It costs 100 THB per person to get to Tonsai beach.
Climbing season
It’s possible to climb year around regardless of the season! Though the official rock climbing Thailand best season is from October to March. You’ll generally find warm dry days and relatively cool nights in the high season. There are more tourists this time of year and accommodation is a bit more expensive.
Most backpackers and climbers prefer staying on Tonsai because prices are more reasonable. March, April, and May are normally hot and sticky, especially between 11am and 4pm; however, tourism begins to slow down and prices for accommodation go down a bit.
Though this is considered the “Rainy Season” it certainly doesn’t rain everyday. There are fewer people and accommodation is much cheaper. Many find this is the optimum time to climb because of cooler temperatures, cheaper accommodation, and no waiting around for routes to open up. Remember, there are no guarantees when it comes to weather, high season or low! All year is rock climbing Thailand best season!!!
However with global climate change, seasons are not as defined as they use to be, and has become quite unpredictable. A good weather resource is WindGuru and Windy.
Accommodation & facilities
There are a number of bungalow resorts in Tonsai. Everything from basic wood/bamboo bungalows until small upscale resorts. However prices are very reasonable here compared to Railay or Ao Nang. Most bars and bungalows are at the back of the valley. Tonsai Resort’s restaurant is right on the beach front, next too freedom bar and the climbing sectors on the beach.
Apart from the bungalows there are a number of bars, restaurants, street food, climbing shops, massage places, and mini-markets. On Tonsai there is no ATM, but in walking distance on Railay Beach there are two.
The most famous bars are Small World, Backyard, OneMore, and Freedom on the beach. Great places to chill-out after a day of climbing. Take a nap in a hammock, play some pool, or work on your slack-line skills!!!
Most of the resorts/bungalows you can find on Trip.com or Booking.com, but some most you need contact directly or just show up (like Jungngle hut or Pha-Sook Bungalows). The places you can book online are Green valley Resort, Tonsai Bay Resort, Dream Valley Resort, Chill Out Bar & Bungalows, and Garden View Resort.
Above is a map of Tonsai and the facility locations, no matter where you are, you are never far from a crag.
Leaving Tonsai
You can take a longtail boat from here to Ao Nang or Ao Nammao by flagging down a boatman in a red shirt. Keep in mind, these guys have formed a union and set prices. You might be able to bargain if you are organizing a private tour, however, prices for regular boats are fixed. Boats leave when they are full (about 8 people) but if you are in a rush and there aren’t enough people, you can pay the difference and leave straight away. Tonsai and Railay beaches wouldn’t be accessible without these guys which means you wouldn’t be able to climb, kayak, bounce on the slack line…anything…without them. Please be respectful.
Hopefully see you again for the rock climbing Thailand best season.
