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Krabi - Things to Do in Krabi in March

Things to Do in Krabi in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Krabi

93°F (34°C) High Temp
73°F (23°C) Low Temp
0.0 inches (0 mm) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

  • Shoulder season pricing with high season weather - March sits in that sweet spot where hotel rates drop 20-30% from February peaks while conditions remain excellent. You're looking at ฿2,500-4,000 per night for beachfront properties that cost ฿5,000+ in January.
  • Peak visibility for diving and snorkeling - The Andaman Sea typically offers 25-30 m (82-98 ft) visibility in March before the monsoon stirs things up. Water temperature hovers around 28-29°C (82-84°F), which is genuinely comfortable without a wetsuit for most people.
  • Manageable crowds at major attractions - Chinese New Year tourists have gone home, European Easter hasn't started yet. Railay Beach and the Four Islands actually feel like tropical destinations rather than theme parks. You can book longtail boats without competing with 50 other people.
  • Cooperative seas for island hopping - March winds are light, typically 10-15 km/h (6-9 mph), meaning ferries run on schedule and those 45-minute speedboat rides to Phi Phi don't turn into endurance tests. Tour operators rarely cancel due to weather this month.

Considerations

  • Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable - While total rainfall is minimal, March is transitioning out of dry season. You might get three days of gorgeous sunshine followed by an afternoon downpour that lasts 90 minutes and floods the streets temporarily. The weather app becomes unreliable.
  • Heat builds through the month - Early March feels pleasant at 31-32°C (88-90°F), but by late March you're hitting 34-35°C (93-95°F) regularly. Combined with 70% humidity, outdoor activities between 11am-3pm become genuinely uncomfortable. Locals retreat indoors during these hours.
  • Songkran preparation means some closures - While the actual festival is mid-April, some businesses start shutting down for renovations or family time in late March. A few restaurants and smaller tour operators take breaks, though major attractions stay open.

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Best Activities in March

Four Islands and Phra Nang Cave Beach Tours

March offers ideal conditions for exploring Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island, and Phra Nang Cave Beach. The limestone karsts look spectacular against clear skies, and low winds mean calm waters for swimming and snorkeling. Water clarity peaks this month before April's heat and May's monsoon. The sandbars connecting Tup and Mor Islands are fully exposed at low tide, creating that postcard-worthy walk between islands. Crowds are moderate - you'll share the space but won't feel overwhelmed like in January.

Booking Tip: Half-day tours typically run ฿1,200-1,800 including snorkel gear and lunch. Book 3-5 days ahead through your hotel or see current options in the booking section below. Morning departures around 8-9am beat the afternoon heat and give you better light for photos. Insist on life jackets if you're not a strong swimmer - the current between islands can surprise people.

Rock Climbing at Railay Beach

Railay's limestone cliffs are genuinely world-class, and March weather is perfect - dry rock, manageable temperatures in the morning, and minimal rain to cancel sessions. The cliffs stay shaded until about 10am, giving you 3-4 hours of comfortable climbing. Routes range from beginner-friendly 5.6 grades to advanced 5.13s. Even if you've never climbed before, half-day intro courses get you up the rock safely. The climbing community here is active and welcoming.

Booking Tip: Half-day beginner courses cost ฿1,800-2,500 including gear and instruction. Full-day trips for experienced climbers run ฿2,500-3,500. Book at least one day ahead, though walk-ins often work in March. Start early - sessions beginning after 11am mean you're climbing in direct sun by noon. Look for operators with certified guides and regularly inspected equipment. See current climbing tours in the booking section below.

Kayaking Through Ao Thalane Mangrove Forest

The mangroves north of Krabi Town offer a completely different perspective from beach activities. March's calm conditions make paddling easy, and low water levels expose more of the limestone formations and cave systems. You'll paddle through tunnels, spot monitor lizards and mudskippers, and likely have long stretches of quiet waterways to yourself. It's genuinely peaceful compared to the beach scene. The 6-8 km (3.7-5 mi) routes take 3-4 hours at a relaxed pace.

Booking Tip: Tours typically cost ฿1,500-2,200 including kayak, guide, and hotel transfer. Book 2-3 days ahead or see current options in the booking section below. Morning tours starting around 7-8am are cooler and catch better wildlife activity. Afternoon tours work if mornings don't suit you, but expect more heat. Bring a dry bag for phones and cameras - even calm water means splashes. Choose tours that limit group size to 6-8 people for a better experience.

Emerald Pool and Hot Springs Circuit

The Thung Teao Forest Natural Park sits about 70 km (43 miles) from Krabi Town and makes an excellent break from beaches. March is ideal because the forest trails stay relatively dry while the pools remain full. The Emerald Pool's mineral-rich water stays at 30-35°C (86-95°F) year-round, and the genuine hot springs nearby hit 40-50°C (104-122°F). The 1.4 km (0.87 mile) trail to Crystal Pool is manageable for most fitness levels, though it's genuinely uphill in sections.

Booking Tip: Entry to the park costs ฿200 for foreigners, ฿90 for children. Organized tours including transport run ฿1,800-2,800 depending on what else they include. Going independently via rental motorbike costs about ฿250-300 per day plus fuel. Arrive early - the pools get crowded after 10am when tour groups arrive. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends. Bring reef-safe sunscreen as regular sunscreen damages the pools. See current tours combining multiple sites in the booking section below.

Sunset Cruises and Evening Beach Time

March sunsets happen around 6:15-6:30pm and are spectacular when clouds cooperate. The evening temperature drops to a comfortable 26-28°C (79-82°F), making beach time actually pleasant after the day's heat. Ao Nang Beach and Nopparat Thara Beach both face west for direct sunset views. The light between 5pm-7pm is that golden hour photographers love, and the beaches empty out significantly after day-trippers leave.

Booking Tip: Sunset longtail boat trips cost ฿800-1,500 for private boats fitting 4-6 people, or ฿400-600 per person for shared tours. Book the same day through beach touts or your hotel. Evening beach visits are free obviously - just show up. Bring insect repellent for after sunset as mosquitoes become active. Many beachfront restaurants offer happy hour 5-7pm with drinks at ฿80-120 instead of regular ฿150-200 prices. See current sunset cruise options in the booking section below.

Thai Cooking Classes and Market Tours

March is mango season, and you'll find six or seven varieties at local markets that you've never seen exported. Cooking classes typically start with market tours around 8-9am when produce is freshest and vendors are most talkative. You'll learn to make 4-5 dishes, usually including curry paste from scratch, pad thai, and mango sticky rice. Classes run 3-4 hours and you eat what you cook. It's a genuine skill you take home, not just a tourist activity.

Booking Tip: Classes cost ฿1,200-2,500 depending on menu complexity and class size. Book 5-7 days ahead as popular instructors fill up, or see current availability in the booking section below. Morning classes are more comfortable temperature-wise than afternoon sessions. Look for classes limiting groups to 8-10 people maximum - larger groups mean less hands-on instruction. Vegetarian and dietary restrictions are usually accommodated with advance notice. Most include recipe books you can actually use.

March Events & Festivals

Throughout March

Mango Season Peak

Not a festival exactly, but March is peak season for Nam Dok Mai, Ok Rong, and other premium mango varieties. Markets overflow with fruit at ฿40-80 per kilogram compared to ฿120-150 later in the year. Locals make mango sticky rice daily rather than just for special occasions. Street vendors sell sliced mango with sweet fish sauce and chili salt. If you've only had exported mangoes, the difference is remarkable - these are picked ripe rather than green for shipping.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket that packs small - Those 10 rainy days mean quick afternoon showers lasting 20-90 minutes. A packable jacket saves you from hiding in shops or getting soaked. Skip the umbrella as wind makes them useless and they're awkward on motorbikes.
SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen - UV index of 8 means you'll burn in 15-20 minutes without protection. Regular sunscreen damages coral and is banned at many marine parks. Bring enough from home as reef-safe brands cost ฿600-900 here versus ฿200-300 abroad.
Breathable cotton or linen clothing, not polyester - That 70% humidity means synthetic fabrics become sweat traps. Loose cotton dries faster and feels dramatically more comfortable. Locals wear light colors that reflect heat rather than dark colors that absorb it.
Water shoes with actual soles - Beaches have sharp coral fragments and rocks, longtail boats have barnacle-covered ladders, and some snorkel sites have urchins. Thin water socks don't cut it. Proper water shoes cost ฿400-800 locally or pack your own.
Small dry bag for boat trips - Even calm seas mean water in the boat, and your phone isn't as waterproof as you think. A 10-15 liter (2.6-4 gallon) dry bag costs ฿300-600 locally and protects electronics, cash, and documents during island hopping.
Insect repellent with 20-30% DEET - Mosquitoes are active after sunset and in shaded areas during the day. Dengue fever is present year-round in Krabi, though not epidemic levels. Natural repellents work poorly. Bring travel-size bottles as full-size ones leak in luggage.
Sarong or lightweight beach cover - Required for temple visits, useful as a beach blanket, works as a towel in emergencies, and provides sun protection. Locals use them constantly. Buy one at any market for ฿150-300 rather than packing a bulky beach towel.
Comfortable sandals with arch support - You'll walk 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily between beaches, markets, and towns. Flip-flops cause foot pain after a few days. Proper sandals like Tevas or Chacos make a genuine difference. Locals wear them year-round for a reason.
Small backpack or day pack - Better than shoulder bags for carrying water, sunscreen, snacks, and wet clothes after swimming. Keeps your hands free for climbing boat ladders or steadying yourself on longtails. A 20-25 liter (5.3-6.6 gallon) pack is ideal.
Ziplock bags in multiple sizes - Keeps sand out of electronics, separates wet swimwear from dry clothes, protects documents, and stores snacks. Harder to find here than you'd expect. Bring 10-15 bags in various sizes.

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations 3-4 weeks ahead for best selection at shoulder season prices - March sits between high season and low season, so hotels are adjusting rates downward but haven't hit rock bottom yet. Early March still sees some high season pricing, while late March approaches low season rates. The sweet spot for booking is late January through early February when hotels are finalizing March inventory.
Rent motorbikes for ฿250-300 daily rather than using taxis at ฿300-500 per trip - An automatic scooter gives you genuine freedom to explore beyond Ao Nang's tourist zone. Roads to Railay viewpoint, Tubkaek Beach, and the hot springs are scenic and well-maintained. Get an international driving permit before arriving as police checkpoints are common and fines are ฿500-1,000 without proper documents. Wear a helmet always - fines are ฿500 and head injuries are the leading cause of tourist hospitalizations.
Eat where you see Thai families eating, not where you see tour groups - Restaurants along Ao Nang beachfront charge ฿180-250 for pad thai that costs ฿60-80 three blocks inland. Quality is often better at local places too. If the menu has photos and five languages, you're paying tourist prices. If the menu is handwritten in Thai with a few English words, you've found the real thing.
March heat peaks between 11am-3pm - Plan indoor activities during this window: massage sessions cost ฿300-500 for 90 minutes, cooking classes run during midday, or retreat to your hotel pool. Locals take genuine breaks during these hours rather than pushing through. Schedule beach time, hiking, and island tours for early morning or late afternoon when temperatures drop to comfortable levels.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all of March has identical weather - Early March typically sees better conditions with less rain and slightly lower temperatures around 31-32°C (88-90°F), while late March transitions toward hot season with temperatures hitting 34-35°C (93-95°F) and more unpredictable showers. If you have flexibility, first two weeks of March are preferable to the last two weeks.
Booking back-to-back full-day tours without rest days - The combination of heat, sun exposure, and boat rides genuinely exhausts people. Tour operators won't tell you this, but locals build in recovery time. Schedule one major activity per day with afternoons free, or alternate tour days with beach relaxation days. You'll enjoy the trip more and avoid heat exhaustion.
Exchanging money at airport or hotel - Rates are 3-5% worse than in-town exchange booths. Bring some Thai baht for arrival day, then exchange at shops along Maharaj Road in Krabi Town or Ao Nang main street for rates within 1% of official rates. ATMs charge ฿220 per withdrawal, so take larger amounts less frequently rather than small amounts daily.

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February

Travel guide for February

April

Travel guide for April

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Krabi

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