Things to Do in Krabi in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Krabi
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means you'll find accommodation rates 30-40% lower than December-February peak season, with plenty of availability even if you book just 2-3 weeks out. Hotels that run 4,500-6,000 baht in high season drop to 2,800-4,000 baht.
- Fewer crowds at major attractions like Railay Beach and the Four Islands - you'll actually get decent photos at Phra Nang Cave without 50 people in the background. Tour boats carry 15-20 people instead of being packed to capacity with 30-35.
- Sea conditions are typically excellent for island hopping and snorkeling, with visibility at 15-20 m (49-66 ft) around Koh Poda and Chicken Island. The Andaman Sea is calmer in May than it will be June through October, before proper monsoon season kicks in.
- Local life is more visible since you're between tourist waves - markets are busier with actual residents, restaurants aren't just serving farang, and you'll see what Krabi Town actually feels like when it's not overrun. The weekend walking street market on Maharaj Road has more local vendors than tourist-trap stalls.
Considerations
- That 70% humidity combined with 32°C (91°F) temperatures creates the kind of sticky heat where you'll want to shower twice daily. Afternoon outdoor activities between 1-4pm can feel genuinely oppressive, especially if you're doing anything strenuous like rock climbing or jungle trekking.
- The rainfall data showing 0.0 inches is misleading - you're looking at 10 rainy days, which in practice means sudden afternoon downpours that last 30-45 minutes. They're not all-day affairs, but they're unpredictable enough that you'll want backup plans for any outdoor activities scheduled between 2-6pm.
- Some diving operations start reducing trips to certain sites as they transition toward low season schedules. While most tours still run, you might find fewer daily departures to places like Koh Phi Phi or Hin Daeng, meaning less flexibility if you're trying to book last-minute.
Best Activities in May
Railay Beach Rock Climbing
May offers ideal conditions before the monsoon rains make limestone too slippery. Morning sessions from 7-10am give you the best grip and coolest temperatures - the rock face gets genuinely hot to touch by midday. Railay has over 700 routes ranging from beginner 5.6 grades to advanced 5.14s, and in May you'll find instructors more available than peak season when they're fully booked. The humidity actually helps with grip initially, though your hands will sweat more after 90 minutes of climbing.
Four Islands Longtail Boat Tours
The classic Krabi experience - Phra Nang Cave Beach, Tup Island, Chicken Island, and Poda Island - works beautifully in May because sea conditions are still calm and you'll have far fewer boats crowding the sandbars. The tidal sandbar connecting Tup and Mor Islands appears around 10am-2pm depending on lunar cycle, and in May you might share it with 20-30 people instead of 100-plus in January. Water temperature sits around 28-29°C (82-84°F), perfect for extended snorkeling without a wetsuit.
Khao Khanab Nam Kayaking
The twin limestone karst mountains that define Krabi Town's skyline are best explored by kayak through the mangrove channels, and May's conditions are perfect - water levels are good, it's not yet monsoon season, and the morning light from 7-9am creates incredible photo opportunities. You'll paddle through narrow channels where roots create natural tunnels, spot monitor lizards and mudskippers, and most tourists completely miss this because they're focused on the islands. The 2-3 hour paddle covers roughly 6-8 km (3.7-5 miles) and requires moderate fitness.
Thung Teao Forest Natural Park Trail Hiking
The Crystal Pool and Emerald Pool are Krabi's most photogenic natural swimming holes, set in lowland rainforest about 45 km (28 miles) from Ao Nang. May is actually ideal timing because the pools are fed by underground springs that maintain cool temperatures even as ambient heat rises. The 1.4 km (0.87 mile) trail to Emerald Pool is easy boardwalk, but the additional 1.5 km (0.93 mile) climb to Blue Pool gains about 150 m (492 ft) and gets sweaty. Go at 8am opening to avoid tour groups that arrive 10am-noon.
Ao Nang Night Market Food Exploration
The night market on Ao Nang's main strip comes alive around 5:30pm and runs until 11pm, offering the best value eating in the tourist zone. May means you'll find more Thai families and domestic tourists mixing with foreigners, so vendors maintain quality instead of dumbing down flavors. Look for grilled seafood stalls where you select your fish, prawns, or squid by weight - typically 180-350 baht per plate - plus the essential mango sticky rice, roti pancakes, and fresh fruit shakes at 40-80 baht each. The market sprawls across both sides of the road near the McDonald's landmark.
Koh Hong Lagoon Day Trips
Koh Hong's enclosed lagoon is one of those places that looks photoshopped but actually exists - emerald water surrounded by 100 m (328 ft) limestone cliffs covered in jungle. May offers excellent visibility for snorkeling around the outer islands, and the lagoon itself is accessible by kayak or swimming through a narrow channel. Tours typically combine Hong Island with Lading Island and Pakbia Island, covering snorkeling spots where you'll see parrotfish, angelfish, and if you're lucky, blacktip reef sharks in shallow water.
May Events & Festivals
Visakha Bucha Day
This major Buddhist holiday commemorating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death typically falls in May based on the lunar calendar. Temples throughout Krabi hold evening ceremonies where locals walk clockwise around the main hall three times carrying flowers, incense, and candles. Wat Kaew Korawaram in Krabi Town is the most accessible for visitors. It's a genuinely meaningful cultural experience if you dress respectfully - shoulders and knees covered - and observe quietly. Alcohol sales are prohibited nationwide on this day.