So, friends, your seasoned wanderer is back on the air! I have just returned from another trip, this time to the province of Krabi in Thailand, and I hasten to share my impressions. In short, I now know what a paradise looks like when a sewer accidentally leaked into it. But let's take it in order! In December 2025, my wife and I decided to change the beaches of Phuket to something "more authentic". Our choice fell on one of the small beaches in Krabi. Expectations based on photos with sheer cliffs and turquoise water were high. First glance: "Is this really it?" The first thing that catches your eye is not the vast expanses, but a rather compact piece of land. The beach is really small, and its main feature is the two-in-one mode. In the morning you can have the sea, and by lunchtime you can have a vast sandbank along which you can walk to the neighboring island (a joke, but almost). The constant tides are a local attraction. But then the "fragrant" part of the program begins. On both sides, the beach is framed by... let's say, "rivers". Their sources are dubious, and periodically the breeze brings a persistent "bouquet". But the most amazing thing is that locals and tourists don't seem to notice. My wife said: "Darling, it's just a touch of wild nature with a touch of civilization." I called it the ambergris of the coast. , Amateur bathing The water is not crystal clear, but with a slight greenish tint, and during the algal bloom season (which, by the way, happens) it turns into a thick "green mess" with a specific smell. You need to swim here with a certain attitude. As they say, for character building. We saw some tourists wading into the water with expressions like samurai going into battle. , Tourist chaos and parking During the high season, there is nowhere to fall. The main owners of the beach are longtail boats. There are dozens of them. They moor and set sail, their diesel engines create an indescribable hum, and sometimes you can see traces of oil on the sand. And yes, to get to this beauty, parking for a bike or car still needs to be found — this is a quest of the first degree of difficulty. Yoga, monkeys and other entertainment But it's not that bad! The beach has a life of its own. Yoga classes are held here in the mornings — it looks surreal: people reach for the sun to the sounds of engines. And then there are the local monkey stars. They're cute until you get your phone or food out. These guys are real thieves, so you need to be extra vigilant. Unfortunately, garbage is also periodically present, both on the sand and in the water. There seems to be a lot of tourists, but there is not enough systematic approach to cleanliness. Final verdict: 3 stars out of 5 Why not two or four? Because the place is contradictory to the core. What you didn't like (cons): · Ecology and cleanliness: Odors, algae, debris and traces of active boat activity. · Organization: A sense of chaos, especially during the season. Parking is a headache. · Overestimation: The expectations of Paradise Beach are not being fulfilled. This is a place for those who are not afraid of the harsh reality of mass tourism. What you liked (pros): · Natural landscape: The cliffs and sunsets here are still fantastic. When you forget about the smells and noise, the views are breathtaking. · Atmosphere: There is a lot of life here. Watching people, boats, and monkeys is already entertainment. · A unique experience: Such a vacation will definitely be remembered. This is not a sterile hotel beach, but a lively, albeit problematic, piece of Thailand. What should I do if you are still going? If you still want to get there after my story, here are some tips.: · Choose your time: Arrive early in the morning, before the influx of tourists and boats. · Watch your step (and into the water): Be prepared for debris and algae. · Keep things away from monkeys: Backpacks and bags are under supervision. · Consider alternatives: In the same province, there are cleaner and more organized beaches, such as Phra Nang or Tubkaek. And for swimming and snorkeling, it is better to take an excursion to the islands, for example, Koh Poda . In general, friends, the beach in Krabi is like a spicy Thai tom yam soup. It's sharp, with an ambiguous flavor, not suitable for everyone, but the one who tastes it gets involved. This is not a place to relax by the water, but rather to observe and gain life experience. My wife and I laughed, took pictures of the rocks, and left with the thought that we were now one story richer. If you want a proven paradise, you might want to look for other options. And if you are ready for adventures with all the consequences (literally and figuratively) — welcome! 😉 I wish you good nerves and a clean sea, your Roma is not at home!

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Светлана Бондаренко

Level 4 Local Expert

It's a great place, big trees along the beach, shade is available at any time of the day, for swimming it's better to move to the right, behind the peninsula, deeper there

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York

Level 5 Local Expert

There are few places where you can find shade on this particular beach, but from the point of view of low population, the place is top-notch, mass tourists do not come here. Among the significant advantages: quiet water, pleasant sand. On the downside: it's far from the subway.

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