Season 1 · Leg 10
Let's Climb, Kayak and Snorkel Our Way Around Krabi
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The route map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins are approximate and show the on-the-ground route in Krabi. Download the KML for Google My Maps / Google Earth
Why go here?
This is the beach leg, and it's also the most active one. Limestone cliffs drop straight into turquoise water, and the race had teams climbing them, paddling under them and diving beside them. If you've been dreaming of Thailand's postcard beaches, this is the leg. Pack sunscreen and grippy shoes.
Getting there: LA to Krabi
I checked SNA and LGB, but LAX had the fares. There's no direct flight, so we go through Bangkok.
| Flight | Fare | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LAX to Bangkok | $387, China Southern | Google Flights |
| Bangkok to Krabi | about $33, Thai Lion Air | Trip.com |
| Krabi to LAX | $496 | momondo |
Total cost for flights: about $916 per adult (fares seen Oct 2026; they change daily)
Where we're staying
Three nights at Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort, right on the beach where all the longtail boats leave. Family rooms start around ฿2,450 a night (Holiday Ao Nang).
Total cost for 3 nights: about $109 per adult, two sharing (฿7,350 total)
Stop 1: Railay and the Detour, Hike or Climb
Teams found King Climbers on Railay Beach, then either hiked or climbed Thaiwand Wall. Everyone climbed, and so will we. King Climbers' half-day course is ฿1,500 (King Climbers). It's beginner-friendly, and the view from the wall is the reward. Railay is a short longtail ride from Ao Nang.
Running cost: about $45 per adult
Stop 2: Kayaking the mangroves (Roadblock)
The Roadblock had teams paddle down a river and climb into a cave. I'd book a full-day kayak trip to Ao Thalane and Hong Island. Thalassa Tours lists it at ฿2,500 for adults, with transfers, lunch and park entry included (Thalassa Tours). You'll paddle through mangrove channels between the cliffs, and it's as magical as it sounds.
Running cost: about $119 per adult
Stop 3: Chicken Island
Teams took a boat to Chicken Island and dove for their clue. The classic 4 Islands longtail tour stops there, and it runs ฿650–995 per adult shared, plus a ฿200 national park fee paid in cash (4 Islands Krabi). Snorkel gear is included.
Running cost: about $155 per adult (at ฿995 plus the park fee)
The Pit Stop: Pai Plong Beach
Pai Plong is a little cove just around the headland from Ao Nang. It's public and free. You get in through the Monkey Trail or by longtail, sign in with the guard, and can stay until 6pm (We Seek Travel). Walk onto that sand, dip your toes in, and soak it in. That's where we'd meet Phil!
Running cost: about $155 per adult
Total cost of this leg for Pit Stop Passport racers: about $1,180 per adult (estimate, two adults sharing a room: flights $916 + hotel $109 + activities $155. It doesn't include Railay longtail rides, airport transfers, meals or tips. Prices checked Oct 2026, at $1 ≈ ฿33.65, and they will change.)
Family Pit Crew
Krabi is made for families. Every stop here has a kid version, and the beach does the rest.
Age rules, stop by stop
| Stop | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| King Climbers course | Minimum age 5. Ages 5–10 pay ฿1,200 (King Climbers). |
| Ao Thalane and Hong Island kayak | ฿1,900 for under-12s, with life jackets (Thalassa Tours). Ask about a minimum age when you book. |
| 4 Islands tour | Kids pay about ฿450–795, and the park fee is ฿100 for ages 4–11 (4 Islands Krabi). |
| Pai Plong Beach | Free and public (We Seek Travel). |
What I'd skip with kids. I'd skip the Monkey Trail with small kids, because it's steep and the monkeys are bold, and take a longtail to Pai Plong instead. I'd also skip the climbing with anyone under 5, since King Climbers won't take them.
Family-friendly places to stay
- Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort (budget pick). Family rooms from about ฿2,450, a kids' club for ages 7–12, a children's pool and a waterslide (kids club).
- Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa. A kids' club, children's pool and family residences (Centara factsheet).
Total cost for the Family Pit Crew: about $4,429 (estimate for two adults and two kids aged 5–10: four sets of flights at $916 with kids at the adult fare = $3,664; and in baht: hotel 3 nights ฿7,350, climbing ฿5,400, kayak ฿8,800, 4 Islands ฿3,580 plus park fees ฿600. That's ฿25,730, about $765. It excludes Railay boats, transfers, meals and tips. Prices checked Oct 2026.)