When you think of Krabi, you think of beaches – some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, in my opinion. In fact, most travelers are only on the mainland when they arrive at the airport.

On my first trip to the province, I had a similar experience; I spent my time alternating between Railay Beach and Koh Phi Phi. To be honest, I'm not sure what prompted me to take a boat back to the pier in Ao Nammao and then a taxi north and east into the towering, lushly vegetated karst mountains.

However, when I reached Wat Tham Suea – the Tiger Cave Temple – I knew immediately that I had made the right decision. Well, not immediately: I first had to climb 1260 steps to the very top!

The Tiger Temple in Krabi is not a “Tiger Temple”.

As you prepare for your visit to Krabi's Tiger Temple, you might feel a little nervous. After all, Thailand's "tiger temples" are notorious sites of animal cruelty—I'm almost ashamed to admit I visited a few myself over ten years ago. The good news? Despite its name (which, to be clear, is Tiger Cave Temple), there are no tranquilized tigers at Wat Tham Suea. And hopefully, no wild ones roaming around either!

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How to plan your day trip to Wat Tham Suea

to reach the mainland

If you're reading this, you're most likely on one of Krabi's more exotic beaches – namely Railay, which is only accessible by boat from the mainland. You could also be on Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta, although these aren't as easily reached for day trips to Wat Tham Suea.

(If you are not already there)

On the other hand, it's quite possible that you're already on the mainland. As far as the beach is concerned, Ao Nang is an obvious choice in this case; the charming Krabi Town is also increasingly being used as a starting point. In this case, you'll have a bit more flexibility when it comes to reaching the temple.

Take action (if possible).

On my first visit to Wat Tham Suea, I approached the woman at the tourist information desk at Ao Nammao Pier and negotiated with her. She initially asked for 3,000 baht for a departure that same day, but I pointed out that she had hardly any customers in the shop and offered half that amount. We eventually agreed on a price in the middle, which I would recommend you do if possible.

Book a tour in advance (if that's not possible).

Would you like to visit the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi without the hassle of haggling or booking your day trip on the same day? Whether you visit a local travel agency in advance (there are many in the pedestrian areas of Ao Nang and Railay) or book online, pre-booking can significantly reduce your stress on-site.

Also visit the Emerald Pool and the waterfall with hot springs.

Whether as part of a pre-booked and organized tour or on your own – if you're going to the trouble of a day trip, you should definitely visit several places. At a minimum, this should include a visit to Sa Morakot "Emerald Pool" and the unique hot waterfall next to Wat Tham Suea.

Other sights in Krabi province

Krabi is one of my favorite provinces in Thailand for many reasons. In addition to the destinations already mentioned, here are some more ideas for your trip:

  • Beaches like Ao Nang (on the mainland) and Railay (which is technically on the mainland but can only be reached by boat) are of course worth a visit.
  • You can also go to Koh Phi Phi, which is probably Thailand's most famous island for various reasons (although it too has its weaknesses).
  • Koh Lanta, on the other hand, is greatly underrated and is one of my favorites because it feels so "local" compared to other islands.
  • Although the Koh Yao islands (Yai and Noi) are not technically part of the province of Krabi, they are easily accessible from various points in Krabi.

    • As you can see, the Krabi Big Buddha is just the beginning of everything there is to discover in Krabi. You can easily spend much longer there than you probably planned.

    Other frequently asked questions about visiting the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi

    How long does it take to climb the Tiger Temple in Krabi?

    Don't be intimidated by the 1260 steps leading to the summit of Wat Tham Suea! Unless you have serious mobility limitations or the weather is very bad, you can easily reach the summit in less than an hour, and if you're in good shape, possibly even much faster.

    Is there a dress code for the Tiger Temple in Krabi?

    There is no official dress code for the Tiger Temple in Krabi, and it is not enforced. While one should theoretically always dress appropriately when visiting Buddhist temples in Thailand, it is hard to imagine wearing long sleeves when climbing over 1000 steps up a mountainside.

    How do I get from Krabi to the Tiger Cave Temple?

    Unless you have your own car, the only realistic way to visit the Tiger Cave Temple from your accommodation in Krabi is to hire a driver. Ideally, you should book this through your hotel or a travel agency that offers a package deal including a visit to the temple, the Emerald Pool, and the hot spring waterfall.

    Conclusion

    When visiting places like Wat Tham Suea, it's definitely worth exploring beyond the beaches in Krabi province. Wat Tham Suea is one of my favorite temples in Thailand – and not just because it's thankfully not a real "Tiger Temple." From the exhilarating hike to the summit to the view from the base of the Buddha statue at the top, this place is absolutely worth the trip from Railay or Ao Nang, even if you don't combine it with visits to other inland attractions like the "Emerald Pool" of Sa Morakot or the unique hot spring waterfall. Need help planning your Thailand island adventure? Request your personalized Thailand itinerary today!