Khao Khanap Nam Cave

📍 Location of Khao Khanap Nam Cave 🚘 Directions to Khao Khanap Nam Cave

About Khao Khanap Nam Cave

A visit to the breathtaking landscapes of Krabi is incomplete without experiencing the spectacular scenes of the caves and mangroves. A couple of travelers, who had initially planned a beach day, found themselves exploring these natural wonders instead due to a rainy day. They hired a longtail boat from Chao Fa pier for 500 baht, which is approximately £12, for a round trip. The boatman took them to the caves, which were free to explore and offered a visual feast. The journey continued through the mangroves and ended at a floating village with a restaurant, offering a chance to relax and refuel.

The journey to the caves is not just about the destination, but also the scenic route. A boat ride to a restaurant inside the Klang island offers stunning views of the mangrove forest. The sight of the huge black crab monument is a signature of this place, marking its unique identity.

A visit to Khao Khanap Nam is a must when in Krabi. A late morning visit on a weekday offers a chance to explore two caves at leisure. The journey to the caves is an experience in itself, with the mangroves visible throughout. The caves are accessible via a jetty, where the boat waits while visitors explore. The caves are home to a family of monkeys, so it's advisable to keep belongings secure. The entrance fee to the caves is 30 THB per person.

The caves are a treasure trove of history and natural beauty. There are three access entrances, each leading to a different part of the cave. The first cave, accessible via a flight of stairs, houses skeletons, relics, stone artifacts, cave wall paintings, and a history of the Japanese Occupation. The second cave, accessible via a wooden ladder, is fenced off but still accessible. The third cave, known as the Small Bat Cave, is home to bats and offers a unique experience for those who can handle the smell.

A mangrove tour offers a chance to visit the caves, with an entrance fee of 30 baht. The cave houses skeletons and paintings, which are copies from elsewhere in Krabi. The bats in the roof of the cave add to the unique experience. Information about the cave and its history is available in both Thai and English.

For the adventurous, there's an opportunity to swim to the cave complex from the end of the free mangrove walkway. The cave is a sight to behold, although the authenticity of the skeletons and cave paintings is questionable. The bat cave is home to a large number of bats, which can be disturbed by the light.

The caves are unguided, so it's important to ensure that you get what you paid for. Some visitors have reported missing out on seeing the mangroves and fish farms because their boatman had limited English. It's recommended to clarify what the trip includes before setting off.

The caves, known as Khao Khanab Nam, are located at the base of two karsts that are roughly 100 meters tall. They are accessible only by hiring a Longtail Boat from Krabi Town's Chao Fa Pier. The caves are home to large stalactites and stalagmites, exhibits of Japanese soldiers and equipment, and archaeological finds from ancient settlements. The caves also house a large number of human skeletons, believed to be the remains of people who were cut off by flooding and perished. The trip can be combined with a visit to the adjacent mangrove forests and the Ko Klang fishing village.