FR 
EN 
ES We’re right in the middle of peak season here in Ao Nang, and, if you’ve never been here before, Valentine’s Day here can feel a bit different to what you might expect.
While larger Thailand locations like Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya put on quite the Valentine’s show, there are no obvious ‘main events’ here, nothing that takes over the town for one night. Instead, couples tend to build their own version of the day. A relaxed morning, maybe some time on the beach, a trip out to the islands, then dinner somewhere with a view (with a few local recommendations for good measure.)
Working on the water, we see a lot of this play out in real time. Guests join us for a morning/afternoon, and an hour or so in, people are chatting, swapping plans, and asking what else they should do while they’re here.
The same questions come up again and again. Where should we go for dinner? Is Railay worth it? Should we do the walk over the Monkey Trail? Tell us about your favourite local places!
We have already pulled together a dedicated blog: 10 activités romantiques cachées à Krabi et Ao Nang pour les couples
However, if you’ll be in Ao Nang for Valentine’s Day 2026 (or you’re just planning a February trip and want to make the day feel a bit more meaningful), here’s the kind of advice we’d give you …
Questions couples ask us most around Valentine’s Day in Ao Nang and Krabi
These are the kinds of things we get asked every Valentine’s week:
“Where should we go for dinner in Ao Nang tonight?”
Most first time visitors assume the best place to eat is right along Ao Nang Beach. It’s convenient, but it’s also the busiest part of town, and on Valentine’s evening it can feel crowded and rushed. We usually suggest heading slightly out of the main strip. A few ideas …
GAIA Kitchen & Bar, Pakasai Resort
Set just off the main street in, GAIA is a beautiful café by day, tapas bar by night location that leans into refined dining and natural aesthetics. We recommend reserving a Valentines brunch space or heading there in the evening for a selection of small plates and a craft cocktail. Oh, and make sure to leave room for their dessert bar!
Umberto’s Cuisine
Umberto has been in Ao Nang for as long as we can remember, and he now runs a spacious award-winning restaurant. Specialising in authentic Italian cuisine, he’s led kitchen across the world, and each year his menu is meticulously refined to make sure both locals and Ao Nang visitors alike have something to remember.
As he says himself, “From our signature Fiorentina to our Wagyu Tomahawk, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.” Explore Umberto’s menu.
Hilltop Ao Nang
The aptly named Hilltop has grown from a modest hillside eatery to one of Ao Nang’s most popular ‘dinner with a view’ locations. As well as their standard seating, they also offer a special ‘Love Seat’ options that offer couples with a more private, intimate setting that boasts a “special dining experience with an elevated level of service”
CRU Kitchen & Bar
While this one IS on the main strip, we have a soft spot for it and have been coming back for years. Led by Chef Mikko, Cru is a lively, yet stylish restaurant that is quick to provide offerings for special annual days. Valentine’s Day is no exception, and thus year they’ve already been posting about their special Valentine’s Cocktail options. Follow Cru for updates and reservations
“Is Railay worth visiting for couples?”
Yes, especially if you haven’t been before (though this answer isn’t just reserved for couples! Railay is worth a visit regardless of whether you’re travelling solo or a group). Sitting out on a peninsula only accessible by boat, it feels more tucked away than Ao Nang, and even a short visit in the late afternoon can change the pace of the day.
You’ll find a full list of things to see and do in Railay in our blog: 10 activités et choses à faire absolument sur la plage de Railay, à Krabi
If you’re heading across for Valentines Day, it’s worth noting that Railay can become extremely busy with day-trippers by around midday. The 15-minute boat journey makes it a convenient afternoon out and (in high season in particular) some people complain it’s too busy. If you want to make the most of it, we recommend booking a one-night stay to enjoy a sunset walk around to Pranang beach and enjoy dinner at one of the main fresh-fish restaurants there.
If you’re feeling particularly romantic, plan ahead and reserve a table at Rayavadee’s famous ‘Dining Grotto’ – often referred to as the ‘cave restaurant’. Their Grotto is built under an ancient limestone cliff and provides with a ‘framed sunset view’ out to see whilst you dine. This restaurant belongs to a 5-Star resort, and so visitors must be sure to adhere to their dress code – Bikinis or short revealing swimming outfits are prohibited. See the Grotto opening times and Menu here
“Can we do a private dinner on the beach in Krabi?”
Yes, but most people don’t realise how it actually works. True beach dinners are usually arranged by hotels and resorts, not public restaurants. If you’re staying somewhere with direct beach access, we recommend asking your reception team. Many places can set up a private table on the sand with candles, a set menu, and drinks.
Krabi Resort in Ao Nang is the only resort on the main strip area with private beach access, and so they have been known to provide set-ups amongst their canopy of coconut palms and green vegetation. However, it is important to note that these benefits are only open to hotel residents.
Higher end resorts over at Tubkaek Beach such as the Banyan Tree and Ritz Carlton may also do this well. The Banyan Tree offers a number of Beachfront Pool Villas that boast luxurious outdoor private dining areas, while the Ritz’s Pavillion Rooms provide a sea-view dining experience without even leaving the comfort of your room.
However, it’s important to note that Tubkaek Beach is around 30-minutes up the coast from Ao Nang’s main street – but perfect if you’re willing to travel a little further for a quieter setting.
For all of the above options, prices vary depending on how private you want it to be, but the key thing is to ask early. These spots get booked up around the 14th.
“What’s better, an Ao Nang sunset cruise or dinner on land?”
It goes without saying that our answer to this may be a little biased! Dinner on land is easy and obvious. You get dressed up, sit down somewhere nice, and make an evening of it. But surely you could do that at home?
Being out on the water feels completely different. It’s (inevitably) quieter, there’s more space, and you’re watching the sun drop behind the islands rather than over the town. A lot of couples who join our sunset trip end up saying it was the highlight of their time in Krabi, but because it felt calm, personal, and completely unique.
We’ve had guests celebrate proposals, anniversaries, and birthdays on board without making a big announcement. Just sitting together, watching the light change, sharing a drink. We’ve also arranged for private candlelight dinner parties to be hosted on our top deck – where guests have either brought their own decorations or have requested that we incorporate that service in their private boat tour. Sometimes that’s more memorable than a busy restaurant.
There’s no right choice. Some people do both, sunset on the water, then drinks on land afterwards (a buffet dinner is included as part of our 4 islands tour). If your time in Ao Nang is short, a sunset cruise is one of the easiest ways to see the islands at their best without committing to a full day trip.
For a more detailed breakdown of how to spend your couple’s time in Ao Nang, we’ve broken your Krabi trip planner into days (and added in some food recommendations along the way) in our blog: A 3-day itinerary in Krabi for couples
You might also love this: Où regarder le coucher de soleil : Les meilleurs endroits d'Aonang et de Krabi
