Evenings at Tubkaek Beach in Krabi

16 to 18 August 2022

Almost everyone who visited Krabi will know of Ao Nang Beach.  Ao Nang is the main tourist area and the gateway to some of Thailand's best islands. On the other hand, not many would have heard of Tubkaek Beach.  

Tubkaek Beach is a two kilometre stretch of golden sand that hosts a handful of luxury resorts. Tubkaek Beach is about an half an hour’s drive from Ao Nang, located north west up the coast. 

It is an idyllic and tranquil beach, with beautiful turquoise sea and great views of the Pak Bia island and the Hong Islands. A perfect place for those looking for peace, quiet relaxation, solitude and a nice swim in warm, shallow waters off a private sandy beach during the day.

Unlike Ao Nang Beach, we had Tubkaek Beach all to ourselves, with no long-tail boats loading and unloading people. 

In the evenings, one could enjoy the beautiful sunsets from the beach, weather permitting. Once dark, there is nothing much to do except dine at one of the fine restaurants located within the many 4-5 star hotels that are found along this private and luxurious beach.

Compared to touristy places like Ao Nang beach or Railay, Tubkaek Beach has practically no night life. There are no pubs, no bars, and no shops. Not even a convenient store.

In our 3 nights stay at Amari Vogue Krabi, we enjoyed walking along the beach during sunset before settling down for dinner along one of the exclusive beachside restaurants.

Di Mare Italian Trattoria restaurant at the Tubkaek Boutique Resort

On our first day at Tubkaek, we took a walk along the 2 km stretch of beach during low tide. There are only a few other people on the beach. All guests of one of the resorts.

We ate at the Di Mare Italian Trattoria restaurant, one the beachfront restaurants in the Tubkaek Boutique Resort.

We were the first customers for dinner that day. A friendly waiter arranged for us to sit right next to the beach so we can get the unblocked view of the sun setting over the offshore islands.

Best seats of the house. Right by the beach.

 

While waiting for our main course to be served, we munched on the delicious breadsticks that was served as our appetisers.

The authentic Italian restaurant served excellent seafood and pizza.

 Our pizza is made to order and cooked in the pizza oven. 

One of the best pizzas I have eaten.

Delicious barramundi with crispy skin and fresh lemon butter sauce. 

Once the sky got dark, more customers streamed in from the beach. Most sat indoors, near the bar, as by now there is not much to see on the dark beach except a few crabs that were roaming on the sand, faintly lit by the restaurant’s fairy lights.

I enjoyed the food served up in this excellent Italian restaurant. Highly recommended.

After dinner, we were attracted by the live music from Tubkaek Boutique Resort’s other restaurant known as the Arundina.

Live music at the Arundina. The lady singer was belting out some nice English sentimental songs. 

 

Cocktails with exotic names like the Blue Moon, Sundowner and The Beach at the Arundina for 280 THB each.

We had cocktails and listened to the live music till the band finished their performance for the night. I like the lively atmosphere at the Arundina. We made a mental note to come back to the Arundina for dinner in the next few days.

Marco's Restaurant and Bar at the Amari Vogue Krabi

On day 2, Sam and I did the hike up Dragon Crest Mountain to the scenic viewpoint. It was a tiring day for us, so we decided not to out and dine at the Marco’s Restaurant and Bar, located within our hotel, the Amari Vogue Krabi.

Fresh coconut drink at the Marco’s Restaurant and Bar while watching the sun set. 

The Marco’s Restaurant serves both Western and Thailand cuisine. We chose Thai food.

We sat at a table with unblocked view of the Andaman Sea and the offshore islands. 

Chicken Satay at the Marco’s.

Tom Yum Goong – The famous hot and sour soup made from galangal, lemon grass, straw mushrooms, onions. kaffir lime leaves with Prawns. 

 Fish of the day. Pan fried seabass, cooked Western style. 

Massamum Gai – Creamy peanut curry with chicken leg, cinnamon, star anise, potato and onions.

View of the Marco’s Restaurant and Bar at night.

 

Arundina Restaurant at Tubkaek Boutique Resort

On our last evening at Tubkaek Beach, we had evening drinks at the Marco’s Restaurant and Bar before taking a walk along the beach to the Arundina Restaurant, located within the Tubkaek Boutique Resort.

Pre-dinner drinks at the Marco’s Restaurant and Bar.

The sunset along Tubkaek Beach on this evening was not bad.

The beachfront Arundina Restaurant serves authentic Thai dishes and offers nice view of the sea. It is a good place to have a sundowner during sunset, followed by dinner.

Watching the sun goes down from our table at the Arundina. 

We ordered Thai Fish Cakes, Prawn Omelette, Spicy Stir Fried Chicken served with steamed jasmine rice.

 

A seabird hunting for its dinner along Tubkaek Beach at twilight. 

Snapping photos of the twilight scenery at Tubkaek Beach.

There was a wedding dinner event held at the Arundina on this night so we did not get to enjoy the live music. Instead we were treated to some music from the wedding event.

Wedding event, so no live music at the Arundina.  

Overall, I enjoyed our stay at Amari Vogue Krabi and the quiet and relaxing evenings at Tubkaek Beach.