Railay Beach, located in Krabi, Thailand, is a stunning destination that draws visitors from around the world. This small peninsula is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, crystal clear waters, and soft white sand beaches, making it a haven for relaxation, adventure, and exploration.
Railay Beach is accessible only by boat, which adds to its secluded and peaceful atmosphere. The beaches here are pristine, with clear turquoise waters perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. Visitors can enjoy water activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and diving to explore the coral reefs and hidden lagoons.
One of the highlights of Railay Beach is its incredible rock formations. The towering limestone cliffs offer a unique backdrop for the beach, and also provide an excellent challenge for rock climbers. Railay Beach is known as one of the top rock climbing destinations in the world, with routes suitable for both beginners and experienced climbers.
For those looking for adventure, Railay Beach is a gateway to exploring the nearby islands, such as Koh Phi Phi, the 4 Island tour, and the Hong Islands. These tours offer opportunities to swim, snorkel, and explore secluded beaches and caves.
Railay Beach is also home to several restaurants serving up delicious Thai cuisine, ranging from street food to upscale dining experiences. Visitors can enjoy traditional Thai dishes such as pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice, along with fresh seafood caught daily.
Whether you're looking for relaxation, adventure, or both, Railay Beach is a destination that won't disappoint. The natural beauty of the area, combined with its range of activities and accommodations, makes it a perfect choice for any traveler looking to experience the best of Thailand.
Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand is a beautiful destination with plenty of activities to keep you entertained. Here are some of the best things to do in Railay Beach:
Beach Activities: One of the most obvious things to do at Railay Beach is to simply enjoy the beach. The soft white sand and crystal clear water make it perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.
Rock Climbing: Railay Beach is also known for its impressive limestone cliffs, which make it a popular destination for rock climbers. There are several companies that offer guided rock climbing tours for both beginners and experienced climbers.
Island Hopping: From Railay Beach, you can also take a boat tour to explore the nearby islands, such as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and the Hong Islands. These tours typically include snorkeling and swimming stops, as well as visits to stunning beaches and caves.
Kayaking: You can rent a kayak and explore the hidden lagoons and caves around Railay Beach. This is a great way to get up close to the limestone cliffs and experience the natural beauty of the area.
Sunset Watching: Railay Beach is known for its stunning sunsets. Head to the west side of the beach and watch the sun sink below the horizon while sipping on a cocktail from one of the beachside bars.
Thai Massage: After a long day of exploring, relax with a traditional Thai massage. There are several massage shops located around Railay Beach that offer a range of treatments to help you unwind.
Hike to the Viewpoints: If you're up for a bit of a workout, hike up to the viewpoints for some of the best views of Railay Beach and the surrounding islands. The hike is challenging but worth it for the stunning vistas.
Try Local Cuisine: Railay Beach has a range of restaurants serving delicious Thai food, from traditional street food to upscale dining experiences. Be sure to try some of the local specialties, such as pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice.
Furthermore, if you book with a reputable agency (we recommend Viator which we also used for our tours in Thailand), you have the option to cancel any tour up to 24 hours in advance. It’s also easier to get a refund in case of any problems. Try to reschedule a tour or get a refund from a local kiosk…Many tours just go even with bad weather and they don't give a refund. It gives you so much more relaxation on holiday if you don't have to worry about the weather might be bad or you getting sick and you don't get a refund.
How to Reach Railay Beach
Railay Beach is a secluded peninsula located in Krabi province, Thailand. As it is only accessible by boat, getting to Railay Beach can require some planning. Here are the main ways to reach Railay Beach:
By Longtail Boat: Longtail boats are the most common way to reach Railay Beach, and they operate from several locations in Krabi. From Krabi Town or Ao Nang, you can take a longtail boat from the piers for a cost of around 100-150 Baht per person. The journey takes about 15-20 minutes. You can also take a longtail boat from other nearby locations, such as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Phuket.
By Speedboat: If you're looking for a faster and more comfortable option, you can take a speedboat to Railay Beach. Speedboats are available for hire from Krabi Town, Ao Nang, and other nearby locations, and typically cost between 1500-2500 Baht per boat. The journey takes around 10-15 minutes.
It's important to note that Railay Beach is not accessible by road, so you will need to take a boat to reach it. Also, depending on the time of year, sea conditions can be rough, so be prepared for the possibility of seasickness. Overall, the journey to Railay Beach is part of the adventure and is well worth it to reach this stunning and secluded destination.
Railay Beach is an absolute dream beach in Krabi and certainly one of the most important attractions of the peninsula. The emerald sea and the mighty rock formations conjure up a picture-perfect backdrop here. Due to the fine sand and the hardly existing stones or corals in the water, the sea invites quite wonderfully for bathing. In the evening you can watch spectacular sunsets and in the high season, there are stunning fire shows evenings. Some restaurants and bars are also located directly on the beach and invite guests to enjoy and chill out with a view of the sea.
Phra Nang Beach on Railay is the absolute must-see and actually the dream beach of the region par excellence. Due to its striking stone formations and scenic beauty, it has become one of the most famous beaches in Thailand. Look on the app for the times of tide as during high tide you cant walk to the other side of the beach. The entire beach scenery is like a picture book, and the famous rocky island in the sea adorns all postcards of Krabi. Beautiful is the powder sugar fine light sand beach, where the turquoise blue sea colors invite us to splash, swim and snorkel. Thanks to the tropical trees, you’ll find plenty of pleasant shady spots, and if you like, you can even get a massage right there on the beach overlooking the sea.
Tours
A few years ago this side of the Island all the tours landed with their longtail boats from 4 island tours but nowadays it looks like they were banned from this side of the Island which makes it even more beautiful. The only disadvantage is that there are no longtail boats anymore selling foods and ice creams on this side so bring your drinks
Tip: The stunning Hotel Rayavadee is one of the best hotels on Railay and is many years on the top list of best hotels in the world. The pool is beautiful and of course the exclusive location directly on the dream beach. But it comes with a price
Best day trips from Railay Beach
Railay Beach is a great starting point to explore the most beautiful islands in Krabi via a boat trip. We can recommend the following excursions and day trips in Krabi:
A unique experience is a Krabi 4 Islands Tour, where you can explore several dream islands like Chicken Island and Koh Poda, and do some wonderful snorkeling. If you do a private tour you can ask the captain to go first to Koh Poda as that way you avoid the crowd there and at least you have one good pic with not many people on it.
Tours
You can also take a trip to Hong Island a real pearl and one of the most beautiful islands in Krabi. A trip there, if you have time, should not be missed.
Here are some of the best beaches in Railay:
Railay West Beach: Railay West Beach is the most popular and well-known beach in Railay. It offers stunning views of towering limestone cliffs, crystal clear waters, and soft white sand. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing under the shade of palm trees.
Phra Nang Beach: Phra Nang Beach is another beautiful beach in Railay, located just a short walk from Railay West Beach. This beach offers a quieter and more secluded atmosphere, with clear turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is also known for its unique cave formations and the famous Phra Nang Cave, which houses a shrine to a local goddess.
Tonsai Beach: Tonsai Beach is located on the opposite side of the peninsula from Railay West Beach and is popular among rock climbers due to the many climbing routes in the area. The beach itself is less developed and offers a more rustic and laid-back atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy swimming and sunbathing, as well as beachside bars and restaurants.
Railay East Beach: Railay East Beach is less popular than Railay West Beach and offers a more secluded and peaceful atmosphere. The beach is less developed and offers a more rustic and natural experience. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the nearby mangrove forest.
Overall, Railay Beach offers a range of beautiful beaches to explore, each with its unique character and atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a mix of relaxation, adventure, and exploration while taking in the natural beauty of the area.
Where to Stay
Most people will stay in the Ao Nang area in Krabi as it is easy to go on tours from there and more affordable as Railay, but I also suggest staying at least 3 days in Railay if you can find a room as most of the time they are sold out. One last thing not book a stay in Krabi town itself as it has no beach it's just a town.
Railay Garden view resort is a beautiful place if you love back to basics, it only has a fan but you always have the breeze from the ocean and beautiful views. We sit here for hours watching the monkeys playing in the trees. Great rooms for a budget price. They also arrange trips to other islands and rock climbing. Railay Garden view resort is a small and quiet resort located on the eastern hillside of Railay. The resort offers fan bungalows that are spread in the garden with a relaxed atmosphere. The only thing is the long-tail boats drop tourists on this side of the Island, so you get a lot of noise from them. If you are a light sleeper this place is not for you as they run too late evening and start again at 05:00 in the morning. Rooms are around 30 a night with a basic breakfast.
Just a few meters from the Railay garden view you can find the best restaurant in Railay as in the main street most serve tourist food and they charge foreigners double prices as Thai people so we didn't like it to eat something there as for me all people are the same no matter their color or where they come from.
Tip: Directly on the beach is the Railay Village Resort. The hotel delights its guests with two beautiful pools, a brilliant location, and a quiet, well-kept garden. Rooms are around 130 Euro without breakfast, and yes Railay beach is more expensive than Ao Nang in Ao Nang a hotel like this will cost mabey 30 Euro
Railay Bay resort One of only a handful of resorts with beachfront access to Krabi’s famed Railay Beach, the 4-star Railay Bay Resort & Spa is ideally situated on a white sandy beach with crystal clear water, exotic marine life, and colorful coral reefs. Nature can be truly enjoyed with the limestone cliffs of Railay, the beaches of Phra Nang and Ao Nang, as well as the Phra Nang Cave.
Whether you are dining in the Railay Restaurant, relaxing on the beach, or enjoying the view from each room’s spacious private balconies, you will never have to miss the amazing sunrises and sunsets. coconut trees and tropical fauna decorate the beautifully landscaped grounds, accenting such facilities as the outdoor pool and spa with a hot tub and massage treatment. Rooms are around 100 Euro a night including breakfast. Book Now
Another great place to stay right on the beach is the Sand Sea resort and it's also not that expensive. You can find rooms for around 60 Euro a night It's a great alternative if you travel with kids or you just want aircon or didn't like the sound on the other side of the Island at Railay Garden view and looking for a decent hotel. Book Now
Getting to Railay Beach is best possible by boat from Ao Nang or Krabi Town. The peninsula is cut off from the mainland by deep jungle and high limestone cliffs and can thus only be reached from the sea. Longtail boats run several times an hour, and the trip takes about 15 minutes.
It costs around 100-150 baht to get there, and tickets can be bought directly at Ao Nang Pier, Ao Nam Mao Pier, or Krabi Town Pier. You can book your tickets at the pier or with 12Go as they are everywhere accepted in Thailand
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Krabi is from November to March. During these months, the weather tends to be mild and sunny ideal for exploring Thailand’s beaches and islands.
Another blog post
Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Travel Essentials what's in my bag: To help you get started on packing, here are my essential travel and photography gear
Flights: WayAway to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.
Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.
Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars all over the world.
Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an Esim-compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.
Day Trips & Tours: Viator, and GetYourGuide, are great platforms to search for activities to do
Tickets & Deals: Tiqets is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions
Klook to find the best deals for trips in Asia, somehow they are 30% cheaper than when you buy them at a local agency
Train, buses, and ferries 12Go to find your travel route for local buses, and ferries, we use them all the time as you can easily see the reviews, and the vouchers are everywhere accepted. tickets are sold for more than 5,000 destinations in 100+ countries worldwide.
Comments