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Railay, sometimes also written as Rai Leh, is located on a peninsula in the Krabi region. It’s not far from the popular vacation spot Ao Nang, but there are still numerous things to do in Railay Beach. Although Railay is no longer a hidden gem among travelers today, it still exudes a unique charm. There is no direct overland access to the peninsula, and everyone has to arrive by boat.
Railay Beach – Things to Do for the Secluded Krabi Peninsula
To visit Railay Beach, you don’t necessarily have to stay on-site. You can simply take a day tour from places like Ao Nang. The last boat back usually departs around 6.00 PM. We’ll tell you what you can do on the Railay Peninsula once you’re there.
How to get to Railay Beach
For Railay Beach, one option is to arrive via Krabi. Therefore, one option is by plane, as Krabi has an international airport. It is serviced by flights from many places in Thailand, as well as from Kuala Lumpur or Qatar. You can find information on available flights, their costs, and more details at Skyscanner.
Alternatively, you can also take a bus or boat (e.g., from Koh Lanta, etc.) to Krabi Town or Ao Nang. Information on connections, schedules, prices, and tickets for buses and boats can be found at 12go.asia. From these locations, you can continue on to Railay.
You can only reach the Railay peninsula by boat. There are connections with long-tail boats from Ao Nang to Railay Beach West or from Krabi Town to Railay Beach East. Tickets cost 100 Baht per person for a one-way trip. You can purchase these tickets directly at the beach in Ao Nang or at the Krabi Town pier.
Accommodation at Railay Beach – Our Hotel Tip
The Railay Phutawan Resort is located in the hills of Railay with a view of the limestone cliffs and the sea. The quiet location is appealing, and yet it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the village or the beaches of Railay. All the rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TV, minibar, and offer garden, mountain, or sea views. Additionally, there is a free shuttle from Railay Beach West to the hotel.
More hotels on Railay Beach West, Railay Beach East, or even on Phra Nang Cave Beach can be found in this overview.
1. Railay Beach West
Most people arrive at Railay Beach West, including many day trips from Ao Nang. That’s why you’ll also see the most long-tail boats here, some of which can take up a large part of the beach. Railay Beach West is approximately 450 meters long. It is perfect for spending a day at the beach and going for a swim.
The entire backdrop at Railay Beach West, with the many limestone cliffs, the small village in the background, and the boats, is simply magnificent. However, you’ll also find the most visitors here and the least amount of tranquility because Railay is no longer a hidden gem. With a bit of luck, though, you can see dusky leaf monkeys. They are occasionally found in the trees in the southern area of Railay Beach West.
2. Railay Village
Railay Village is a small place located in a triangle between Railay Beach West, Railay Beach East, and Phra Nang Cave Beach. The two Railay beaches are connected by a Walking Street, where you’ll find plenty of small shops such as convenience stores, diving schools, bars, or restaurants.
So, if you’re looking for something to eat or drink in Railay, whether it’s during a longer stay or just on a day trip, Railay Village or the Walking Street is the right place for you.
3. Railay Beach East
The eastern Railay Beach is probably the somewhat different beach of the Railay Peninsula. Here, there is only a small path right along the water, which passes by mangroves, fishing boats, and various shops. Unfortunately, there is no stunning beach or a place to swim here.
Furthermore, there are some hotels, restaurants, and bars here. The path along the beach leads south to the Railay Viewpoint and Phra Nang Cave Beach. That’s why a walk along Railay Beach East is definitely worth it. The beach definitely attracts fewer visitors, and you’ll find more peace and quiet here than at Railay Beach West.
4. Railay Viewpoint
At the southern end of Railay Beach East, a path leads right towards the center of the island. Follow this for a few minutes, and you’ll reach the beginning of the trail to Railay Viewpoint. One of the best things to do in Railay Beach. First, you’ll face a challenging climb, which is best tackled with proper footwear. But be careful, the red soil can leave its mark, and white clothing won’t stay clean!
After the initial climb, the rest of the trail is effortless and well-trodden. In total, it takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on your pace, to reach Railay Viewpoint. But what can we say, it’s worth it! The view of the Railay Peninsula with Railay Beach West, Railay Beach East, Railay Village, and even the Tonsai Beach in the distance is breathtaking.
Sometimes, you may find a few tourists at Railay Viewpoint simultaneously, but during our visit, it wasn’t too crowded. We can absolutely recommend a visit to the viewpoint, but you should be cautious during the climb. There are no safety measures, and it can be moderately dangerous.
5. Princess Lagoon
The lagoon is located on the same path as the Railay Viewpoint. Once you’ve completed the initial climb, you can choose the right path at a junction to reach the Princess Lagoon. You’ll also find a sign that points left to the Viewpoint and right to the Lagoon.
Few of the visitors to the Railay Viewpoint also make their way to the Princess Lagoon because the trail involves even more climbing, and this time it’s even steeper. You’ll be on the trail for a good three-quarters of an hour. But don’t worry, it’s not just climbing; there are also regular paths through the jungle. When you arrive at the Princess Lagoon, you can admire the lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs with its radiant turquoise water and take a rest.
Info: If you want to visit the Princess Lagoon, pay attention to the tides. The water in the lagoon comes from the sea, so during low tide, there’s not much left of the lagoon.
6. Phra Nang Cave Beach
For most people, Phra Nang Cave Beach is considered one of the most beautiful mainland beaches in Krabi. It is located to the south on the Railay Peninsula and offers beautiful white sand, clear turquoise water, and stunning rock formations for visitors.
While you can reach the beach on foot from Railay Beach East, there are also direct boats from Ao Nang to here, which is why you’ll encounter many day-trippers. During the peak season, the otherwise paradise-like Phra Nang Cave Beach can get quite crowded. Despite the many boats, there are still some open spots for swimming, as the beach is very long and visitors and boats are spread out relatively well.
7. Princess Cave
The Princess Cave, which is actually called Phra Nang Cave, is a unique highlight of Railay. In the cave, you will find a shrine with various phallic symbols, which is why it is also often referred to as the “Penis Shrine.”
According to legend, the Princess Cave is a virgin turned into stone. She lived hundreds of years ago in Krabi and was turned into stone by a hermit on the day of her wedding. This happened because her future husband and many admirers were fighting over her.
The hermit attempted to mediate the conflict, which failed, and as a result, he turned all parties into stone with his magical powers. This led to the creation of the Phra Nang Cave, or Princess Cave, Koh Poda, Chicken Island, and other islands off the coast. Today, the shrine in the cave symbolizes fertility, and couples who wish to have children come here to place more phallic symbols, believing it will help.
8. Diamond Cave
The cave, known as Tham Phra Nang Nai in Thai, which is the Diamond Cave, is located to the north of Railay Beach East and is well signposted. You can reach it on foot in a few minutes and explore its interior.
A wooden walkway has been constructed, and lights have been installed, allowing you to see stalagmites, stalactites, and even bats from this walkway. The entrance fee is 40 Baht, and if you want to see something other than just beaches in Railay, a brief visit is worthwhile (also in conjunction with the next point).
9. Tonsai Beach
Tonsai Beach is located in a small bay, right in front of Railay. It is much quieter here than at Railay Beach. If you’re staying in Railay, you should definitely take a trip to Tonsai Beach. The 600-meter-long beach is perfect for relaxing, swimming, and snorkeling, at least during high tide.
From the mainland at Ao Nang, you can also reach Tonsai Beach by long-tail boat, but from Railay, there are more options. For example, during low tide, you can walk directly along the beach from Railay Beach West. You just have to overcome a few rocks. Otherwise, you can take a path through the jungle for about 20 minutes north of Railay Beach East, near the Diamond Cave.
10. Rock Climbing
The Krabi region is especially known for its many limestone cliffs, and Railay has become a paradise for climbers. Whether you’re advanced or a beginner, Railay has something for everyone.
Spread across the Railay Peninsula, there are several spots where you can go guided climbing. One of the most popular spots is the limestone wall in front of Princess Cave at Phra Nang Cave Beach, but there is also a lot of climbing happening right at the end of Railay East. On-site, you’ll find many providers, or you can also book a rock climbing tour in Railay in advance. One of the top things to do in Railay Beach.
11. Kayak or SUP
At Railay Beach West, you can also rent stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) and kayaks. These are two of the most popular water sports that you can enjoy on the Railay Peninsula as well. Especially with the kayak, you can explore the limestone cliffs in the surrounding area from the water.
If you are staying at Railay Beach, there is a great activity especially for those who like SUPs: the SUP Night Tour. During this tour, you will go stand-up paddling in the dark with a guide and observe the bioluminescent plankton at Railay Beach at night. It is definitely a unique experience.
Krabi: Tours and Tickets
Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Krabi in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Railay Beach and Krabi.
Have you ever been to Railay Beach in Krabi? Did you enjoy it? Do you know any more things to do in Railay Beach? Give us feedback in the comments.
Photos: Photo 1 (Railay Beach drone shot): Alvov/shutterstock.com
