Railay Beach is located in Ao Nang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Krabi Province, within the Hat Noppharat Thara National Park. It is a stunning beach surrounded by towering cliffs. Railay Beach is divided into two sections: Railay West and Railay East. These beaches curve towards each other and are connected by a small pathway. Visitors can also climb to the top of the cliffs to admire the Lagoon, a secluded body of water nestled within the valley.

Contrary to popular belief, Railay Beach is not an island. It is situated on the mainland, but the only way to access it is by boat. This is because the beach is surrounded by steep mountains on all sides, making it inaccessible by land.

Railay Beach is renowned for its rock climbing opportunities, with its numerous cliffs providing a challenging and rewarding experience. The climbing season extends throughout the year, with popular climbing areas including Railay East, Ao Ton Sai, and the cliffs near Phra Nang Cave.

We purchased ferry tickets at Ao Nang Pier. The round-trip fare was 200 baht per person. The ferry was a long-tail boat, similar to a public transportation boat. It departed once it was full, which typically accommodated 8-10 passengers. If the boat was not yet full, we waited a short while. As there was a constant flow of tourists, the boat filled up quickly and departed for Railay. The journey took approximately 15 minutes.


A view of Ao Nang beach from a boat heading towards Railay Beach.



Long-tail boats from Ao Nang Pier will dock at Railay West Beach. On the return trip, we will board the boat at the same beach.

The beach was teeming with international tourists, sunbathing, splashing in the water, and engaging in lively games of water ping pong. As we strolled along the shore, we couldn't help but wonder if we had somehow stumbled into a foreign land. While Thai tourists were present, the sheer number of international visitors far outweighed their presence.

From the west coast beach, we walked along the path to Railay East. If you can't find the entrance, try asking someone nearby.

Along the way, there were several climbing spots, which is a common sight on cliffs in many places. Most of the climbers were foreign tourists rather than Thai people.

This activity requires not only a strong passion but also immense physical strength. Just standing and watching is enough to make our arms and legs weak.

The mountain path leading to the viewpoint and the lagoon nestled within the valley was said to be breathtakingly beautiful, based on my research. However, judging by my own physical limitations, I doubt I could even make it past the first 100 meters.

The photo below shows us watching someone climb down. Oh my god, they are covered in mud from head to toe! The cliff they are climbing down is almost 90 degrees, but there are some rocky outcrops to hold onto. The rocks are also sharp.

The climb is not as easy as it seems. If you are not well-prepared or confident, it is better to enjoy the beautiful sea instead. Don't risk anything you are not sure about. However, if you think you can handle it, give it a try.

Following the path, you will reach Railay Beach's eastern side. This beach features a mangrove forest stretching along the coastline. The beach is muddy with shells and mangrove roots, making it unsuitable for swimming or sunbathing.

The eastern pier offers a more convenient disembarkation point than the western pier, as it features a floating platform that allows for easier boarding and disembarking from boats.

The east coast also boasts a unique attraction: rock climbing. Several international rock climbing schools are available, and if you're interested in scaling the cliffs at Railay Beach, guides are available to provide instruction and assistance.

In the evening, there are a variety of restaurants, beer bars, and stylish cafes where you can relax and unwind.

Follow the path along the beach and you won't get lost. There's no other way to go (one side is a mountain, the other is a hotel fence).

The path loops back to Phra Nang Beach. In fact, our walking route is almost a circle, as you can see from the map. Phra Nang Beach is close to Railay Beach on the west side where we got off the boat. However, we couldn't walk directly there because of a high mountain in the way, so we had to take a slight detour.

The journey then leads to Phra Nang Beach, boasting a stunning white sand beach, breathtaking limestone mountains, and towering cliffs. At the end of the path, a cave awaits, with a shrine on the left side, surrounded by pristine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

During the day, the beach is filled with tourists, both Thai and foreign (all good-looking). At Phra Nang Cave Beach, it is suitable for swimming or various beach activities such as rock climbing, sunbathing, kayaking, watching the sunset, football, etc.


This exit point is also a popular climbing spot. You can sunbathe, climb, and take photos all at the same time. Choose whichever activity you prefer.

Walk along the beach towards the tall mountain you see in the distance.

Our chosen activity is to observe the activities of others.

Wherever you look, it's all chill. Sitting and watching foreigners play in the water, sunbathe, or paddle a boat leisurely.

At Phra Nang Beach, vendors are not allowed to set up stalls on the sand. Instead, locals use boats to transport and sell their food and drinks. These boats line up along the shore, offering a variety of goods, including food, snacks, and beverages. The prices tend to be higher than usual, as the vendors cater primarily to tourists. This is understandable, given the captive audience.

It's low tide now. Looking at the tall island in front of us, we can wade across the water. It's not far, about 50 meters, and we'll be on the other side. But there's nothing up there, just hills and cliffs. We just walked back and forth for fun.

A relaxing day spent by the water, watching people and enjoying the sunshine.

As the evening approached and the boat service was about to end, we returned to Railay West Beach, where we had boarded the boat earlier. We walked back along the same path we had taken earlier.

The water level at Railay Beach East receded significantly in the evening, requiring this type of vehicle to transport tourists. Otherwise, it would be a long walk.

The atmosphere at Railay Beach in the late afternoon. Today, there are a lot of clouds, so I can't find the sun.

Find the boat we bought tickets for. It's near the beach. If you can't find it, ask the boatmen in the area. We've already bought tickets for the return trip.

Once eight people have boarded, the boat will depart and return to Ao Nang Bay.

We arrived at the shore just as the sun was setting.

The breathtaking sunset further enhances the relaxed atmosphere of our day. A day of leisure, a day of ease, a day without a schedule of what to do or where to go, unlike the rushed pace of a tour to Krabi's four popular islands.

The journey is incredibly convenient, as the ferry terminal is located directly on the beachfront, making it easy to find. Simply purchase a round-trip ticket and board the ferry.

If your schedule is still free, leave it like that and come walk, sit, lie down, play in the water, or watch foreigners climb mountains at Railay.

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