Railay Beach in Krabi

Even though it isn’t currently summer in Thailand, that doesn’t mean you can’t relax and have fun at the beach.

Due the country’s tropical climate in our relatively hotter “winter season”, we’d say you can still head to the beach without freezing up. So if you’re a fan of Thai beaches – especially in the South – check out Railay Beach, a lush beach in Krabi where you can enjoy rock climbing and hiking up in a mini cave for uninterrupted views of the ocean.

We hear it’s a hotspot here in the south for adventurous tourists, but for the uninitiated, here’s what to expect if you’re headed there this holiday season.

More places in the south to explore:

Railay Beach is surrounded by rows of giant rocks & cliffs in Krabi

Image credit: @tiewleak_ball 

Railay Beach – with its distinct sandy, curved shoreline – in the Krabi province is known for being surrounded by numerous mountains and giant rocks. Rest assured that the beach remains pretty untouched by visitors, as you’d typically need to take a boat to get here. Some even misperceive that this private beach is an island, thanks to its secluded nature.

To get the most out of its famed scenery, it’s best to admire the beach from a bird’s eye view. That’s how to spot rows of giant rugged rocks and cliffs surrounding the beach. The way we see it, this is the key factor that distinguishes this beach from others in Thailand – yet another reason for its burgeoning popularity among tourists in the city.

Image credit: @toonnesta

Once you step foot on the shoreline, you’ll catch sight of many small islets – or humongous rocks – standing in the vicinity of Railay Beach. These islets take on different shapes and sizes with some sparse vegetation growing over them. If the intrepid explorer within you feels the urge to see them up close, you should be able to find a boat to take you to these islets if you ask the locals.

Image credit: @fitness_with_rogue

Apart from strolling along and basking in the sun, we recommend paddling a kayak on these emerald waters. There are plenty of options along the beach to rent a kayak at varied prices, starting at ฿200 (~USD5) to ฿300 (~USD8)/hour. Please note that prices might vary from shop to shop. Our advice? Try to sweep the stalls in the vicinity before making a decision.

Image credit: @wisanick

Finally, as the acclaimed beach faces west, it is known as a pleasant spot to relax at while the sun is going down. You’ll get to capture the moment the golden light shines upon the islands beautifully if you time your visit at the right time.

Go rock climbing & trek through a cave with ocean views

Image credit: @tata_193

Rock climbing aficionados or those who’re seeking a sport with a bit of an adrenaline kick will definitely adore this next activity – rock climbing. Since Railay Beach boasts tons of cliffs next to the beach, there are plenty of adventurous spots for guests to try their hands – and legs – on vertical climbing. If you find this notion compelling, prices for bouldering generally start at ฿1,000 (~USD28)/person for a half day.

Image credit: Wherever I Go

Besides pulling yourself up a vertical incline strapped inside a harness, you may be wondering what else you can do to make the most of your trip here.

There’s a small cave hidden behind a bush at the beach, and the cave will lead you to an elevated point where you can see a truly magnificent view of the islet. On the way there, you’ll be crouching your way through this narrow pathway as depicted in the picture.

Don’t worry about the darkness though, as the cave is lit by the sunlight from the outside, so you can expect to see things quite clearly or even snap an artsy shot or two.

Image credit: Wherever I Go

Once you make it to the viewpoint, here’s something you can expect to see: the ocean, a beach, and some small islets far ahead. If we were you, we’d stick around awhile to take in the views and snap some pictures before you leave.

Surely, your friends would be curious to know where the place is when they’re uploaded on the ‘gram.

Getting to Railay Beach in Krabi

To get to Railay Beach, you can take a boat here from the city of Krabi with fares starting at ฿100 (~USD2)/person. A ferry departing from the main city will take about 45 minutes. But if you leave from Ao Nang, you can expect a 15-20 minute ride instead.

Unlike other beaches, Railay Beach boasts outstanding scenery with its lush mountainous landscape, small islands scattering around the beach, along with unforgettable activities for visitors.

After all, it does have a reputation as a major beach in the south to be included in everyone’s southern Thailand adventures. We’d love to hear which other interesting places in Krabi we should cover next, in the comments.

Railay Beach
Address: Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi
Google Maps

Cover images adapted from (Clockwise from Top Left): @tiewleak_ball , @bormor_baimon, @tata_193

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