Now on every savvy traveller's list, Railay is nevertheless one
of Thailand's most sought after beach areas. Just south of Ao Nang
Beach, around a rocky headland and accessible only by boat, Railay
presents a private and extraordinary world.
In just one small peninsula you'll find gorgeous white sand beaches,
soaring limestone cliffs, viewpoints, caves and a lagoon hidden
inside the cliffs, shaped and fed by the changing tides. All within
walking distance! (Map)
At Railay there are no roads, only footpaths. No buses, no cars,
just longtail boats. Although it's actually connected to the mainland,
the spectacular Phra Nang peninsular is effectively cut off from
the rest of Krabi by limestone headlands and steep jungle valleys,
the only access is by sea.
The very picture of tropical paradise, with no roads and no hassle,
Railay offers lazy days, adventure forays and chilled-out evenings.
The number of places to stay on Railay has increased over the last
few years with new resorts opening on all of the beaches except
Phra Nang which is restricted by the topography and the presence
of the Rayavadee Resort.
The old fan-cooled bungalows can still be found, but many are being
upgraded, Railay might not have much buget accommodation in the
future. During high season (November to April) it gets busy with
visitors often staying weeks rather than days. (More)
Accessible only from the sea, Railay's four beaches Tonsai,
Railay West, Railay East and Phra Nang (often referred to as the "Phra Nang Cave" beach) nestle
between towering limestone cliffs.
Three of the beaches, Railay West, Phra
Nang Cave Beach and Railay East are connected
by narrow footpaths winding around the base of the cliffs. In the
small areas in-between, you'll find accommodation ranging from basic
fan cooled bungalows, to the exclusive Sheraton Rayawadee. (More)
Railay is packed full of activities, if you get bored sunning yourself
you could learn rock climbing, explore in a sea kayak, visit some
caves or check out one of the viewpoints. (More)
Restaurants & Nightlife in Railay Beach
Eating out at Railay, is generally low key and casual, with many
small local eating places around the resorts or beach areas, serving
both western and Thai food. Travellers often exchange tips and stories
and the beach's restaurants are often where new friends are acquired.
Not all of the restaurants in Railay West serve alcohol, but there
are great selections of fresh juices.
Nightlife is fairly low key; however the party scene (mainly high
season) is located in Railay East and features Techno parties for
the different stages of the moon.
Getting to Railay
Longtail boats leave regularly in high season from Chaofa Pier
in Krabi Town (about 45 minutes) or from Ao Nang Beach (around 15
minutes, the trip costs around 50 baht per person. Or you can charter
the whole boat if you're in a big group and plan to go snorkeling
and island hopping.
During the monsoon season boats leave from Nam Mao Beach (near
Krabi Town) only. Quieter in low season, it can be a bit rough due
to the monsoon winds, especially if you plan on snorkeling trips
to nearby islands.
