Hidden in a cove halfway between Krabi town and Ao Nang, is Railay beach. It’s scenic, ideal for swimming with lots of adventure activities to keep you occupied for a day.
Getting there
Railay beach can be reached via longtail boats from Ao Nang and Krabi town. From Ao Nang beach, it costs 100 THB per person one way. You have to wait for the boat to fill up before it leaves, minimum eight people per boat. That’s not a problem early in the morning, boats fill up very fast.
Getting back is a little bit tricky. The price is the same, but depending on which time you choose to return, you can wait up to an hour for the longtail to fill up. If you are willing to pay extra money, you can leave at any time with fewer passengers in the boat.
Railay beach is divided into two main beaches, west beach, and east beach.
West Beach
This is the beach for tanning, swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. Because the beach lies in a sheltered bay, the water is warm, tranquil and the waves are very small.
Snorkelling gear can be rented for 100 THB for 24 hours. There isn’t much to see, though. If you are lucky, you’ll see a couple of fish.
Renting a kayak is a better way to go. The price for renting a kayak for the first hour is 200 THB, then 100 THB for each additional hour up to five hours. Or rent the kayak for a day. Have fun exploring the coves and caves in the area.
East Beach
From the west beach, the east beach can easily be reached on foot. It’s a 5 to 10-minute walk.
This is the beach for adventure activities! Rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. Along the path, you will pass caves, stalagmites, and stalactites. If you are lucky, you will see a couple of monkeys.
From here you can also access the Railay viewpoint. If you are up for a short, strenuous hike/climb up a steep hill with only ropes and branches to hang onto, you will be rewarded with a stunning view. Some of the ropes are quite old, so be sure to test them before you use them. And wear appropriate shoes!
By the time I reached the top, I was dirty and muddy! But the view was worth the effort! You can see both the east and the west beach from the top.
From here, you can also access the lagoon.
At Railay beach, you can find a couple of restaurants and bars, a mini-mart and a lot of posh hotels. Bear in mind that the beach is very popular, touristy and a little bit commercial. As such, everything in or around Railay beach is slightly more expensive than the surrounding areas. Buy your food and drinks for the day in Ao Nang or Krabi town to save money.
I’ll leave you with this view!
