A Slice of Paradise: Your Ultimate Travel Guide for Railay Beach

If you’re dreaming of turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and a little bit of adventure, Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand, is the place to be. Nestled on a peninsula, smaller than Koh Phi Phi, Railay boasts breathtaking landscapes and a unique charm that really is what everyone pictures when they think of Thailand. Let me guide you through this perfect spot in Thailand.

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How to Get to Railay Beach

Getting to Railay from Koh Lanta, you will hop on a bus to Krabi. Once in Krabi, you will take a quick ferry to Railay Beach. Pro tip: schedule your arrival to catch the sunset – it’s a magical welcome to this little slice of paradise.

For getting to Railay from Koh Phi Phi, the best options are a ferry or speedboat. The speedboat is obviously more expensive but quicker than the ferry. For balling on a budget, I’d choose the ferry! You can book tickets ahead here.

You can also coordinate travel from whatever hotel/hostel you are staying at to get you to Railay, they are a huge help!

Things to do in Railay Beach

Railay Beach really caters to all types of travelers, offering the right mix of adventure, relaxation, and nightlife.

This small peninsula is divided into two sides – East and West Beach – with a charming little town nestled in between. The peninsula is so small that it is easy to explore by foot! This is great because there are no vehicles on Railay Beach!

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing on the limestone cliffs of Railay Beach in Thailand

The rock climbing at Railay Beach is a must! It’s a fun adventure travel experience. There are some full-day trips and half-day trips offered. You can also book there while you are there. However, I think the full-day tour offers an unbeatable view from the cliffs!

2. Hiking

There are a few viewpoints that you can hike to for a great view of Railay! Check out East Railay Viewpoint. This trail is short but it is steep. The trail will also be slippery with mud if it rains, so choose your shoes wisely.

Another great hike is to the lagoon listed below!

3. Emerald Lagoon

When you are walking towards Phra Nang Beach, you’ll see a trail to the left. It will take you to a lagoon that you can swim in!

As a disclaimer, it is really steep and you’ll need to use a rope to climb up so you’ll need more sturdy shoes. If it rains, the trail is extremely slippery and they’ll have signs up saying it’s closed or to go with caution.

4. Phra Nang Cave

This cave is on Phra Nang Beach so you can easily walk over and check it out. It’s a small cave you can see from the beach for worshipping. People leave large wooden penises inside the cave…not really sure the story behind it haha, but it’s quite the sight!

5. Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)

There are tons of options for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on Railay! You can go on your own or choose to go with a group.

There are several offerings for sunset group tours and others!

6. Relax on the Beach

Phra Nang Beach was my favorite on Railay! The other beach you will want to check out is Railay West Beach. This beach is bigger, close to cafes, and beautiful!

Railay East Beach really is just rocky and good for boats coming in, not for relaxing on!

7. Sunset Swim

The best part about staying on the peninsula or Railay is that the amount of people there drops in the evening. So many people take day trips here instead of staying so it’s much busier during the day and it really calms down in the evening.

I spent a couple of sunsets here and the beach was virtually empty, it was amazing. For this reason alone, it’s worth staying on Railay versus just taking a day trip.

8. Snorkeling

I mean it’s Thailand…the water is gorgeous and so clear! Spend some time snorkeling!

Where to Stay in Railay Beach: From Budget to Mid-Range

Accommodation options on Railay aren’t as abundant since it’s so small, but check out a couple of options below:

Budget Option: Blanco Hideout Hostel – the go-to spot for budget travelers.

Mid-Range Option: Bhu Nga Thani Resort – offers a prime location close to the beaches and pier. A tad pricier than other mid-range options, but hey, it’s still less than a hundred bucks.

Should you Day trip to Railay Beach or Stay at Railay Beach?

Sure, you could do a day trip, but staying a bit longer lets you soak in the peninsula without the hustle and bustle of day-trippers. Imagine having some of the best beaches in the world almost all to yourself – that’s the charm of Railay Beach.

Check out how you can add it to your itinerary with this Thailand itinerary blog.