Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach compliment each other beautifully. You don’t have to choose between them - both are easily visited on the same trip, as they’re connected together by a short walking path. Railay is the main hub of the peninsula where incredible rock climbing and spectacular sunsets await. And Phra Nang is the more pristine of the two, known for its white sand and epic views of limestone karsts. If you plan your day around their different features, you’ll get the best of both worlds.

Best Beaches in Railay — *Railay Peninsula*

How to Get to the Railay Peninsula

Railay Peninsula is one of the most impressive landscapes in Thailand, a secluded headland where huge limestone cliffs rise above green waters. This jaw-dropping geography comes with one important caveat though: the beaches are cut off from the mainland and the only way to get here is by longtail. This wasn’t a problem for us. In fact, it made it extra special.

We jumped on the boat bright and early from Ao Nang Beach and took the 15 minute trip - a quick and easy journey that left us speechless. As you cruise around the corner, the limestone cliffs become even taller and more dramatic looking than back in Ao Nang. The longtail then pulls up to Railay West Beach and you step onto golden sands. You don’t need to book in advance - simply head to Ao Nang Longtail Boat Service Club, pay a 100 THB, and wait for the next departure which is typically every 20-30 minutes.

Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach - Scenery — *Railay Peninsula*

Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach - Limestone Cliffs — *Railay Peninsula*

Overview of Railay Beach

Railay West Beach

Railay West Beach is where you can see rows of longtail boats parked in the water, surrounded by limestone cliffs, making it a popular spot for photographers. The beach is fairly wide, so it’s easy to find a spot to swim (especially at high tide). Although, sometimes the water gets a little murky. Restaurants and bars line the shore, and Railay Walking Street is nearby as well, which means you could have lunch and spend the whole day here.

The main activities of Railay West Beach revolve around kayaking, SUP, and beach sports like volleyball and frisbee. There’s also a few areas to go rock climbing but this is usually done at the other beaches. We actually recommend finishing your day here, for the following reason: the sunset. Since the beach faces west, you get stunning golden hour views across the Andaman - framed by glowing limestone cliffs on either side. Boats still depart back to Ao Nang after sunset but just expect to pay a higher rate.

Swimming at Railay West Beach — *Railay West Beach*

Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach — *Railay West Beach*

Railay East Beach

Just a 5-minute walk away is Railay East Beach, connected by the Walking Street that shoots straight through the narrowest point on the peninsula. Swimming isn’t ideal here, due to the mangroves, but there’s a lot more going on in terms of activities. Most of the rock climbing schools are based at Railay East and there’s some world-class crags to tackle if that’s your thing. Hiking is a great alternative to rock climbing, with the most famous trail being the East Railay Viewpoint and the short walk to Diamond Cave.

Then you’ve got things like kayaking in the mangroves, training at Muay Thai gyms, fire shows, and bar-hopping to rustic spots by the sea such as The Last Bar and Tew Lay Bar. Backpackers often flock to Railay East for its basic accommodation, cheap food, and vibrant nightlife. But there’s another bohemian, backpacker hub on the peninsula: Tonsai Beach.

East Railay Beach in Krabi — *Railay East Beach*

Shops of Railay Beach — *Railay East Beach*

Tonsai Beach

Tonsai Beach is accessed via the Tonsai Beach Trailhead, which can be done either of two ways: at low tide via the beach route (10 minutes) or at high tide via the jungle route (30 minutes). This tucked away gem is known as both a backpacker hub and rock climber paradise, with a staggering amount of technical routes to choose from (over 450 across a series of limestone cliffs). It’s also just a cool place to hang out for travelers - a beautiful little stretch of rugged sand, great swimming at high tide, breathtaking sunsets, cheap bungalows, and laidback bars.

Tonsai Beach - Rock Climbing — *Rock climbing in Tonsai*

How to Reach Phra Nang Beach

Walking to Phra Nang Beach from Railay West is simple really. All you have to do is hop off the boat, head down the Railay Walking Street and turn right when you reach the Railay East waterfront. We used Google Maps, but didn’t need it as the walk is signposted and obvious to follow. It takes you past caves, stalactites, and monkeys along the way and then you know you’ve arrived when you see Princess Cave, rock climbers, and white sand.

Walking Path to Phra Nang Beach — *Walking path to Phra Nang Beach*

Rock Climbing at Phra Nang Beach — *Rock climbing at Phra Nang Beach*

What to Expect at Phra Nang Beach

Phra Nang Beach was without doubt our favorite place in Railay. We spent most of the day there as it was just too beautiful to leave. The sand was much whiter and softer than the other Railay beaches and the views were amazing - especially out towards the limestone islet of Koh Rang Nok. You can rent a kayak and paddle out to the iconic islet or even around the limestone cliffs at the end of the beach. This is definitely the best place to go swimming on the peninsula as the water is clean, clear, and inviting.

White Sand Beach - Phra Nang — *Phra Nang Beach*

Day Itinerary in Railay

08:30 AM - Early Morning Arrival: Take a longtail from Ao Nang Beach at 8:30 AM. The boats only depart when they reach capacity (8 people) but you won’t be the only one leaving that early anyway.
09:00 AM - Phra Nang Beach: Make this the first beach you visit because it’s best enjoyed without the crowds. This is important advice, especially during the peak season (November-March).
12:00 PM - Lunch: Wander back to Railay Walking Street or Railay West for lunch. There are a few locals selling food out of longtails on Phra Nang Beach, however a proper sit-down meal is always better.
2:00 PM - Rock Climbing: After lunch, find yourself a climbing shop and book an afternoon climbing session. Beginners usually get taken to crags such as 1-2-3 Wall to learn the basics and practice their skills.
6:00 PM - Sunset at Railay West: Cap off the perfect day with sunset on Railay West, before heading back via longtail. Find a quiet spot on the beach and get your camera ready for sensational photos.

Longtails at Railay Beach — *West Railay Beach*

Limestone Cliffs at Phra Nang Beach — *Phra Nang Beach*

FAQs for Railay & Phra Nang Beach

Is Phra Nang Beach better than Railay Beach?

Phra Nang Beach is definitely better for a pure beach experience: swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the scenery. However, as a total package, you can’t beat the beaches of Railay - there’s simply more amenities and activities on offer. If you’re an expert climber or want a more remote backpacker atmosphere, Tonsai Beach is the place to go.

Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach - Krabi — *Phra Nang Beach*

Kayaking at Phra Nang Beach — *Phra Nang Beach*

Where to stay overnight, Railay or Phra Nang?

Railay has a decent amount of resorts and hotels, where Phra Nang only has the luxury Rayavadee Resort. So, in general, it’s better to stay in Railay East or West. We stayed in Ao Nang and while the beach isn’t much to write home about, it does make for a fantastic base for onward travel in Krabi. Catching the boat from here is also easy and makes for a fun day trip.

What other things are there to do in Krabi?

The Railay Peninsula is often the first place people visit in Krabi and for good reason - it is spectacular. However, there’s so much more to see both on the mainland and in the islands, from the climb up Tiger Cave Temple to the boat tour to Koh Lao Lading. Check out our Krabi Travel Guide which outlines the 20 best things to do if you’re staying in Ao Nang Beach.

Railay Beach vs Phra Nang Beach: Which Should You Visit?