Railay and the limestone cliffs
A peninsula reachable only by longtail. Sheer cliffs, turquoise water, and Thailand's best climbing routes right behind the beach.
Duration
3 hrs – 8 hrs
Best time
First boat of the day
Open
Every day
On site, no middleman
100 THB≈ 2.7 €
longtail boat from Ao Nang, per trip — the beach itself is free
Checked on 28 August 2026 at CK Travels — Ao Nang to Railay. Prices change: check before you go.
Railay is a peninsula, not an island: it is attached to the mainland, but sheer cliffs cut off every road, and you can only arrive by longtail. That barrier explains the rest — no cars, no scooters, four beaches and footpaths.
The compact limestone of the cliffs has made it one of Asia's great climbing sites, with hundreds of bolted routes metres from the sand. Railay West is for swimming, Railay East is mudflat at low tide, Phra Nang is the finest and the busiest.
Getting there
Longtail from Ao Nang, fifteen minutes, or from the Krabi Town pier. Boats leave when full, not on a timetable.
What to bring
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Dry bag
How to pay less
The longtail from Ao Nang leaves when it is full, at a fixed price posted on the beach. No agency is needed.
Rules on site
The last boat back leaves earlier than you think and there is no road out: confirm the time when you set off. The viewpoint and lagoon are reached by a red-earth path that is very slippery after rain, with fixed ropes.
Other places in Krabi
Ao NangThe departure point for every island, with its beach and its lined-up longtails.
- Emerald Pool and hot springsA turquoise pool deep in the forest, and hot waterfalls a few kilometres away.
- Klong Muang BeachThe sand north of Ao Nang, quiet, without the longtails or the vendors.
Tiger Cave Temple: the 1,237 stepsA staircase of 1,237 steps to a temple on a pinnacle, and a full horizon over the province at the top. The climb is steep, uneven, and the monkeys are not shy.