Railay Beach
The water is the reason to go. It's noticeably cleaner than Ao Nang, no silt underfoot, and the limestone cliffs come straight out of it in a way photos never quite manage. Getting there is by longtail only, no road, which is half the appeal until you realise every other boat is doing the same thing. Come early. By mid-morning the sand fills up and the boats keep landing all day.
Skip the snorkel. There's no reef here, so you'll see very little. What's worth waiting for is evening low tide, when a wide stretch of seabed opens up and the small marine life becomes visible, which kids tend to love more than the swimming. Rock climbers have the cliffs. Everyone else has coconut stands, restaurants and bars, though prices run higher than on the mainland and Railay Cafe, the only bar actually on the sand, has a handful of seats with the view. You can also walk over to the east side and the beach there.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Railay Beach, round out your day in Krabi with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
It's really a nice beach, water is much cleaner than in Ao Nang, there's no sand slime in it. There're cafes and restaurants. Please bare in mind that if you stay after the sunset, after 18:00, boat crew will charge you extra 50THB for the ticket back to the pier (also if you already have the blue ticket to come back).
Although the beach is a very touristy place with a lot of longtail boats arriving, it is worth a visit. The scenery with the rocks coming out of the water is amazing. There is enough space to lay on the sand or enjoy a swim. You can walk from here to the East side and the other beach, which are also nice. A lot of restaurants and bars or tourist shops available, I found the prices higher than in Ao Nang.
Railay Beach is mainly fine sand, but some areas have a mixture of gravel and fine sand. It’s a very beautiful beach, but get there early before all the boats start to arrive. The only bar on the beach is Railay Cafe, and this has limited seats with beach and ocean views. Enjoy!
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 5,042 reviews on Google.
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Railay Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Railay Beach worth visiting?
Railay Beach holds a 4.4★ rating from 5,042 Google reviews — a strong rating for beaches in Krabi.
When is the best time to visit Railay Beach?
The best months to visit Krabi are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – September (rough Andaman seas).
Where is Railay Beach located?
Railay Beach is at Railay Beach, Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand, in Krabi. Getting around Krabi: Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach); Songthaews in Ao Nang.
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – April
Avoid: June – September (rough Andaman seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
23°C – 33°C(73°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Krabi Airport (KBV) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). Ferries connect to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. Bus or minivan from Phuket takes ~3 hrs.
Getting around
- •Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach)
- •Songthaews in Ao Nang
- •Grab (limited, mainly Ao Nang)
- •Motorbike rental
Where to stay near Railay Beach
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Tips for Visiting Beaches
Check Monsoon Windows
Andaman coast beaches (Phuket, Krabi) have rough seas May–October. Gulf beaches (Samui, Hua Hin) are roughest October–December. Plan your beach trip around these windows for calm water and safe swimming.
Go Early for Empty Sand
Even the busiest beaches are nearly deserted before 9 AM. Sunrise walks on Kata, Chaweng, or Railay are magical — and you'll beat the heat for a morning swim.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Many Thai marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral. Bring reef-safe (mineral/zinc-based) sunscreen from home — it's harder to find and pricier in Thailand.
Nearby Places
Railay West Beach
Postcard sand and limestone cliffs, reachable only by longtail, and worth catching the first boat over.
East Railay Bay Beach
Dramatic limestone cliffs and a lively beach atmosphere, accessible only by longtail boat from Ao Nang.
Cave Pra Nang Beach
A sacred sea cave on Railay Beach, framed by limestone cliffs and turquoise water with local legend.
Phra nang Cave Beach
A dramatic coastal cove accessible only by sea, framed by towering limestone cliffs, white sand, and a sacred cave shrine.
Similar Beaches Across Thailand
Patong Beach
Three kilometres of white sand with jet skis, loungers and Bangla Road behind it, so come for the noise, not the calm.
Thong Nai Pan
Thong Nai Pan is the pair of horseshoe bays on Koh Phangan's northeast corner that many rate the island's best all-round base — Thong Nai Pan Yai, the larger southern bay with a village feel and family resorts, and Thong Nai Pan Noi, the more polished northern bay where the island's smarte.
Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat)
Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat) on Koh Phangan's north coast is the island's poster child for earned seclusion — a wide crescent of soft sand backed by jungle hills, with no road in.
Freedom Beach
Crystal water and soft sand, but you pay 100 baht and earn it on a steep climb back up.
Where to stay near Railay Beach
Find hotels in Krabi on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – April
Avoid: June – September (rough Andaman seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
23°C – 33°C(73°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Krabi Airport (KBV) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). Ferries connect to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. Bus or minivan from Phuket takes ~3 hrs.
Getting around
- •Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach)
- •Songthaews in Ao Nang
- •Grab (limited, mainly Ao Nang)
- •Motorbike rental