Phranang Cave Beach: The Best Swimming Spot in Krabi
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Phranang Cave Beach, located on the stunning Railay Peninsula, is arguably one of the best beaches in Krabi, and perhaps even in all of Thailand. While West Railay Beach is also quite popular, Phranang stands out for its breathtaking beauty and unique charm.
However, the beach’s popularity means it can get crowded, especially during high season, both on weekdays and weekends. In the past, longtail boats would line up closely along the shore, blocking almost half of the beach from the water.
However, the government has recently enforced stricter regulations, and now you won’t see a single longtail boat on the beach. While this has made the beach more peaceful, it can be a bit disappointing for some, as these boats used to offer delicious Thai food right on the sand.
Phranang Cave Beach is stunning, with crystal-clear water, soft, almost white sand, and towering cliffs that surround it like something out of a movie. The beach is situated on a small sandbar, framed by majestic mountains, creating a postcard-perfect scene. While the natural beauty is exceptional throughout the area, Phranang’s combination of elements makes it one of the most picturesque spots.
It’s like a miniature version of Krabi, offering everything you might expect from the province: caves, cliffs, a religious site, a bounty beach, turquoise waters, and a rock island rising from the sea opposite the beach.
Swimming Conditions
The water at Phranang is deep enough for swimming, with a clean, sandy bottom and no large rocks or corals to worry about. Waves are generally calm, except during windy weather. It’s possible to swim during low tide, but it’s best to arrive before the tourist rush, ideally before 8 AM.
This is the time when boats start ferrying tourists from Ao Nang, Nopparat Thara, and Ao Nammao. Phranang doesn’t offer any beach gear rentals, so you’ll need to bring your own towels and umbrellas.
Sunbeds and Shade
Finding shade at Phranang can be a bit challenging. Part of the beach is privately owned and fenced off, offering shaded areas that are not accessible to the public. There are a few trees on the beach, but they don’t provide full coverage, and there may not be enough space for everyone. In the afternoon, shade becomes scarce as the beach faces west, meaning there’s little protection from the sun.
The best spot for shade is on the left side of the beach, where a cliff provides natural cover. However, this area is often crowded with tourists eager to take photos in front of the grotto filled with phallic symbols.
Beach Photos
Phra Nang Beach, Raily, Krabi
Amenities
There are no facilities on Phranang Cave Beach itself. You can”t buy food and drinks from longtail boats that operate as floating vendors, arriving in the morning and leaving at sunset.
There are no hotels directly on Phranang, except for one resort that’s quite exclusive. Most visitors stay on nearby beaches like East Railay, where there are more accommodation options, including budget-friendly choices.
Accommodation
The best-rated hotels in the Railay area include:
Sand Sea Resort
Railay Village Resort
These are three-star beachfront resorts with pools, restaurants, and well-maintained grounds, located on West Railay Beach.
On Phranang itself, the only nearby hotel is Rayavadee, which is on East Railay. It’s luxurious but very expensive. If you’re looking to save money, East Railay is a better option with more hotels to choose from. From there, you can easily walk to Phranang or West Railay.
You can reach Phranang Cave Beach by longtail boat from any of the three beaches: Ao Nang, Nopparat Thara (more expensive), or Ao Nammao (20 baht cheaper). If you arrive at a different beach, don’t worry—it’s a short 10-20 minute walk to Phranang, depending on where you start.
All the beaches on the peninsula are connected by footpaths. Alternatively, you can take a boat to your preferred destination for a fee.
The path from East Railay to Phranang is quite enchanting, even though it only takes 5-10 minutes. It’s flanked by a cliff with mini-caves and draped in vines, creating a magical atmosphere.
Halfway along the path, you’ll see a sign pointing to the viewpoint and Princess Lagoon. Climbing up the ropes and rocks will reward you with a breathtaking view of Railay and a hidden lagoon nestled within the mountains.
As you approach the beach, you’ll notice a wall covered with hundreds of handprints from those who climbed to the Princess Lagoon. The path ends at the beach, on the far left side if you’re facing the sea. There used to be a small shrine filled with phallic symbols here, but it has since been removed.
If you continue along the cliff and into the water, you’ll find a grotto. During high tide, you’ll need to swim rather than walk to reach it.
For the more adventurous, you can follow a path through the bushes on the far side of Phranang, away from the grotto. This trail, used by climbers, leads to a massive cave. It’s safe, with bamboo ladders in place, and offers a stunning view of Phranang Beach from above—especially at midday, when the sun reflects off the white sand beneath the water.
Beautiful beach accessible from Railay East.Caves , rock wall climbing and chilling on Beautiful Phra Nang beach are key attractions.Go early or face massive crowds when securing a spot on the beach.No restroomsHandicap possible.Final take ..RECOMMENDED BUT AGAIN GO EARLY.
Phra Nang Cave Beach is truly a slice of paradise and one of the most breathtaking spots in Krabi. The crystal-clear turquoise waters, soft white sand, and dramatic limestone cliffs make it a picture-perfect destination. The famous cave with its unique cultural offerings adds a touch of intrigue and local tradition, making the visit not only visually stunning but also culturally enriching.The beach is best enjoyed if you stay in Railay and visit either early in the morning or during sunset. During these times, the beach is much less crowded, allowing you to fully take in its serene beauty and peaceful vibe. The sunrise paints the cliffs with a golden glow, while the sunset creates a magical, almost surreal atmosphere.The water is perfect for a swim, and the nearby cliffs make for great photo opportunities. If you’re adventurous, you can even explore the caves or enjoy some kayaking. Despite being a popular spot, the natural beauty and charm of Phra Nang remain unparalleled.Highly recommended for anyone visiting Krabi! Just avoid peak hours to experience the tranquility and charm of this incredible beach. A must-visit destination for nature lovers!
Beautiful bay, with beautiful clear water and white sand.The bay can only be reached on foot via Railay Beach and this in turn can only be reached by boat.Currently no boats are allowed to dock directly in Phra Nang Cave.We took the long-tail boat from Ao Nang to Railay for 100 baht per person each way, the journey takes a maximum of 10 minutes. The walk from there to Phra nang Cave also takes about 10 - 15 minutes.Once you get there, you will find a beautiful beach and also the caves, some of which can be entered via the water. Depending on the waves, you should do this or not.Unfortunately there is also a lot of plastic waste in the water here, but it is a well-known problem in ThailandOn the way back to Railay Beach we even saw a young monitor lizard.
The boat stops in front of the entrance to Tham Phra Nang Beach.Walk about 5-10 minutes to reach the beach. There is a mountain climbing activity. There is a place to pay respects and ask for blessings from the Queen. There is a bathroom for 10 baht and food for sale.
One of the best beach that i've spend time ever in Thailand. You need to feel that place, absolutelly chilling, quite, not so many people there, but the nature is absolutelly stunning! I have nothing, but such a nice memories about that place 💔If i'd chose a place to stay during my holiday, i'd def chose that place.
As pretty as it is dirty. I think it is the most beautiful beach I have ever been to, but by far the dirtiest. There are bottles and plastics to fill several trucks
A quiet beach of your own with few tourists making it a can’t-miss spot in Krabi. This pristine beach stretches afar from famous Pranang Spirit Cave till the end of the beach with high limestone cliffs. Beautiful Soft sand and clear sea water with multicolor green to blue sea will make your day the most relaxing one. Be sure to spend a lot of time lingering leisurely. During low tide you can simply walk to Happy Island just across the shore.
Really nice beach next to a cave that can get a bit crowded. Unfortunately we couldn’t swim because of the jellyfish, but the water was beautiful. We saw monkeys and some giant lizard thing here which was cool too.
We rented two kayaks at Railay beach and kayaked over here. It was an incredible experience, crystal clear waters and the massive rock formations towering over the surface of the sea.We also kayaked through a couple of caves and ended up at the beach.This is one of the most spectacular spots in Thailand and I highly recommend visiting if you have time.
Probably the most beautiful beach I have had the pleasure of walking on. The water is warm and clear and calm. Unlike other beaches in the area it is swimmable even at low tide It's almost deserted before 10:00 and after 18:00. No boats!
Awesome beach. Beautiful fine sand and lovely water. Sheltered in a bay so no big waves really to be concerned about and a great place to either sunbathe or swim. Sunsets are beautiful. Well worth the visit.
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