This is where most tourists arrive by boat from Ao Nang (Krabi) or even from other provinces like Phuket. When people refer to “Railay Beach,” they’re usually talking about this beach, although the correct Thai pronunciation is “Rai Leh” or even “Ralay.”
In reality, there are two beaches on the peninsula, and both are Railay! The western one, West Railay Beach, is great for swimming, while the other, East Railay Beach, is more of a technical beach.
In my opinion, West Railay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Krabi Province, second only to Phranang Beach.
Beach Overview
West Railay Beach is conveniently located within easy reach of those staying in Ao Nang. The sand is fine and yellowish, with a few stones near the waterline, but not many.
Even on weekends, there is plenty of space for everyone on this wide beach. In the mornings, the beach isn’t too crowded, with mainly tourists from nearby hotels gathering in the shade of the trees.
Swimming Conditions
The sea deepens relatively quickly, with deeper water starting about 10 meters (33 feet) from the shore. Even during a moderate low tide, you can still swim, although you may need to walk further out, and it can be a bit shallow. Low tide changes the look and swim conditions of the beach significantly.
However, one of the main challenges with West Railay is the influx of tourists arriving on boats from Ao Nang starting as early as 9 AM, making the beach crowded during the high season. Waves are generally present only during stormy weather.
Sunbeds and Shade
Like most beaches in Krabi, West Railay offers good shade only in the morning and early afternoon. Later in the day, the sun can be intense, and the only refuge from it is in the cafes.
The beach is very open, wide, and expansive. During low tide, the sea recedes far from the shade, forcing you to choose between staying in the shade or being closer to the water.
Beach Photos
Amenities
In terms of infrastructure, there are cafes on Walking Street, small shops, resorts, a few guesthouses, and a couple of upscale hotels at the southern end of the beach, where security prevents non-guests from entering.
To reach the main activity area of West Railay, head towards the large “Walking Street” sign and follow the path inland. It’s not far—just a few dozen meters.
A little further along, the path leads to East Railay, where there are also cafes, shops, and accommodations. It’s about a 10-minute walk, and along the way, you’ll find the only water machine on the peninsula offering cheap drinking water.
If you turn right on East Railay, after another 10 minutes, you’ll reach Phranang Beach. West Railay is about a 15-minute walk from Ton Sai Beach.
Additionally, at West Railay Beach, you can rent a kayak or buy a boat ticket to the nearby islands. If you wish, you can even take a boat to Phuket.
At the northern end of the beach, there’s a partially collapsed cliff covered in greenery, which at first glance seems impassable. However, there’s a hidden path leading to the semi-wild Ton Sai Beach.
Accommodation
Some of the best-rated hotels in Railay are Railay Village Resort and Sand Sea Resort. These are three-star beachfront resorts with pools, restaurants, and well-maintained grounds, located centrally on the beach, right by the sea.
But these are not the only options. There are several resorts and many small hotels, both on the shore and further inland. Prices for accommodation, food, and cafes are higher than in more central resorts due to the area’s remote location.
How to Find the Beach
The only way to reach West Railay is by boat, as the peninsula is cut off from the mainland by cliffs. There may be some hidden trails, but most people take boats from Ao Nang, Ao Nam Mao, Krabi Town, or even Phuket.
Adventurous travelers with good trekking shoes sometimes walk along the rocks from Ao Nam Mao to East Railay during low tide, but they still have to return by boat or wait for the next low tide. Most people stay in Ao Nang and take boat trips to Railay.
At the Ao Nang promenade, you can buy a boat ticket for 100 baht and reach Railay in 10 minutes. The return ticket also costs 100 baht (you can buy a round-trip ticket, but there is no discount). Keep in mind that with a round-trip ticket, you must use the same boat service for both trips.
For example, there are two boat services in Ao Nang, with their ticket booths and piers located at opposite ends of the beach. Nopparat Thara and Ao Nam Mao also have their own boat services. So if you arrived at Railay with one service, be sure to return with the same one, or you’ll have to pay for the ride again.
A boat from Krabi Town costs 150 baht per person, and from Ao Nam Mao, it costs 80 baht, but they dock at East Railay. During low tide, East Railay has significant mudflats, and you may need to walk through muddy water to reach the shore.
Longtail boats depart as soon as they fill up with 10 passengers. So after buying your ticket, just sit and wait until the boat is ready to leave. In Ao Nang, boats fill up quickly, usually within 5-10 minutes, but in the quieter Ao Nam Mao area, you might wait 30 minutes to an hour for other passengers.
