The desire for the sea, heat and crystal clear waters is always very strong in many of us. This is not surprising, because the sun brings the world back to life and because in places with these characteristics it is easy to find peace of mind. Among the most popular destinations for those in search of what has just been said is Thailand, which hides so many natural treasures, such as its fascinating Railay Beach.
Railay Beach, useful information
Let’s start this journey with a necessary premise: this corner of Thailand is commonly called Railay Beach – or Rai Leh -, as if to make us think that it is a unique beach. In fact, this is not exactly the case: it is a group of beaches that develop on a small (but fascinating) peninsula called Railay, and which includes Railay West, Railay East, Phra Nang Beach and Ton Sai.
We are in Southern Thailand, a true tropical paradise where they soar into the skies immense cliffs limestone that enclose beaches that are a daydream. To be precise, Railay is located in Krabi Province, part of the Mueang Krabi district.
When the visitor arrives he falls in love with the beauty of the area, so perfect that it seems almost impossible that nature did everything by itself. Then there are the bright colors that alternate with the white ones which, with the sunlight, create contrasts that are difficult to forget.
No, you can’t reach it by car because the Railay peninsula is accessible only by boat due to the high cliffs that cut off the continental access. Once you arrive, however, you can also move on foot, thanks to the “alleys” that cross nature and lead to the various sides of this fascinating peninsula kissed by the warm Andaman Sea and framed by lush jungle and imposing rocks. Luckily, there are several tours departing (which also include full-day excursions) from various locations around the country.
The beaches of Railay
Even in this case we must make a dutiful promise: le Railay beaches they are, at some times of the year, particularly pristine and lapped by crystal clear water, tending towards green, to the point that it is possible to observe the seabed. Despite this, days with cloudy seas cannot be ruled out, due to the numerous boats that bring tourists to discover this Thai area and the weather conditions.
Railay West, completely relaxing
If you come from Ao Nang you dock with the boat at Railay West, a beach that is very wide and has particularly white and soft sand. There is no shortage of majestic limestone cliffs to make the landscape surreal, and various services capable of cheering up visitors’ stay: there are hotels, bars and restaurants.
In essence, if you want to stop for a few days in these parts you have arrived in the most ideal area of the peninsula to do so. This does not mean that it is not possible to relax, sunbathe and swim in a truly valuable landscape context.
Railay Est, pure nature
Railay East it is almost completely different from Railay West: here relaxation is almost impossible because nature is in its pure state. This area of the peninsula, in fact, is characterized by the presence of a muddy mangrove flanked by a narrow concrete path.
There is no shortage of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops, but the absence of sand certainly doesn’t allow you to enjoy a classic day of sunbathing. However, the distance from here to the other spots in the bay with beaches where you can spread out your beach towel is very minimal.
Phra Nang Beach, a real spectacle
Probably Phra Nang Beach it is the most beautiful sight for those who arrive in Railay and are looking for the sea: despite being a small beach, it offers a special panoramic view because an immense limestone rock stands proud in the middle of its clear sea.
Furthermore, in these parts there is also the Phra Nang cave which is very famous because it contains hundreds of wooden phallic artefacts that are brought here by fishermen, but also because it allows you to swim in the shade of extraordinary karst cliffs and then relax on a crescent of soft white sand.
Unlike other areas of Railay, here there are no exclusive shops, bars or restaurants, but only a large resort.
What else to do in Railay
It would be a shame to arrive in Railay and only swim in its warm sea, because this area lends itself perfectly to many different activities: rock climbing, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, jungle trekking, rafting and much more.
Thanks to its impressive cliffs which attract climbers from all over the world who come here to discover the other particular area of the peninsula, Ton Saiwith a more rustic style and where adventurers challenge themselves on its famous karst rocks.
Suffice it to say that there are more in these parts 150 via ferrata paths, with numerous overhangs and smooth rock faces.
How to get there and what to know
As mentioned above, the fabulous Railay Peninsula is only accessible by boat. From Krabi it takes about 90 minutes, while from Ao Nang only 15. All points of interest in the area can be reached on foot, but it is strongly recommended to come to these parts between April and November because, even if the temperatures remain high and constant throughout the year, precipitation is quite common during the other months.
In essence, Railay is an area particularly loved and frequented by travellers, to the point of risking losing a bit of authenticity. But the truth is that you just have to wait for the groups of tourists to leave to discover an authentic beauty, where both travelers looking for relaxation and those who want to experience a bit of pure adventure can find something to suit their needs. .
