What to do in Railay? — 15+ Top, must & best things to do in Railay Beach, Krabi

Thailand is a country famous for its paradise beaches and Railay is one of them. Isolated from the mainland by majestic high cliffs, Railay retains its untouched beauty, attracting tourists with bizarre sight and nature. There are various activities to explore at Railay; however, don’t miss out on the list of things to do below, or you will regret not trying them. So, what to do in Railay Beach (Railay beach what to do)? Let’s check out our top rated 15+ top things to do in Railay beach and best things to do in Railay beach (Railay things to do) to maximizing your trip to the island paradise in Southern Thailand as follows!

Immerse in the cool water at the beach (#best things to do in railay)

When traveling to Railay, the first and absolute thing to do is to spend time in the sea. The place is home to tropical forests with lots of green trees, majestic limestone cliffs, along with stretches of white sand and turquoise seawater. This destination promises to be a great swimming spot for visitors, with open space, fresh air and beautiful natural scenes bringing you peace and calmness. Since it is a popular attraction, there’s numerous tourists coming to Railay for swimming. Go swimming early in the morning to get a better atmosphere and setting.

Go scuba diving to see corals and diverse sea creatures (#top things to do in railay beach)

Like other famous beaches of Thailand, Railay paradise has a distinct turquoise color of seawater, which is absolutely transparent to the point where you can clearly see the bottom. Thanks to the good conservation of the government and locals, this beach is always clean with a diverse ecosystem. That’s the factor contributing to the development of ecotourism here, making scuba diving activities in Railay more and more popular. You will admire coral reefs, colorful sea cucumbers, lovely little fish, and even sharks residing around the coral reefs. Remember to bring a waterproof bag and underwater photography equipment to get one-of-a-kind photos.

Take a walk around the beach, watch the brilliant scarlet sunset (#what to do in railay beach)

Watching the sunset and walking around the coast are the two most romantic activities in Railay Beach. With pristine scenery mixed with refreshing viridity, there is nothing more suitable than walking around and admiring the beautiful views. Visitors can choose to walk on the beach or go biking around the area, as well as browse the shops or climb the mountains. On afternoons when there is not much sunlight left, you can sit on the beach or on the swings under a palm tree, watching the scarlet sun trails off in the distance. Seeing the sun gradually fade away and taking afternoon photos are ones of those activities you shouldn’t miss.

Ride a long-tail boat to explore the small islands (#railay what to do)

There are many ways to explore Railay and admire the beauty of the magnificent nature. If walking gives you a narrow, non-panoramic view, you can book long-tail boat tours to go further and visit more islands. This is also an activity that will bring visitors the most relaxing time. What you want to do is just capture the most beautiful photos, feel the taste of the sea, and enjoy the pristine sense of the islands.

Go kayaking in the sea (#railay beach what to do)

For those who love self-tailored activities, let’s explore the surroundings on your own with a kayak. If riding a boat makes you feel calm, a kayak brings the excitement of being able to learn everything yourself in the way you want. For some visitors, kayaks are the perfect choice so that their journey won’t be limited in terms of time and location. They can indulge in their own world thanks to the quiet vast space of the sea, without feeling time pressure.

Get fascinated by glowing kayak tours at night (#best things to do in railay beach)

If kayaking during the day allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, sailing at night brings more peace, romance and mystery. The nightlife scene is not as majestic as the day, but offers its own charisma as the sea creatures are visible by the lights emitted from the kayaks. It is even more special on a moonlit night, with cool breezes carrying the smell of the sea and the stars glittering against the vast sky. You can also opt for sailing tours that take place in the afternoon to immerse in the bright sunset.

Challenge yourself with climbing activities (#railay what to do)

Coming to Railay, you are welcome to see high limestone cliffs in many shapes besides beautiful beaches. While sea activities are favored by beautiful scenery and crystal clear water in harmony with nature, mountaineering is a recreation that requires physical strength, endurance, and flexibility of the body.

Although it takes a lot of time and energy to get to the top of the mountain, you gain the excitement of being able to overcome yourself and subdue challenges. Indeed, not everyone can achieve such targets. Especially, you can capture aerial photos from above, which are perfect, beautiful gifts that nature brings about.

Have fun with the monkeys (#best things to do in railay)

If you love animals, especially funny animated monkeys, you definitely can’t miss out on this meaningful activity. At Railay, there are a lot of monkeys, usually in packs of 5 to 20 individuals. They’re all over the islands, on the branches, in the woods, and on the peninsula. It’s not hard for visitors to meet a few monkeys like that. All you have to do is walk around the islands and wait for the lovely monkeys to show up.

If lucky, you might get to meet a whole family of monkeys, with both parents and clever baby monkeys. One thing to keep in mind is that the tourists are asked not to feed monkeys. The reason is that they will get used to it and depend on people, disrupting the natural balance. Feeding the monkeys will put them at risk by animal trafficking groups, or they will be unable to find food for themselves.

Visit the temples

In a typical country like Thailand, temples are indispensable at every tourist destination. At a place famous for islands like Railay, there are multiple temples like that. These are ancient temples with architectural style of traditional Thai culture and huge golden Buddha statues. The temples are often located high up where visitors can fully enjoy the panoramic view of Railay from above. In addition, this is also a good opportunity for visitors to pray for luck and peace. Come to Tiger Cave since it is the most famous temple in this area.

Take in panoramic views of Railay from above at Railay Viewpoint

Unlike limestone mountain climbing at Railay, exploring Railay Viewpoint provides equally enjoyable experiences. To reach places with beautiful views that capture the panorama of this heavenly place, travelers need to go through a long journey, which is not so easy. The distance to conquer Railay Viewpoint consists of long trails through the rainforests and high slopes which are laid with ladders and ropes. Be prepared for the long journey with your best mood and enjoy what you learn during the entire time.

Admire the amazing beauty of the diamond cave

The diamond cave, also called Tham Phra Nang Nai Cave, is a really famous spot at Railay Beach. The name diamond cave describes the shimmering beauty of this stone cave. Tham Phra Nang Nai, which is thousands of years old, has been a shelter for a lot of bats and monkeys. In particular, sparkling stalactites formed on all sides of the cave provide a magnificent image. As a limestone cave having shallow water lagoons, it always has high humidity and cool air, suitable for bathing and swimming. The cost to get into the cave is also very affordable, only around 100 baht per person.

Get enchanted by the fascinating beauty of the lagoon

This is the most incredible lagoon at Railay. The lagoon is famous for its rather dangerous path, and tourists are often discouraged to visit this place. Perhaps that’s why the lagoon creates even more curiosity and stimulation for visitors to come here. Most of all, since it is not affected by too many visitors, the lagoon retains its pristine features with many unique scenes.

To be safe, you should visit the lagoon on sunny days when the weather is dry, so you won’t be afraid of tripping over the rocks. The path down the cave is very steep. There are certain dangers, so be careful in every step and make sure not to release your hands from the supporting ropes. Also, a pair of slip-resistant shoes are necessary for your safety.

Sip a few cocktails at unique bars

While there aren’t as many bars as bustling cities like Bangkok, getting a few alcoholic drinks at Railay has its own flavors. It is the harmony of the favorable beautiful beach by the waters and the friendly, hospitable service of local people. The price of drinks at Railay may be more expensive than on other islands. However, it’s worth it for the beautiful and unique settings, such as the bars with comfy seats on the trees or colorful carpets on the sand for a romantic night.

Learn to cook some Thai food (#railay beach what to do)

For those who love food, learning to cook some Thai food is the best experience. Here, the ingredients are prepared, and you just need to focus on creating your best dishes. In the end, keep the recipes in mind so that you can use them for your family meals in the future. Travelers can also have instructors send the recipes via gmail for reference later.

Relax with Thai massage

Thai massage is one of the most popular and widely known activities, a must-do when traveling to this country. After days exploring the beautiful beach of Railay, treat yourself to a massage for some relaxing moments. Traditional massages, combined with aromatherapy and support tools such as hot stones and rollers, will make your body feeling healthier. You can also choose to take a hot spring bath to relax physically and mentally.

Though it’s not a large beach, Railay owns many beautiful tourist attractions waiting to be discovered. The destination offers not only a wonderful beach with clear turquoise water where you can see corals and small fish, but also rainforests full of wildlife and exciting adventure activities. Remember to highlight your favorite activities above, so you don’t miss out on any of the exciting things to do on this amazing beach.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Railay and Krabi you can refer to

• Longtail Boat Ticket Between Ao Nang and Railay Beach by Wangsai
• Rock Climbing Full or Half Day Experience in Railay
• Rock Climbing Courses at Railay Beach by King Climbers
• Ao Nang Princess One Way Ferry Ticket between Ao Nang and Phuket (with Transfers)
• Ao Nang Princess Ferry Ticket (One Way) between Phuket and Ao Nang (with Transfers)
• Krabi 4 Islands Day Tour by Speedboat or Longtail Boat
• Krabi 4-Islands Day Tour with Snorkeling Activity from Phuket by Big Boat
• Krabi to Phi Phi Day Tour by Speedboat or Speed Catamaran (Operated by TTD)
• Koh Hong Day Tour from Krabi by Speedboat or Longtail Boat
• [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G SIM Card (BKK Airport Pick Up) for Thailand (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand

Are you looking for more Krabi travel guide and top things to do in Krabi: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Krabi Itinerary — 3 days to fully explore the island paradise of Krabi Island, Thailand and the fullest guide to Railay here.