Hat Railay West

Railay


This beach is a near-flawless white wonder and is the best place in Railay to swim, join an afternoon pick-up football game or watch a fiery sunset. It’s all tasteful midrange and top-end resorts here, but rates can drop by up to 50% in low season. Long-tail boats to/from Ao Nang pick up and drop off here.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Railay attractions

1. Hat Railay East

0.27 MILES

Railay's most developed beach, this shallow, muddy, mangrove-lined bay recedes to mudflats during low tide, gets steamy hot if the breezes aren’t blowing…

2. Hat Tham Phra Nang

0.33 MILES

A genuine candidate for Thailand's most beautiful beach, Hat Tham Phra Nang is on the southwest side of the headland and has a crescent of pale, golden…

3. Viewpoint

0.42 MILES

A steep, rough trail leads to this viewpoint, which offers fine vistas over the peninsula. The trail is halfway along the path linking Hat Railay East to…

4. Tham Phra Nang Nai

0.42 MILES

A wooden boardwalk leads through a series of illuminated caverns full of beautiful limestone formations (and squeaking bats) but, with shifting rain…

5. Tham Phra Nang

0.43 MILES

At the eastern end of Hat Tham Phra Nang is this important shrine for local fisherfolk (Muslim and Buddhist), who make offerings of carved wooden…

6. Sa Phra Nang

0.52 MILES

Halfway along the trail linking Hat Railay East to Hat Tham Phra Nang, a sharp 'path' leads up the jungle-cloaked cliff wall to this hidden lagoon. The…

7. Hat Ton Sai

0.6 MILES

The beach itself isn't spectacular (especially at low tide) but with so much good rock climbing around, most people don't mind. To soak up some rays, take…

8. Shell Cemetery

3.31 MILES

About 8km east of Ao Nang at the eastern end of Ao Nam Mao is the Shell Cemetery: giant slabs formed from millions of tiny 75-million-year-old fossil…