Railay: a rock climbing paradise

Several climbing schools operate here, mostly based in Ao Nang but some have relocated to Railay itself. Typically, you can take three-day courses (some courses are four-days long with one rest day) or a one day or half-day course.

The courses include equipment and insurance. Top rope climbing, rappelling, bouldering and lead climbing are some of the methods taught. To put it mildly, rock climbing in this area is sensational.

There's a whole climbing fraternity with forums and networking and people come from every corner of the world to scale the weird and wonderful limestone heights of the isthmus.

Phra Nang Beach

Bathing nearby Princess Cave

Carry on through to Phra Nang Beach. To the left is a cave used as a shrine by local fishermen to a mythical princess (Phra Nang means 'princess') and it is filled with lingams or phallic symbols of every shape, size and colour. Read more about Phra Nang Cave...

In the shade next to the swish Rayavadee there are beach vendors selling fresh fruit, snacks and a couple of massage ladies. In the morning this is a deliciously shady spot.

Walk along this 600-metre beach and at the end there is a trail leading up to a cave.

View from the cave on Phra Nang's cliff

For some crazy reason this beach is popular with pairs of single girls! Tour groups also alight here to visit the cave but generally speaking it is a quiet enough spot and troupes of monkeys sometimes come down to the water.

For such a relatively small area Railay and its environs is packed with beauty and interesting things to do.

Read a review of a tour passing by Phra Nang Beach...