We spent 6 months traveling around Thailand, and visiting the Railay Peninsula was one of our favorite things to do in Krabi. The reason is Railay’s adventurous activities, such as rock climbing and climbing the fantastic viewpoints – Bat Cave Railay Viewpoint being one of them!
So here is our experience and everything you need to know before visiting Bat Cave Viewpoint, the most stunning viewpoint in Railay.
Important: Many people forget to visit the other, higher viewpoint in Railay’s Bat Cave, so here is our complete guide on how to do it properly!
About Bat Cave Railay Viewpoint
Visiting the Bat Cave Viewpoint is definitely one of the top things to do in Railay. However, it is still somewhat of a hidden gem, as not many people decide to visit.
Bat Cave in Railay offers two absolutely amazing viewpoints, one of Phra Nang Beach and one of Railay West Beach.
Many visitors stop after seeing the Phra Nang Beach viewpoint (which is absolutely stunning) right at the cave’s entrance, but we highly encourage you to continue inside the cave to reach the second viewpoint. Yes, there is another viewpoint in Bat Cave!
Continue reading, and we’ll show you how!
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATION
P.S. Bat Cave in Railay is also an incredible rock climbing spot. Check out this awesome tour that can take you there.
How to get to Railay’s Bat Cave
The entrance to the Bat Cave Viewpoint is located on Phra Nang Beach in Railay. No roads connect the Railay Peninsula with the rest of Krabi, so the best way to do that is to get on a longtail boat from Ao Nang Beach Krabi.
- Here is our detailed guide on how to reach Railay Beach from anywhere in Krabi and other areas.
Once you’re in Railay, you have to get to the path connecting East Railay Bay Beach with Phra Nang Beach. On this short walk, you’ll also pass the start of the trail to East Railay Viewpoint, another awesome viewpoint in Railay Krabi.
Once you get to Phra Nang Beach, just continue walking on the beach until you reach the very end of the beach. See the exact location here.
The entrance to the Bat Cave is clearly sing-posted, so you can’t miss it.
Directions to Railay’s Bat Cave
After you get to the end of Phra Nang Beach, you have to walk through a cleared mangrove path that transitions to a forest area. Then, follow the forward path up a slight 45-degree incline with a rope to help you out. There should be a sign indicating the location right before this. From here, find the ladders that take you into the cave.
- Exploring North Thailand next? Read our Chiang Mai Travel Guide!
IMPORTANT
Don’t try to access Bat Cave from Railay West Beach. That side has a vertical wall and is very challenging without proper equipment. Today, that route is used only by rock climbers as it’s not safe otherwise.
TRAVEL RESOURCES
BEST RAILAY EXPERIENCES
WHERE TO STAY
$$$ Railay Bay Resort and Spa – tropical-style cottages, beachfront pools, and a massage service at the spa.
$$ Railay Phutawan Resort – well-equipped rooms and a stunning sea view from the bar and pool.
$ Railay Garden View Resort – rustic stay in its hillside bungalows
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Bat Cave hike details
Visiting Bat Cave in Railay requires a short and relatively easy hike.
To get to the first viewpoint in Bat Cave, the viewpoint of Phra Nang Beach and Ko Rang Nok Island, it takes just 5 minutes from the entrance of the cave.
The second viewpoint in Bat Cave, the viewpoint of Railay West Beach Beach and Tonsai Bay, takes around 10-15 minutes. The way to get there is not hard, but it goes through a dark cave and even requires climbing multiple bamboo ladders.
You’ll need about an hour to explore the cave slowly and take photos from both viewpoints. If you’re visiting just the first viewpoint, count on spending a maximum of 30 minutes there.
We really liked it here, so we spent about an hour and a half there. There were only a few people going in and out during our visit, so we enjoyed the peace.
TRAVEL TIP
While we believe you don’t need a guide to visit Bat Cave, if you’re not confident in your skills, you can book this tour with a guide who takes you to Railay Viewpoint AND Bat Cave viewpoint on the same day.
Our experience climbing Bat Cave Viewpoint
We absolutely loved exploring Bat Cave at Phra Nang Beach in Railay! First, we went directly to the higher viewpoint, the one of Railay West and Tonsai Beach, as we thought that was the main viewpoint. We didn’t realize many people actually skip this one, which is a shame!
We highly recommend climbing to the second viewpoint of Railay’s Bat Cave, as it offers the best view of Railay West Beach. It’s not that hard to climb it, but you need a flashlight.
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However, we have to admit that the view of Phra Nang Beach is more picturesque due to the cave offering a great frame for photos and a cool rock where you can sit.
Although the weather was cloudy during our visit, it was still absolutely beautiful. The color of the water here is unreal, and we can only imagine how good it looks on a clear and sunny day!
Either way, we loved the adventurous cave exploration with pitch-dark “rooms” of the cave and multiple steep bamboo ladders that took us to the other parts of the cave. If you like adventure, Bat Cave Viewpoint is the best place to visit in Railay Krabi in that case.
We even saw some bats inside the cave. I mean, it is a Bat Cave for a reason. 😀
Need more Thailand 🇹🇭 inspiration?
North Thailand: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Pai
Central Thailand: Bangkok – Floating Markets – Dragon Temple
South Thailand: Phuket – Phi Phi Islands – Krabi
Gulf of Thailand: Koh Samui – Koh Tao – Koh Phangan
Tips for visiting Bat Cave at Phra Nang Beach
Here are some tips to make your visit to the Bat Cave at Phra Nang Beach more enjoyable:
Take a flashlight (headlamp if possible) – You absolutely need a flashlight if you’re going further inside the cave to the Railay West Viewpoint (which you should!). It’s completely dark inside, and you need to climb multiple bamboo ladders in the dark. While the phone light will do just fine, it’s a bit easier if you have a headlamp.
Wear comfortable shoes – The trail to Bat Cave is uneven, and rocks can be slippery if it rains. Also, if you plan to visit the higher viewpoint of Railay West, we definitely recommend closed-toe shoes or sandals, not flip-flops. It’s safer.
Be careful after rain – We can’t stress this one enough. The rocks do get slippery, so take it slow and easy. You don’t want to slip.
Check tides – Like beaches in the rest of Krabi and on islands like Koh Phangan, Railay beaches are also affected by tides. There might be much less water during low tide, so if you want perfect conditions, check tidal charts before visiting.
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Is it worth visiting Railay Bat Cave?
Yes, it is absolutely worth visiting Railay’s Bat Cave, which offers the best view of Phra Nang Beach from one side and the best view of Railay West Beach from the other!
Best time to visit Bat Cave Viewpoint
You can visit the cave and viewpoints all year round, but the best time to visit Railay Bat Cave Viewpoint is during the dry season (November to April) and high tide when the beaches are full of water and look their best.
We visited Railay’s Bat Cave on a cloudy day at the end of May, and it looked amazing. Now imagine how stunning the water would look on a sunny day!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bat Cave is located in Railay Krabi with the entrance at Phra Nang Beach.
The hike to the Bat Cave and its viewpoints in Railay is not hard, but it includes multiple bamboo ladders and a dark cave without any light.
Yes, the Bat Cave in Railay is free to visit.
Recommended Experiences
Where to stay in Railay?
The best areas to stay in Krabi are Ao Nang or Railay Beach. To secure the best deals, we recommend booking in advance.
Our recommended hotels in Railay Krabi:
$$$ Railay Bay Resort and Spa – tropical-style cottages, beachfront pools, and a massage service at the spa.
$$ Railay Phutawan Resort – well-equipped rooms and a stunning sea view from the bar and pool.
$ Railay Garden View Resort – rustic stay in its hillside bungalows
Read our complete Where To Stay in Krabi guide to help you decide which area is the best choice for you, plus recommendations of the best hotels.
Thank you for reading our Guide on visiting Railay’s Bat Cave at Phra Nang Beach in Krabi. We hope we helped you plan your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
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