We spent 6 months traveling around Thailand and visiting the Railay Peninsula, and its beautiful Phra Nang Beach was one of our favorite things to do in Krabi.
We think Phra Nang Beach is one of the best beaches in Krabi, and we loved our time there. Even though we visited on a slightly cloudy and moody day, it was still incredible. Plus, there are lots of things to do there.
We even prefer it to the more famous Railay Beach, although we must admit that it can be a bit more picturesque.
So here is our experience and everything you need to know before visiting Phra Nang Beach in Railay Krabi.
About Phra Nang Beach
Phra Nang Beach (Ao Phra Nang) is a stunning and picturesque beach located on the Railay Peninsula in Krabi, Thailand. It is known for its crystal-clear waters, soft white sand, and towering limestone cliffs, which make it a truly breathtaking setting.
For us, Phra Nang Beach is undoubtedly the best beach in Railay and one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. We dare to say that it’s a better choice for relaxing and swimming than Railay Beach.
However, there are more cool things to do at Phra Nang Beach than just enjoying the beach itself. 😁
TRAVEL RESOURCES
BEST RAILAY EXPERIENCES
- Snorkeling and Sunset Cruise (with bioluminescent night snorkel) MUST DO! 💫
- Half-Day Rock Climbing
- Iconic Maya Bay, Phi Phi & Four Islands Trip
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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How to get to Phra Nang Beach
Phra Nang Beach is located on the Railay Peninsula and has no road connections to the rest of Krabi. That means you’ll need to come here by boat.
You can easily get here independently by taking a longtail boat (water taxi) or joining one of the organized boat trips that take you to the nearby islands but also stop at Phra Nang Beach. That is a great option if you’re short on time!
By longtail boat
The best way to get to Phra Nang Beach in Railay is by a longtail boat from Ao Nang Beach in Krabi. In some cases (depending on the sea conditions), you might be taken directly to Phra Nang Beach instead of getting dropped off at the main Railay beach.
The one-way ticket to Phra Nang Beach costs 100 THB (less than 3 USD) per person and from 6 p.m., 150 THB.
This is a shared boat, so you’ll likely need to wait until there are 8 passengers. However, that usually isn’t that long as visiting Railay and Phra Nang Beach is a top thing to do in Krabi.
- Here is our detailed guide on how to reach Railay Beach from anywhere in Krabi and other areas.
As a stop on a boat trip
If you want to maximize your time, join this boat trip, which takes you to the famous Four Islands and also stops at Phra Nang Beach, all in one day!
It’s also possible to visit Phra Nang Beach as a part of a rock-climbing tour, and that’s what we did the first time. We booked an early tour, so after, we stayed chilling on the beach.
- Read all about our experience in our Railay Rock Climbing Review and Guide
Things to do at Phra Nang Beach
Phra Nang Beach is our favorite part of the Railay Peninsula, and there’s plenty to do there beyond just chilling and swimming at the beach.
Here is our list of the best things to do in Phra Nang Beach.
1. Enjoy the beach
Phra Nang Cave Beach is a stunning stretch of white sand framed by dramatic limestone cliffs. From here, you can enjoy beautiful views of small islands in the distance.
The water at Phra Nang Beach is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and we enjoyed it even during shoulder season.
Our favorite part of Phra Nang Beach is towards the end of the beach, just across Ko Rang Nok island and before the Bat Cave trail.
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2. See Phra Nang Princess Cave
Right at the beginning of Phra Nang Beach is a unique cave called Phra Nang Princess Cave (Tham Phra Nang Nok). It is a sacred place for local fishermen who believe a mystical Princess Goddess resides here, so you’ll see offerings, including phallic symbols and lots of penis carvings, to bring fertility and prosperity.
Phra Nang Beach is also called Phra Nang Cave Beach, as it is named after the Princess Cave.
The cave is very small, and besides unique offerings, there’s nothing else to see, so it’s a quick visit.
Right next to Phra Nang Princess Cave is also one of the best rock climbing walls in Krabi. It’s where we went rock climbing for the first time. Such a cool location.
3. Rock climbing
Phra Nang Beach in Railay is a famous spot for rock climbing. The stunning views of the turquoise waters and lush greenery make the climbing even more enjoyable. We can personally confirm that, as we did our first rock climbing ever right here at Phra Nang Beach in Railay!
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced climber, rock climbing is one of the best activities to do at Phra Nang Beach.
We joined this rock climbing tour and can highly recommend it! We had a blast!
With experienced guides and top-notch equipment available, you can feel safe and confident to tackle different challenging routes.
4. Unique dining at The Grotto restaurant
When visiting Phra Nang Beach, you might want to splurge by visiting the famous restaurant The Grotto @ Rayavadee for a unique dining experience.
This restaurant overlooks Phra Nang Beach and offers stunning views of the area’s crystal-clear waters and limestone cliffs. The food served includes a variety of fresh seafood dishes, traditional Thai cuisine, and international food.
Tip: If this famous grotto dining restaurant is high on your bucket list, we recommend booking Rayavadee Resort, as hotel guests have priority for dining in.
Best Luxury Hotel in Krabi
Hidden 5-star resort with two-story pavilions, luxurious villas with private pools, four restaurants, and an activities center.
5. Swim or paddle to Ko Rang Nok Island
Ko Rang Nok Island is just off the shore of the beautiful Phra Nang Beach. If you like an active vacation, you may swim, kayak, or walk (at low tide) to get there and then relax on its pristine beach or swim in its clear waters.
You can rent kayaks on Phra Nang Beach for about 200-300 THB (5.5-8 USD) per hour.
Ko Rang Nok Island also makes for a beautiful background for photos. This was our favorite part of Phra Nang Beach in Krabi.
Did you know? We spent 6 months in Thailand and wrote over 50 Thailand travel guides to help you plan your trip! ❤️ And we keep adding new ones!
6. Bat Cave and West Railay Viewpoint
Our favorite place on the Phra Nang Beach is the Bat Cave. It is still somewhat of a hidden gem in Railay, as not many people decide to visit.
Bat Cave on Phra Nang Beach in Railay offers two absolutely amazing viewpoints, one of Phra Nang Beach and one of Railay West Beach.
Besides enjoying the viewpoints, we also loved the way to get there, going through a cave and climbing bamboo ladders in dark cave chambers. Read more about it in our dedicated guide.
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The Bat Cave at Phra Nang Beach is also an incredible rock climbing spot. Check out this tour that takes you there.
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7. Find Dusky Leaf Monkeys
Phra Nang Beach is also a spot in Krabi where you can spot beautiful Dusky Leaf Monkeys. We saw lots of them jumping around the trees, even the small babies.
The best time to spot the Dusky Leaf Monkeys at Phra Nang Beach is either early morning or late afternoon (which was our case).
Important: Don’t feed the monkeys!
Recommended Experiences
Tips for visiting Phra Nang Beach
Here are some tips to make your visit to Phra Nang Beach more enjoyable:
Phra Nang Beach can be very busy. – Unless you visit during shoulder season or very early in the morning, expect it to be crowded. It is one of the top places to see in Krabi, and many daily boat tours from Krabi stop here as well.
Stay overnight or come early – We highly recommend booking a stay in Railay so you can stay overnight. In that case, you’ll have early mornings and evenings without crowds of people. Plus, Railay is a great place to base yourself in Krabi. Read all about staying overnight and find the best hotels in our Railay accommodation guide.
Tides matter. – As with almost anywhere in Krabi, there is very little beach available during the high tide. During the low tide, however, your time at Phra Nang Beach will be more enjoyable as there will be more space.
Don’t feed the monkeys or any wildlife – Please remember this one! And not just in Phra Nang Beach but anywhere in Thailand.
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Where to stay in Phra Nang Beach?
If you want to be close to Phra Nang Beach, you should book at Krabi’s Railay Peninsula.
For the ultimate luxury, we recommend Rayavadee on Phra Nang Beach, a hidden 5-star resort with two-story pavilions, luxurious villas with private pools, four restaurants, and an activities center.
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
TRAVEL TIP
To secure the best deals, we recommend booking in advance. The best hotels in Railay get sold out fast, especially during high season.
Read our complete Where To Stay in Krabi guide to help you decide which area is best for you, plus recommendations of the best hotels.
Other attractions nearby
Phra Nang Beach offers cool things to do and see, but there are also other parts of Railay that you should explore if you have time.
You should climb the awesome Railay East Viewpoint, enjoy some food or drink at Railay Walking Street, and check out Railay Beach.
- Check out the complete list of things to do in Railay in our travel guide.
Is it worth visiting Phra Nang Beach in Railay?
Phra Nang Beach in Railay is definitely worth a visit if you’re seeking a stunning tropical paradise. We would even dare to say it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. Its picturesque setting is perfect for relaxation and exploration. You just have to take into account that it’s unlikely that you’ll be there alone.
However, if you’re in Krabi and are looking to sunbathe on the soft sands, swim in the refreshing waters, or explore the surrounding caves and cliffs, Phra Nang Beach will deliver!
Frequently Asked Questions
To get to Phra Nang Beach, you need to take a longtail boat, which costs 100 THB one-way, from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao Pier to Railay Beach Peninsula. The boat ride is 10-15 minutes long. Alternatively, join a boat trip that also visits Phra Nang Beach.
Yes, there is a path connecting Railay Beach to Phra Nang Beach, so you can easily walk from one beach to another.
Phra Nang Beach is a perfect swimming beach. It gets deep pretty fast, which makes it one of the best beaches for swimming in Krabi.
Yes, Phra Nang Beach in Railay is free to visit.
Thank you for reading our Guide to Phra Nang Beach in Railay 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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