Is Railay Beach worth visiting?
Yes, Railay Beach is worth visiting for a number of reasons. This is a beach area that everyone should explore, and we loved our time here. We first visited in 2011 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with the beach and laid back atmosphere.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this beach area has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the fantastic resorts and spectacular scuba diving & snorkeling.
Railay Beach is a small peninsula that is accessible only by boat. It is a popular destination for adventure sports enthusiasts because it has world class rock climbing. The surrounding limestone cliffs offer both spectacular beauty and a great playground for rock climbers.
Longtails in Railay Bay
6 Reasons to Visit Railay Beach
1. Resorts
You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.
2. Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.
3. Beaches
The beaches are famous for their dramatic limestone cliffs. There are three areas: Railay Beach West is scenic with its surrounding cliffs and popular resorts. This is the place to swim or watch the sunset. Railay Beach East is most popular for its rock climbing. You should also check out Phra Nang Cave Beach, which is the location of Phra Nang Cave.
4. Food
You'll find a number of tourist oriented restaurants. Many are affiliated with hotels and resorts and serve the standard Thai options along with pizza and burgers.
5. Nightlife
It's a secluded area with a decent number of laid back bars that are usually associated with hotels or resorts. There's also a young crowd, including backpackers, who come for the beautiful setting and great rock climbing. This population insures that there's always something going on at night.
6. The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Railay Beach might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Railay Beach here or see if Railay Beach is expensive here.
Is Railay Beach worth visiting in the Summer?
This is the low season for travel in Railay Beach. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 28°C (82°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable beach area, especially in the nice weather. Beach resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Railay Beach looking for a relaxing vacation, so these resorts have plenty of nice amenities. One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches, the resorts, and the nightlife scene. Also, you can take in the beautiful scenery.
Summer Weather in Railay Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
Is Railay Beach worth visiting in the Autumn?
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 27°C (81°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Railay Beach, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. Beach resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Railay Beach looking for a relaxing vacation, so these resorts have plenty of nice amenities. One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, relax at the beach, and enjoy the amenities of a resort.
Autumn Weather in Railay Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| December | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Is Railay Beach worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the high season for travel in Railay Beach, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 28°C (82°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. Beach resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Railay Beach looking for a relaxing vacation, so these resorts have plenty of nice amenities. One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to sample the delicious cuisine, enjoy the evening activities, and lounge on the beach. Also, you'll be able to relax at a luxurious resort and take in the beautiful scenery.
Winter Weather in Railay Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| February | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Is Railay Beach worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Railay Beach. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 29°C (84°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. Beach resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Railay Beach looking for a relaxing vacation, so these resorts have plenty of nice amenities. During this season it's fun to experience the beautiful scenery, the nightlife, and the beaches. Also, you can experience the resorts.
Spring Weather in Railay Beach
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Railay Beach
Museums
Railay Beach isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. This is an adventure sport destination that is popular for rock climbing and its scenic beauty. Therefore, there are no real museums or temples in the area.
Shopping: Railay Beach isn't exactly a shopper's destination. The Walking Street has shops that sell bathing suits or anything you may have forgotten.
Related
What is Railay Beach most famous for?
Railay Beach is most famous for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. The beach area is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. It is also known for its great food and nightlife. It is often described as adventurous, dramatic, spectacular, and fun-filled.
What is the most famous sight in Railay Beach?
The most popular sight in Railay Beach is Phra Nang Cave. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Railay Beach on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Phra Nang Cave and other attractions here.
How touristy is Railay Beach? Is it a popular beach area to visit?
Railay Beach is a popular beach area for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
How long should I spend in Railay Beach?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Railay Beach is two to four days. Since Railay Beach has activities such as resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, many visit for up to four days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Railay Beach?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Railay Beach?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Railay Beach?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Railay Beach.
What makes Railay Beach a budget-friendly destination? Or not?
My hotel here was amazing, it had a gorgeous pool and cute little bungalows right on the beach. I don't think it was the cheapest place here but it was so much cheaper than anything I would find near home. The food wasn't as cheap as other places around Thailand but I guess that's normal for a touristy place like this. If you go back a bit from the beach past the rock climbing outfitters you can find a row of cheaper restaurants that are not part of the resorts. We had some good meals here that were also pretty cheap.
We found some cheaper places to stay a bit back from the beach. There are some kindof hostel like places around. The restaurants on the main path along with some of the shops had some cheap food, and we found that it was really good. But if you stayed at one of the resort like places by the beach then it could get a lot pricier.
What was your favorite thing about Railay Beach?
Wow the stunning beauty of the cliffs and the gorgeous blue water was just amazing. We just relaxed on the beach and stared at the scenery for awhile before hiking to the lagoon. Snorkeling was really cool too!
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