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Beach in Krabi province, Thailand
Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Rai Leh (อ่าวไร่เล), also commonly known as Railay or Rai Re, is a tourist area on the Andaman Coast of Thailand, in Krabi Province. Rai Leh is primarily known as a rock climbing hot spot, attracting climbers from all over the world to its superb towering limestone.
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The climb to the top takes about 20-25 minutes and to the viewpoint another 10 minutes. From the top of the trail, there is another path that leads down towards the jungle for about 20-25 minutes to the lagoon. The path to the lagoon is steep, rocky, and dangerous. Some have carried climbing gear to reach the lagoon. There are hand ropes along the steeper parts of the path, but note that if you are not in decent shape, wearing only sandals, or carrying a heavy pack, the trip is not advisable. Monkeys may be encountered in the forest here. They can be approached cautiously, but feeding or petting them is not a good idea. Watch your belongings, as they can quickly snatch glasses, wallets, or food from you.
Diamond Cave
An interesting place to explore and one of the few strictly sightseeing destinations at Rai Leh. A nominal entrance fee pays for a short walk along the lit boardwalk through formations that glitter as if they were full of diamonds. Though not breathtakingly large (and thus easily viewed in about fifteen minutes) it is quite beautiful. The cave is a common stop for day trips from Phuket and Ao Nang.
Dedicated to the spirit of the drowned princess (phra nang) who gave the beach her name, this small shrine in a small cave is notable primarily for the dozens of carved red-tipped phalluses donated by fishermen seeking her favour.
Real Rocks Railay is a small rock climbing company.
Au naturel or otherwise, are sensational on dark nights, when the brilliant-blue bioluminescence in the water lights up disturbed water like a neon-lit Christmas tree. To best appreciate this amazing phenomenon, bring a pair of goggles along and swim underwater for a while: the bioluminescence will wreath your body in a million tiny blue lights.
Decent food, good spot for breakfast or lunch. Monopoly on "casual" food in Rai Leh West means pretty high prices. Includes a coffee station and sister ice-cream parlour across the way, stocked with good Buds of San Francisco ice-cream. Staff need a little encouragement to bring the bill.
May have an actual name but they don't advertise it. While sitting next to the trees and cliff face is nice, beware of the large black mosquitoes swarming from the nearby stream.
Expensive, but not extortionate meals that vary from edible to good. Not the best food but wide variety. Friendly but slow service if busy, which it often is. Right on the beach front so very scenic most of the time but bad weather can be a problem. Rooms becoming dated.
Pretty poor Indian food, not very expensive but not big enough servings to call it value either. Try elsewhere. One unique feature is that a meal includes access to a fairly dodgy-looking practice climbing wall with old mattresses under it, half way up the stairs.
Amazing Thai-style structure, offering a spectacular view of the sea, and the rocks from above during daylight hours. During night maybe the only place where you can enjoy your meal without the hustle and bustle of the beach front. Well-worth a visit. Popular spot for the macaque monkeys to hang around.
Hidden away in the trees beyond Walking St, serving Indian and international food. Screens movies after dark and advertises a Wii available to play then too. While setting next to the trees and cliff face is nice, beware of the large black mosquitoes swarming from the nearby stream.
Yum Yum
Good, cheap Thai food, half the price of nearby classier establishments but with arguably better food. Curries are recommended. Free Wi-Fi.
The place to catch the sunset. A very comfortable bar, right in the middle of the beach. This, the only bar on West Rai Leh is always a quiet one and has to be a candidate for being Southeast Asia's best beach bar. After sunset West Rai Leh beach starts to empty and by midnight is usually almost completely deserted, except for the occasional party of illicit skinny-dippers, enjoying a dip au naturel at the northern end of the beach, where there are no resorts and so no people around.
The bar is on the beachfront and is lined with stools and shaded by the nearby palm trees. As it is the largest bar on Rai Leh West, it usually fills up quite quickly prior to sunset.
A fun, relaxed place to have a cocktail or two. It features a small deck where you sit on mats overlooking the shore.
It's the closest thing to a dance club Rai Leh has to offer. With nightly shows, and plenty of travellers, it's the place to spend the night if you plan on having a few Chang beers.
The cheapest accommodation on Rai Leh is a collection of bamboo bungalows. Prices can be as low as 100 baht in the low season, Jul-Aug, reaching 700 baht in high season. The savings do come with a price. Expect a 10- to 15-minute uphill walk from the beach.
Formerly Railay Highland Resort
Offers a complete set of basic room amenities, i.e., fan, air conditioner, shower, bath.
Anyawee
Three room types, swimming pool, daily breakfast.
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With steps from near the beach leading up to well-maintained gardens with a pool, surrounded by a variety of concrete bungalows, several of them in the jungle marking the edge of town.
Tucked away on its own away from the hustle and bustle. Gorgeous views with very well designed cottages with a mix of traditional and modern design. Free Wi-Fi throughout resort. Restaurant and mini-mart onsite. Restaurant does not serve alcohol. Room rate includes buffet breakfast (reasonably good variety and quality). Very steep incline up into the resort so not for aged, infirm, or tipsy!
Daily breakfast and swimming pool in the valley of high limestone mountain. Slightly cheaper sister of Railay Bay Resort & Spa hotel.
Resort set in beautiful natural surroundings boasting unbeatable views of Rai Leh Beach and the hanging limestone crags beyond. Over the mountain through the natural forest, then back down to West Beach for the 30 minute sunset to the sandy white beaches of Rai Leh.
Collection of concrete bungalows, each with private bath and fan or air con, set back off the beach in a garden setting.
60 rooms. Curiously up-market considering its setting on less obviously impressive Rai Leh East. Restaurant rarely busy, but beautiful design.
Straddling the whole of Rai Leh peninsula's narrowest point, very nice cottages.
Rents private houses which vary in size and quality. Some units have air conditioning in the bedrooms or hot water, but include minimal daily maid service.
The only resort on Phra Nang Beach, with a jaw-dropping gorgeous view and prices to match. You'll be looking at upwards of 20,000 baht/night for a stay here. However, after mid-morning the gorgeous public Phra Nang Beach is quite popular and so the room rates do not guarantee the sort of privacy you'd expect. The interior is private and beautiful (supposedly, but who knows?) Non-guests are reminded with frequent signs not to enter).
A collection of concrete bungalows, private baths, choice of fan or air-con and quietly set back off the beach among a garden setting. Although the included breakfast buffet is nothing special, the rooms have marginally nicer décor, and has a nice swimming pool (which attracts a more family-oriented clientèle).
As Rai Leh is on the tip of a peninsula surrounded by ocean and blocked by Khao Nang Mountain, access is only by boat.
Read in the guideIt's a 5-10 minute walk between any of the landmarks, except for Ton Sai, which is a longer hike through the jungle.
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Krabi · International · KBV
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