The richly-textured rock faces of the Railay Peninsula draw climbers from around the globe; rock climbing courses cater to all abilities and offer a new perspective of Krabi from above. There’s no road access so its easiest to visit Phranang Beach as part of a 4-island tour.
Take a long-tail boat for a more intimate experience; cover more islands in less time on a speedboat; or opt for a party catamaran cruise. Sunset cruises typically include snorkeling, kayaking, or stand-up paddle boarding in order to catch some sparkling plankton.
Photographers, Instagrammers, and sun-worshippers alike won’t want to miss Phranang Beach.
Phranang Beach is also known as Phra Nang Beach, Hat Tam Phra Nang, Phra Nang Cave Beach, and Hat Phra Nang.
Boats to Phranang Beach are reached by wading through the sea. It’s not a suitable destination for travelers who rely on wheelchairs.
Phranang Beach is on the Railay Peninsula, an outcrop between Ao Nang and Krabi in southern Thailand that’s only accessible by boat. If you’re staying on the peninsula, you can walk from Railay Beach in 15 minutes. Krabi airport, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, has flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Darwin, while Ao Nang pier has ferries from Koh Lanta, the Phi Phi Islands, Phuket, and beyond.
Bioluminescent plankton are most commonly seen on a dark, dry night. Book a night snorkeling tour as close to the new moon as possible. Island-hoppers should note that seas can be rough during the May-October monsoon season.
Although it’s on the mainland, many travelers visit Phranang Beach on a 4-island tour from Krabi or Ao Nang. The four islands are: Poda Island (Koh Poda), home to a long, powder-soft white beach; Chicken Island (Koh Kai or Ko Gai), named for a chicken-shaped rock formation; and the twin islets of Tup Island (Koh Tup or Ko Tub) and Mor Island (Koh Mor or Ko Mo), which are linked by a skinny white sandbar.