Krabi/Phra Nang Peninsula (Railey Beach)

Warning Stainless-steel bolts are suspect near the coast. A rebolting effort is underway. MORE INFO >>> You can read about the warning here. There is extensive rebolting being done to replace suspect bolts with titanium glue-ins. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

BETA PHOTO: Map of Railay peninsula

Description 

This area is new for Mountain Project, and is just getting started. Feel free to contribute!

Protection may vary from what you read in the guidebooks or here on this site as routes get retrobolted and threads/slings are added or subtracted from a route.

Located in the Southern Province of Krabi, the peninsula of Phra Nang/Railay Beach is isolated from the mainland by the very cliffs we climb/play on, accessible only by boat from Ao Nang, Ao Nam Mao or Krabi Town. Once you're there, you will find yourself surrounded by the beautiful Andaman Sea, lush jungle, and fantastic limestone cliffs. It has plenty of activities for the average tourists (sun, sand, sea, cuisine, massages, kayaking, diving) but let's admit it: we're here to climb, play and chill out in an exotic tropical paradise.

The Peninsula is actually divided into distinct areas: West Railay, East Railay, Tonsai Bay and Phra Nang Beach (see photo map). The routes are all bolted sport-climbing routes. The French grading system is used.

It's probably the most popular place in Krabi to spend Christmas and New Year, with the limited number of rooms filling up around six months in advance.

ATMs located in Bobo's Market and along the path through the resorts to Railay East near a mini-mart, another is located on the East beach in front of the Viewpoint Resort. There is an ATM on Tonsai Beach. There are several mini-marts and a couple of internet cafes. There are no cars or roads in Railay, which also gives the place a relaxed feel. All the climbing areas are a short walk away.

Guide books:

• Sam Lightner Jr's Thailand: a climbing guide (100% of the profits from sales of Sam's guidebook goes toward the rebolting effort)

• Wee Changrua and Elke Schmitz Climbing in Thailand

• King climbers Route guide book

Getting There 

Bus, train or plane.

By Plane: most travelers can fly directly into Krabi Airport or Phuket Airport. A short 1-hr taxi ride from Krabi or 2-hr taxi from Phuket to Ao Nang beach or Ao Nam Mao followed by a 15-minute long-tailed boat ride to either Railay West/Tonsai Beach from Ao Nang or a 15-minute long-tailed boat from Ao Nam Mao if staying at Railay East.

By Train: Overnight train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, then you must take a bus (or taxi) to Krabi which takes around 2-3 hours.

By Bus: (not recommended) cheapest way to travel, but you get what you pay for. From Gov't buses and travel agency Death Coaches you have several options, just be choosey.

Accomodations 

Please check under the individual areas.

• West Railay

• East Railay

• Tonsai Bay

• Phra Nang Beach

Guide Services 

• Cliffsman Climbing

• King Climbers

• Tex Rock Climbing

• Wee's Rock Climbing School

• Hot Rocks

• Krabi Rock Climbing

Diving 

• Phra Nang Divers

• Reef Watch Worldwide

• Sea Fa Diving Center

• Aqua-vision

• Hydra-divers

Other Resources 

• Business directory

• Andaman Camp and Cruise

• Ao Nang

Things to do 

• Krabi Thai Cookery school

• Wat Sai Thai

• Wat Tham Suea

The Classics

Featured Route For Krabi/Phra Nang Peninsula (Railey Beach)

Tidal Wave 5.12b/c  International : Thailand : ... : Tonsai Wall (by the Freedom...

Step off of the Freedom Bar porch and head slightly right (facing the wall) past the group of huge stalactites to a spot in the wall with a very steep series of bulges separated by horizontals and groups of pockets. Start at a left-facing "flake" of stone and head up and consistently left to a set of anchors.Most super-steep routes at this grade in the area are all about the pump factor and don't really have any hard moves. I jumped on this route...[more]   Browse More Classics in International

Photos of Krabi/Phra Nang Peninsula (Railey Beach) Slideshow

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West Railay beach with long-tail boats	View of the bay from top of some route on Fire Wal...	orange chandeliers, ao nang thailand
This is Kay bouldering at some random island a few...	There are so many stellar climbs in Tonsai. Howev...	Beautiful Railey sunset.
Taiwan wall	sun set at 123 wall	Leslie Allred smokes it on the Thaiwand.
Hanging out over Railey	clay allred deep water solo