What to Do on Phra Nang Beach in Krabi?
Phra Nang Beach is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype. It’s at the southern tip of the Railay Peninsula in Krabi, about 450 meters of white sand squeezed between massive limestone cliffs. The water is that impossible turquoise you see in photos. No roads lead here. I took a longtail boat from Ao Nang, which takes about 15 minutes. You can also walk from Railay East Beach in about 10 minutes along a path through the rocks.
The famous Princess Cave sits at the eastern end of the beach, right under the cliffs. Local fishermen believe an Indian princess died in a shipwreck here, or maybe she was a fisherman’s wife lost at sea. The stories vary. Either way, they leave offerings for good luck. Flowers, incense, and hundreds of carved wooden phalluses in all sizes and colours. It’s one of the strangest spiritual sites I’ve seen in Thailand. There’s always a crowd taking photos. Some respectful, some less so.
Swimming here is great. The water stays calm and shallow because the surrounding islands block the waves. The limestone cliffs throw some natural shade onto the sand, which helps. Two small islands sit just offshore, Koh Rang Nok and Koh Rang Nai. At low tide, you can walk out to them. When the tide is up, it’s a short swim.
Rock climbers come from everywhere for the limestone routes on these cliffs. I’m not a climber, but I’ve watched people scale them. Looks terrifying. There’s also decent snorkelling around the coral, and you can rent kayaks to explore more caves at the western end. Some caves need ropes to access.
The beach gets packed between 11 am and 4 pm when the tour boats arrive. High season runs from November to April, and that’s when it’s worst. I prefer going early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Sunset here is worth the timing. Food boats float right up to the sand, selling pad thai and fried rice. If you want to stay overnight, the only option is Rayavadee Resort, which isn’t cheap.
More Photos of Phra Nang Beach
What to Do on Phra Nang Beach?
Phra Nang Cave
The cave itself isn’t big or deep. What makes it unusual is what’s inside. Fishermen have been leaving wooden phalluses here for generations, hoping for fertility and protection at sea. The collection now numbers in the hundreds. All shapes, all sizes, some painted bright colours. People react differently. Some find it funny, some find it fascinating, some find it uncomfortable. The cave stays busy all day with visitors taking photos and selfies.
Phra Nang Beach Map
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