Railay is perhaps best known as one of the world’s great rock-climbing destinations, with over 700 routes bolted to dozens of cliffs pegged with crags and caves. Several climbing schools operate on the peninsula, many of them leading boat trips for deep-water soloing, which entails free-climbing a cliff before freefalling into the sea below. Not that we’ve tried it!
While there’s a lot to love about Railay, it’s also one among many of Thailand’s natural gems that have been hastily developed and irresponsibly managed. Your first impression might be one of concrete walls, low-hanging electrical wires and macaques picking through garbage. Though it’s partly overseen by the Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Railay is not exactly pristine.