• By: Riyanka
• Aug 06, 2019
• (2) Comments

A Journey To Railay, Krabi: The Discoveries & The Madness, And Everything In Between!

Reaching Railay is an adventure in itself! Unlike most beach destinations, you can’t simply drive up to your hotel. Getting there takes a bit of planning, a few different modes of transport, and a little patience. But trust me, the moment you arrive and see those towering limestone cliffs rising out of the sea, every bit of the journey feels worth it.

How did we reach Railay, Krabi?

It was indeed a pretty long journey! I took a flight from New Delhi to Chennai, where my friend (the one because of whom this trip happened!) joined me. From there, it was another three-hour flight to Bangkok, followed by a never-ending queue for the visa.

By the time we finally got our visa stamps, we realized we’d missed our connecting flight to Krabi. After a lot of running around and a fair bit of hassle, we somehow managed to get two seats on the next flight.

When we finally landed in Krabi, it was already midday. I’d been travelling for over 12 hours, taken three flights, and honestly had no clue what came next. We walked up to the first cab counter outside the airport, paid 300 Baht without much thought, and got into a taxi that agreed to drop us at our resort.

Little did I know that reaching Railay wasn’t going to be as simple as taking a cab. It turned into a journey of its own, involving a taxi, a mini tractor, a long-tail boat, and finally, a 10-minute walk with our luggage in tow. Looking back, it sounds exhausting, but somehow, it only made arriving in Railay feel even more rewarding.

Just when we thought the journey was finally coming to an end, the cab driver stopped in front of a tiny roadside shop, pointed towards it, mentioned the name of our resort, and asked us to get down! Confused, my friend asked, “Where is Sand Sea?” He simply pointed at the shop again, muttered something in Thai that neither of us understood, and drove away!

A cheerful lady from the shop welcomed us with a rather enthusiastic, “Hello, cuties!” We were amused, and a little confused. She then explained that we first needed to buy long-tail boat tickets because our resort was located on Railay Beach, a secluded peninsula that isn’t accessible by road. Until that moment, we had absolutely no idea that we had booked a resort that could only be reached by boat!

After handing us the tickets, she called over a mini tractor and asked us to hop on with our luggage. At first, we couldn’t help but wonder what on earth was happening. But somewhere between the confusion and the laughter, we started enjoying the whole experience. The tractor rattled its way to the pier, where a handful of fellow travellers were already waiting to board the boats to Railay.

Sometimes, we’re so focused on reaching the destination that we forget to enjoy the journey itself. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case for us. The moment we stepped onto the long-tail boat, it felt as though the doors to an entirely new world had opened before us.

As the boat glided through the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, we couldn’t take our eyes off the dramatic limestone cliffs rising straight out of the sea, draped in lush tropical forests. Every passing minute revealed another breathtaking view, and before we knew it, we had arrived in Railay.

The boat dropped us near Railay East, from where we walked through a narrow pathway that cut across the peninsula to reach Railay West, home to our resort. The walk itself was beautiful, but nothing prepared us for our first glimpse of Sand Sea Resort.

The moment we stepped onto the property, all the exhaustion from the previous 12 hours simply disappeared. The infinity pool overlooked towering limestone cliffs, soft golden sand, and the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. It was one of those rare moments when reality looked even better than the pictures. We were like little kids, eager to drop our bags and run straight to the beach!

Looking back, choosing to stay in Railay instead of mainland Krabi was one of the best decisions we made. Far removed from the crowds, surrounded by nature, and accessible only by boat, it felt like a hidden slice of paradise. It’s easy to see why Railay is often counted among the world’s most beautiful beaches.

What did we do in Railay in just 24 hours?

With just a day in Railay, we wanted to make the most of every moment. From lazy hours by the beach and swimming in the Andaman Sea to exploring the lively night market and feasting on fresh seafood, here’s how we spent our 24 hours in this tropical paradise.

If you’re planning a trip to Krabi, I’d definitely recommend staying at Sand Sea Resort. This beautiful beachfront property offers spacious bungalows and poolside cottages, two large swimming pools (one overlooking the Andaman Sea and the other framed by dramatic limestone cliffs), a spa, and everything you need for a relaxing getaway.

One of the biggest highlights of staying here is the beach itself. Since it’s shared only by the resort and two neighbouring properties, it never feels overcrowded. The peaceful atmosphere makes it the perfect place to simply slow down and soak in the beauty of Railay.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a kayak and paddle across the calm waters to explore nearby caves and hidden corners of the peninsula. We saw plenty of travellers doing just that, but honestly, we were more than happy lounging on the beach, taking refreshing dips in the sea, and treating ourselves to some incredibly fresh seafood.

After spending hours splashing around in the sea and relaxing by the pool, we headed back to our room to freshen up before making our way to the beach again for sunset. Watching the sky change colours behind the towering limestone cliffs was the perfect way to end the day.

Just a two-minute walk from the resort is Railay’s lively little night market. A narrow lane lined with souvenir shops, clothing stalls, cafés, and food vendors, it may not be very large, but it has a charm that’s hard to miss.

My friend, being the shopaholic that she is, was tempted by almost every colourful bag, dress, and trinket on display. If you’re planning to shop here, be prepared to bargain, as the initial prices can be quite steep.

I, on the other hand, was far more interested in the food. The market was buzzing with stalls displaying freshly caught seafood that could be cooked exactly the way you wanted. We also spotted a few cooking classes for travellers who wanted to learn how to make Thai favourites like Tom Yum Soup or Pad Thai.

By the time we returned to our room, we were completely exhausted. Between the long journey, hours spent on the beach, and an evening exploring the market, we had packed quite a lot into our first day. We drifted off to sleep knowing that the adventure would continue the next morning.

The next morning, we woke up a little early to explore the resort before breakfast. Sand Sea Resort is quite expansive, with beautifully landscaped gardens, charming pathways, and towering limestone cliffs surrounding the property. As we walked along the cobbled paths, accompanied by the cheerful chirping of birds, the place felt wonderfully calm. After the long journey the previous day, it was exactly the kind of slow morning we needed before the adventures ahead.

Breakfast was served overlooking the sea, and it couldn’t have been a more perfect setting. We filled our plates with everything that caught our eye from the lavish buffet and found a table facing the turquoise waters. Over cups of coffee and a hearty meal, we found ourselves talking about life, friendship, and how fortunate we were to be exploring places like this, where nature reveals itself in the most spectacular ways.

The morning low tide had transformed the landscape. The sea had retreated far into the horizon, exposing wide stretches of sand and making the towering limestone cliffs appear even more dramatic. We took one last leisurely walk along the beach, soaking in the peaceful surroundings and trying to hold on to every moment.

Soon, it was time to bid goodbye to Railay! We boarded another speedboat, this time bound for Koh Phi Phi, wondering how an entire day in paradise had slipped by so quickly. Some places leave you with photographs, while others leave you with memories that stay long after you’ve left. Railay was undoubtedly one of them.

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