Princess Cave
Eastern end of the beach
A cave shrine to Phra Nang, filled with carved wooden offerings left by fishermen for luck and safe seas.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Krabi, Thailand
Phra Nang Cave Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand: white sand, turquoise water and cliffs hung with stalactites, at the tip of the Railay peninsula.
Favourite places
Happy Island and Koh Rang Nok
Offshore
Limestone islands in the bay; at low tide you can wade towards Happy Island and snorkel around it.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Cliffside walkway
From Railay East
A shaded path under overhanging cliffs with stalactites, linking the beach with Railay East.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Climbing walls
Cliffs above the beach
Climbers can often be seen on the rock faces above the sand.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Local food
Fresh fruit
Krabi, Thailand
Mango, pineapple and watermelon sold from boats and carts on the beach.
Pad thai
Krabi, Thailand
Stir-fried rice noodles, sold from longtail-boat kitchens on the beach.
Where to eat
Longtail food boats
Phra Nang Beach
Boats moored on the sand sell simple Thai food, fruit and drinks.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Railay Walking Street
Railay
Restaurants and food carts a short walk away.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Where to stay
Railay East
Krabi, Thailand
The nearest area to Phra Nang, with mid-range rooms and easy walking access.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Ao Nang
Krabi, Thailand
Krabi's main resort town, a 15-minute boat ride away.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Culture
The Princess Cave is a real shrine: treat the offerings with respect and do not touch or remove them. Keep the beach clean and do not stand on coral.
History
The beach is named after Phra Nang, a mythical princess honoured at a cave shrine at its eastern end, where fishermen leave offerings for safe seas. Offshore stand the limestone islands of Happy Island and Koh Rang Nok.
Tour plans
Phra Nang and Railay
Half dayStep 1: Early boat
Catch a morning longtail from Ao Nang to Railay.
Step 2: Walk to Phra Nang
Follow the cliffside walkway from Railay East.
Step 3: Swim and snorkel
Swim off the beach and wade out towards Happy Island.
Step 4: Princess Cave
Visit the shrine before heading back.
Travel information
Best time to visit
November to April; come in the early morning or late afternoon, when the day-tour boats have gone.
How to get there
A 10-minute walk from Railay East along a cliffside path, or by longtail.
Getting around
Reach the beach on foot from Railay or by longtail boat from Ao Nang. There are no roads on the peninsula.
Travel tips
Come early before the boat tours arrive; there is little shade.
