Travel Date: 20th to 27th of September

Location: Railay

What was in our back pack?

  • 18 quick draws
  • 1 Rope
  • 1 PAS 
  • 1 Sling x 3 locking carabiners
  • Harness
  • Climbing shoes

Wish I’d brought:

  • Mosquito repellent
  • Moisturiser
  • Towel and brush to clean my shoes
  • Bigger climbing shoes
  • Fan

Where did we go?

Day 1: Phra-Nang Beach & One-Two-Three

Day 2: Muai Thai

Day 3: Taiwand Wall

Day 4: Phra-Nang Beach & One-Two-Three

Day 5: Ton Sai Wall & Roof

Day 6: The North Wall in Ao Nang

My personal highlights:

Muai Thai (6b+) and Monkey Love (6b) were two climbs that really stood out—both had big stalactites and some interesting movement.

With Muai Thai, there’s this part near the start where you have to bring your left hand around a stalactite, then your right, and then get your right foot up high—kind of like a Muai Thai kick. The move literally felt like the name of the climb, which made it fun and a bit weird in a good way. I didn't get to finish the climb, so I'm pretty keen to go back and finish it on lead.

Monkey Love had a few different sections, but the one that stuck with me was going out onto this massive stalactite. It felt pretty exposed, but the holds were good, and when you looked back, you had this amazing view behind you.

‍How was the food? 

We stayed in Railay and didn’t try every restaurant, but overall, I wasn’t super impressed with the food. Some meals were kind of bland, and a few were just hard to eat—like fried rice with chewy bits of garlic skin still in it.

The best part was probably the hotel’s continental breakfast. It was simple—eggs and sausages mostly—but it filled us up enough to head out and stay at the crag all day with just snacks. Definitely helped keep things easy in the mornings.

‍What did we spend on?

  • Dinner + fruit shakes
  • Snacks
  • Mosquito repellent + coil + lighter
  • Beer
  • Sun cream
  • Guide book

Overall, how was your climbing experience in Railay? 

Climbing in Railay was fun and definitely memorable. I came back feeling excited to explore more places in Thailand.

Personally, I found the heat a bit rough. My feet would swell up, and my climbing shoes started feeling way too tight. Sweating through every climb wasn’t the most fun either. The mosquitos were brutal—especially near the forest and around sunset.

Climbing on polished holds with sandy shoes was also mentally tough. I kept thinking I was about to slip off. But we got on a few of the classic routes with stalactites, which made the movement feel really 3D and unique.

The style was pretty different from what I’m used to at the Grampians, so it pushed me to climb outside my comfort zone and improve my footwork.

Tips for others going away to Railay ‍

Compared to the Grampians, I found most of the 6a climbs in Railay quite challenging. For anyone around the same level as me, I’d recommend starting at 1-2-3 Wall and Phra Nang Beach. They’ve got a good range of climbs that are a bit more forgiving while still interesting.

Tonsai Wall was super inspiring—it just had this big, dramatic vibe—but most of the climbs there felt extra tough for my grade. Maybe something to work up to.

If you're deciding where to stay and want to explore Railay, I’d definitely recommend staying in Railay. It will save you lot of time commuting and that means more time climbing (or sleeping in).The cost of taking the boat to Railay is not always cheap and the availability of the boat also depends on the weather.

Also, check the guidebook for shade. Some crags get full sun, and if you don’t plan around it, you’ll get absolutely cooked. There are shaded spots, but it really helps to plan your day ahead.

Same goes for checking the tides. They change roughly every six hours. So for example, if high tide is at 12:00 PM and low tide is at 6:00 PM, the belay spot at 1-2-3 Wall might not be accessible until around 2–3 PM. The tide times shift by about an hour each day, so it’s worth checking every night and planning accordingly.