Skip the kayak rental in Railay

Southern Thailand has some interesting aspects to it. Though quite beautiful, most places in this area are far from off the beaten path, and see a lot of negativity from tourists and those in the industry. The other kicker is that during high season, along with cooler weather comes higher prices and more of said tourists and negativity. Alas, sometimes the calendar is against us, and we end up in Southern Thailand during the high season.

While visiting Railay Beach in November, I found myself doing anything to try and continue traveling on a budget. Bungalows that used to cost around 150 Baht (about five bucks) had increased to 400B, and meals had nearly doubled. Sure, I did spend my days rock climbing with my own gear, or else sitting on the beach, but regardless, it was hard to stay within budget. Like my high school gym teacher told me though, if there is a will, there is a way.

While most budget travelers stay in Tonsai Bay and rarely make the trek over to Railay Beach, one of the most glorious aspects of this region is getting to Pranang Cave. The beach is beautiful, the water is stunning, and even when the bad weather sets in, the overhanging cave covers a good portion of water and rocking climbing spots, so you can continue about your business.

This is where the budget travel tip comes in. Pranang Cave has the main beach, but beyond where most tourists stay is a small cove that is surrounded by massive limestone structures coming out of the water. It is beautiful, serene and hardly ever visited. Those who discover the beauty normally find it by kayak (which is fun, but costs about 600B per day).

In true budget fashion, the cheapest way to find the hidden bay is through a little cave splunking and wadding in the water. Directly past the Phallus temple on the cave side is a small break in the stone that leads to the hidden bay. You can swim to it through waist high water during high tide, or walk through ankle deep swells during low-tide. After the swim, a small climb over some rocks grants you access to a beautiful bay where you can contemplate life by your lonesome with limestone cliffs.

Enjoy your time in Thailand. Though it seems to be a hectic, tourist trap, those who continue to explore will continue to find gorgeous places.

Image courtesy of My Trip Blog