Railay Beach, Thailand

Railay Beach rewards effort with seclusion, accessible solely by longtail boat from Ao Nang for $5 per person, making it cheaper than #8 Praia da Marinha's ferry or taxi combos. Towering limestone karsts, some rising 100 meters vertically, frame four distinct coves where Phra Nang Cave draws rock climbers with 200-plus routes rated 5.6 to 5.14. The sand is powdery and the water calm—average wave height stays below 0.5 meters year-round—providing safer swimming than most Thai gulf spots. This self-contained peninsula houses no roads or cars, only trails through jungle to viewpoints like the Railay Viewpoint, which offers panoramas of the Andaman Sea. A short trek ensures fewer crowds: peak season sees 1,000 daily visitors versus Krabi's 10,000, proving that the best beaches demand a little effort.