Phra Nang Cave Beach, Railay

Phra Nang is the beach at the southern tip of the Railay peninsula and the best of the three by a distance: white sand, clear water, and an enormous limestone overhang hung with stalactites leaning out over one end of it. A ten-minute walk from Railay East gets you there.

At the far end is Tham Phra Nang, the princess cave, a shrine to a sea spirit local fishermen have honoured for centuries. It is filled with carved wooden phalluses left as offerings for a good catch and for fertility. It is a working shrine, not a curiosity - photograph it if you wish, but do not move or pose with the offerings.

There are no resorts on the beach and no shops beyond the longtails that sell food and drink from the water. Bring what you need, and take your rubbish back with you.