In this paper, the generalized exponential rational function method is applied to obtain analytical solutions for the nonlinear Radhakrishnan–Kundu–Lakshmanan equation. We obtain novel soliton, traveling waves and kink-type solutions with complex structures. We also present the two- and three-dimensional shapes for the real and imaginary part of the solutions obtained. It is illustrated that generalized exponential rational function method (GERFM) is simple and efficient method to reach the various type of the soliton solutions.