If we stay for two weeks in Hua Hin with the family, we enjoy every day all the beautiful places in Hua Hin and its surroundings of this charming, authentic seaside town. One of the places nearby that immediately excites us is Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, about an hour’s drive from Hua Hin. During our first visit, we quickly realize that one day is actually too short to see everything in this national park, so we decide to go back a second time. In this article, I will tell you exactly which beautiful places in Khao Sam Roi Yot you should not miss according to us.
Read this article in DutchHistory of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Khao Sam Roi Yot is located in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. It was established in 1966 as Thailand’s first coastal national park, mainly to protect the vulnerable wetland with its unique flora and fauna. Khao Sam Roi Yot means mountain with three hundred peaks, referring to the impressive limestone hills that rise dramatically along the coast. The park covers about 98 square kilometers and features alternating steep limestone peaks, vast wetlands, mangrove forests and beaches along the Gulf of Thailand.
Long before the park was officially established, the area was inhabited and trade routes crossed the landscape. Recent archaeological finds show that human presence dates back thousands of years: several years ago, prehistoric rock paintings, stone tools and pottery fragments estimated to be 2000 to 3000 years old were discovered in various caves in the park.
Flora and fauna in Khao Sam Roi Yot
The park’s biodiversity is both diverse and vast thanks to its varied landscapes. The extensive freshwater marshes are among the most important wetland areas in Thailand, attracting hundreds of bird species annually, including rare migrants as well as water and birds of prey. The park is home to unique animal species such as fishing cats, serows (goat-antelope), dolphins along the coast and two unique gecko species found only here. The mangroves and rainforests form a rich ecosystem and rare plants and orchids that are almost nowhere else found grow on the jagged limestone cliffs. It is a unique place for nature lovers! The tranquility, untouched nature and landscape variety can truly make you feel like you’ve escaped from the inhabited world.
Places to visit in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
You can visit several beautiful spots within Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Some places require only a short visit, while others take a few hours to explore. You can (as we did) spread these spots over two days, so you don’t have to rush to see everything. If you want to stay in the park or nearby, some nice accommodations are Villa Maroc Resort, Aleenta Hua Hin and Vartika Resovilla Kuiburi Beach Resort and Villas.
Phraya Nakhon Cave
One of the most special places in the park is Phraya Nakhon Cave, famous for the mysterious royal pavilion that at certain times of the day is illuminated by sunbeams shining through the collapsed cave roof. The climb to the cave is quite challenging, but once inside, the atmosphere is almost magical. The pavilion stands beautifully, surrounded by dizzying rock walls and tropical vegetation.
Ban Bang Pu
The fishing village of Ban Bang Pu is the starting point for the hike to Phraya Nakhon Cave. Before or after your walk, take some time to stroll through the village. It is always enjoyable to watch the fishermen at work as they bring in their catch or clean their colorful boats.
Beaches in Khao Sam Roi Yot
The national park has several beaches, of which Laem Sala Beach is perhaps the most photogenic. You can reach this wide, quiet beach either on foot or by boat. If you take the hike to the aforementioned Phraya Nakhon Cave, you will naturally pass by the beach. Sam Phraya Beach and various smaller coves are also worth visiting. You can swim, picnic or simply enjoy the beautiful view.
Kissing Cave
The Kissing Cave is a lesser-known but charming attraction in Khao Sam Roi Yot. You take a boat through the beautiful marshland to reach a cave where the rock formations resemble kissing faces.
Bueng Bua Boardwalk
The Bueng Bua Boardwalk takes you into the heart of the vast wetlands, surrounded by lotus flowers and birds that call the waters their home. From the wooden walkway, you can enjoy views of the rugged mountains and the almost surreal wetland landscape.
Wat Khao Daeng
Wat Khao Daeng is a colorful temple surrounded by limestone rocks. You won’t find crowds of tourists here; chances are good you will have the place all to yourself, especially if you visit the temple early in the morning. At that time, there is also a chance of low-hanging mist, particularly on a cloudy day. It’s a beautiful spot for peace and reflection and a hotspot for photography enthusiasts.
Khao Daeng Canal and mangrove forest
If you want to discover the unique ecosystem of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in a special way, take a boat trip along the Khao Daeng Canal that flows through the lush mangrove forest. During this trip, you travel a narrow waterway lined with mangrove trees, about 3 to 4 kilometers long, offering stunning views of the steep limestone cliffs surrounding you. The mangrove forest is an essential habitat for many birds, fish and other aquatic animals and it protects the coast from erosion. From the boat, you can closely observe this rich nature, sometimes accompanied by the singing of birds and the gentle rustling of leaves. Boat tours usually depart from the area near Wat Khao Daeng temple and last about an hour.
Khao Daeng view point
If you don’t mind climbing, you definitely have to visit the Khao Daeng view point. A short but steep hike takes you to a panoramic view of part of the national park, the coastline and the surrounding rice fields. The view is especially spectacular at sunrise when the mountains are shrouded in mist. Unfortunately, during our visit, the trail was closed due to World Ranger Day. A shame, because by all accounts, the view is truly worth the effort.
Road 1021: spectacular views
Road 1021, the road along the north side of the park, is perhaps one of the most beautiful routes in the area. Here, you drive past vast rice fields with limestone peaks in the background. It’s like constantly looking at a painting, so beautiful. Definitely take this road when you visit Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.
Lunch at d-day cafe
You can enjoy a delicious lunch at D-Day Cafe on the edge of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The menu features tasty Thai dishes. Ordering can be a bit challenging in English, but the service is friendly and with a little patience, you’ll get everything sorted. The small restaurant has a large, nicely landscaped garden, so be sure to take a walk through it. If you don’t mind the heat, dining outside is also an option.
