Are you visiting Koh Samui and looking for some beautiful viewpoints? Then Overlap Stone 1 and Overlap Stone 2 are definitely worth adding to your list. Although the stones look a little less idyllic today than they did a few years ago, they are still special places to visit. In this article you will find everything you need to know, including where the stones are located, how to get there and which of the two offers the best view.
Read this article in DutchOverlap Stone 1
Overlap Stone 1 is perhaps the best known of the two. It is a large, round boulder that appears to balance on another rock, surrounded by lush greenery. In the past there was a small hanging bridge leading to it, cutting through the vegetation. This cute little bridge has now been replaced by a sturdier one, without railings on the sides, which can be quite nerve wracking for anyone with a fear of heights, as we notice during our visit. Standing next to Overlap Stone 1 you have a beautiful view over Lamai Beach and part of the island. The atmosphere around the stone has definitely changed compared to photos from a few years ago and it feels less charming now, but it remains an impressive sight and a fun viewpoint to visit.
During our visit the area is being completely renovated. Workers are building new terraces and a new café. We pay two hundred baht per person to walk up to the famous balancing stone via several sets of stairs and boardwalks. Along the way we can choose a soft drink, which is included in the entrance fee and very welcome in these temperatures.
The Best Samui
The area around Overlap Stone 2 has changed even more compared to a few years ago. It is no longer just about the balancing stone. In 2025 a café opened here called The Best Samui. From the terraces you have beautiful views over a large part of the island. You can sit outside in beanbags or at tables under a covered area and there is also indoor seating. It is already a lovely spot during the day, but I imagine it must feel quite atmospheric in the evening as well. It is a pleasant place to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat, although my personal preference still goes to The Roof Samui.
Overlap Stone 2
Overlap Stone 2 is located directly behind The Best Samui. And this is where things, to be honest, start to feel a bit off. Everywhere you look, new concrete structures, bird nests and viewpoints are being built, all clearly designed for creating the perfect Instagram photo. Like Overlap Stone 1, Overlap Stone 2 also looks different from the photos taken a few years ago. You reach the stone via a small constructed bridge, a platform has been added on the left side and a fence with lights now surrounds the area. Next to the stone there is also a large hand sculpture covered in thatched material.
Fortunately it is not busy when we visit, so we can enjoy the view in peace. We take a few photos with the children at the stone and, for fun, pose briefly with the hand sculpture, but we quickly pass by the other photo spots. The whole setup is simply not our kind of thing.
At Overlap Stone 2 we pay the same entrance fee as at Overlap Stone 1, two hundred baht per person. Later I wonder whether you also need to pay this fee if you only want to visit The Best Samui for food or drinks, as that is not entirely clear. The whole area feels a bit chaotic. The café has only recently opened and the construction work is still ongoing. I am curious to see what it will look like here a few years from now.
Where the Overlap Stones are located
Both Overlap Stones are situated on the eastern side of Koh Samui, not far from the coast. Overlap Stone 1 is located at around one hundred and fifty metres above sea level, while Overlap Stone 2 lies considerably higher. When you turn off the main road towards Overlap Stone, you will immediately see a parking area on your left where you can leave your vehicle.
Walking to Overlap Stone
There is a hiking trail for those who want to walk up. It must be said that the path is poorly maintained and good shoes are essential. Let us just say it is definitely not a flip flop walk.
Reaching Overlap Stone by car, scooter or jeep
At the parking area you will also find jeeps that can take you to both Overlap Stones. We decide to drive up to Overlap Stone 1 with our rental car, but that turns out not to be the best idea. The road uphill is very steep, parking spaces are limited and it becomes difficult to find a jeep from there to take you farther up to Overlap Stone 2. We eventually park somewhere along the steep road and continue on foot to Overlap Stone 1.
Overlap Stone 2 lies higher up the mountain. At the small parking area near Overlap Stone 1, the ticket attendant stops a jeep for us and it takes us the rest of the way up. The ride is extremely steep and quite spectacular. At times it even feels as though the jeep might not make it and could slide backwards down the mountain.
We do see scooters making their way to Overlap Stone 1, but not to Overlap Stone 2. At least, we see two people attempting the climb from Overlap Stone 1, but they end up rolling back down. It looks truly dangerous. The road to the first stone is steep, but the road to the second is extremely steep. My advice is simple, just take the jeep.
Overlap Stone 1 and 2, worth visiting or better skipped
Despite the confusion surrounding the Overlap Stones, from how to get there to which stone is more beautiful and whether everything is open, I still think it is worth adding these places to your list of things to do on Koh Samui. You can easily skip all the photo spots at Overlap Stone 2 if that is not your thing. At The Best Samui you can enjoy good food and stunning views, making it a pleasant place to spend some time. And once you are there, you might still want to take that one photo with the stones.
