Sabaidee Travel

Just an hour’s drive south of Hua Hin, Thailand’s oldest beach resort, Khao Sam Roi Yot national park is one of my favourite places to visit in Thailand. Well known by Thais, foreigners have yet to really discover this place.

I would like to share some of my thoughts on this stunning national park, which despite its relatively small size, can leave a long-lasting impression on those who are fortunate enough to discover it.

What makes this national park so unique?

Phraya Nakhon Cave

There are several caves you can visit in this national park, but the one that is really worth going to is Phraya Nakhon Cave, which is a massive sinkhole within a rocky limestone outcrop near the ocean. It takes roughly half an hour to get to by foot (I am a bit fast so might take you longer 😉).

You will get sweaty and wonder why you came here in the first place as it is a steep climb (430m trail with 130m elevation). But if you get the chance you will get to see some macaques roaming around near the trail. These macaques aren’t fed by locals so no need to be worried about getting food or other objects stolen by the monkeys as they stay away from humans.

Once you reach the top you will quickly realise why this place is so special. Inside the cave, you will see the royal pavilion called Phra Thinang Khuha Kharuat. This pavilion was built for King Rama V who came to visit the cave in 1890. This cave does have some history to it, which makes it more interesting than other caves you might see in different areas of the national park. It is also the biggest which means if you only have the time to visit one cave, make sure to include this cave on your itinerary.

Khao Deng Viewpoint

This activity will involve more exercise but no visit to Khao Sam Roi Yot is complete without climbing up to Khao Deng Viewpoint, which offers 360 panoramic views of the national park and local fishing villages. The trail to the top of the limestone outcrop is very steep and the rocks can be quite sharp, so proper footwear is needed. The trail is very straightforward but it is located near marshland, so make sure to bring mosquito repellant as the mosquitoes can be quite aggressive when you climb up the limestone hill.

Whilst most people would recommend doing this activity for the viewpoint, nature lovers should come here for one very special reason: the chance to see Dusky Leaf Langurs. These monkeys are a critically endangered species and are recognisable by their distinct white rings around their eyes. Very few of them are left in the wild and Khao Sam Roi Yot is one of the last places in Asia where these monkeys have survived. It is common to see them around the trail entrance. Their unique look and docile nature make them one of my favourite species of monkey.

Phu Noi beach

To unwind and relax, there are several options. One of them is to take advantage of Phraya Nakhon beach when you visit the cave and stay there for a few hours as there is no vehicle access to the beach. This is not common in Thailand so you might relish the thought of not having the noise of cars and motorbikes zooming by when you go there. There is one restaurant too but I did not eat there so I can’t say if it is any good or not.

At lunchtime I went to Phu Noi beach which is sometimes referred to as Dolphin Bay. I have never seen any dolphins but it is a nice long stretch of sand where you can unwind and chill for a few hours. There are several restaurants and local eateries to choose from which makes it the most convenient place to get food and snacks. It isn’t a beach I would go to for a swim because it can be quite shallow at low tide and muddy. But it makes for a very enjoyable and relaxing time as you take in the scenery and laid-back vibes.

How to get there

I recommend renting a car in Hua Hin to visit the national park. It is the easiest and most convenient way to explore the area, and if you really enjoy the place, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from in the area to get the full experience.

By renting a car you will be able to take in the picturesque views and get to explore most of the area. There is virtually no traffic and the roads are some of the best in Thailand. If renting a car is not for you, there are minivans or orange buses that can take you from Hua Hin to Pranburi. From Pranburi motorbike taxis or private songthaews can drive you to the national park. There are no direct bus routes to the national park so if you aren’t an experienced traveller, I wouldn’t recommend this option.

Khao Sam Roi Yot is not on one of Thailand’s most famous tourist attractions but it is a great place to visit and I hope this inspires you to check out what is one of the country’s best day-trip destinations.

Are there any other places you think deserve more attention? Let me know in the comments section below.