Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park offers iconic cave, wetlands and coastal views
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan is a popular day trip from Hua Hin, offering visitors the chance to explore limestone peaks, freshwater marshes and coastal scenery.
Located just over an hour’s drive from Hua Hin, the park spans the districts of Sam Roi Yot and Kui Buri and is home to one of Thailand’s most photographed royal landmarks, Phra Thinang Khuha Kharuehat, inside Phraya Nakhon Cave.
The park, established as Thailand’s first coastal national park, features a mix of rugged limestone mountains, mangroves, wetlands, caves, beaches and offshore islands. Its name, meaning “Mountain of Three Hundred Peaks”, refers to the dramatic karst formations across the landscape.
Key sights and attractions
Phraya Nakhon Cave
This cave is one of the park’s best-known attractions and draws visitors hoping to photograph the sunlight streaming onto the royal pavilion. The cave has three chambers, with two ceiling openings allowing light to enter. The pavilion was built during King Rama V’s reign in 1890 and is most striking between 10:30 and 11:30am. Reaching the cave requires a 430-metre hike from Laem Sala Beach.
Laem Sala Beach
A peaceful white-sand beach backed by pine trees and mountains, Laem Sala is also the main access point to Phraya Nakhon Cave. It can be reached by boat from Ban Bang Pu or by hiking over Khao Thien. Facilities including toilets, food, accommodation and camping are available.
Thung Sam Roi Yot Wetlands / Bueng Bua Nature Education Centre
This expansive wetland area offers boardwalks and observation points for birdwatching and environmental education. It is one of the largest freshwater marshes in Thailand and provides a habitat for numerous bird species. The site is accessible by road near the Sam Roi Yot train station.
Sam Phraya Beach
This one-kilometre-long beach shaded by pine trees is a quiet spot for picnics or camping. Located north of the main park office, Sam Phraya offers basic amenities and a laid-back coastal setting.
Tham Kaeo (Glass Cave)
This cave, located near Ban Bang Pu in the Hub Chan Valley, is known for its translucent stalactites and stalagmites. The cave can be visited with a guide, and visitors are advised to bring torches. The visit typically takes two hours.
Tham Sai (Banyan Cave)
Situated near Khung Tanod, this smaller cave is accessible via a 280-metre uphill trail. Inside, visitors will find striking rock formations. Torches are needed and can be rented nearby. The full visit takes about one hour.
Khao Daeng Canal Boat Ride and Viewpoint
A one-hour boat tour runs from Wat Khao Daeng along a 3–4 km stretch of mangrove-lined canal. It’s especially scenic between 4:30 and 5:00pm. The nearby viewpoint, at 157 metres above sea level, is popular at sunrise and offers sightings of local monkey species.
Other sites
Additional points of interest include the mangrove forest, Khao Chub Kan Cave, and ranger stations that provide further information about the park’s flora and fauna.
Visitor information
The park is open daily from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Entrance fees are 200 baht for foreign adults and 100 baht for foreign children. Thai citizens pay 40 baht for adults and 20 baht for children. The ticket allows access to all park attractions on the day of purchase.
Accommodation is available inside the park, along with local homestays in nearby villages. The park can be explored independently or with the help of local guides or rangers at certain attractions.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is suitable for a day trip from Hua Hin but also offers enough variety to warrant an overnight stay, especially for those interested in nature, hiking or photography.
📍 Bueng Bua Visitor Centre at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
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Bueang Bua Lotus Lake
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Wetlands at Bueng Bua in Sam Roi Yot
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